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EX-32.1 - CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 - COHEN & STEERS, INC.cns10k-123116ex321.htm
EX-32.2 - CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 - COHEN & STEERS, INC.cns10k-123116ex322.htm
EX-31.2 - CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - COHEN & STEERS, INC.cns10k-123116ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - COHEN & STEERS, INC.cns10k-123116ex311.htm
EX-23.1 - CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP - COHEN & STEERS, INC.cns10k-123116ex231.htm
EX-21.1 - SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGRISTRANT - COHEN & STEERS, INC.cns10k-123116ex211.htm


_______________________________________________________

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
x    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016
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. 001-32236
COHEN & STEERS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
14-1904657
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
280 Park Avenue, New York, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
10017
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 832-3232
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    
Yes   ¨    No  x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x
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   x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in the definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x
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
x
 
Accelerated Filer
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Non Accelerated Filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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  x
The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2016 was approximately $836 million. There is no non-voting common stock of the Registrant outstanding.
As of February 21, 2017, there were 46,285,336 shares of the Registrant's common stock outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement of Cohen & Steers, Inc. (the Proxy Statement) to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the general rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on May 4, 2017 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
________________________________________________________



COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
Part I
 
 
Item 1
Item 1A
Item 1B
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
Part II
 
 
Item 5
Item 6
Item 7
Item 7A
Item 8
Item 9
Item 9A
Item 9B
Part III
 
 
Item 10
Item 11
Item 12
Item 13
Item 14
Part IV
 
 
Item 15
Item 16




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PART I
Item 1. Business
Overview
Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS), a Delaware corporation formed on March 17, 2004, is a global investment manager specializing in liquid real assets, including real estate securities, listed infrastructure, commodities and natural resource equities, as well as preferred securities and other income solutions. Headquartered in New York City, with offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seattle, we serve institutional and individual investors around the world.
CNS is the holding company for its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (CSCM), Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC (CSS), Cohen & Steers Asia Limited (CSAL), Cohen & Steers UK Limited (CSUK) and Cohen & Steers Japan, LLC (CSJL). CNS and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the Company, we, us or our.
Our revenue is derived from fees received from our clients, including fees for managing or sub-advising client accounts; investment advisory, administration, distribution and service fees received from Company-sponsored open-end and closed-end funds; and fees for portfolio consulting and other services. Our fees are paid in arrears, based on contractually specified percentages of the value of the assets we manage and, in certain cases, investment performance. Our revenue fluctuates with changes in the total value of our assets under management, which may occur as a result of investment performance, market conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, or investor subscriptions or redemptions, and is recognized over the period that the assets are managed.
At December 31, 2016, we managed $57.2 billion in assets - $28.7 billion in institutional accounts, $19.6 billion in open-end funds, and $9.0 billion in closed-end funds. Our assets under management increased 9% from $52.6 billion at December 31, 2015 as a result of net inflows of $6.7 billion and market appreciation of $3.1 billion, partially offset by distributions of $5.2 billion.
Investment Vehicles
We manage three types of investment vehicles: institutional accounts, open-end funds and closed-end funds.
Institutional Accounts
Institutional accounts for which we serve as investment adviser represent portfolios of securities we manage for institutional clients. We manage the assets in each institutional account in accordance with the investment requirements of that client as set forth in such client's investment advisory agreement and investment guidelines. The investment advisory agreements with our institutional account clients are generally terminable at any time. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, investment advisory fees from our institutional accounts totaled approximately $93.2 million, $85.5 million and $81.9 million, respectively, and accounted for 29%, 28% and 28%, respectively, of our investment advisory and administrative fee revenue.
Subadvisory assets, which represent accounts for which we have been appointed as a subadvisor by the investment adviser to that investment vehicle, are included in our institutional account assets. As subadvisor, we are responsible for managing the investments, while the investment adviser oversees our performance as subadvisor; the fund sponsor is responsible for decisions regarding the amount, timing and whether to pay distributions of income for the investment vehicle to its beneficial owners. As of December 31, 2016, approximately $19.6 billion of our institutional account assets were subadvisory assets.
Open-end Funds
The open-end funds for which we serve as investment adviser offer and issue new shares continuously as assets are invested and redeem shares when assets are withdrawn. The share price for purchases and redemptions of shares of each of the open-end funds is determined by each fund's net asset value, which is calculated at the end of each business day. The net asset value per share is the current value of a fund's assets less liabilities, divided by the fund's total shares outstanding.
The investment advisory fees that we receive from the open-end funds for which we serve as investment adviser vary based on each fund's investment strategy, fees charged by other comparable funds and the market in which the fund is offered. In addition, we receive a separate fee for providing administrative services to certain open-end funds at a rate that is designed to reimburse us for the cost of providing these services. The open-end funds pay us a monthly investment advisory fee and an


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administration fee, if applicable, based on a percentage of the value of the fund's average assets under management. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, investment advisory and administrative fees from open-end funds totaled approximately $149.9 million, $136.9 million and $127.4 million, respectively, and accounted for 47%, 45% and 44%, respectively, of our investment advisory and administrative fee revenue.
Our investment advisory and administration agreements with the U.S. registered open-end funds for which we serve as investment adviser are generally terminable upon a vote of a majority of the fund's board of directors on 60 days' notice, and each investment advisory agreement, including the fees payable thereunder, is subject to annual approval, following the initial two-year term, by a majority of the directors of the fund's board who are not "interested persons," as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the Investment Company Act).
Closed-end Funds
The closed-end funds for which we serve as investment adviser are registered investment companies that have issued a fixed number of shares through public offerings. These shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and cannot be redeemed by the fund's shareholders. The trading price of the shares is determined by supply and demand in the marketplace, and, as a result, the shares may trade at a premium or discount to the net asset value of the fund.
The investment advisory fees that we receive from the closed-end funds for which we serve as investment adviser vary based on each fund's investment strategy, fees charged by other comparable funds and prevailing market conditions at the time each closed-end fund initially offered its shares to the public. In addition, we receive a separate fee for providing administrative services to eight of the nine closed-end funds at a rate that is designed to reimburse us for the cost of providing these services. The closed-end funds pay us a monthly investment advisory fee and an administration fee, if applicable, based on a percentage of the value of the fund's average assets under management. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, investment advisory and administrative fees from closed-end funds totaled approximately $76.6 million, $81.4 million and $82.5 million, respectively, and accounted for 24%, 27% and 28%, respectively, of our investment advisory and administrative fee revenue.
Our investment advisory agreements with each closed-end fund for which we serve as investment adviser are generally terminable upon a vote of a majority of the fund's board of directors on 60 days' notice and are subject to annual approval, following the initial two-year term, by a majority of the directors of the fund's board who are not "interested persons," as defined by the Investment Company Act.
Portfolio Consulting and Other Services
We maintain two proprietary indexes, Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index (RMP) and Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors Index (GRM). RMP is the basis for the iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF sponsored by BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. GRM is the basis for Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF sponsored by ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and iShares Global Real Estate Index Fund sponsored by BlackRock Investments Canada Inc. We earn a licensing fee based on a percentage of the funds' assets for the use of our indexes, which assets, as of December 31, 2016, were approximately $3.6 billion. While we receive a fee on these assets, they are not included in our reported assets under management.
We also provide services in connection with model-based strategies accounts. We construct portfolios of securities that fulfill the investment objective of a specified mandate and supply portfolio models on a regular basis. As of December 31, 2016, we provided such services to accounts with aggregate assets of $2.8 billion. While we receive a fee on these assets, they are not included in our reported assets under management.
In addition, we provide several services in connection with assets held by unit investment trusts (UITs). A UIT is a registered investment company that holds a portfolio of securities that generally does not change during the life of the UIT (generally two to five years) except that the sponsor of the UIT may sell portfolio securities under certain narrowly defined circumstances. As portfolio consultant to a number of UITs, we construct a portfolio of securities that we believe is well suited to satisfy the investment objective of the UIT. We also provide ongoing portfolio monitoring services and provide a license to certain firms to use our name in connection with certain of their investment products. At December 31, 2016, we provided such portfolio consulting services to UITs with aggregate assets of $1.0 billion. While we receive a fee on these assets, they are not included in our reported assets under management.
Our fee schedules for these services vary based on the type of services.
Our Investment Strategies
Each of our investment strategies is overseen by a specialist team, each of which is led by a portfolio manager, or a team of portfolio managers, supported by dedicated analysts. These personnel are located in our New York, Seattle, London and Hong Kong offices. Each team executes fundamentally driven, actively managed investment strategies and each has a unique


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and well defined process that includes top-down macroeconomic and bottom-up fundamental research and portfolio management elements. These teams are subject to multiple levels of oversight and support from our President and Chief Investment Officer, our Chief Administrative Officer-Investments, our Investment Risk Committee, our Investment Operating Committee and our Legal and Compliance Department. Some of our strategies may involve multiple asset classes and are overseen by investment committees led by senior portfolio managers of our specialist teams.
Below is a summary of our investment strategies:
Real Assets Multi-Strategy invests in a diversified multi-strategy portfolio of companies and securities that generally own or are backed by tangible real assets, including real estate securities, global listed infrastructure, commodities and natural resource equities, with the objective of achieving attractive total returns over the long term, while providing diversification and maximizing the potential for real returns in periods of rising inflation and rising interest rates.
Real Estate Securities invests in a portfolio of common stocks and other securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. real estate companies, including real estate investment trusts (REITs) and similar REIT-like entities. This strategy draws on the expertise of our integrated global real estate securities investment team. The investment objective is total return.
Global Listed Infrastructure invests in a diversified portfolio of U.S. and non-U.S. securities issued by infrastructure companies such as utilities, pipelines, toll roads, airports, railroads, marine ports and telecommunications companies located in developed markets with opportunistic allocations to emerging markets. The investment objective is total return.
MLPs and Midstream Energy invests in a diversified portfolio of energy-related master limited partnerships (MLPs) and securities of companies that derive revenues or operating income from the exploration, production, gathering, transportation, processing, storage, refining, distribution or marketing of natural gas, crude oil and other energy. The investment objective is total return.
Commodities invests in a diversified portfolio of exchange-traded commodity future contracts and other commodity-related financial derivative instruments. We take a fundamental, research-driven approach to commodities management, while seeking alpha through active trade implementation, which may entail going long, short or employing spread trades. The investment objective is total return.
Preferred Securities invests in a diversified portfolio of preferred and debt securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. companies. The preferred securities are issued by banks, insurance companies, REITs and other diversified financial institutions as well as utility, energy, pipeline and telecommunications companies. We employ a unified investment process that underlies our traditional total return preferred securities strategy as well as the lower duration capital preservation strategies.
Large Cap Value invests in a diversified portfolio of stocks issued by U.S. large capitalization companies that appear to be undervalued but have good prospects for capital appreciation and dividend growth. The investment objective is total return.
Global Natural Resource Equities seeks to maximize total returns by investing in companies involved in the production, extraction, or processing of commodities and natural resources. Specifically, the strategy invests in energy producers, metals and mining companies and agriculture-based businesses. The investment objective is total return.
In addition, we offer variations on these strategies that may combine multiple strategies in a single portfolio. Individual portfolios may be customized to comply with client-specific guidelines, benchmarks or risk profiles. Certain portfolios may employ leverage.
Our Distribution Network
Our distribution network encompasses the major channels in the asset management industry, including large brokerage firms, registered investment advisers, institutional investors and retirement recordkeepers. The U.S. registered open-end funds for which we serve as investment adviser are available for purchase with and without commissions through full service and discount broker-dealers as well as the significant networks serving financial advisers. Our institutional account clients include corporate and public defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, endowment funds and foundations, insurance companies and other financial institutions that access our investment management services directly, through consultants or through other intermediaries.


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Geographic Information
The table below presents revenue by client domicile for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
United States
$
282,516

 
$
266,583

 
$
256,137

Non - U.S.
 
 
 
 
 
Japan
43,458

 
41,899

 
40,179

Other
23,902

 
20,173

 
17,618

Total
$
349,876

 
$
328,655

 
$
313,934

Competition
We compete with a large number of global and U.S. investment managers, commercial banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions. Many competing firms are parts of larger financial services companies and attract business through numerous channels, including retail banking, investment banking and underwriting contacts, insurance agencies and broker-dealers.
Our direct competitors in wealth management are other funds and exchange-traded-fund (ETF) sponsors, including large nationally recognized investment management firms that have a more diverse product offering and smaller boutique firms that specialize in particular asset classes. We also compete against managers that will manage separate-account portfolios for wealth management clients. In the institutional channel, we compete against a number of investment managers offering similar products and services, from boutique establishments to major commercial and investment banks.
Performance, price and brand are our principal sources of competition. Prospective clients will typically base their decisions to invest, or continue to invest, with us on our ability to generate returns in excess of a benchmark and the cost of doing so. We are evaluated based on our performance and our fees relative to our competitors. In addition, individual fund shareholders may also base their decision on the ability to access the funds we manage through a particular distribution channel.
As interest in real assets increases, we may face increased competition from other managers that are competing for the same client base that we serve. Financial intermediaries that offer our products to their clients may also offer competing products. Many of our competitors have greater brand name recognition and more extensive client bases than we do, which could be to our disadvantage. In addition, our larger competitors have more resources and may have more capacity to expand their distribution channels and capture market share through ongoing business relationships and extensive marketing efforts. However, compared to our larger competitors, we may be able to grow our business at a faster rate from a relatively smaller asset base and shift resources in response to changing market conditions more quickly.
Regulation
We are subject to regulation under U.S. federal and state laws, as well as applicable laws in the other jurisdictions in which we do business. Violation of applicable laws or regulations could result in fines, temporary or permanent prohibition of engagement in certain activities, reputational harm and loss of clients, suspension of personnel or revocation of their regulatory licenses, suspension or termination of investment adviser and/or broker-dealer registrations, or other sanctions and penalties.
CSCM is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and is an approved investment manager with the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (the CSSF) and the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority. CSCM has also obtained exemptions from registration that allow it to provide investment management services to institutions in Australia and Canada. CSCM is also a registered commodity trading advisor and a registered commodity pool operator with the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) and is a member of the National Futures Association (the NFA), a futures industry self-regulatory organization. The CFTC and NFA regulate futures contracts, swaps, and various other financial instruments in which certain of the Company’s clients may invest.
CSUK, our UK-based subsidiary, is a registered investment adviser with the SEC and the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority and is an approved investment manager with the CSSF. CSUK provides investment management services in several European Union member states pursuant to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). CSUK is subject to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, which regulates, among other things, certain liquidity and capital resources requirements. Such requirements may limit our ability to withdraw capital from CSUK. CSUK is also subject to


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certain pan-European regulations, including MiFID, the Capital Requirements Directive and the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD). MiFID regulates the provision of investment services throughout the European Economic Area and the Capital Requirements Directive regulates capital requirements. AIFMD regulates the management, administration and marketing of alternative investment funds domiciled in or marketed within the European Union and establishes a regime for the cross-border marketing of those funds. Please refer to Item 1A. Regulatory and Legal Risks for a discussion of the potential impact of the U.K. vote to exit the European Union on June 23, 2016 (referred to as "Brexit").
CSAL, our Hong Kong-based subsidiary, is a registered investment adviser with the SEC and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (the SFC) and is an approved investment manager with the CSSF. CSAL is subject to the Securities and Futures Ordinance (the SFO), which regulates, among other things, offers of investments to the public and the licensing of intermediaries. CSAL and its employees conducting any of the regulated activities specified in the SFO are required to be licensed with the SFC and are subject to the rules, codes and guidelines issued by the SFC.
In their capacity as U.S. registered investment advisers, CSCM, CSUK and CSAL are subject to the rules and regulations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act). The Advisers Act imposes numerous obligations on registered investment advisers, including recordkeeping, operational and marketing requirements, disclosure obligations and prohibitions on fraudulent activities. In addition, our subsidiaries that serve as investment adviser or subadviser to U.S. registered funds are subject to the Investment Company Act, which imposes additional governance, compliance, reporting and fiduciary obligations.
CSJL, our Tokyo-based subsidiary, is a financial instruments operator registered with the Financial Services Agency of Japan and the Kanto Local Finance Bureau and is subject to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. CSJL supports the marketing, client service and business development activities of the Company.
CSS is a registered broker-dealer regulated by the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and other federal and state agencies. CSS is subject to regulations governing, among other things, sales practices, capital structure, and recordkeeping. CSS is also subject to the SEC’s net capital rule, which specifies minimum net capital levels for registered broker-dealers and is designed to enforce minimum standards regarding the general financial condition and liquidity of broker-dealers. Under certain circumstances, this rule may limit our ability to withdraw capital and receive dividends from CSS.
Because of the global and integrated nature of our business, regulation applicable to an affiliate in one jurisdiction may affect the operation of affiliates in others or require compliance at a group level.
Employees
As of December 31, 2016, we had 287 full-time employees.
Available Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and all amendments to these reports and other information with the SEC. We make available free of charge on or through our website at www.cohenandsteers.com our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.


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Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Related to our Business
A significant portion of our revenue for 2016 was derived from a single institutional client.
At December 31, 2016, our largest institutional client, Daiwa Asset Management, which holds accounts across numerous strategies and in subadvisory and model-based accounts and products, represented approximately 12% of our total revenue for 2016. Approximately 47% of the institutional account assets we managed and approximately 24% of our total assets under management were derived from this client. In addition, approximately 16% of our assets under advisement were derived from this client. Loss of, or significant withdrawal of assets from, any of these accounts would reduce our revenue and adversely affect our financial condition.
A decline in the absolute or relative performance of real estate securities would have an adverse effect on the assets we manage and our revenue.
As of December 31, 2016, a significant majority of the assets we managed were concentrated in real estate securities. Real estate securities and real property investments owned by the issuers of real estate securities are subject to varying degrees of risk that could affect any returns we realize. Returns on investments in real estate securities depend on the amount of income and capital appreciation or loss realized by the underlying real property. Income and real estate values may be adversely affected by, among other things, the cost of compliance with applicable laws, interest rates, the availability of financing, the creditworthiness of the tenants, and the limited ability of issuers of real estate securities to vary their portfolios promptly in response to changes in market conditions. If the underlying properties do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, the income and the ability of an issuer of real estate securities to pay interest and principal on debt securities or any dividends on common or preferred stocks will be adversely affected. A decline in the performance of real estate securities would have an adverse effect on the assets we manage, reducing the fees we earn and our revenue.
Our growth may be constrained by the size and number of real estate securities issuers, as well as REIT ownership restrictions.
Investments in real estate securities continue to play an important role in our overall business strategy. Our ability to continue to increase our ownership of real estate securities depends in part on growth in the size and number of issuers in the real estate securities market, particularly in the U.S. Our ability to increase our ownership may also be constrained by REIT ownership limits, which limit ownership of a REIT’s outstanding capital stock, common stock, and/or preferred stock. Although certain REITs in which we invest have granted us waivers from these ownership limits to allow greater investment, such REITs generally retain the right to revoke or reduce the waiver limits at any time. As a result of these constraints, we have in the past, and may in the future, be prevented from acquiring new or additional real estate securities, which may negatively affect our investment performance and our ability to increase the assets we manage and our revenue.
Support provided to new products may reduce fee income, increase expenses and expose us to potential losses on invested capital.
Our success is partially dependent on our ability to develop, launch, market and manage new investment strategies and products. New investment strategies and products require an initial cash investment, innovation, time and the appropriate resources as well as ongoing support. From time to time, we may support the launch of new investment strategies and products by making seed investments in those strategies. We may also be required to provide additional support to seed investment products after the initial cash investment. Numerous risks and uncertainties are associated with all stages of the seed investment product life cycle, including investment performance, market risks, shifting client or market preferences, the introduction of competing products and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Seed investments in new products utilize capital that would otherwise be available for other corporate purposes and potentially expose us to capital losses, against which we do not currently hedge. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded non-operating income from seed investments of $6.7 million, excluding losses attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest, the majority of which was unrealized. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded non-operating loss from seed investments of $14.0 million, excluding losses attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest, the majority of which was unrealized. To the extent we incur losses on our seed investments, our earnings and financial condition may be adversely impacted.


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Increased competition from investment managers that charge lower fees may force us to reduce the fees we charge for our services which could have a negative impact on our revenue.
Increased competition from investment managers, including passive investment managers, that offer products and services at lower fees has resulted in downward pressure on fees. In order to maintain our current fee structure in a competitive environment, we must be able to provide clients with investment returns and service that will encourage them to pay our fees. In the event our competitors charge lower fees for substantially similar products and services, we may be forced to reduce our fees in order to attract and retain clients, which would have a negative impact on our revenue.
The inability to access clients through third-party intermediaries could have a material adverse effect on our business.
In recent years, a significant portion of the growth we have experienced in the assets we manage has been from assets obtained through the distribution of our products through third-party intermediaries. Our ability to distribute our funds is highly dependent on access to the client bases and product platforms of international, national and regional securities firms, banks, insurance companies, defined contribution plan administrators and other intermediaries which generally offer competing investment products. In addition, our separate account business and subadvisory and model delivery services depend in part on recommendations by consultants, financial planners and other professional advisors, as well as our existing clients.
The structure and terms of the distribution arrangements with intermediaries, including fees or rebates paid by us or our funds to intermediaries to assist with distribution efforts and the ability of our funds to participate in these intermediary platforms, are subject to changes driven by market competition and regulatory developments. For example, our existing relationships with third-party intermediaries and access to new intermediaries could be adversely affected by recent consolidation within the financial services industry. Consolidation may result in increased distribution costs, a reduction in the number of third parties distributing our investment products or increased competition to access third-party distribution channels. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain access to these channels. Loss of any of these third-party distribution channels, or changes to their structure and terms, or any reduction in our ability to access clients and investors through existing and new distribution channels, could adversely affect our business.
The growth of our business could be adversely affected if we are unable to manage the costs associated with the implementation of our business strategy.
Our business strategy continues to involve diversifying our investment management business to include products and services outside of investments in U.S. real estate securities. As part of the implementation of our strategy, we have emphasized the development of broader real assets strategies, including commodities, global listed infrastructure, and natural resource equities, and have expanded our geographical presence outside the U.S. This has entailed hiring additional portfolio managers and additional personnel to support our strategies. As a result, our fixed costs and other expenses have increased due to expenses incurred to support the development of new strategies and products and to enhance our infrastructure, including additional office space, increased travel and technology and compliance resources. The success of our business strategy and future growth is contingent upon our ability to continue to support the development and implementation of new strategies and products and our ability to successfully manage multiple offices and navigate legal and regulatory systems both domestically and internationally. In the future, we may not have sufficient resources to adequately support our growth.
Our clients may withdraw or reduce the amount of assets we manage or otherwise change the terms of our relationship which could have an adverse impact on our revenue.
Our institutional clients, and firms with which we have strategic alliances, may terminate their relationship with us, reduce the aggregate amount of assets we manage, shift their funds to other types of accounts with different fee structures, or renegotiate the fees we charge them for any number of reasons, including investment performance, changes in prevailing interest rates and financial market performance. Certain investors in the funds that we manage hold their shares indirectly through platforms sponsored by financial institutions that have the authority to make investment and asset allocation decisions on behalf of such shareholders. Decisions to redeem assets may cause the fund to sell assets at a disadvantageous time or price which could negatively affect the value of our assets under management. In a declining market or in conditions of poor relative or absolute performance, the pace of redemptions and withdrawals, and the loss of institutional and individual separate account clients could accelerate. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our revenue.


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Regulations restricting the use of commission credits to pay for research could result in increased expenses.
On behalf of our clients, we make decisions to buy and sell securities, select broker-dealers to execute trades and negotiate brokerage commission rates. In connection with these transactions, we may receive commission credits to pay for eligible research and services from broker-dealers and other eligible service providers that have the effect of reducing certain expenses. New regulations outside the U.S. may restrict or eliminate the Company’s ability to use commission credits to pay for such eligible research, which could increase our operating expenses.
Limitations on our ability to utilize leverage in the closed-end funds we sponsor could reduce our assets under management and revenue.
Certain of the closed-end funds sponsored by us utilize leverage in the form of bank financing, which in the aggregate amounted to $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2016. To the extent any closed-end fund sponsored by us elects or is required by regulation or the terms of its bank financing to reduce leverage, such fund may need to liquidate its investments. Reducing leverage or liquidation during adverse market conditions could reduce the Company's assets under management and revenue.
We could incur financial losses, reputational harm, and regulatory penalties if we fail to implement effective information security policies and procedures.
We are dependent on the effectiveness of our information security policies and procedures to protect our computer, network and telecommunications systems and the data that reside in or are transmitted through them.
As part of our normal operations, we maintain and transmit confidential information about our clients' portfolios as well as proprietary information relating to our business operations. We maintain a system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that fraudulent activity, including misappropriation of Company assets, fraudulent financial reporting, and unauthorized access to sensitive or confidential data is either prevented or timely detected and remediated. However, our technology systems may still be vulnerable to unauthorized access or may be corrupted by cyber attacks, computer viruses or other malicious software code, or authorized persons could inadvertently or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information. Although we take precautions to password protect and encrypt our mobile electronic hardware, if such hardware is stolen, misplaced or left unattended, it may become vulnerable to hacking or other unauthorized use, creating a possible security risk. Breach of our technology systems could result in the loss of valuable information, liability for stolen assets or information, remediation costs to repair damage caused by the breach, additional security costs to mitigate against future incidents and litigation costs resulting from the incident. Moreover, loss of confidential client information could harm our reputation, result in the termination of contracts by our existing clients and subject us to liability under laws that protect confidential personal data, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenues. We have minimal coverage under our existing insurance policies, and we do not currently maintain insurance coverage that specifically protects against cyber attacks. As such, we may be liable for all losses incurred in connection with any information security breaches, including cyber attacks.
Failure to maintain adequate business continuity plans could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its products.
Significant portions of our business operations and those of our critical third-party service providers are concentrated in a few geographic areas, including New York and New Jersey. Critical operations that are geographically concentrated in New York include portfolio management, trading operations, information technology, investment administration, and portfolio accounting services for the Company’s products and services. Should we, or our critical service providers, experience a material local or regional disaster or other significant business disruption, our ability to remain operational will depend in part on the safety and availability of our personnel, our office facilities, and the proper functioning of our computer, network, telecommunication and other related systems and operations. We have developed backup systems and contingency plans, but we cannot ensure that they will be adequate in all circumstances that could arise or that material interruptions and disruptions will not occur. In addition, we rely to varying degrees on outside vendors for disaster recovery support, and we cannot ensure that these vendors will be able to perform in an adequate and timely manner. Failure by us, or our critical service providers, to maintain up to date business continuity plans, including system backup facilities, would impede our ability to operate in the event of a significant business disruption, which could result in financial losses to the Company and our clients and investors.
We could suffer financial losses in earnings or revenue if our reputation is harmed.
Our reputation is important to the success of our business. We believe that the Cohen & Steers brand has been, and continues to be, well received globally both in our industry and with our clients, reflecting the fact that our brand, like our business, is based in part on trust and confidence. Our reputation may be harmed by a number of factors, including, but not


8


limited to, poor investment performance, the dissemination by current or former clients of unfavorable opinions relating to our services, and the imposition of legal or regulatory sanctions or penalties in connection with our business activities. If our reputation is harmed, existing clients and investors may reduce amounts held in, or withdraw entirely from, funds or accounts that we advise, or funds or accounts may terminate their relationship with us. In addition, reputational harm may cause us to lose current employees and we may be unable to attract new ones with similar qualifications or skills which could negatively affect our operations. If we fail to address, or appear to fail to address, successfully and promptly the underlying causes of any reputational harm, we may be unsuccessful in repairing any harm to our reputation and our future business prospects would likely be affected. The loss of client relationships could reduce our assets under management, revenue and earnings.
The failure of a key vendor to fulfill its obligations to the Company could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its products.
We depend on a number of key vendors for various fund administration, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent roles and other operational needs. The failure or inability of the Company to diversify its sources for key services or the failure of any key vendor to fulfill its obligations could lead to operational issues for the Company and certain of its products, which could result in financial losses for the Company and its clients.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
A majority of our common stock is owned by our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer, which may limit the ability of other stockholders to influence the affairs of the Company.
Our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer beneficially owned approximately 51% of our common stock as of December 31, 2016. As long as our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer own a majority of our common stock, they will have the ability to, among other things:
elect all of the members of our board of directors, thereby controlling the management and affairs of the Company;
determine the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders; and
prevent any unsolicited acquisition of us and, consequently, adversely affect the market price of our common stock or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium on their shares.
The interests of our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer may differ from those of other stockholders in instances where, for example, management compensation is being determined or where an unsolicited acquisition of us could result in a change in our management. The concentration of beneficial ownership in our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer may limit the ability of our other stockholders to influence the affairs of the Company.
A sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, and the issuance of additional shares will dilute your percentage ownership in the Company.
A sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sale may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer, who beneficially owned, in the aggregate, 23,229,900 shares of our common stock as of December 31, 2016, may sell shares of our common stock in the open market, subject to any restrictions imposed by U.S. federal securities laws on sales by affiliates.
In addition, in connection with our initial public offering in 2004, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer and certain of their affiliates which requires us to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shares of our common stock (and other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of common stock) held by them under certain circumstances. In August 2015, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended, covering (i) the resale of up to an aggregate of 23,578,122 shares owned by our Chairman and our Chief Executive Officer and (ii) the offer and sale of up to 10,000,000 shares by us to the public. The sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and any additional shares that we issue will dilute your percentage ownership in the Company.
Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may delay or prevent a change in control of us, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law contain certain anti-takeover provisions that could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or of discouraging a third-party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company without negotiating with our board of directors. Such provisions could limit the price that certain


9


investors might be willing to pay in the future for the Company’s common stock. Certain of these provisions allow the Company to issue preferred stock with rights more senior to those of our common stock, impose various procedural and other requirements which could make it more difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporate actions and set forth rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at annual meetings.
We believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or other unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess acquisition proposals. However, these provisions apply even if an acquisition proposal may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could have the effect of delaying or preventing an acquisition. In the event that our board of directors determines that a potential business combination transaction would be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders, such stockholders may elect to sell their shares in the Company and the trading price of our common stock could decrease.
Regulatory and Legal Risks
We may be adversely impacted by legal and regulatory changes in the U.S. and internationally.
We operate in a highly regulated industry and are subject to new regulations and revisions to, and evolving interpretations of, existing regulations in the U.S. and internationally. In recent years, regulators in the U.S. and abroad have increased oversight of the financial industry, which may result in regulation that increases the Company’s cost of conducting its business or limit or change the Company’s current or prospective business. Some of the newly adopted and proposed regulations are focused directly on the investment management industry, while others are more broadly focused, but impact our industry.
In the U.S., the SEC proposed rules governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, the Department of Labor’s final rule on conflicts of interest for fiduciary investment advice, as well as the SEC’s final rules and amendments to modernize investment company reporting and disclosure and to develop and implement a liquidity risk management program for open-end investment companies could limit investment opportunities for certain funds we manage, impact flows, and increase our expenses.
Outside the U.S., rules and regulations under MiFID II and the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation in Europe are currently being promulgated and generally become effective on January 3, 2018. These will have direct and indirect effects on our operations in the European Economic Area, including marketing restrictions and increased compliance, disclosure and other obligations, which could impact our ability to operate in these markets.
In addition, Brexit could disrupt our business operations, including our reported financial results and the liquidity and value of our investments. Brexit has caused significant geo-political and legal uncertainty and market volatility in the U.K. and elsewhere, which may continue during the Brexit negotiation process. Depending on the outcome of these negotiations, CSUK’s ability to market its services or serve as a distributor of financial products within the European Economic area, as well as the ability of our EU-domiciled funds to be marketed in the U.K. could be restricted temporarily or in the long term.
Brexit has also caused exchange rate fluctuations that have resulted in the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies in which we conduct business, including the British pound and the Euro. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies may adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, fluctuations in the exchange rate may affect operating expenses of CSUK where the functional currency is the British pound, cash balances we hold in non-U.S. currencies and investments we hold in non-U.S. currencies.
Although the full extent of the foregoing regulatory and political changes is still unclear, they may affect our business operations and increase our operating expenses.
Our involvement in legal proceedings could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Many aspects of our business involve risks of legal liability. Claims against us may arise in the ordinary course of business, and from time to time, we may receive subpoenas or other requests for information from various U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and regulatory authorities and third parties in connection with certain industry-wide, company-specific or other investigations or proceedings. In addition, certain of the funds that the Company manages may become subject to lawsuits, any of which could potentially harm the investment returns of the applicable fund.


10


We carry insurance in amounts and under terms that we believe are appropriate. We cannot guarantee that our insurance will cover all liabilities and losses to which we may be exposed, or that our insurance policies will continue to be available at acceptable terms and fees. Certain insurance coverage may not be available or may be prohibitively expensive in future periods. As our insurance policies are due for renewal, we may need to assume higher deductibles or pay higher premiums, which would increase our expenses and reduce our net income.
The tax treatment of certain of our funds involves the interpretation of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no precedent may be available and may be subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative change and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of certain of our funds depends in some instances on determinations of fact and interpretations of complex provisions of U.S. federal income tax law for which no clear precedent or authority may be available. U.S. federal income tax rules are constantly under review by the IRS and the U.S. Department of Treasury, frequently resulting in revised interpretations of established concepts, statutory changes, revisions to regulations and other modifications and interpretations. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof could cause us to change our investments and commitments, affect the tax considerations of an investment in us and change the character or treatment of portions of our income. In addition, the Company may be required to make certain assumptions when electing a particular tax treatment. It is possible that the IRS could assert successfully that the assumptions made by us do not satisfy the technical requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and/or Treasury Regulations and could require items of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit, including interest deductions, be adjusted, reallocated or disallowed in a manner that adversely affects us and our clients.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
The Company has no unresolved SEC staff comments.
Item 2. Properties
Our principal executive office is located in leased office space at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York. In addition, we have leased office space in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seattle.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we may become involved in legal matters relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. There are currently no such matters pending that we believe could have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. In addition, from time to time, we may receive subpoenas or other requests for information from various U.S. federal and state governmental authorities, domestic and international regulatory authorities and third parties in connection with certain industry-wide inquiries or other investigations or legal proceedings. It is our policy to cooperate fully with such requests.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.


11



PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and is traded under the symbol “CNS”. As of February 21, 2017, there were 22 holders of record of our common stock. Holders of record include institutional and omnibus accounts that hold common stock on behalf of numerous underlying beneficial owners. The closing sale price of our common stock on February 21, 2017 was $36.30 per share.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low reported sale prices and dividends declared per share for our common stock as reported by the NYSE:
Three Months Ended 2016
March 31
June 30
September 30
December 31
 
High price
$
39.63

$
42.37

$
43.83

$
43.11

 
Low price
$
26.72

$
36.74

$
38.56

$
33.16

 
Closing price
$
38.92

$
40.44

$
42.75

$
33.60

 
Cash dividends declared per share
$
0.26

$
0.26

$
0.26

$
0.76

*
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended 2015
March 31
June 30
September 30
December 31
 
High price
$
47.16

$
41.82

$
35.15

$
32.00

 
Low price
$
40.27

$
33.94

$
26.63

$
25.84

 
Closing price
$
40.95

$
34.08

$
27.45

$
30.48

 
Cash dividends declared per share
$
0.25

$
0.25

$
0.25

$
0.75

*
 
* Includes special dividends declared by the Company in the amount of $0.50 per share on November 2, 2016 and
November 3, 2015.
Payment of any dividends to our common stockholders is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. When determining whether to pay a dividend, our Board of Directors takes into account such matters as general economic and business conditions, our strategic plans, our financial results and condition, contractual, legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by us and our subsidiaries and such other factors that our Board of Directors deems relevant. On February 23, 2017, we declared a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.28 per share. As set forth in the table above, we have historically paid quarterly cash dividends.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During the three months ended December 31, 2016, we did not make any purchases of our equity securities that are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


12


Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated financial data, together with other information presented below, should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements and “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Selected Consolidated Financial and Other Data
(in thousands, except per share data)
As of and For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenue
$
349,876

 
$
328,655

 
$
313,934

 
$
297,713

 
$
273,553

 
Total expenses
214,365

 
201,106

 
191,993

 
191,371

(1)
177,121

(2)
Operating income
135,511

 
127,549

 
121,941

 
106,342

 
96,432

 
Total non-operating income (loss)
7,892

 
(14,805
)
(3)
73

 
(1,978
)
 
7,871

 
Income before provision for income taxes
143,403

 
112,744

 
122,014

 
104,364

 
104,303

 
Provision for income taxes
50,593

 
48,407

 
46,280

 
41,109

 
36,407

 
Net income
$
92,810

 
$
64,337

 
$
75,734

 
$
63,255

 
$
67,896

 
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
126

 
214

 
(224
)
 
4,864

 
(1,779
)
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
92,936

 
$
64,551

 
$
75,510

 
$
68,119

 
$
66,117

 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Basic
$
2.02

 
$
1.42

 
$
1.69

 
$
1.54

 
$
1.51

 
Diluted
$
2.00

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.65

 
$
1.51

 
$
1.49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared per share
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarterly
$
1.04

 
$
1.00

 
$
0.88

 
$
0.80

 
$
0.72

 
Special
$
0.50

 
$
0.50

 
$
1.00

 
$
1.00

 
$
1.50

 
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
183,234

 
$
142,728

 
$
124,938

 
$
128,277

 
$
95,412

 
Trading investments
12,689

 
37,169

 
9,509

 
15,668

 
97,155

 
Equity method investments
6,459

 
16,974

 
28,550

 
24,724

 
8,106

 
Available-for-sale investments
35,396

 
17,191

 
21,269

 
10,449

 
25,322

 
Total assets
333,728

 
305,322

 
280,721

 
274,926

 
337,315

 
Total liabilities
67,061

 
62,212

 
52,133

 
51,162

 
67,547

 
Total stockholders' equity
265,814

 
231,776

 
227,981

 
223,557

 
216,580

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Financial Data (in millions)
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Assets under management (AUM) by investment vehicle:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
Institutional accounts
$
28,659

 
$
26,105

 
$
26,201

 
$
22,926

 
$
24,850

 
Open-end funds
19,576

 
17,460

 
17,131

 
14,016

 
12,962

 
Closed-end funds
8,963

 
9,029

 
9,805

 
8,965

 
7,985

 
Total AUM
$
57,198

 
$
52,594

 
$
53,137

 
$
45,907

 
$
45,797

 
 
_________________________
(1) Includes $7.8 million expense associated primarily with the offering of a closed-end fund.
(2) Includes $15.7 million expense associated primarily with the offering of a closed-end fund.
(3) Includes $8.2 million of unrealized losses related to the reclassification of one of the company's seed investment from available-for-sale to equity method and a $2.8 million other-than-temporary impairment.




13


Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed by us contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect management's current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “seeks,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative versions of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the risks described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These factors are not exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS), a Delaware corporation formed in 2004, and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the Company, we, us or our.
Executive Overview
General
We are a global investment manager specializing in liquid real assets, including real estate securities, listed infrastructure, commodities and natural resource equities, as well as preferred securities and other income solutions. Founded in 1986, we are headquartered in New York City, with offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seattle.
Our primary investment strategies include U.S. real estate securities, global/international real estate securities, global listed infrastructure, master limited partnerships (MLPs), commodities, real assets multi-strategy, preferred securities, large cap value and global natural resource equities. Our strategies seek to achieve a variety of investment objectives for different risk profiles and are actively managed by specialist teams of investment professionals who employ fundamental-driven research and portfolio management processes. We offer our strategies through a variety of investment vehicles, including U.S. registered funds and other commingled vehicles and separate accounts, including subadvised portfolios for financial institutions and individuals around the world.
Our products and services are marketed through multiple distribution channels. We distribute our U.S. registered funds principally through financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, banks and fund supermarkets. Our funds domiciled in Europe are marketed to individual and institutional investors through financial intermediaries, as well as privately to institutional investors. Our institutional clients include corporate and public defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, endowment funds and foundations, insurance companies and other financial institutions that access our investment management services directly, through consultants or through other intermediaries.
Our revenue is derived from fees received from our clients, including fees for managing or sub-advising client accounts; investment advisory, administration, distribution and service fees received from Company-sponsored open-end and closed-end funds; and fees for portfolio consulting and other services. Our fees are paid in arrears, based on contractually specified percentages of the value of the assets we manage and, in certain cases, investment performance. Our revenue fluctuates with changes in the total value of our assets under management, which may occur as a result of investment performance, market conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, or investor subscriptions or redemptions, and is recognized over the period that the assets are managed.
2016 Financial Highlights
Revenue increased 6% from the year ended December 31, 2015 to $349.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in revenue was primarily attributable to higher average assets under management in open-end funds and institutional accounts. Operating income increased 6% from the year ended December 31, 2015 to $135.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Operating margin decreased to 38.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with 38.8% for the year ended December 31, 2015. Our effective tax rate was 35.3% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with 42.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015.


14


Assets under management increased by $4.6 billion, or 9%, in 2016 from $52.6 billion as of December 31, 2015 to $57.2 billion as of December 31, 2016. The increase was driven by net inflows and market appreciation, partially offset by distributions. Average assets under management increased by 7% during 2016 from $52.7 billion during 2015 to $56.4 billion during 2016. Our overall annual organic growth rate was 12.7% for 2016. The organic growth rate represents the ratio of annual net flows to the beginning assets under management.
Recent Business Developments
In November 2016, Dr. Reena Aggarwal joined the Company's Board of Directors and became a member of the Company's Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Dr. Aggarwal currently serves as Vice Provost for Faculty at Georgetown University and as a Professor of Finance and the Director of the Georgetown Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business. Dr. Aggarwal also serves on the Board of FBR & Co. and IndexIQ.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, our recently launched real assets multi-strategy collective investment trust (CIT) had net inflows of $425 million from a public pension fund. The CIT business and the retirement markets are a strategic focus of the Company for 2017, and we believe that our current suite of CIT vehicles is well positioned to facilitate efficient delivery of our real assets capabilities in the retirement markets.
In December 2016, a newly awarded separate account mandate in Japan of $140 million funded. This mandate is significant as the institutional market in Japan is another strategic focus of the Company.
In January 2017, the Company celebrated the three-year anniversary of the Cohen & Steers MLP & Energy Opportunity Fund. Since inception, the fund has been ranked in the top quartile versus 85 funds across all share classes of its Energy Limited Partnership Morningstar Category peer group. Additional information on the fund's performance and Morningstar ratings is available on the Company's website at www.cohenandsteers.com under "Funds - U.S. Mutual Funds - MLP & Energy Opportunity Fund."
In January 2017, the Company launched a new Irish-domiciled commodities fund which is available to institutional and sophisticated investors worldwide. The launch of this fund further expands our real assets strategy offerings outside of the U.S. after the launch of our Luxembourg-domiciled global listed infrastructure fund in September 2015. We now have four Luxembourg/Irish offshore vehicles for global real estate, European real estate, commodities and global listed infrastructure.
In January 2017, consistent with the Company's strategic focus on real assets, the Company seeded a track record account with $10 million for a second real assets multi-strategy portfolio with a balanced risk/return profile.











15


Assets Under Management
The following table sets forth information about net flows, appreciation/(depreciation) and distributions of assets under management by investment vehicle for the periods presented (in millions):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015 (1)
 
2014 (1)
Institutional Accounts
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
26,105

 
$
26,201

 
$
22,926

Inflows
6,374

 
3,646

 
3,170

Outflows
(2,414
)
 
(2,379
)
 
(4,216
)
Net inflows (outflows)
3,960

 
1,267

 
(1,046
)
Market appreciation
1,627

 
863

 
5,240

Distributions
(3,033
)
 
(2,226
)
 
(1,032
)
Other (2)

 

 
113

Total increase (decrease)
2,554

 
(96
)
 
3,275

Assets under management, end of period
$
28,659

 
$
26,105

 
$
26,201

Average assets under management for period
$
28,085

 
$
25,884

 
$
24,856

 
 
 
 
 
 
Open-end Funds
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
17,460

 
$
17,131

 
$
14,016

Inflows
9,630

 
7,344

 
6,638

Outflows
(6,831
)
 
(5,901
)
 
(5,701
)
Net inflows
2,799

 
1,443

 
937

Market appreciation
917

 
560

 
3,201

Distributions
(1,600
)
 
(1,674
)
 
(910
)
Other (2)

 

 
(113
)
Total increase
2,116

 
329

 
3,115

Assets under management, end of period
$
19,576

 
$
17,460

 
$
17,131

Average assets under management for period
$
19,176

 
$
17,252

 
$
16,097

 
 
 
 
 
 
Closed-end Funds
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
9,029

 
$
9,805

 
$
8,965

Inflows

 

 

Outflows
(88
)
 
(53
)
 

Net outflows
(88
)
 
(53
)
 

Market appreciation (depreciation)
554

 
(206
)
 
1,318

Distributions
(532
)
 
(517
)
 
(478
)
Total (decrease) increase
(66
)
 
(776
)
 
840

Assets under management, end of period
$
8,963

 
$
9,029

 
$
9,805

Average assets under management for period
$
9,108

 
$
9,586

 
$
9,680

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
52,594

 
$
53,137

 
$
45,907

Inflows
16,004

 
10,990

 
9,808

Outflows
(9,333
)
 
(8,333
)
 
(9,917
)
Net inflows (outflows)
6,671

 
2,657

 
(109
)
Market appreciation
3,098

 
1,217

 
9,759

Distributions
(5,165
)
 
(4,417
)
 
(2,420
)
Other (2)

 

 

Total increase (decrease)
4,604

 
(543
)
 
7,230

Assets under management, end of period
$
57,198

 
$
52,594

 
$
53,137

Average assets under management for period
$
56,369

 
$
52,722

 
$
50,633

_________________________
(1)
December 31, 2015 and 2014 amounts have been reclassified to show distributions separately and dividend reinvestments as inflows.
(2)
Represents transfer of assets under management not related to subscriptions, redemptions, market appreciation (depreciation) or distributions.


16


The following table sets forth information about net flows, appreciation/(depreciation) and distributions of assets under management in institutional accounts by account type for the periods presented (in millions):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015 (1)
 
2014 (1)
Japan Subadvisory
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
13,112

 
$
13,377

 
$
11,043

Inflows
3,305

 
1,859

 
1,062

Outflows
(503
)
 
(607
)
 
(875
)
Net inflows
2,802

 
1,252

 
187

Market appreciation
818

 
709

 
3,179

Distributions
(3,033
)
 
(2,226
)
 
(1,032
)
Total increase (decrease)
587

 
(265
)
 
2,334

Assets under management, end of period
$
13,699

 
$
13,112

 
$
13,377

Average assets under management for period
$
13,607

 
$
12,973

 
$
12,462

 
 
 
 
 
 
Subadvisory Excluding Japan
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
5,428

 
$
5,480

 
$
5,650

Inflows
1,030

 
1,034

 
1,358

Outflows
(919
)
 
(1,013
)
 
(2,353
)
Net inflows (outflows)
111

 
21

 
(995
)
Market appreciation (depreciation)
353

 
(73
)
 
825

Total increase (decrease)
464

 
(52
)
 
(170
)
Assets under management, end of period
$
5,892

 
$
5,428

 
$
5,480

Average assets under management for period
$
5,961

 
$
5,537

 
$
5,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
Advisory
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
7,565

 
$
7,344

 
$
6,233

Inflows
2,039

 
753

 
750

Outflows
(992
)
 
(759
)
 
(988
)
Net inflows (outflows)
1,047

 
(6
)
 
(238
)
Market appreciation
456

 
227

 
1,236

Other (2)

 

 
113

Total increase
1,503

 
221

 
1,111

Assets under management, end of period
$
9,068

 
$
7,565

 
$
7,344

Average assets under management for period
$
8,517

 
$
7,374

 
$
6,894

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Institutional Accounts
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
26,105

 
$
26,201

 
$
22,926

Inflows
6,374

 
3,646

 
3,170

Outflows
(2,414
)
 
(2,379
)
 
(4,216
)
Net inflows (outflows)
3,960

 
1,267

 
(1,046
)
Market appreciation
1,627

 
863

 
5,240

Distributions
(3,033
)
 
(2,226
)
 
(1,032
)
Other (2)

 

 
113

Total increase (decrease)
2,554

 
(96
)
 
3,275

Assets under management, end of period
$
28,659

 
$
26,105

 
$
26,201

Average assets under management for period
$
28,085

 
$
25,884

 
$
24,856

_________________________
(1)
December 31, 2015 and 2014 amounts have been reclassified to show distributions separately.
(2)
Represents transfer of assets under management not related to subscriptions, redemptions, market appreciation (depreciation) or distributions.


17


The following table sets forth information about net flows, appreciation/(depreciation) and distributions of assets under management by investment strategy for the periods presented (in millions):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015 (1)
 
2014 (1)
U.S. Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
27,814

 
$
28,357

 
$
23,116

Inflows
7,821

 
5,410

 
3,900

Outflows
(4,091
)
 
(3,729
)
 
(4,182
)
Net inflows (outflows)
3,730

 
1,681

 
(282
)
Market appreciation
1,674

 
1,358

 
6,955

Distributions
(4,164
)
 
(3,582
)
 
(1,654
)
Other (2)
(127
)
 

 
222

Total increase (decrease)
1,113

 
(543
)
 
5,241

Assets under management, end of period
$
28,927

 
$
27,814

 
$
28,357

Average assets under management for period
$
29,224

 
$
27,663

 
$
26,585

 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
7,705

 
$
6,342

 
$
4,722

Inflows
4,857

 
3,048

 
2,336

Outflows
(2,592
)
 
(1,702
)
 
(1,044
)
Net inflows
2,265

 
1,346

 
1,292

Market appreciation
365

 
371

 
613

Distributions
(455
)
 
(354
)
 
(285
)
Total increase
2,175

 
1,363

 
1,620

Assets under management, end of period
$
9,880

 
$
7,705

 
$
6,342

Average assets under management for period
$
9,145

 
$
6,915

 
$
5,550

 
 
 
 
 
 
Global/International Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
9,476

 
$
10,184

 
$
9,498

Inflows
1,596

 
1,017

 
1,785

Outflows
(1,867
)
 
(1,900
)
 
(2,244
)
Net outflows
(271
)
 
(883
)
 
(459
)
Market appreciation
336

 
389

 
1,366

Distributions
(265
)
 
(214
)
 
(221
)
Other (2)
127

 

 

Total (decrease) increase
(73
)
 
(708
)
 
686

Assets under management, end of period
$
9,403

 
$
9,476

 
$
10,184

Average assets under management for period
$
9,734

 
$
9,938

 
$
9,954

 
 
 
 
 
 
Global Listed Infrastructure
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
5,147

 
$
5,697

 
$
4,714

Inflows
732

 
918

 
1,051

Outflows
(402
)
 
(608
)
 
(500
)
Net inflows
330

 
310

 
551

Market appreciation (depreciation)
428

 
(670
)
 
596

Distributions
(208
)
 
(190
)
 
(164
)
Total increase (decrease)
550

 
(550
)
 
983

Assets under management, end of period
$
5,697

 
$
5,147

 
$
5,697

Average assets under management for period
$
5,488

 
$
5,559

 
$
5,440

_________________________
(1)
December 31, 2015 and 2014 amounts have been reclassified to show distributions separately and dividend reinvestments as inflows.
(2)
Represents transfer of assets under management not related to subscriptions, redemptions, market appreciation (depreciation) or distributions.


18


Assets Under Management By Investment Strategy - continued
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015 (1)
 
2014 (1)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
2,452

 
$
2,557

 
$
3,857

Inflows
998

 
597

 
736

Outflows
(381
)
 
(394
)
 
(1,947
)
Net inflows (outflows)
617

 
203

 
(1,211
)
Market appreciation (depreciation)
295

 
(231
)
 
229

Distributions
(73
)
 
(77
)
 
(96
)
Other (2)

 

 
(222
)
Total increase (decrease)
839

 
(105
)
 
(1,300
)
Assets under management, end of period
$
3,291

 
$
2,452

 
$
2,557

Average assets under management for period
$
2,778

 
$
2,647

 
$
3,104

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
Assets under management, beginning of period
$
52,594

 
$
53,137

 
$
45,907

Inflows
16,004

 
10,990

 
9,808

Outflows
(9,333
)
 
(8,333
)
 
(9,917
)
Net inflows (outflows)
6,671

 
2,657

 
(109
)
Market appreciation
3,098

 
1,217

 
9,759

Distributions
(5,165
)
 
(4,417
)
 
(2,420
)
Other (2)

 

 

Total increase (decrease)
4,604

 
(543
)
 
7,230

Assets under management, end of period
$
57,198

 
$
52,594

 
$
53,137

Average assets under management for period
$
56,369

 
$
52,722

 
$
50,633

_________________________
(1)
December 31, 2015 and 2014 amounts have been reclassified to show distributions separately and dividend reinvestments as inflows.
(2)
Represents transfer of assets under management not related to subscriptions, redemptions, market appreciation (depreciation) or distributions.
Overview
Assets under management were $57.2 billion at December 31, 2016, an increase of 9% from $52.6 billion at December 31, 2015 and an increase of 8% from $53.1 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in assets under management during 2016 was due to net inflows of $6.7 billion and market appreciation of $3.1 billion, partially offset by distributions of $5.2 billion. Net inflows in 2016 included $3.7 billion into U.S. real estate and $2.3 billion into preferred securities. Market appreciation in 2016 included $1.7 billion from U.S. real estate, $428 million from global listed infrastructure and $365 million from preferred securities. Distributions in 2016 included $4.2 billion from U.S. real estate.
The decrease in assets under management during 2015 was due to distributions of $4.4 billion, partially offset by net inflows of $2.7 billion and market appreciation of $1.2 billion. Net inflows in 2015 included $1.7 billion into U.S. real estate, $1.3 billion into preferred securities and $310 million into global listed infrastructure, partially offset by net outflows of $883 million from global/international real estate. Market appreciation in 2015 included $1.4 billion from U.S. real estate and $389 million from global/international real estate, partially offset by market depreciation of $670 million from global listed infrastructure. Distributions in 2015 included $3.6 billion from U.S. real estate.
A majority of our revenue, approximately 91%, 92% and 93% for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, was derived from investment advisory and administrative fees for providing asset management services to institutional accounts as well as open-end funds and closed-end funds sponsored by the Company.
Average assets under management were $56.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 7% from $52.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015 and an increase of 11% from $50.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.


19


Institutional accounts
Assets under management in institutional accounts, which represented 50% of total assets under management, were $28.7 billion at December 31, 2016, compared with $26.1 billion at December 31, 2015 and $26.2 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in institutional assets under management during 2016 was due to net inflows of $4.0 billion and market appreciation of $1.6 billion, partially offset by distributions of $3.0 billion. Net inflows in 2016 included $2.4 billion into U.S. real estate, $775 million into real assets multi-strategy (included in "Other" in the table above) and $428 million into preferred securities. Market appreciation in 2016 included $924 million from U.S. real estate, $306 million from global/international real estate and $167 million from global listed infrastructure. Distributions in 2016 included $3.0 billion from U.S. real estate.
The decrease in assets under management during 2015 was due to distributions of $2.2 billion, partially offset by net inflows of $1.3 billion and market appreciation of $863 million. Net inflows in 2015 included $1.3 billion from U.S. real estate. Market appreciation in 2015 included $815 million from U.S. real estate.
Average assets under management for institutional accounts were $28.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 9% from $25.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015 and an increase of 13% from $24.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Assets under management in Japan subadvised accounts, which represented 48% of institutional assets under management, were $13.7 billion at December 31, 2016, compared with $13.1 billion at December 31, 2015 and $13.4 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in Japan subadvised assets under management during 2016 was due to net inflows of $2.8 billion and market appreciation of $818 million, partially offset by distributions of $3.0 billion, all of which were primarily from U.S. real estate.
The decrease in assets under management during 2015 was due to distributions of $2.2 billion, partially offset by net inflows of $1.3 billion and market appreciation of $709 million, all of which were primarily from U.S. real estate.
Average assets under management for Japan subadvised accounts were $13.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 5% from $13.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, and an increase of 9% from $12.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Assets under management in institutional subadvised accounts excluding Japan, which represented 21% of institutional assets under management, were $5.9 billion at December 31, 2016, compared with $5.4 billion at December 31, 2015 and $5.5 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in assets under management during 2016 was due to net inflows of $111 million and market appreciation of $353 million. Net inflows in 2016 included $201 million from global/international real estate, and $106 million from global listed infrastructure, partially offset by net outflows of $140 million from U.S. real estate. Market appreciation in 2016 included $91 million from global/international real estate, $77 million from global listed infrastructure, $69 million from large cap value and $63 million from commodities (both of which are included in "Other" in the table above).
The decrease in assets under management during 2015 was due to market depreciation of $73 million, partially offset by net inflows of $21 million.
Average assets under management for institutional subadvised accounts excluding Japan were $6.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 8% from $5.5 billion for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Assets under management in institutional advised accounts, which represented 32% of institutional assets under management, were $9.1 billion at December 31, 2016, compared with $7.6 billion at December 31, 2015 and $7.3 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in assets under management during 2016 was due to net inflows of $1.0 billion and market appreciation of $456 million. Net inflows in 2016 included $775 million into real assets multi-strategy (included in "Other" in the table above) and $321 million into global listed infrastructure. Market appreciation included $265 million from global/international real estate and $79 million from global listed infrastructure.
The increase in assets under management during 2015 was primarily due to market appreciation of $227 million.
Average assets under management for institutional advised accounts were $8.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 16% from $7.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015, and an increase of 24% from $6.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.


20


Open-end funds
Assets under management in open-end funds, which represented 34% of total assets under management, were $19.6 billion at December 31, 2016, compared with $17.5 billion at December 31, 2015 and $17.1 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase in assets under management during 2016 was due to net inflows of $2.8 billion and market appreciation of $917 million, partially offset by distributions of $1.6 billion. Net inflows in 2016 included $1.8 billion into preferred securities and $1.3 billion into U.S. real estate, partially offset by net outflows of $383 million from global/international real estate. Market appreciation in 2016 included $594 million from U.S. real estate and $216 million from preferred securities. Distributions included $1.2 billion from U.S. real estate.
The increase in assets under management during 2015 was due to net inflows of $1.4 billion and market appreciation of $560 million, partially offset by distributions of $1.7 billion. Net inflows in 2015 included $1.6 billion into preferred securities and $421 million into U.S. real estate, partially offset by net outflows of $496 million from global/international real estate strategies. Market appreciation in 2015 included $395 million from U.S. real estate and $212 million from preferred securities, partially offset by market deprecation of $61 million from global listed infrastructure. Distributions were primarily from U.S. real estate.
Average assets under management for open-end funds were $19.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 11% from $17.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015 and an increase of 19% from $16.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Closed-end funds
Assets under management in closed-end funds, which represented 16% of total assets under management, were $9.0 billion at both December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, compared with $9.8 billion at December 31, 2014. The decrease in assets under management during 2015 was primarily due to distributions of $517 million and market depreciation of $206 million.
Average assets under management for closed-end funds were $9.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of 5% from $9.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015 and a decrease of 6% from $9.7 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Investment Performance as of December 31, 2016
 
% of Total AUM in Outperforming Strategies (1)
 
December 31, 2014
December 31, 2015
December 31, 2016
1-Year
95%
88%
44%
3-Year
76%
100%
96%
5-Year
60%
76%
76%
10-Year
61%
100%
95%






21


% of U.S. Open-End Fund AUM by Morningstar Rating (2), as of December 31, 2016
Not Rated
1%
1 or 2 Star
«
or
««
4%
3 Star
«««
7%
4 or 5 Star
««««
or
«««««
88%
_________________________
(1)
Past performance of investment strategies is no guarantee of future results. Outperformance determined by annualized investment performance of all accounts in each investment strategy measured gross of fees and net of withholding taxes in comparison to performance of each account’s reference benchmark measured net of withholding taxes, where applicable. This is not investment advice and may not be construed as sales or marketing material for any financial product or service sponsored or provided by Cohen & Steers.
(2)
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Based on independent ratings by Morningstar, Inc. of investment performance of each Cohen & Steers-sponsored open-end U.S. registered mutual fund for the overall period as of December 31, 2016. This is not investment advice and may not be construed as sales or marketing material for any financial product or service sponsored or provided by Cohen & Steers.

© 2017 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained in the table above: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete, or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Morningstar calculates its ratings based on a risk-adjusted return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges, loads, and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of funds in each category receive five stars, the next 22.5% receive four stars, the next 35% receive three stars, the next 22.5% receive two stars and the bottom 10% receive one star. Based on independent ratings by Morningstar, Inc. of investment performance of each Cohen & Steers-sponsored open-end U.S.-registered mutual fund for all share classes for the overall period as of December 31, 2016. Overall Morningstar rating is a weighted average based on the 3-year, 5-year and 10-year Morningstar rating. Each share class is counted as a fraction of one fund within this scale and rated separately, which may cause slight variations in the distribution percentages. This is not investment advice and may not be construed as sales or marketing material for any financial product or service sponsored or provided by Cohen & Steers.
Results of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data and percentages)
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
U.S. GAAP
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
349,876

 
$
328,655

 
$
313,934

Expenses
$
214,365

 
$
201,106

 
$
191,993

Operating income
$
135,511

 
$
127,549

 
$
121,941

Operating margin
38.7
%
 
38.8
%
 
38.8
%
Non-operating income (loss)
$
7,892

 
$
(14,805
)
 
$
73

Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
92,936

 
$
64,551

 
$
75,510

Diluted earnings per share
$
2.00

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.65

 
 
 
 
 
 
As Adjusted (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
86,109

 
$
78,694

 
$
75,897

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.85

 
$
1.71

 
$
1.66

_________________________
(1)
The as adjusted financial measures represent non-GAAP financial measures. Please refer to the “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” on pages 26-27 for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures.


22


U.S. GAAP
2016 Compared with 2015
Revenue
Revenue increased 6% to $349.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $328.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was primarily attributable to higher investment advisory and administration fees of $15.9 million, primarily resulting from higher average assets under management in institutional accounts and open-end funds.
For the year ended December 31, 2016:
Total investment advisory revenue from institutional accounts increased 9% to $93.2 million from $85.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Total investment advisory revenue compared with average assets under management in institutional accounts implied an annual effective fee rate of 33 bps for both the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Total investment advisory and administration revenue from open-end funds increased 10% to $149.9 million from $136.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Total investment advisory and administration revenue compared with average assets under management in open-end funds implied an annual effective fee rate of 78 bps and 79 bps for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Total investment advisory and administration revenue from closed-end funds decreased 6% to $76.6 million from $81.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Total investment advisory and administration revenue compared with average assets under management in closed-end funds implied an annual effective fee rate of 84 bps and 85 bps for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Expenses
Total operating expenses increased 7% to $214.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $201.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to increases of $7.9 million in employee compensation and benefits, $3.3 million in distribution and service fee expenses, and $705,000 in general and administrative expenses.
Employee compensation and benefits increased 7% to $115.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $107.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was primarily due to increases in incentive compensation of approximately $4.0 million, salaries of approximately $2.9 million, and higher production compensation of approximately $1.4 million, partially offset by lower amortization of restricted stock units of approximately $384,000.
Distribution and service fee expenses increased 9% to $39.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $36.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to higher average assets under management in U.S. no-load open-end funds.
General and administrative expenses increased 1% to $51.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $50.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to higher information technology expenses of approximately $719,000, professional fees of approximately $592,000, and rent and occupancy costs of approximately $305,000, partially offset by lower hosted conferences of approximately $528,000 and travel and entertainment of approximately $415,000.
Operating Margin
Operating margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 38.7%, compared with 38.8% for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Non-operating Income
Non-operating income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $7.9 million, compared with a non-operating loss of $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, which included an unrealized non-operating loss of $8.2 million on a seed investment that, due to third-party shareholder redemptions, was reclassified from available-for-sale investments to equity method investments. In addition, non-operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 included a $2.8 million other-than-temporary impairment. Non-operating income for the year ended December 31, 2016 included net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest of $126,000. Non-operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 included net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest of $214,000.


23


Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $50.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $48.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2016 included U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes at an effective tax rate of approximately 35.3%, which differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to the release of a valuation allowance associated with gains on the Company's seed investments, as well as discrete items. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 was approximately 42.9%.
2015 Compared with 2014
Revenue
Revenue increased 5% to $328.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $313.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to higher investment advisory and administration fees of $12.0 million, resulting from higher average assets under management in institutional accounts and open-end funds.
For the year ended December 31, 2015:
Total investment advisory revenue from institutional accounts increased 4% to $85.5 million from $81.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Total investment advisory revenue compared with average assets under management in institutional accounts implied an annual effective fee rate of 33 bps for both the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Total investment advisory and administration revenue from open-end funds increased 7% to $136.9 million from $127.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Total investment advisory and administration revenue compared with average assets under management in open-end funds implied an annual effective fee rate of 79 bps for both the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Total investment advisory and administration revenue from closed-end funds decreased 1% to $81.4 million from $82.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Total investment advisory and administration revenue compared with average assets under management in closed-end funds implied an annual effective fee rate of 85 bps for both the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Expenses
Total operating expenses increased 5% to $201.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $192.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases in employee compensation and benefits of $5.0 million, general and administrative expenses of $3.5 million and distribution and service fees of $860,000.
Employee compensation and benefits increased 5% to $107.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $102.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily due to increases in incentive compensation of approximately $3.1 million, salaries and benefits of approximately $2.1 million primarily due to new hires and production compensation of approximately $1.1 million, partially offset by lower amortization of restricted stock units of approximately $2.9 million.
General and administrative expenses increased 7% to $50.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $47.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to higher rent and occupancy costs of approximately $1.1 million attributable to the expansion of office space at our corporate headquarters, recruiting fees of approximately $1.0 million, travel and entertainment expenses of approximately $574,000 resulting from increased business travel and hosted and sponsored conference expenses of approximately $470,000.
Distribution and service fee expenses increased 2% to $36.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $35.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to higher average assets under management in open-end funds, partially offset by a shift to lower cost share classes and the expiration of a compensation agreement entered into in connection with the common stock offering of one of our closed-end funds for which fees were incurred through January 2015.
Operating Margin
Operating margin for both years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was 38.8%.


24


Non-operating Income
Non-operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $14.8 million, compared with non-operating income of $73,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Non-operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 included an unrealized loss of $8.2 million on a seed investment that was reclassified from available-for-sale investments to equity method investments and a $2.8 million other-than-temporary impairment. Non-operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2015 included net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest of $214,000. Non-operating income for the year ended December 31, 2014 included net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest of $224,000.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $48.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $46.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2015 included U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes at an effective tax rate of approximately 42.9%, which included the effect of recording a valuation allowance on the tax benefit associated with the unrealized losses on the Company's seed investments. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was approximately 38%.
As Adjusted
The term “as adjusted” is used to identify non-GAAP financial information in the discussion below and excludes the financial results associated with our seed investments, the effect of the accelerated vesting of certain restricted stock units in the first quarter of 2016 and related tax effect as well as certain discrete items. Please refer to the “Non-GAAP Reconciliations” on pages 26-27 for a reconciliation to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures.
2016 Compared with 2015
Expenses
Total operating expenses, as adjusted, increased 6% to $212.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $201.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Total operating expenses, as adjusted, excluded employee compensation and benefits attributable to the accelerated vesting of certain restricted stock units recorded during the first quarter of 2016 and general and administrative expenses from our consolidated seed investments.
Operating Margin
Operating margin, as adjusted, for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 39.3% compared with 38.8% for the year ended December 31, 2015
Non-operating Income
Non-operating income, as adjusted, for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $1.2 million compared with non-operating loss, as adjusted, of $772,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015. Non-operating income, as adjusted, for the year ended December 31, 2016, was comprised primarily of net gains of $827,000 associated with forward contracts used to hedge certain non-U.S. dollar advisory fee receivables and interest earned on corporate cash of $395,000.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense, as adjusted, for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $52.8 million, compared with $48.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The provision for income taxes, as adjusted, excluded income tax effects related to the accelerated vesting of certain restricted stock units in the first quarter of 2016 and certain discrete items. The effective tax rate, as adjusted, for both the year ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was 38%.
2015 Compared with 2014
Operating Margin
Operating margin, as adjusted, for the year ended December 31, 2015 was 38.8% compared with 39.0% for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Non-operating Income
Non-operating loss, as adjusted, for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $772,000 compared with non-operating loss, as adjusted, of $18,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Non-operating loss, as adjusted, for the year ended


25


December 31, 2015, was comprised primarily of net losses of $630,000 associated with forward contracts used to hedge certain non-U.S. dollar advisory fee receivables and interest earned on corporate cash of $211,000.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense, as adjusted, for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $48.2 million, compared with $46.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The effective tax rate, as adjusted, for both years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was 38%.
Non-GAAP Reconciliations
Management believes that use of these non-GAAP financial measures may enhance the evaluation of our results, as they provide greater transparency into our operating results. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures are used to prepare our internal management reports and are used by management in evaluating our business.
While we believe that this non-GAAP financial information is useful in evaluating our results and operating performance, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders and U.S. GAAP Earnings per Share to Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders, As Adjusted and Earnings per Share, As Adjusted
(in thousands, except per share data)
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income attributable to common stockholders, U.S. GAAP
$
92,936

 
$
64,551

 
$
75,510

Accelerated vesting of restricted stock units (1)
$
1,945

 
$

 
$

Deconsolidation (2)
$
(654
)
 
$
2,136

 
$
1,776

Results from seed investments (3)
$
(5,934
)
 
$
11,833

 
$
(1,152
)
Tax adjustments (4)
$
(2,184
)
 
$
174

 
$
(237
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders, as adjusted
$
86,109

 
$
78,694

 
$
75,897

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
46,432

 
$
45,897

 
$
45,643

Diluted earnings per share, U.S. GAAP
$
2.00

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.65

Accelerated vesting of restricted stock units (1)
$
0.04

 
$

 
$

Deconsolidation (2)
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.04

Results from seed investments (3)
$
(0.13
)
 
$
0.25

 
$
(0.03
)
Tax adjustments (4)
$
(0.05
)
 
$

 
$

Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted
$
1.85

 
$
1.71

 
$
1.66

________________________
(1)
Represents amounts attributable to the accelerated vesting of certain restricted stock units in the first quarter of 2016.
(2)
Represents amounts related to deconsolidation of the Company’s consolidated seed investments in Company-sponsored funds.
(3)
Represents dividend income and realized gains on the Company’s seed investments classified as available-for-sale, and the Company’s proportionate share of the results of operations of seed investments classified as equity method investments, including realized and unrealized gains and losses.
(4)
Represents the tax benefit associated with the accelerated vesting of certain restricted stock units for the year ended December 31, 2016 as well as discrete items recorded in each of the periods presented.





26


Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Operating Income and U.S. GAAP Operating Margin to Operating Income, As Adjusted and Operating Margin, As Adjusted
(in thousands, except percentages)
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue, U.S. GAAP
$
349,876

 
$
328,655

 
$
313,934

Deconsolidation (1)
$
147

 
$
102

 
$
258

Revenue, as adjusted
$
350,023

 
$
328,757

 
$
314,192

 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses, U.S. GAAP
$
214,365

 
$
201,106

 
$
191,993

Deconsolidation (1)
$
(106
)
 
$
(48
)
 
$
(233
)
Accelerated vesting of restricted stock units (2)
$
(1,945
)
 
$

 
$

Expenses, as adjusted
$
212,314

 
$
201,058

 
$
191,760

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income, U.S. GAAP
$
135,511

 
$
127,549

 
$
121,941

Deconsolidation (1)
$
253

 
$
150

 
$
491

Accelerated vesting of restricted stock units (2)
$
1,945

 
$

 
$

Operating income, as adjusted
$
137,709

 
$
127,699

 
$
122,432

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating margin, U.S. GAAP
38.7
%
 
38.8
%
 
38.8
%
Operating margin, as adjusted
39.3
%
 
38.8
%
 
39.0
%
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Non-operating Income (Loss) to Non-operating Income (Loss), As Adjusted
(in thousands)
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Non-operating income (loss), U.S. GAAP
$
7,892

 
$
(14,805
)
 
$
73

Deconsolidation (1)
$
(781
)
 
$
2,200

 
$
1,061

Results from seed investments (3)
$
(5,934
)
 
$
11,833

 
$
(1,152
)
Non-operating income (loss), as adjusted
$
1,177

 
$
(772
)
 
$
(18
)
________________________
(1)
Represents amounts related to deconsolidation of the Company’s consolidated seed investments in Company-sponsored funds.
(2)
Represents amounts attributable to the accelerated vesting of certain restricted stock units in the first quarter of 2016.
(3)
Represents dividend income and realized gains on the Company’s seed investments classified as available-for-sale, and the Company’s proportionate share of the results of operations of seed investments classified as equity method investments, including realized and unrealized gains and losses.
Changes in Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our investment advisory business does not require us to maintain significant capital balances. Our current financial condition is highly liquid, with a significant amount of our assets comprised of cash and cash equivalents, equity method investments, available-for-sale investments and accounts receivable (together, liquid assets). Our cash flows generally result from the operating activities of our business, with investment advisory and administrative fees being the most significant contributor. Cash and cash equivalents, equity method investments (excluding investments measured at NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement), available-for-sale investments and accounts receivable, were 79% and 71% of total assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $115.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $89.8 million and $54.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. We expect that cash flows provided by operating activities will continue to serve as our principal source of working capital in the near future.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $397,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. In 2016, net cash provided by investing activities was comprised of proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments in the amount of


27


$20.8 million, partially offset by purchases of property and equipment in the amount of $10.2 million and purchases of available-for-sale investments in the amount of $8.1 million.
In 2015, net cash provided by investing activities was comprised of proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments in the amount of $7.3 million and proceeds from redemption of equity method investments of $1.2 million, partially offset by purchases of available-for-sale investments in the amount of $5.7 million and purchases of property and equipment in the amount of $2.4 million. In 2014, net cash provided by investing activities was comprised of proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments in the amount of $12.7 million and proceeds from the redemption of equity method investments of $10.9 million, partially offset by purchases of available-for-sale investments in the amount of $7.8 million and purchases of property and equipment in the amount of $5.9 million.
Net cash used in financing activities was $74.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $71.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $65.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. In 2016, net cash used in financing activities was primarily for dividends paid to stockholders of $70.8 million, which included a special dividend of approximately $22.9 million paid on December 14, 2016, and repurchases of common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations on the vesting and delivery of restricted stock units of $8.0 million, partially offset by contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest of $4.0 million.
In 2015, net cash used in financing activities was primarily for dividends paid to stockholders of $68.2 million, which included a special dividend of approximately $22.7 million paid on December 16, 2015, and repurchases of common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations on the vesting and delivery of restricted stock units of $19.2 million, partially offset by contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest of $11.0 million and excess tax benefits associated with the vesting and delivery of restricted stock units of $4.8 million. In 2014, net cash used in financing activities was primarily for dividends paid to stockholders of $84.2 million, which included a special dividend of approximately $44.8 million paid on December 19, 2014, repurchases of common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations on the vesting and delivery of restricted stock units of $11.7 million and distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest of $9.0 million, partially offset by contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest of $36.3 million and excess tax benefits associated with the vesting and delivery of restricted stock units of $2.6 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, we redeemed our seed investment in Cohen & Steers Real Assets Fund, Inc. for total proceeds of $13.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we made two new seed investments totaling $20.0 million, including $5.0 million in connection with the launch of the Cohen & Steers SICAV Global Listed Infrastructure Fund and $15.0 million in connection with the launch of Cohen & Steers Low Duration Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we made one new seed investment of $10.0 million in connection with the launch of Cohen & Steers Active Commodities Strategy Fund, Inc.
We have committed to co-invest up to $5.1 million alongside Cohen & Steers Global Realty Partners III-TE, L.P. (GRP-TE). As of December 31, 2016, we have funded approximately $3.3 million with respect to this commitment. Our co-investment alongside GRP-TE is illiquid and is anticipated to be invested for the life of the fund. The timing of the funding of the unfunded portion of our commitment is currently unknown, as the drawdown of our commitment is contingent on the timing of drawdowns by the underlying funds and co-investments in which GRP-TE invests. The unfunded portion of this commitment was not recorded on our consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2016.
We continuously monitor and evaluate the adequacy of our capital. We have consistently maintained net capital in excess of the regulatory requirements for our broker-dealer, as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 imposes certain requirements that may have the effect of prohibiting a broker-dealer from distributing or withdrawing capital and requiring prior notice to the SEC for certain withdrawals of capital. At December 31, 2016, we exceeded our minimum regulatory capital requirements by approximately $3.2 million. During July 2016, Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. made a capital contribution of $2 million into Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC.
Cohen & Steers Asia Limited (CSAL) and Cohen & Steers UK Limited (CSUK) are regulated outside the U.S. by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, respectively. At December 31, 2016, CSAL and CSUK exceeded their aggregate minimum regulatory capital requirements by approximately $65.9 million. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations will be more than adequate to meet our anticipated capital requirements and other obligations as they become due.


28


Included in cash and cash equivalents was approximately $89.9 million held by our foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016. It is our current intention to permanently reinvest funds held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries. We believe that our liquid assets held in the U.S. are more than sufficient to cover our working capital needs in the U.S.
On February 23, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.28 per share. This dividend will be payable on March 23, 2017 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2017.
Contractual Obligations and Contingencies
We have contractual obligations to make future payments in connection with our noncancelable long-term operating leases for office space, information technology applications and office equipment. There were no material capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2016. The following summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
and after
 
Total
Operating leases
$
12,196

 
$
11,446

 
$
11,593

 
$
11,236

 
$
10,832

 
$
22,620

 
$
79,923

We had $7.9 million, $7.3 million and $6.3 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $4.9 million, $4.7 million and $4.1 million (net of the federal benefit on state issues) as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $2.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively. See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for additional disclosures related to income taxes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not invest in any off-balance sheet vehicles that provide liquidity, capital resources, market or credit risk support, or engage in any leasing activities that expose us to any liability that is not reflected in our consolidated financial statements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
A thorough understanding of our accounting policies is essential when reviewing our reported results of operations and our financial condition. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the summarized information below. Management considers the following accounting policies critical to an informed review of our consolidated financial statements as they require management to make certain judgments about matters that may be uncertain at the time the policies were applied or the estimates determined.
Consolidation of Company-sponsored Funds
The Company evaluates its investments in Company-sponsored funds at inception and subsequently if there is a reconsideration event to determine whether the investment represents a variable interest entity (VIE) or a voting interest entity (VOE). This evaluation involves the use of judgment and analysis on an entity by entity basis. In performing this analysis, we consider the legal structure of the entity, management fees earned by the Company and the nature of the ownership interest and rights of interest holders in the entity, including the Company. If we determine that the entity is a VIE, we must then assess whether the Company absorbs a majority of the VIEs expected variability in which case it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The Company consolidates VIEs for which it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. We consolidate VOEs if we own a majority of the voting interest in the entity or when the Company is the general partner of the fund and the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Amounts attributable to third parties in the funds that we consolidate are recorded in redeemable noncontrolling interest on the consolidated statements of financial condition and net (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest on the consolidated statements of operations.


29


Investments
Our investments are classified as trading investments, equity method investments or available-for-sale investments at the time of purchase and at the date of each consolidated statement of financial condition. Investments classified as trading investments represent securities held within the Company-sponsored funds that we consolidate. Investments classified as equity method investments represent investments in Company-sponsored funds in which the Company’s ownership is between 20-50% of the outstanding voting interests of the entity or when the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control over the investments. Investments for which the Company has neither control nor the ability to exercise significant influence are classified as available-for-sale.
Fair Value
The majority of our investments are carried at fair value or amounts that approximate fair value on our consolidated statement of financial condition with the periodic mark-to-market included in accumulated other comprehensive income for available-for-sale investments and directly in earnings for trading investments and equity method investments. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in a fair value hierarchy based on whether the inputs to the valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. The classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices of identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.
The Company periodically reviews each individual available-for-sale investment that has an unrealized loss to determine if the loss is other-than-temporary. In evaluating whether such losses are other-than-temporary, the Company considers such factors as the extent and duration of the loss, as well as qualitative and quantitative information about the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer or fund and the underlying portfolio. If the Company believes that an unrealized loss on an available-for-sale investment is other-than-temporary, the loss will be recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of our investment in the net assets of an acquired company over the fair value of the underlying identifiable net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested annually for impairment and at other times if an event or circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than not that an impairment has occurred. We estimate the fair value of goodwill using a market approach based upon multiples of AUM and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from a set of comparable peers for the current year and the trailing four years. We determined that the fair value of our goodwill substantially exceeded its carrying value based on the most recent impairment test performed as of November 30, 2016.
Stock-based Compensation
We recognize compensation expense for the grant-date fair value of awards of equity instruments granted to employees. This expense is recognized over the period during which employees are required to provide service and reflects an adjustment for anticipated forfeitures.
Income Taxes
We operate in numerous states and countries through our subsidiaries and therefore must allocate our income, expenses, and earnings to these taxing jurisdictions taking into account the various laws and regulations in each jurisdiction. Our tax provision represents an estimate of the total liability that we have incurred in these jurisdictions as a result of our operations. Each year we file tax returns in each jurisdiction and settle our tax liabilities which may be subject to audit by the taxing authorities. The determination of our annual provision is subject to judgments and estimates and the actual results may vary from the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, we recognize additions to, or reductions of, income tax expense during reporting periods that may pertain to prior period provisions as our estimated liabilities are revised


30


and actual tax returns and audits, if any, are settled. Such adjustments are recognized in the discrete quarterly period in which they are determined.
In addition, we record deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the provisions of the enacted tax laws. Deferred tax assets are recognized for temporary differences that will result in deductible amounts in future years. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for temporary differences that will result in taxable income in future years. We record a valuation allowance, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized.
The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740), a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, on the basis of the technical merits.
We record unrecognized tax benefits as liabilities in accordance with ASC 740 and adjust these liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Because of the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the unrecognized tax benefit liabilities. These differences are reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which new information becomes available.
We consider the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside of the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and our specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. We have not recorded a deferred tax liability related to the U.S. federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $91.1 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside of the United States. Were these foreign earnings repatriated, we would need to adjust our income tax provision in the period we determine that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside of the United States.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See discussion of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In the normal course of our business, we are exposed to risk as a result of changes in interest and currency rates and securities market and general economic fluctuations, which may have an adverse impact on the value of our investments. At December 31, 2016, we had approximately $12.7 million of trading investments as a result of consolidating GLI SICAV, CDF and Cohen & Steers Co-Investment Partnership, L.P. (GRP-CIP). At December 31, 2016, we had approximately $6.5 million of equity method investments, which represented our equity interests in ACOM and GRP-TE. As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately $35.4 million of available-for-sale investments, which were comprised of approximately $4.5 million invested in foreign and domestic common stocks, $1.0 million invested in preferred securities and $29.9 million invested in our sponsored funds.
The following is a summary of the effect that a 10 percent increase or decrease in equity prices would have on our investments subject to equity price fluctuation at December 31, 2016:
 
Carrying
Value
 
Carrying Value
Assuming a
10% Increase
 
Carrying Value
Assuming a
10% Decrease
Trading investments
$
12,689

 
$
13,958

 
$
11,420

Equity method investments
6,459

 
7,105

 
5,813

Available-for-sale investments
35,396

 
38,936

 
31,856

 
At December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its currency exposure related to client receivables with aggregated notional value of approximately $13.8 million. The Company estimates that a 10 percent adverse change in market prices would result in an increase of approximately $141,700 in the fair value of open foreign currency forward contracts held at December 31, 2016.


31


A majority of our revenue—approximately 91%, 92% and 93% for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively—was derived from investment advisory and administration agreements with our clients. Under these agreements, the investment advisory and administration fee we receive is based on the market value of the assets we manage. Accordingly, a decline in the prices of securities generally, and real estate securities in particular, attributable to market conditions including inflation, interest rate changes and a general economic downturn, may cause our revenue and income to decline by causing the value of the assets we manage to decrease, which would result in lower investment advisory and administration fees; or by causing our clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments that they perceive as offering greater opportunity or lower risk or cost, which would also result in lower investment advisory and administration fees.
Market conditions may also preclude us from increasing the assets we manage in closed-end funds. The market conditions for these offerings may not be as favorable in the future, which could adversely impact our ability to grow the assets we manage and realize higher fee revenue associated with such growth. Depending on market conditions, the closed-end funds we manage may increase or decrease their leverage in order to maintain the funds' target leverage ratios, thereby increasing or decreasing the assets we manage.
As of December 31, 2016, 51% and 17% of the assets we managed were concentrated in U.S. real estate and preferred securities, respectively. An increase in interest rates or prolonged economic downturn could have a negative impact on the valuation of real estate and preferred securities in our clients' portfolios, which could reduce our revenue. In addition, an increase in interest rates or prolonged economic downturn could negatively impact our ability to increase assets in our open-end funds and to offer new funds.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The report of our independent registered public accounting firm and financial statements listed in the accompanying index are included in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See the Index to Financial Statements on page F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
There have been no disagreements on accounting and financial disclosure matters.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2016. Based on that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2016 were effective to accomplish their objectives at a reasonable assurance level.
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management's report on internal control over financial reporting is located on page F-2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Deloitte & Touche LLP's report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is located on page F-3.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.


32


PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information regarding directors and executive officers set forth under the headings “Nominee Information” and “Other Executive Officers” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.
The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act set forth under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.
The information regarding our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and committees of our Board of Directors under the headings “Corporate Governance” and “Board Meetings and Committees” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information contained under the headings “Executive Compensation”, “Board Meetings and Committees” and “Report of the Compensation Committee” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information under the headings “Ownership of Cohen & Steers Common Stock” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information under the headings “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information regarding our independent registered public accounting firm fees and services set forth under the heading “Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference herein.


33


PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
1
Financial Statements
Included herein at pages F-1 through F-35.
 
2
Financial Data Schedules
All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information required is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
 
3
Exhibits
The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.


34



Exhibit
Number
 
Description
3.1
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (1)
3.2
Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (2)
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (7)
4.2
Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Company, Martin Cohen, Robert H. Steers, The Martin Cohen 1998 Family Trust and Robert H. Steers Family Trust (1)
10.1
Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement among Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Martin Cohen, Robert H. Steers, The Martin Cohen 1998 Family Trust and Robert H. Steers Family Trust (1)
10.2
Form of Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Martin Cohen* (1)
10.3
Form of Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Robert H. Steers* (1)
10.4
Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan* (3)
10.5
Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan* (3)
10.6
Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan* (3)
10.7
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan* (4)
10.8
Form of Voluntary Deferral Program Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan* (5)
10.9
Form of Mandatory Deferral Program Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan* (4)
10.10
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Martin Cohen* (6)
10.11
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Robert H. Steers* (6)
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Company (filed herewith)
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (filed herewith)
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
101
The following financial statements from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
_________________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-114027), as amended, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), filed on May 13, 2013.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the year ended December 31, 2012.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the year ended December 31, 2007.
(7)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236) for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.
* Denotes compensatory plan.


35



Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.


36



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
COHEN & STEERS, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/S/    ROBERT H. STEERS        
 
 
 
 
Robert H. Steers
Chief Executive Officer and Director
February 24, 2017
Each of the officers and directors of Cohen & Steers, Inc. whose signature appears below, in so signing, also makes, constitutes and appoints Robert H. Steers, acting alone, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power and substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, with exhibits thereto and other documents connected therewith and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file such documents, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Title
Date
 
 
 
 
/S/ MARTIN COHEN
 
 
 
Martin Cohen
 
Chairman and Director
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 
/S/ ROBERT H. STEERS
 
 
 
Robert H. Steers
 
Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 
/S/ PETER L. RHEIN
 
 
 
Peter L. Rhein
 
Director
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 
/S/ RICHARD P. SIMON
 
 
 
Richard P. Simon
 
Director
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 
/S/ EDMOND D. VILLANI
 
 
 
Edmond D. Villani
 
Director
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 
/s/ FRANK CONNOR
 
 
 
Frank Connor
 
Director
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 
/s/ Reena Aggarwal
 
 
 
Reena Aggarwal
 
Director
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 
/S/ MATTHEW S. STADLER
 
 
 
Matthew S. Stadler
 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 
/S/ ELENA DULIK
 
 
 
Elena Dulik
 
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
February 24, 2017
 
 
 
 



37



TABLE OF CONTENTS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




F-1



COHEN & STEERS, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of Cohen & Steers, Inc. (the Company) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company's internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company's management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
The Company's internal control over financial reporting (1) includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; (2) provides reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; (3) and provides reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
The Company's management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on its assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2016, the Company's internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
The Company's independent registered public accounting firm that audited the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Their report appears on the following page.
February 24, 2017



F-2



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Cohen & Steers, Inc. New York, NY
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Cohen & Steers, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity and redeemable noncontrolling interest, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cohen & Steers, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
/s/    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
February 24, 2017




F-3


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(in thousands, except share data)

 
December 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
183,234

 
$
142,728

Trading investments ($487 and $566) (1) ($6,987 and $6,850) (2)
12,689

 
37,169

Equity method investments
6,459

 
16,974

Available-for-sale investments
35,396

 
17,191

Accounts receivable
46,288

 
44,559

Due from brokers ($475 and $383) (2)
1,579

 
6,104

Property and equipment—net
15,964

 
9,783

Goodwill and intangible assets—net
19,118

 
19,498

Deferred income tax asset—net
5,619

 
5,551

Other assets ($43 and $53) (2)
7,382

 
5,765

Total assets
$
333,728

 
$
305,322

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued compensation
$
35,333

 
$
30,503

Distribution and service fees payable
6,452

 
6,192

Income tax payable
9,375

 
6,780

Due to brokers ($0 and $12) (2)

 
4,369

Deferred rent
6,229

 
6,368

Other liabilities and accrued expenses ($75 and $55) (2)
9,672

 
8,000

Total liabilities
67,061

 
62,212

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13)

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
853

 
11,334

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 50,415,152 and 49,690,562 shares issued at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
504

 
497

Additional paid-in capital
543,829

 
519,855

Accumulated deficit
(127,957
)
 
(148,096
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
(5,885
)
 
(3,843
)
Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 4,524,694 and 4,250,476 shares at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
(144,677
)
 
(136,637
)
Total stockholders’ equity
265,814

 
231,776

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
333,728

 
$
305,322

_________________________
(1)
Pledged as collateral attributable to the consolidated balances of Cohen & Steers Active Commodities Strategy Fund, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
(2)
Asset and liability amounts in parentheses represent the aggregated balances at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 attributable to Cohen & Steers SICAV Global Listed Infrastructure Fund and Cohen & Steers Co-Investment Partnership, L.P., which were variable interest entities as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.
See notes to consolidated financial statements


F-4


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment advisory and administration fees
$
319,667

 
$
303,729

 
$
291,744

Distribution and service fees
19,396

 
16,001

 
14,667

Portfolio consulting and other
10,813

 
8,925

 
7,523

Total revenue
349,876

 
328,655

 
313,934

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
115,607

 
107,710

 
102,732

Distribution and service fees
39,590

 
36,330

 
35,470

General and administrative
51,558

 
50,853

 
47,337

Depreciation and amortization
7,610

 
6,213

 
6,454

Total expenses
214,365

 
201,106

 
191,993

Operating income
135,511

 
127,549

 
121,941

Non-operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and dividend income
2,119

 
1,600

 
2,058

Gain (loss) from trading investments—net
218

 
(2,376
)
 
(1,567
)
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates
3,324

 
(10,378
)
 
(1,955
)
Gain (loss) from available-for-sale investments—net
1,451

 
(2,648
)
 
2,041

Other gains (losses)
780

 
(1,003
)
 
(504
)
Total non-operating income (loss)
7,892

 
(14,805
)
 
73

Income before provision for income taxes
143,403

 
112,744

 
122,014

Provision for income taxes
50,593

 
48,407

 
46,280

Net income
92,810

 
64,337

 
75,734

Less: Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
126

 
214

 
(224
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
92,936

 
$
64,551

 
$
75,510

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
2.02

 
$
1.42

 
$
1.69

Diluted
$
2.00

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.65

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
45,951

 
45,433

 
44,788

Diluted
46,432

 
45,897

 
45,643


See notes to consolidated financial statements


F-5



COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
92,810

 
$
64,337

 
$
75,734

Less: Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
126

 
214

 
(224
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
92,936

 
64,551

 
75,510

Foreign currency translation loss (net of tax of $0)
(2,937
)
 
(2,462
)
 
(3,710
)
Net unrealized gain (loss) from available-for-sale investments (net of tax of $0)
2,346

 
(2,447
)
 
1,180

Reclassification to statements of operations of realized (gain) loss from available-for-sale investments (net of tax of $0)
(1,451
)
 
2,648

 
(2,041
)
Other comprehensive loss
(2,042
)
 
(2,261
)
 
(4,571
)
Total comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders
$
90,894

 
$
62,290

 
$
70,939



See notes to consolidated financial statements


F-6


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
(in thousands)
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss), Net of Tax
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Shares of Common Stock, Net
Beginning balance, January 1, 2014
 
$
477

 
$
457,138

 
$
(131,366
)
 
$
2,989

 
$
(105,681
)
 
$
223,557

 
$
207

 
44,254

Dividends ($1.88 per share)
 

 

 
(86,930
)
 

 

 
(86,930
)
 

 

Issuance of common stock
 
9

 
569

 

 

 

 
578

 

 
858

Repurchase of common stock
 

 

 

 

 
(11,722
)
 
(11,722
)
 

 
(319
)
Tax benefits associated with restricted stock units—net
 

 
3,676

 

 

 

 
3,676

 

 

Issuance of restricted stock units
 

 
3,045

 

 

 

 
3,045

 

 

Amortization of restricted stock units—net
 

 
24,838

 

 

 

 
24,838

 

 

Net income
 

 

 
75,510

 

 

 
75,510

 
224

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 

 

 

 
(4,571
)
 

 
(4,571
)
 

 

Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(8,987
)
 

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
36,278

 

Transfer of redeemable noncontrolling interest in consolidated entity
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(27,115
)
 

Ending balance, December 31, 2014
 
$
486

 
$
489,266

 
$
(142,786
)
 
$
(1,582
)
 
$
(117,403
)
 
$
227,981

 
$
607

 
44,793

Dividends ($1.50 per share)
 

 

 
(69,861
)
 

 

 
(69,861
)
 

 

Issuance of common stock
 
11

 
623

 

 

 

 
634

 

 
1,097

Repurchase of common stock
 

 

 

 

 
(19,234
)
 
(19,234
)
 

 
(450
)
Tax benefits associated with restricted stock units—net
 

 
5,262

 

 

 

 
5,262

 

 

Issuance of restricted stock units
 

 
2,109

 

 

 

 
2,109

 

 

Amortization of restricted stock units—net
 

 
22,566

 

 

 

 
22,566

 

 

Forfeitures of restricted stock units
 

 
29

 

 

 

 
29

 

 

Net income (loss)
 

 

 
64,551

 

 

 
64,551

 
(214
)
 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 

 

 

 
(2,261
)
 

 
(2,261
)
 

 

Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(10
)
 

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
10,951

 

Ending balance, December 31, 2015
 
$
497

 
$
519,855

 
$
(148,096
)
 
$
(3,843
)
 
$
(136,637
)
 
$
231,776

 
$
11,334

 
45,440

Dividends ($1.54 per share)
 

 

 
(72,797
)
 

 

 
(72,797
)
 

 

Issuance of common stock
 
7

 
749

 

 

 

 
756

 

 
724

Repurchase of common stock
 

 

 

 

 
(8,040
)
 
(8,040
)
 

 
(274
)
Tax benefits associated with restricted stock units—net
 

 
(758
)
 

 

 

 
(758
)
 

 

Issuance of restricted stock units
 

 
2,457

 

 

 

 
2,457

 

 

Amortization of restricted stock units—net
 

 
21,555

 

 

 

 
21,555

 

 

Forfeitures of restricted stock units
 

 
(29
)
 

 

 

 
(29
)
 

 

Net income (loss)
 

 

 
92,936

 

 

 
92,936

 
(126
)
 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 

 

 

 
(2,042
)
 

 
(2,042
)
 

 

Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(342
)
 

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
4,023

 

Transfer of redeemable noncontrolling interest in consolidated entity
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(14,036
)
 

Ending balance, December 31, 2016
 
$
504

 
$
543,829

 
$
(127,957
)
 
$
(5,885
)
 
$
(144,677
)
 
$
265,814

 
$
853

 
45,890

See notes to consolidated financial statements


F-7


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
92,810

 
$
64,337

 
$
75,734

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Stock compensation expense
21,649

 
22,686

 
24,931

Depreciation and amortization
7,610

 
6,213

 
6,454

Deferred rent
(139
)
 
640

 
1,384

(Gain) loss from trading investments—net
(218
)
 
2,376

 
1,567

Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliates
(3,324
)
 
10,378

 
1,955

(Gain) loss from available-for-sale investments—net
(1,451
)
 
2,648

 
(2,041
)
Deferred income taxes
(900
)
 
7,392

 
(279
)
Foreign currency loss (gain)
1,684

 
(443
)
 
(588
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(3,413
)
 
(724
)
 
(1,916
)
Due from brokers
(1,261
)
 
(4,299
)
 
(1,137
)
Deferred commissions
(3,909
)
 
(2,572
)
 
(1,956
)
Trading investments
(3,956
)
 
(30,036
)
 
(51,770
)
Other assets
(1,442
)
 
(1,266
)
 
809

Accrued compensation
4,855

 
2,228

 
3,115

Distribution and service fees payable
260

 
(803
)
 
497

Due to broker
1,771

 
4,364

 

Income tax payable
2,110

 
5,231

 
(3,020
)
Other liabilities and accrued expenses
2,222

 
1,446

 
843

Net cash provided by operating activities
114,958

 
89,796

 
54,582

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from redemptions of equity method investments
363

 
1,184

 
10,881

Purchases of available-for-sale investments
(8,096
)
 
(5,663
)
 
(7,829
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments
20,814

 
7,303

 
12,699

Purchases of property and equipment
(10,183
)
 
(2,427
)
 
(5,916
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
2,898

 
397

 
9,835

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Excess tax benefits associated with restricted stock units

 
4,822

 
2,562

Issuance of common stock
642

 
539

 
491

Repurchase of common stock
(8,040
)
 
(19,234
)
 
(11,722
)
Dividends to stockholders
(70,825
)
 
(68,177
)
 
(84,237
)
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest
(342
)
 
(10
)
 
(8,987
)
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest
4,023

 
10,951

 
36,278

Net cash used in financing activities
(74,542
)
 
(71,109
)
 
(65,615
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
43,314

 
19,084

 
(1,198
)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(2,808
)
 
(1,294
)
 
(2,141
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year
142,728

 
124,938

 
128,277

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year
$
183,234

 
$
142,728

 
$
124,938


See notes to consolidated financial statements


F-8


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company paid taxes, net of tax refunds, of approximately $49,331,000, $30,885,000 and $46,840,000, respectively.
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
In connection with its stock incentive plan, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company issued fully vested restricted stock units in the amount of $486,000, $425,000 and $352,000, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded restricted stock unit dividend equivalents, net of forfeitures, in the amount of $1,972,000, $1,684,000 and $2,693,000, respectively.
Effective March 1, 2016, the Company's proportionate ownership interest in Cohen & Steers Low Duration Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (LPX) decreased and the Company deconsolidated the assets and liabilities of LPX resulting in a non-cash reduction of $14,036,000 from redeemable noncontrolling interest and a non-cash increase of $14,550,000 to equity method investments. Effective October 1, 2016, the Company's proportionate ownership interest in LPX decreased and the Company recorded a non-cash reclassification of $15,045,000, from equity method investments into available-for-sale investments.
Effective June 1, 2016, the Company's proportionate ownership interest in Cohen & Steers MLP & Energy Opportunity Fund, Inc. (MLO) decreased and the Company recorded a non-cash reclassification of $12,995,000, from equity method investments into available-for-sale investments.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s proportionate ownership interest in Cohen & Steers Active Commodities Fund, LP (ACOM) decreased and the Company deconsolidated the assets and liabilities of ACOM resulting in a non-cash increase of $8,840,000 to equity method investments.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s proportionate ownership interest in MLO decreased and the Company deconsolidated the assets and liabilities of MLO resulting in a non-cash reduction of $26,906,000 from redeemable noncontrolling interest and a non-cash increase of $22,338,000 to equity method investments.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company redeemed a portion of its shares in Cohen & Steers Real Assets Fund, Inc. (RAP) and recorded a non-cash reclassification of $14,909,000, which represents the Company's proportionate share of RAP, from equity method investments into available-for-sale investments.


F-9


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation
Cohen & Steers, Inc. (CNS) was organized as a Delaware corporation on March 17, 2004. CNS is the holding company for its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (CSCM), Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC (CSS), Cohen & Steers Asia Limited (CSAL), Cohen & Steers UK Limited (CSUK) and Cohen & Steers Japan, LLC (collectively, the Company).
The Company is a global investment manager specializing in liquid real assets, including real estate securities, listed infrastructure, commodities and natural resource equities, as well as preferred securities and other income solutions. Founded in 1986, the Company is headquartered in New York City, with offices in London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seattle.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The consolidated financial statements set forth herein include the accounts of CNS and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted—In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) revised the guidance applicable to consolidation of legal entities. The revised rules include guidance for evaluating (a) limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) the impact of decision maker or service provider fees on the consolidation analysis, (c) the impact of interests held by related parties on the consolidation analysis and (d) consolidation of certain investment funds. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2016, using a full retrospective method. In connection with the adoption of this guidance, the Company reevaluated all of its sponsored funds and management fees under the new guidance. The Company concluded that certain entities that were not previously considered Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) would be considered VIEs under the revised guidance. See Note 4 for further discussion of the Company's seed investments.
In May 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the disclosure of certain investments that calculate net asset value per share (NAV) as a practical expedient. This guidance removes the requirement to categorize such investments within the fair value hierarchy table. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2016 on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. As a result of adoption, $7.2 million and $6.5 million of NAV investments at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, are no longer classified within Level 2 and Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in Note 5 are intended to permit reconciliation of the investments included in the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented on the consolidated statement of financial position.
In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance regarding disclosure of going concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The guidance requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued at each annual and interim reporting period. This new guidance was effective for the Company's first quarter of 2016. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Accounting Estimates—The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Management believes the estimates used in preparing the consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Consolidation of Company-sponsored Funds—The Company consolidates entities, including sponsored funds, that are deemed to be voting interest entities (VOE) when it has financial control over the entity which is generally when the Company owns a majority of the outstanding voting interest. Investments in Company-sponsored funds and management fees are evaluated at inception and subsequently if there is a reconsideration event to determine if the fund is a VIE or VOE and which consolidation model to apply. All of the Company's management fees are presumed to be commensurate and at market and are therefore not considered variable interests. VIEs for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary are consolidated. Investments in Company-sponsored funds that are determined to be VOEs are consolidated when the


F-10




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Company’s ownership interest is greater than 50% of the outstanding voting interests of the fund or when the Company is the general partner of the fund and the limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights in the fund. The Company records noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries for which the Company’s ownership is less than 100 percent.
A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) the group of holders of the equity investment at risk lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly affect its performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Investments and redemptions or amendments to the governing documents of the respective entities could affect an entity's status as a VIE or the determination of the primary beneficiary. The Company assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of any VIEs identified by evaluating its economic interests in the entity held either directly by the Company and its affiliates or indirectly through employees. See Note 4 for further discussion about the Company’s seed investments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments, which are readily convertible into cash and have original maturities of three months or less.
Due from/to Brokers—The Company conducts business, primarily with respect to its consolidated seed investments, with brokers for certain of its investment activities. The clearing and custody operations for these investment activities are performed pursuant to contractual agreements. The due from/to brokers balance represents cash and cash equivalents balances at brokers/custodians and/or receivables and payables for unsettled securities transactions.
Investments—Management of the Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such determination at each statement of financial condition date.
Investments classified as trading represent securities held within the affiliated funds that the Company consolidates and are measured at fair value based on quoted market prices, market prices obtained from independent pricing services engaged by management or as determined by management and approved by the Company’s valuation committee. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as gain (loss) from trading investments—net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Investments classified as equity method investments represent seed investments in which the Company owns between 20-50% of the outstanding voting interests in the affiliated fund or when it is determined that the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control over the investments. When using the equity method, the Company recognizes its respective share of the affiliated investee fund net income or loss for the period which is recorded as equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's equity method investments consisted of interests in affiliated funds which measure their underlying investments at fair value based on quoted market prices or NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient and report a net asset value on a recurring basis. The carrying amounts of these investments approximate their fair value.
Investments classified as available-for-sale are comprised of equity securities, investment-grade preferred instruments and investments in Company-sponsored open-end funds where the Company has neither control nor the ability to exercise significant influence. These investments are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices or market prices obtained from independent pricing services engaged by management, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company periodically reviews each individual security position that has an unrealized loss, or impairment, to determine if that impairment is other than temporary. If the Company believes an impairment of a security position is other than temporary, based on available quantitative and qualitative information as of the report date, the loss will be recognized as gain (loss) from available-for-sale investments—net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
From time to time, the affiliated funds consolidated by the Company enter into derivative contracts to gain exposure to the underlying commodities markets or to hedge market and credit risks of the underlying portfolios utilizing options, total return swaps, credit default swaps and futures contracts. These instruments are measured at fair value based on their settlement price at the close of trading on the associated commodities exchange or board of trade with gains and losses


F-11




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


recorded as gain (loss) from trading investments—net in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. The fair values of these instruments are recorded in other assets or other liabilities and accrued expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition. As of December 31, 2016, none of the outstanding derivative contracts were subject to a master netting agreement or other similar arrangement.
Additionally, from time to time, the Company enters into foreign exchange contracts to hedge its currency exposure related to certain client receivables. These instruments are measured at fair value with gains and losses recorded in other non-operating income in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. The fair values of these contracts are recorded in other assets or other liabilities and accrued expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of the Company’s investment in the net assets of an acquired company over the fair value of the underlying identifiable net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment by comparing the fair value to their carrying amounts. Finite lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives and are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. See Note 3 for further discussion about the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest—Redeemable noncontrolling interest represents third-party interests in the Company's consolidated entities. This interest is redeemable at the option of the investors and therefore is not treated as permanent equity. Redeemable noncontrolling interest is remeasured at redemption value which approximates the fair value at each reporting period.
Investment Advisory and Administration Fees—The Company earns revenue by providing asset management services to institutional accounts and to Company-sponsored open-end and closed-end funds. Investment advisory fees are earned pursuant to the terms of investment management agreements, and are based on a contractual fee rate applied to the assets in the portfolio. The Company also earns administration fees from certain Company-sponsored open-end and closed-end funds pursuant to the terms of underlying administration contracts. Administration fees are based on the average assets under management of such funds. Investment advisory and administration fee revenue is recognized as such fees are earned.
Distribution and Service Fee Revenue—CSS acts as the principal distributor of the Company’s sponsored open-end funds which may offer the following classes: Class A (initial sales load), Class C (back-end sales load), Class R (load retirement) and Class Z (no load retirement). Effective May 2007, the Company suspended sales of Class B shares and all remaining Class B shares converted to Class A shares in 2015. Distribution and service fee revenue is based on the average daily net assets of the funds as detailed below. Distribution and service fee revenue is earned daily and is recorded gross of any third-party distribution and service fee expense for applicable share classes.
Pursuant to distribution plans with the Company's sponsored open-end funds, CSS receives distribution fees of up to 25bps for Class A shares and 75bps for Class C shares. CSS also receives shareholder servicing fees of up to 10bps on Class A shares, 25bps on Class C shares and 15bps on Class Z shares, pursuant to shareholder servicing plans with the funds. Effective October 1, 2014, the Company no longer receives shareholder servicing fees on Class Z shares.
CSS receives combined distribution and shareholder servicing fees of up to 50bps for Class R shares.
Distribution and Service Fee Expense—Distribution and service fee expense includes distribution fees, service fees and intermediary assistance payments. Distribution and service fee expense is recorded as incurred.
Distribution fee expense represents payments made to qualified intermediaries for (i) assistance in connection with the distribution of the Company's sponsored open-end funds' shares and (ii) for other expenses such as advertising costs and printing and distribution of prospectuses to investors. Such amounts may also be used to pay financial intermediaries for services as specified in the terms of written agreements complying with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Rule 12b-1). CSS pays distribution fee expense based on the average daily net assets under management of up to 25bps on Class A shares and 75bps on Class C shares.


F-12




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Shareholder servicing fee expense represents payments made to qualified intermediaries for shareholder account service and maintenance. These services are provided pursuant to written agreements with such qualified institutions. CSS pays service fee expenses based on the average daily net assets under management of up to 10bps on Class A shares, 25bps on Class C shares and 15bps on Class Z shares. Effective October 1, 2014, the Company no longer pays shareholder service fees on Class Z shares.
CSS pays combined distribution and service fee expenses based on the average daily net assets under management of up to 50bps on Class R shares.
Intermediary assistance payments represent payments to qualified intermediaries for activities related to distribution, shareholder servicing and marketing and support of Company-sponsored open-end funds and are incremental to those described above. Intermediary assistance payments are generally based on the average assets under management or the number of accounts being serviced.
Portfolio Consulting and Other—The Company earns portfolio consulting and other fees by: (i) providing portfolio consulting services in connection with model-based strategy accounts; (ii) earning a licensing fee for the use of the Company's proprietary indexes; and (iii) providing portfolio monitoring services related to a number of unit investment trusts. This revenue is earned pursuant to the terms of the underlying contract, and the fee schedules for these relationships vary based on the type of services the Company provides for each relationship. This revenue is recognized as such fees are earned.
Stock-based Compensation—The Company recognizes compensation expense for the grant-date fair value of awards of equity instruments to employees. This expense is recognized over the period during which employees are required to provide service. The Company also estimates forfeitures.
Income Taxes—The Company records the current and deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the provisions of the enacted tax laws. Deferred tax assets are recognized for temporary differences that will result in deductible amounts in future years at tax rates that are expected to apply in those years. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for temporary differences that will result in taxable income in future years at tax rates that are expected to apply in those years. The Company records a valuation allowance, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized.
The calculation of the tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, on the basis of the technical merits.
Currency Translation and Transactions—Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at exchange rates at the applicable consolidated statement of financial condition date. Revenue and expenses of such subsidiaries are translated at average exchange rates during the period. The gains or losses resulting from translating non-U.S. dollar functional currency into U.S. dollars are included in the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The cumulative translation adjustment was $(6,845,000), $(3,908,000) and $(1,446,000) as of December 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Gains or losses resulting from non-U.S. dollar currency transactions are included in other non-operating income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Comprehensive Income—The Company reports all changes in comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Comprehensive income includes net income or loss attributable to common stockholders, foreign currency translation gain and loss (net of tax), unrealized gain and loss from available-for-sale investments (net of tax) and reclassification to statements of operations of realized gain and loss from available-for-sale investments (net of tax).
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements—In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the impairment test by removing the requirement to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This


F-13




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance amending the current guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is intended to unify the currently diverse presentations and classifications, which address eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2018 and requires a retrospective approach to adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and the related disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance amending the current accounting for an investment that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting. The guidance requires that the cost of acquiring an additional interest in the investment, if any, that resulted in it qualifying for the equity method be added to the carrying value of the investment. The equity method will then be applied from that point forward without any retroactive application or adjustment. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, excess tax benefits, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2017. The Company has evaluated the impact that adoption of this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures and has concluded that adoption will result in the tax effect associated with differences between the grant date price and delivery date price of restricted stock units being recorded on the income statement rather than in additional paid-in capital and reclassification of such amounts on the statement of cash flows from financing activities to operating activities.
In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance introducing a new lease model which requires all operating leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as right of use assets and offsetting lease liability obligations. The guidance requires disclosures by lessees and lessors to enable users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance amending the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2018. Upon adoption of this guidance, changes in the fair value of the Company's available-for-sale investments will be reported through earnings rather than through other comprehensive income.
In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance which outlined a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In March 2016, the FASB issued revised guidance which clarifies the guidance related to (a) determining the appropriate unit of account under the revenue standard’s principal versus agent guidance and (b) applying the indicators of whether an entity is a principal or an agent in accordance with the revenue standard’s control principle. In April 2016, the FASB issued an amendment to provide more detailed guidance including additional implementation guidance and examples related to a) identifying performance obligations and b) licenses of intellectual property. In May 2016, the FASB amended the standard to clarify the guidance on


F-14




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


assessing collectibility, presenting sales taxes, measuring noncash consideration, and certain transition matters. This new guidance will be effective for the Company's first quarter of 2018 and requires either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adoption. The Company's implementation analysis is ongoing, however, it does not expect the adoption of the guidance to have a significant effect on the timing of the recognition of revenue. The Company is currently evaluating performance obligations and the related transaction costs. The overall effect upon adoption may change based on further analysis and implementation efforts. The Company has not yet determined which transition method will be employed.
3. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The following summarizes the changes in the Company's goodwill and intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
 
Goodwill
 
Finite Lived Intangible
Assets
 
Indefinite Lived
Intangible Assets
Balance at January 1, 2015
$
19,120

 
$
362

 
$
1,250

Currency revaluation
(1,145
)
 

 

Amortization during 2015
N/A

 
(89
)
 
N/A

Balance at December 31, 2015
$
17,975

 
$
273

 
$
1,250

Currency revaluation
(291
)
 

 

Amortization during 2016
N/A

 
(89
)
 
N/A

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
17,684

 
$
184

 
$
1,250

 

The following is a summary of the intangible assets at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
Remaining
Amortization
Period
(in months)
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Intangible
Assets, Net
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Client relationships
24
 
$
1,543

 
$
(1,359
)
 
$
184

Non-amortized intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fund management contracts
 
1,250

 

 
1,250

Total
 
 
$
2,793

 
$
(1,359
)
 
$
1,434

2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortized intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Client relationships
36
 
$
1,543

 
$
(1,270
)
 
$
273

Non-amortized intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fund management contracts
 
1,250

 

 
1,250

Total
 
 
$
2,793

 
$
(1,270
)
 
$
1,523




F-15




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Amortization expenses related to the intangible assets was approximately $89,000 for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense is as follows (in thousands):
 
Periods Ending December 31,
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
2017
$
89

2018
95

Total
$
184

4. Investments
The following is a summary of the Company's investments as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Trading investments
$
12,689

 
$
37,169

Equity method investments
6,459

 
16,974

Available-for-sale investments
35,396

 
17,191

Gain (loss) from investments for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are summarized below (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Gain (loss) from trading investments—net (1)
$
218

 
$
(2,376
)
 
$
(1,567
)
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates
3,324

 
(10,378
)
 
(1,955
)
Gain (loss) from available-for-sale investments—net
1,451

 
(2,648
)
 
2,041

 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of new funds seeded

 
2

 
1

_________________________
(1)    Includes net income/(loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest for the periods presented.
The Cohen & Steers Low Duration Preferred and Income Fund, Inc. (LPX), launched by the Company in December 2015, is an open-end fund for which the Company is the investment adviser. LPX is a VOE and the Company owned the majority of the outstanding voting interests through February 29, 2016. Accordingly, the underlying assets and liabilities and results of operations of LPX had been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements with the third-party interests classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest. As a result of additional third-party subscriptions into the fund, effective March 1, 2016, the Company no longer owned the majority of the outstanding voting interest in LPX, however it was determined that the Company has significant influence over the financial decisions of LPX and therefore recorded its investment in LPX using the equity method of accounting. Effective October 1, 2016, the Company's ownership interest in LPX fell below 20% and the Company no longer had significant influence over LPX. Accordingly, the Company began recording its investment in LPX as an available-for-sale investment.
The Cohen & Steers SICAV Global Listed Infrastructure Fund (GLI SICAV), a Luxembourg-domiciled undertaking for collective investments in transferable securities (UCITS), was launched by the Company in September 2015, and meets the definition of an investment company. The Company is the investment adviser of GLI SICAV for which it receives a management fee. GLI SICAV is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary. As of December 31, 2016, the Company was the only investor in the fund and therefore, the Company would absorb all of the expected losses and residual returns of


F-16




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


GLI SICAV. Accordingly, the underlying assets and liabilities and results of operations of GLI SICAV have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
The following represents the portion of the consolidated statements of financial condition attributable to the consolidated GLI SICAV as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The assets may only be used to settle obligations of GLI SICAV and the liabilities are the sole obligation of GLI SICAV, for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Assets:
 
 
 
Trading investments
$
5,069

 
$
4,719

Due from broker
181

 
176

Other assets
43

 
53

Total assets
$
5,293

 
$
4,948

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Due to broker
$

 
$
12

Other liabilities and accrued expenses
70

 
50

Total liabilities
$
70

 
$
62

The Cohen & Steers Active Commodities Strategy Fund, Inc. (CDF), launched by the Company in May 2014, is an open-end fund for which the Company is the investment adviser. CDF is a VOE and the Company owned the majority of the outstanding voting interest in the fund as of December 31, 2016. Accordingly, the underlying assets and liabilities and results of operations of CDF have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements with the third-party interests classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest.
ACOM, launched by the Company in April 2013, is structured as a partnership. The Company is the investment adviser of ACOM for which it is entitled to receive a management fee. The Company owned all of the voting interest in ACOM through September 30, 2014. Accordingly, the underlying assets and liabilities and results of operations of ACOM had been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. As a result of third-party investments into the fund, effective October 1, 2014, the Company no longer held a controlling financial interest in ACOM. The Company determined that ACOM was not a VIE as the limited partners, unaffiliated with the Company, have the ability to liquidate the fund with a majority vote. As a result, the Company does not have financial control and ACOM is not consolidated into the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company's equity interest in ACOM represents a seed investment to launch the fund, adjusted for the Company's proportionate share of the fund's earnings. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's ownership in ACOM was approximately 10%; however, as the general partner, the Company has significant influence over the financial decisions of ACOM and therefore records its investment in ACOM using the equity method of accounting.
Cohen & Steers Global Realty Partners III-TE, L.P. (GRP-TE), which had its closing in October 2011, is structured as a partnership. The Company is the general partner and investment adviser of GRP-TE, for which it receives a management fee and is entitled to receive an incentive distribution, if earned. GRP-TE is a VIE and the Company is not the primary beneficiary. As the general partner, the Company has significant influence over the financial decisions of GRP-TE and therefore records its investment using the equity method of accounting. The Company's equity interest in GRP-TE represents a seed investment to launch the fund, adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of the fund’s earnings. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's ownership in GRP-TE was approximately 0.2%. The Company's risk with respect to its investment in GRP-TE is limited to its equity ownership and any uncollected management fees.
In conjunction with the launch of GRP-TE, the Company established Cohen & Steers Co-Investment Partnership, L.P. (GRP-CIP), which is used by the Company to fulfill its contractual commitment to co-invest with GRP-TE. See Note 13 for


F-17




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


further discussion regarding the Company's co-investment commitment. As of December 31, 2016, GRP-CIP is a VIE and the Company is the primary beneficiary as it owns all of the voting interest in GRP-CIP. Accordingly, the underlying assets and liabilities and results of operations of GRP-CIP have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
The following represents the portion of the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition attributable to the consolidated GRP-CIP as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The assets may only be used to settle obligations of GRP-CIP and the liabilities are the sole obligation of GRP-CIP, for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Assets:
 
 
 
Trading investments
$
1,918

 
$
2,131

Due from broker
294

 
207

Other assets

 

Total assets
$
2,212

 
$
2,338

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Due to broker
$

 
$

Other liabilities and accrued expenses
5

 
5

Total liabilities
$
5

 
$
5

MLO, launched by the Company in December 2013, is an open-end fund for which the Company is the investment adviser. MLO is a VOE and the Company owned the majority of the outstanding voting interest in MLO through October 31, 2014. Accordingly, the underlying assets and liabilities and results of operations of MLO had been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements with the third-party interests classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest. Effective November 1, 2014, as a result of additional third-party subscriptions into the fund, the Company no longer owned the majority of the outstanding voting interest in MLO, however it was determined that the Company has significant influence over the financial decisions of MLO and therefore recorded its investment in MLO using the equity method of accounting. Effective June 1, 2016, the Company's ownership interest in MLO fell below 20% and the Company no longer had significant influence over MLO. Accordingly, the Company began recording its investment in MLO as an available-for-sale investment.
Cohen & Steers Real Assets Fund, Inc. (RAP), launched by the Company in January 2012, is an open-end fund for which the Company is the investment adviser. RAP is a VOE. The Company had significant influence over RAP through September 30, 2014 and recorded its investment in RAP using the equity method of accounting. Effective October 1, 2014, the Company's ownership interest in RAP fell below 20% and the Company no longer had significant influence over RAP. Accordingly, the Company began recording its investment in RAP as an available-for-sale investment. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company sold its remaining interest in RAP.
The Company owned the majority of the voting interests in Cohen & Steers Global Real Estate Long-Short Fund, L.P. (the Onshore Fund) prior to its liquidation in April 2014. Accordingly, the underlying assets and liabilities and results of operations of the Onshore Fund had been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Onshore Fund was structured as a partnership and the Company was the general partner and investment adviser of the fund.
The Cohen & Steers Global Real Estate Long-Short Offshore Fund, L.P. (the Offshore Fund), which was liquidated in April 2014, was structured as a partnership. The Company was the general partner and investment adviser of the Offshore Fund for which it received a management fee and was entitled to receive a performance fee, if earned. The Company determined that the Offshore Fund was not a VIE as the limited partners, unaffiliated with the Company, had the ability to dissolve the fund with a majority vote. As a result, the Company did not have financial control and the Offshore Fund was not consolidated into the Company's consolidated financial statements. As the general partner, the Company had significant


F-18




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


influence over the financial decisions of the Offshore Fund and therefore recorded its investment in this fund using the equity method of accounting.
The Company met the significant subsidiaries test for total equity method investments as of December 31, 2014 and is required to provide the summarized financial information for all equity method investments for all periods presented. The following is the aggregate condensed statement of financial condition information for the Company's equity method investments as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Total assets
$
105,946

 
$
147,590

Total liabilities
109

 
2,038

Net assets
105,837

 
145,552


The following is the condensed statement of operations for the aggregate of the Company's equity method investments for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31, (1)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Total revenue
$
5,163

 
$
2,753

 
$
2,896

Total expenses
1,609

 
1,194

 
2,019

Net realized gain (loss) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
10,201

 
(44,936
)
 
(14,827
)
Net income (loss)
$
13,755

 
$
(43,377
)
 
$
(13,950
)
_________________________
(1)    Amounts are included only for the time in which the investees were accounted for under the equity method.
The following is a summary of the fair value of trading investments and equity method investments as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Trading Investments
 
Equity Method Investments
 
Trading Investments
 
Equity Method Investments
ACOM
$

 
$
6,371

 
$

 
$
5,624

CDF
5,702

 

 
5,606

 

GLI SICAV
5,069

 

 
4,719

 

GRP-CIP
1,918

 

 
2,131

 

GRP-TE

 
88

 

 
92

LPX

 

 
24,713

 

MLO

 

 

 
11,258

Total
$
12,689

 
$
6,459

 
$
37,169

 
$
16,974



F-19




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Gain (loss) from trading investments—net for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, which represent realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded by the funds the Company consolidates, are summarized below (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
ACOM
$

 
$

 
$
(505
)
CDF
839

 
(2,167
)
 
(2,804
)
GLI SICAV
297

 
(135
)
 

GRP-CIP
(149
)
 
(80
)
 
151

LPX
(769
)
 
6

 

MLO

 

 
1,567

Onshore Fund

 

 
24

Total gain (loss) from trading investments—net
$
218

 
$
(2,376
)
 
$
(1,567
)
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are summarized below (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016

2015
 
2014
ACOM
$
748

 
$
(1,988
)
 
$
(1,228
)
GRP-TE
(13
)
 
7

 
11

LPX
852

 

 

MLO
1,737

 
(8,397
)
 
(1,511
)
Offshore Fund

 

 
20

RAP

 

 
753

Total equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates
$
3,324

 
$
(10,378
)
 
$
(1,955
)
The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of available-for-sale investments as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2016
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
(1)
 
Fair
Value
Preferred securities
$
1,020

 
$
13

 
$
(22
)
 
$
1,011

Common stocks
4,639

 
194

 
(325
)
 
4,508

Company-sponsored funds
28,232

 
1,755

 
(110
)
 
29,877

Total available-for-sale investments
$
33,891

 
$
1,962

 
$
(457
)
 
$
35,396

_________________________
(1)    At December 31, 2016, there were no securities with unrealized losses continuously for a period of more than 12 months.



F-20




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


 
December 31, 2015
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses (1)
 
Fair
Value
Preferred securities
$
1,115

 
$
66

 
$
(3
)
 
$
1,178

Common stocks
3,828

 
288

 
(282
)
 
3,834

Company-sponsored funds
12,184

 
1

 
(6
)
 
12,179

Total available-for-sale investments
$
17,127

 
$
355

 
$
(291
)
 
$
17,191

_________________________
(1)    At December 31, 2015, there were no securities with unrealized losses continuously for a period of more than 12 months.
Available-for-sale investments with a fair value of approximately $18,521,000 and $1,779,000 at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, were in an unrealized loss position.
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments as of December 31, 2016 were generally caused by market conditions. When evaluating whether an unrealized loss on an available-for-sale investment is other than temporary, the Company reviews such factors as the extent and duration of the loss, as well as qualitative and quantitative information about the financial condition and near term prospects of the funds.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company determined, based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors including the estimated recovery period, that the seed investment in RAP was other-than-temporarily impaired. Accordingly, for the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of $2,846,000 on its investment in RAP.
As of December 31, 2016, the Company determined that it had the ability and intent to hold the remaining available-for-sale investments for which no other-than-temporary impairment has occurred until a recovery of fair value. Accordingly, impairment of these investments is considered temporary.
Sales proceeds, gross realized gains and losses from available-for-sale investments for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are summarized below (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Proceeds from sales
$
20,823

 
$
7,298

 
$
12,704

Gross realized gains
1,879

 
759

 
2,251

Gross realized losses, including other-than-temporary impairment
(428
)
 
(3,407
)
(1)
(210
)
_________________________
(1)    Includes other-than-temporary impairment charge of $2,846,000 related to the Company's seed investment in RAP.
5. Fair Value
Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (ASC 820) specifies a hierarchy of valuation classifications based on whether the inputs to the valuation techniques used in each valuation classification are observable or unobservable. These classifications are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.


F-21




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, in which case the Company defaults to the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the investments. In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performed a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to ASC 820. Transfers among levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2016.
The following table presents fair value measurements as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Investments
Measured at
NAV (2)
 
Total
Cash equivalents (1)
$
140,872

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
140,872

Trading investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks
$
5,069

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,069

Fixed income securities

 
5,702

 

 

 
5,702

Limited partnership interests

 

 
1,196

 
722

 
1,918

Total trading investments
$
5,069

 
$
5,702

 
$
1,196

 
$
722

 
$
12,689

Equity method investments
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,459

 
$
6,459

Available-for-sale investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred securities
$
1,001

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,011

Common stocks
4,508

 

 

 

 
4,508

Company-sponsored funds
29,877

 

 

 

 
29,877

Total available-for-sale investments
$
35,386

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

 
$
35,396

Derivatives - assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
$

 
$
1,417

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,417

Commodity contracts
343

 

 

 

 
343

Total derivatives - assets
$
343

 
$
1,417

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,760

Derivatives - liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
$
266

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
266

Total derivatives - liabilities
$
266

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
266

_________________________
(1)
Comprised of investments in actively traded U.S. Treasury money market funds measured at NAV.
(2)
Comprised of certain investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. These investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position.
Trading investments classified as level 2 in the above table were comprised of United States Treasury Bills carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Trading investments classified as level 3 in the above table were comprised of limited partnership interests which represent the Company's co-investments through GRP-CIP in limited partnership vehicles that invest in private equity vehicles that invest directly in real estate which are generally valued using a discounted cash flow model.
Trading investments classified as investments measured at NAV in the above table were comprised of limited partnership interests which represent the Company's co-investments through GRP-CIP in limited partnership vehicles that invest in non-registered real estate funds, which are valued based on the NAVs of the underlying funds. As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have the ability to redeem these interests.



F-22




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Equity method investments classified as investments measured at NAV in the above table were comprised of the Company's partnership interests in ACOM and GRP-TE, which approximate their fair value based on the funds' NAVs. ACOM invests in exchange-traded commodity futures contracts and other commodity related derivatives. The Company has the ability to redeem its investment in ACOM monthly at NAV with prior written notice of 5 days and there are no significant restrictions to redemption. GRP-TE invests in non-registered real estate funds and in private equity vehicles that invest directly in real estate. As of December 31, 2016, the Company did not have the ability to redeem its investment in GRP-TE.
The following table presents fair value measurements as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Investments
Measured at
NAV (2)
 
Total
Cash equivalents (1)
$
60,412

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
60,412

Trading investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred securities
$
3,863

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,863

Common stocks
4,719

 

 

 

 
4,719

Fixed income securities

 
26,456

 

 

 
26,456

Limited partnership interests

 

 
1,312

 
819

 
2,131

Total trading investments
$
8,582

 
$
26,456

 
$
1,312

 
$
819

 
$
37,169

Equity method investments
$
11,258

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,716

 
$
16,974

Available-for-sale investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred securities
$
1,178

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,178

Common stocks
3,834

 

 

 

 
3,834

Company-sponsored funds
12,179

 

 

 

 
12,179

Total available-for-sale investments
$
17,191

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
17,191

Derivatives - assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
$

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

 
$
10

Commodity contracts
290

 

 

 

 
290

Total derivatives - assets
$
290

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

 
$
300

Derivatives - liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
$

 
$
219

 
$

 
$

 
$
219

Commodity contracts
425

 

 

 

 
425

Total derivatives - liabilities
$
425

 
$
219

 
$

 
$

 
$
644

_________________________
(1)
Comprised of investments in actively traded U.S. Treasury money market funds measured at NAV.
(2)
Comprised of certain investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. These investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position.
Trading investments classified as level 2 in the above table were comprised of investments in corporate debt securities, which are valued based on prices provided by a third-party pricing service or third-party broker-dealers, and United States Treasury Bills carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Trading investments classified as level 3 in the above table were comprised of limited partnership interests which represent the Company's co-investments through GRP-CIP in limited partnership vehicles that invest in private equity vehicles that invest directly in real estate which are generally valued using a discounted cash flow model. As of December 31, 2015, the Company did not have the ability to redeem these interests.


F-23




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Trading investments classified as investments measured at NAV in the above table were comprised of limited partnership interests which represent the Company's co-investments through GRP-CIP in limited partnership vehicles that invest in non-registered real estate funds, which are valued based on the NAVs of the underlying funds.
Equity method investments classified as investments measured at NAV in the above table were comprised of the Company's partnership interests in ACOM and GRP-TE, which approximate their fair value based on the funds' NAVs. ACOM invests in exchange-traded commodity futures contracts and other commodity related derivatives. The Company has the ability to redeem its investment in ACOM monthly at NAV with prior written notice of 5 days and there are no significant restrictions to redemption. GRP-TE invests in non-registered real estate funds and in private equity vehicles that invest directly in real estate. As of December 31, 2015, the Company did not have the ability to redeem its investment in GRP-TE.
The following table summarizes the changes in level 3 investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
 
Trading
Investments
 
Limited Partnership Interests
Balance at January 1, 2015
$
1,465

Purchases / contributions
58

Sales / distributions
3

Realized gains
(3
)
Unrealized (losses) gains (1)
(211
)
Transfers into (out of) level 3

Balance at December 31, 2015
$
1,312

Purchases / contributions
51

Sales / distributions
(53
)
Realized gains

Unrealized (losses) gains (1)
(114
)
Transfers into (out of) level 3

Balance at December 31, 2016
$
1,196

 
_________________________
(1)
Pertains to unrealized gains (losses) from securities held at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) from investments classified as trading investments in the above tables were recorded as gain (loss) from trading investments in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
Valuation Techniques
In certain instances, debt and equity securities are valued on the basis of prices from an orderly transaction between market participants provided by reputable brokers/dealers or independent pricing services. In determining the value of a particular investment, independent pricing services may use information with respect to transactions in such investments, broker quotes, pricing matrices, market transactions in comparable investments and various relationships between investments. As part of its independent price verification process, the Company generally performs reviews of valuations provided by broker-dealers or independent pricing services. Investments in Company-sponsored funds are valued at their closing price or NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.
Foreign exchange contracts are valued by interpolating a value using the spot foreign exchange rate and forward points (based on the spot rate and currency rate differentials), which are all inputs that are observable in active markets (level 2).


F-24




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


In the absence of observable market prices, the Company values its investments using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. For some investments, little market activity may exist; management's determination of fair value is then based on the best information available in the circumstances, and may incorporate management's own assumptions and involves a significant degree of judgment, taking into consideration a combination of internal and external factors. Such investments are valued on a quarterly basis, taking into consideration any changes in key inputs and changes in economic and other relevant conditions, and valuation models are updated accordingly. The valuation process also includes a review by the Company's valuation committee which is comprised of senior members from various departments within the Company, including investment management. The valuation committee provides independent oversight of the valuation policies and procedures.
The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the following level 3 investments as of December 31, 2016 were:
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Significant
 
Input /
 
(in thousands)
 
Methodology
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
Limited partnership interests - direct investments in real estate
$
1,196

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rates
Exit capitalization rates
Market rental rates
 
11% - 12.5%
8% - 8.5%
$14.00 - 17.00 psf
The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the following level 3 investments as of December 31, 2015 were:
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Significant
 
Input /
 
(in thousands)
 
Methodology
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
Limited partnership interests - direct investments in real estate
$
1,312

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rates
Exit capitalization rates
Market rental rates
 
10% - 12.5%
8% - 8.5%
$15.00 - 17.00 psf
Changes in the significant unobservable inputs in the tables above may result in a materially higher or lower fair value measurement.
6. Derivatives
The following is a summary of the notional and fair value of the derivative financial instruments. The notional amount represents the absolute value amount of all outstanding derivative contracts as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2016
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
Total foreign exchange contracts
$
13,839

 
$
1,417

 
$

 
$

Total commodity contracts
6,538

 
343

 
4,825

 
266

Total derivatives
$
20,377

 
$
1,760

 
$
4,825

 
$
266



F-25




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


 
December 31, 2015
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
Total foreign exchange contracts
$
2,361

 
$
10

 
$
14,955

 
$
219

Total commodity contracts
3,962

 
290

 
7,337

 
425

Total derivatives
$
6,323

 
$
300

 
$
22,292

 
$
644

Cash included in due from broker in the consolidated statement of financial condition of approximately $192,000 as of December 31, 2015 was held as collateral for futures contracts. Securities included in trading investments in the consolidated statement of financial condition of approximately $487,000 and $566,000 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, were held as collateral for futures contracts.
Gains and losses from derivative financial instruments for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are summarized below (in thousands):
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Foreign exchange contracts
$
1,626

 
$
(702
)
 
$
95

Commodity contracts
835

 
(2,167
)
 
(3,280
)
Total derivatives
$
2,461

 
$
(2,869
)
 
$
(3,185
)
7. Property and Equipment
The following is a summary of property and equipment as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
 
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Equipment
$
6,969

 
$
6,651

Furniture and fixtures
3,505

 
2,156

Software
18,467

 
16,827

Leasehold improvements
16,031

 
10,141

Subtotal
44,972

 
35,775

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(29,008
)
 
(25,992
)
Property and equipment, net
$
15,964

 
$
9,783

 
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $4,155,000, $3,827,000 and $4,535,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets which range from 3-7 years. Leasehold improvement is amortized using the straight-line method over the lease term.
8. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the total weighted average shares of common stock outstanding and common stock equivalents. Common stock equivalents are comprised of dilutive potential shares from restricted stock unit awards. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method.


F-26




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents of approximately 14,000 and 43,000 shares were excluded from the computation for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. No anti-dilutive common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following is a reconciliation of the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share data):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
92,810

 
$
64,337

 
$
75,734

Less: Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest
126

 
214

 
(224
)
Net income attributable to common stockholders
$
92,936

 
$
64,551

 
$
75,510

Basic weighted average shares outstanding
45,951

 
45,433

 
44,788

Dilutive potential shares from restricted stock units
481

 
464

 
855

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
46,432

 
45,897

 
45,643

Basic earnings per share attributable to common stockholders
$
2.02

 
$
1.42

 
$
1.69

Diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders
$
2.00

 
$
1.41

 
$
1.65

9. Stock-Based Compensation
Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan
The Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the SIP) provides for the issuance of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), stock options and other stock-based awards for a period of up to ten years to eligible employees and directors. A total of 16.0 million shares of common stock may be granted under the SIP. At December 31, 2016, RSUs with respect to approximately 14.1 million shares of common stock were issued. Total compensation cost related to unvested RSUs not yet recognized was approximately $32,559,000 at December 31, 2016 and is expected to be recognized over approximately the next three years. In January 2017, the Company granted approximately 0.8 million restricted stock units under the SIP which vest over a four year period.
Restricted Stock Units
Vested Restricted Stock Unit Grants
The Company has granted awards of vested RSUs to the non-management directors of the Company pursuant to the SIP. The directors are entitled to receive delivery of the underlying common stock on the third anniversary of the date of grant. Dividends declared during the delayed delivery period are paid to the directors in cash. From time to time, the Company grants awards of vested RSUs to certain employees pursuant to the SIP. These grants are generally delivered ratably over four years. At December 31, 2016, vested RSUs with respect to approximately 34,000 shares of common stock were outstanding pursuant to these grants. In connection with the grant of these vested RSUs, the Company recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $486,000, $425,000 and $352,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


F-27




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


The following table sets forth activity relating to the Company's awards of RSUs under the SIP to the non-management directors and certain employees (share data in thousands):
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

Balance at January 1, 2014
29

 
$
31.47

Granted
9

 
39.67

Delivered
(10
)
 
29.12

Balance at December 31, 2014
28

 
34.93

Granted
12

 
35.31

Delivered
(10
)
 
31.86

Balance at December 31, 2015
30

 
36.17

Granted
13

 
37.17

Delivered
(9
)
 
34.02

Balance at December 31, 2016
34

 
37.15

Unvested Restricted Stock Unit Grants
The Company grants awards of unvested RSUs to certain employees pursuant to the SIP. The fair value at the date of grant is expensed on a straight-line basis over the applicable service periods. Prior to 2015, except in circumstances where a dividend was determined to be an extraordinary dividend in the sole discretion of the Company's Compensation Committee (in which case dividend equivalents are accrued on such RSUs in the form of additional unvested RSUs), dividends were not paid to the holders of such unvested RSUs. Commencing with 2015, dividend equivalents are accrued on unvested RSUs for all dividends declared by the Company. All dividend equivalents are forfeitable until they are delivered. At December 31, 2016, RSUs with respect to approximately 307,000 shares of common stock were outstanding pursuant to these grants. Amortization expense related to the unearned stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures, was approximately $4,685,000, $5,233,000 and $8,590,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The following table sets forth activity relating to the Company's awards of RSUs under the SIP to certain employees (share data in thousands):
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

Balance at January 1, 2014
950

 
$
26.72

Granted
110

 
37.33

Delivered
(361
)
 
24.45

Forfeited
(9
)
 
25.69

Balance at December 31, 2014
690

 
26.72

Granted
73

 
41.10

Delivered
(461
)
 
26.95

Forfeited
(6
)
 
40.52

Balance at December 31, 2015
296

 
36.36

Granted
159

 
30.31

Delivered
(147
)
 
35.52

Forfeited
(1
)
 
42.09

Balance at December 31, 2016
307

 
33.62

Incentive Bonus Plans for Employees of the Company
The Company has implemented a program for employees which, based upon compensation levels, automatically pays a portion of their year-end bonuses in the form of unvested RSUs (Mandatory Program). Dividend equivalents are accrued on


F-28




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


the deferred compensation awards in the form of additional unvested RSUs. The RSUs under the Mandatory Program will vest and be delivered ratably over four years and the dividend equivalents will vest and be delivered on the fourth anniversary of the original grant date. The fair value at the date of grant of the RSUs under the Mandatory Program is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
As of December 31, 2016, approximately 1,399,000 RSUs under the Mandatory Program including dividend equivalents were outstanding. Amortization expense, net of forfeitures, related to the unearned stock-based compensation under the Mandatory Program, was approximately $16,847,000, $17,315,000 and $16,178,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The following table sets forth activity relating to the Company's incentive bonus plans, including the Company match and dividend equivalents (share data in thousands):
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

Balance at January 1, 2014
1,431

 
$
32.03

Granted
522

 
36.67

Delivered
(472
)
 
30.84

Forfeited
(27
)
 
34.29

Balance at December 31, 2014
1,454

 
34.04

Granted
496

 
41.45

Delivered
(607
)
 
32.69

Forfeited
(61
)
 
38.51

Balance at December 31, 2015
1,282

 
37.33

Granted
722

 
30.02

Delivered
(548
)
 
35.86

Forfeited
(57
)
 
35.14

Balance at December 31, 2016
1,399

 
34.22

 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), the Company allows eligible employees, as defined in the ESPP, to purchase common stock at a 15% discount from market value with a maximum of $25,000 in annual aggregate purchases by any one individual. The number of shares of common stock authorized for purchase by eligible employees is 600,000. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, approximately 19,000, 19,000 and 14,000 shares, respectively, had been purchased by eligible employees through the ESPP. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded a non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $114,000, $95,000 and $87,000, respectively, which represents the discount on the shares issued pursuant to this plan. The ESPP will terminate upon the earliest to occur of the following: (1) termination of the ESPP by the board of directors, or (2) issuance of all of the shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP.


F-29




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


10. 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan
The Company sponsors a profit-sharing plan (the Plan) covering all employees who meet certain age and service requirements. Subject to limitations, the Plan permits participants to defer up to 100% of their eligible compensation pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions are matched by the Company at $0.50 per $1.00 deferred. The Plan also allows the Company to make discretionary contributions, which are integrated with the taxable wage base under the Social Security Act. No discretionary contributions were made for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.
Forfeitures occur when participants terminate employment before becoming entitled to their full benefits under the Plan. Forfeited amounts are used to reduce the Company's contributions to the Plan or to pay Plan expenses. Forfeitures for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 totaled approximately $126,000, $118,000 and $83,000, respectively.
Matching contributions, net of forfeitures, to the Plan totaled approximately $1,464,000, $1,511,000 and $1,074,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
11. Related Party Transactions
The Company is an investment adviser to, and has administrative agreements with, affiliated funds for which certain employees are officers and/or directors. The following table sets forth the amount of revenue the Company earned from these affiliated funds for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Investment advisory and administration fees
$
227,184

 
$
218,942

 
$
210,316

Distribution and service fees
19,396

 
16,001

 
14,667

 
$
246,580

 
$
234,943

 
$
224,983

Sales proceeds, gross realized gains, gross realized losses and dividend income from available-for-sale investments in Company-sponsored funds for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are summarized below (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Proceeds from sales
$
13,251

 
$

 
$
192

Gross realized gains
1,159

 

 

Gross realized losses, including other-than-temporary impairment

 
(2,846
)
 
(3
)
Dividend income
787

 
250

 
390

The Company has agreements with certain affiliated open-end and closed-end funds to reimburse certain fund expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, expenses of approximately $8,568,000, $8,676,000 and $9,218,000, respectively, were incurred by the Company pursuant to these agreements and are included in general and administrative expenses.
Included in accounts receivable at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are receivables due from Company-sponsored funds of approximately $20,221,000 and $19,209,000, respectively.
12. Regulatory Requirements
CSS, a registered broker-dealer in the U.S., is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the Rule), which requires that broker-dealers maintain a minimum level of net capital, as prescribed under the Rule. As of December 31, 2016, CSS had net capital of approximately $3,459,000, which exceeded its requirements by approximately $3,214,000. The Rule


F-30




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if the resulting net capital of a broker-dealer is less than the amount required under the Rule and requires prior notice to the SEC for certain withdrawals of capital. In July 2016, CSCM made a capital contribution into CSS in the amount of $2 million.
CSS does not carry customer accounts and is exempt from SEC Rule 15c3-3 pursuant to provisions (k)(1) and (k)(2)(i) of such rule.
CSAL and CSUK are regulated outside the U.S. by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, CSAL and CSUK had aggregate regulatory capital of approximately $68,671,000, which exceeded aggregate regulatory capital requirements by approximately $65,862,000.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company leases office space under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through January 2024. The Company also leases certain office equipment and information technology applications under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through December 2020. The aggregate minimum future payments under the leases are as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
Operating Leases
2017
$
12,196

2018
11,446

2019
11,593

2020
11,236

2021
10,832

Thereafter
22,620

 
$
79,923

 
Rent expense charged to operations, including escalation charges for real estate taxes and other expenses, totaled approximately $11,535,000, $11,215,000 and $10,103,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Sublease rental income received for the year ended December 31, 2014 was approximately $70,000. There was no sublease rental income received for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
From time to time, the Company is involved in legal matters relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of business. There are currently no such matters pending that the Company believes could have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
The Company has committed to co-invest up to $5.1 million alongside GRP-TE, a portion of which is made through GRP-TE and the remainder of which is made through GRP-CIP for up to 12 years through the life of GRP-TE. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has funded approximately $3.3 million with respect to this commitment. The actual timing for funding the unfunded portion of this commitment is currently unknown, as the drawdown of the Company's unfunded commitment is contingent on the timing of drawdowns by the underlying funds and co-investments in which GRP-TE invests. The unfunded commitment was not recorded on the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2016.
14. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 includes U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2016 was approximately 35.3% which differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to the release of a valuation allowance associated with unrealized gains on the Company's seed investments. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2015 was approximately 42.9%,


F-31




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


which included the recordation of a valuation allowance on the tax benefit associated with losses on the Company's seed investments. The effective tax rate was approximately 38% for the year ended December 31, 2014.
At December 31, 2016, the Company's foreign subsidiaries have recorded cumulative undistributed earnings and profits of approximately $91.1 million. The Company does not provide for deferred taxes on these undistributed foreign earnings as they are considered to be permanently invested outside of the United States. The determination of additional deferred taxes on this amount is not practicable due to the complexities of the hypothetical calculation.
The income before provision for income taxes and provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Income before provision for income taxes - U.S.
$
132,882

 
$
101,007

 
$
108,452

Income before provision for income taxes - Non-U.S.
10,521

 
11,737

 
13,562

Total income before provision for income taxes
$
143,403

 
$
112,744

 
$
122,014

 
 
 
 
 
 
Current taxes:
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. federal
$
42,056

 
$
32,065

 
$
38,711

State and local
7,423

 
6,442

 
4,966

Non-U.S.
2,014

 
2,508

 
2,882

 
51,493

 
41,015

 
46,559

Deferred taxes:
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. federal
(743
)
 
6,334

 
(96
)
State and local
(86
)
 
1,273

 
(12
)
Non-U.S.
(71
)
 
(215
)
 
(171
)
 
(900
)
 
7,392

 
(279
)
Provision for income taxes
$
50,593

 
$
48,407

 
$
46,280

 
Deferred income taxes represent the tax effects of the temporary differences between book and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates that will be in effect when such items are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized.
Significant components of the Company's net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2016 and 2015 consist of the following (in thousands):
 
At December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities):
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation
$
7,797

 
$
7,634

Non-deductible realized loss on investments
2,685

 
4,708

Dividend equivalents on unvested restricted stock units
2,686

 
3,052

Unrealized loss on investments
4,101

 
4,642

Deferred compensation
(4,528
)
 
(6,792
)
Deferred rent
2,407

 
2,414

Other
(2,743
)
 
(757
)
Subtotal
12,405

 
14,901

Less: valuation allowance
(6,786
)
 
(9,350
)
Deferred income tax asset - net
$
5,619

 
$
5,551



F-32




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


The Company had capital loss carryforwards of approximately $6,959,000 and $6,413,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 which, if unused, will expire in years 2017 to 2021. The valuation allowance on the net deferred income tax asset decreased approximately $2,564,000 during the year ended December 31, 2016.
At December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $7,852,000 of total gross unrecognized tax benefits. Of this total, approximately $4,915,000 (net of the federal benefit on state issues) represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company's effective tax rate in future periods. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that it will reduce its unrecognized tax benefits by $1,496,000 within the next twelve months due to the lapse of the statute of limitations on certain positions.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
 
Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1, 2014
$
5,927

Addition for tax positions of current year
1,230

Addition for tax positions of prior years
90

Reduction of tax positions from prior years
(901
)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2014
$
6,346

Addition for tax positions of current year
1,147

Addition for tax positions of prior years
250

Reduction of tax positions from prior years
(484
)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2015
$
7,259

Addition for tax positions of current year
1,437

Addition for tax positions of prior years
163

Reduction of tax positions from prior years
(1,007
)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2016
$
7,852

The Company records potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had approximately $2,250,000 and $1,661,000, respectively, in potential interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions.
The tax years 2011 through 2016 remain open to examination by various taxing jurisdictions.
A reconciliation of the Company's statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
U.S. statutory tax rate
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State and local income taxes, net of federal income taxes
3.5
 %
 
4.3
 %
 
4.5
 %
Non-deductible loss on investments
1.3
 %
 
5.2
 %
 
0.6
 %
Non-taxable gain on investments
(3.0
)%
 
 %
 
 %
Foreign operations tax differential
(1.1
)%
 
(2.1
)%
 
(2.2
)%
Other
(0.4
)%
 
0.5
 %
 
0.1
 %
Effective income tax rate
35.3
 %
 
42.9
 %
 
38.0
 %


F-33




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


15. Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company's cash and cash equivalents are principally on deposit with three major financial institutions. The Company is subject to credit risk should these financial institutions be unable to fulfill their obligations.
The following affiliated funds and third-party institutional separate account subadvisory relationship, which is comprised of multiple accounts, provided 10 percent or more of the total revenue of the Company (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc. (CSR):
 
 
 
 
 
Investment advisory and administration fees
$
45,047

 
$
47,870

 
$
45,904

Percent of total revenue
13
%
 
15
%
 
15
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cohen & Steers Preferred Securities and Income Fund, Inc. (CPX):
 
 
 
 
 
Investment advisory and administration fees
$
43,797

 
$
29,212

 
$
20,318

Percent of total revenue
13
%
 
9
%
 
6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Daiwa Asset Management:
 
 
 
 
 
Investment advisory fees
$
39,377

 
$
37,653

 
$
37,505

Portfolio consulting and other
2,930

 
2,793

 
1,970

Total
$
42,307

 
$
40,446

 
$
39,475

Percent of total revenue
12
%
 
12
%
 
13
%
The table below presents revenue by client domicile for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
United States
$
282,516

 
$
266,583

 
$
256,137

Non - U.S.
 
 
 
 
 
Japan
43,458

 
41,899

 
40,179

Other
23,902

 
20,173

 
17,618

Total
$
349,876

 
$
328,655

 
$
313,934



F-34




COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


16. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
The table below presents selected quarterly financial data for 2016 and 2015 (in thousands, except per share data):
 
Quarter
 
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Total
2016
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
79,681

$
86,373

$
94,388

$
89,434

$
349,876

Operating income
28,307

34,131

37,213

35,860

135,511

Net income attributable to common stockholders
18,083

24,808

23,877

26,168

92,936

Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
 

 

 

 

 

Basic
0.39

0.54

0.52

0.57

2.02

Diluted
0.39

0.53

0.51

0.56

2.00

Weighted-average shares outstanding:
 

 

 

 

 

Basic
45,808

45,984

45,999

46,010

45,951

Diluted
46,195

46,378

46,544

46,609

46,432

 
 
 
 
 
 
2015 (1)
 

 

 

 

 

Revenue
$
83,815

$
83,502

$
79,667

$
81,671

$
328,655

Operating income
34,549

31,171

31,477

30,352

127,549

Net income attributable to common stockholders
20,816

19,012

12,338

12,385

64,551

Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
 

 

 

 

 

Basic
0.46

0.42

0.27

0.27

1.42

Diluted
0.45

0.42

0.27

0.27

1.41

Weighted-average shares outstanding:
 

 

 

 

 

Basic
45,241

45,462

45,500

45,524

45,433

Diluted
45,980

45,805

45,830

45,969

45,897

_________________________
(1)
During the three months ended December 31, 2015, one of the company's seed investments changed classification from available-for-sale to equity method. As a result, all prior periods have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this investment as if it had been an equity method investment in prior periods.
17. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued. Other than the items described below, the Company determined that there were no additional subsequent events that require disclosure and/or adjustment.
On February 23, 2017, CNS declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.28 per share. This dividend will be payable on March 23, 2017 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2017.


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Any agreements or other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and should not be relied upon for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by the Company in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
3.1
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (1)
3.2
Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (2)
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (7)
4.2
Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Company, Martin Cohen, Robert H. Steers, The Martin Cohen 1998 Family Trust and Robert H. Steers Family Trust (1)
10.1
Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement among Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Martin Cohen, Robert H. Steers, The Martin Cohen 1998 Family Trust and Robert H. Steers Family Trust (1)
10.2
Form of Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Martin Cohen* (1)
10.3
Form of Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Robert H. Steers* (1)
10.4
Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan* (3)
10.5
Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Annual Incentive Plan* (3)
10.6
Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan* (3)
10.7
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan* (4)
10.8
Form of Voluntary Deferral Program Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan* (5)
10.9
Form of Mandatory Deferral Program Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan* (4)
10.10
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Martin Cohen* (6)
10.11
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Robert H. Steers* (6)
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Company (filed herewith)
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (filed herewith)
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
101
The following financial statements from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
_________________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-114027), as amended, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.


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(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), filed on May 13, 2013.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the year ended December 31, 2012.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the year ended December 31, 2007.
(7)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236) for the quarter ended June 30, 2015.
* Denotes compensatory plan.



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