Associated Capital Group, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)

SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

☐	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. 001-37387

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		47-3965991
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Corporate Center, Rye, NY		10580-1422
(Address of principle executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(203) 629-9595

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☒

Non-accelerated filer ☐	Smaller reporting company ☐	Emerging growth company ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.

Class		Outstanding at April 30, 2018
Class A Common Stock, .001 par value		4,049,378
Class B Common Stock, .001 par value		19,057,885

INDEX

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:	1
	- March 31, 2018
	- December 31, 2017
	- March 31, 2017

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:	2
	- Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:	3
	- Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity:	4
	- Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:	6
	- Three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Included in Item 2)	34
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	34

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	35
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	35
Item 6.	Exhibits	35

SIGNATURES		36

Index

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

UNAUDITED

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017			March 31, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	283,972		$	293,112		$	307,651
Investments in securities		267,925			222,383			193,120
Investment in GBL stock (3,726,250, 4,393,055 and 4,393,055 shares, respectively)		92,523			130,254			129,990
Investments in affiliated registered investment companies		140,746			145,914			136,284
Investments in partnerships		140,584			145,591			130,058
Receivable from brokers		18,535			34,881			12,021
Investment advisory fees receivable		1,485			5,739			1,349
Receivable from affiliates		1,235			15,866			1,524
Income taxes receivable and deferred tax assets		1,241			-			-
Goodwill		3,422			3,422			3,422
Other assets		3,675			9,753			2,214
Total assets	$	955,343		$	1,006,915		$	917,633

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY
Payable to brokers	$	5,621		$	13,281		$	6,168
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities		-			5,484			4,506
Compensation payable		2,982			12,785			5,991
Securities sold, not yet purchased		5,211			5,731			7,519
Payable to affiliates		482			442			560
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		2,649			4,815			7,008
Total liabilities		16,945			42,538			31,752

Redeemable noncontrolling interests		50,604			46,230			4,050

Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding		-			-			-
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 6,404,287, 6,404,287 and 6,395,380 shares issued, respectively; 3,944,656, 4,451,379 and 5,051,686 shares outstanding, respectively		6			6			6
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 19,196,792 shares issued; 19,187,885, 19,187,885 and 19,196,792 shares outstanding, respectively		19			19			19
Additional paid-in capital		1,010,577			1,010,505			1,007,471
Retained earnings		(1,717	)		13,800			(5,751	)
GBL 4% PIK Note		(40,000	)		(50,000	)		(90,000	)
Accumulated comprehensive income		-			6,712			11,886
Treasury stock, at cost (2,459,631, 1,952,908 and 1,343,694 shares, respectively)		(81,091	)		(62,895	)		(41,800	)
Total Associated Capital Group, Inc. stockholders' equity		887,794			918,147			881,831
Total liabilities and equity	$	955,343		$	1,006,915		$	917,633

See accompanying notes.

Index

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

UNAUDITED

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$	2,529		$	2,401
Institutional research services		2,152			2,582
Other		22			4
Total revenues		4,703			4,987
Expenses
Compensation		6,324			6,783
Stock-based compensation		72			444
Other operating expenses		2,557			2,092
Total expenses		8,953			9,319

Operating loss		(4,250	)		(4,332	)
Other income (expense)
Net loss from investments		(27,530	)		(14,401	)
Interest and dividend income		2,707			2,257
Interest expense		(33	)		(70	)
Shareholder-designated contribution		-			(4,895	)
Total other income (expense), net		(24,856	)		(17,109	)
Loss before income taxes		(29,106	)		(21,441	)
Income tax benefit		(6,734	)		(8,424	)
Net loss		(22,372	)		(13,017	)
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(143	)		61
Net loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.'s shareholders	$	(22,229	)	$	(13,078	)

Net loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.55	)

Diluted	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.55	)

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		23,508			23,829

Diluted		23,508			23,829

Dividends declared:	$	-		$	-

See accompanying notes.

Index

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

UNAUDITED

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017

Net loss	$	(22,372	)	$	(13,017	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale (a)		-			10,569
Other comprehensive income		-			10,569

Comprehensive loss		(22,372	)		(2,448	)
Less: Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(143	)		61

Comprehensive loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.	$	(22,229	)	$	(2,509	)

(a)	Net of income tax expense of $0 and $5,945, respectively.

See accompanying notes.

Index

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

UNAUDITED

(Dollars in thousands)

For the three months ended March 31, 2018
	Associated Capital Group, Inc. shareholders
	Common Stock		Retained Earnings			Additional Paid-in Capital		GBL 4% PIK Note			Accumulated Comprehensive Income			Treasury Stock			Total			Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	25	$	13,800		$	1,010,505	$	(50,000	)	$	6,712		$	(62,895	)	$	918,147		$	46,230
Reclassifications pursuant to adoption of new accounting guidance		-		6,712			-		-			(6,712	)		-			-			-
Redemptions of noncontrolling interests		-		-			-		-			-			-			-			(1,971	)
Consolidation of certain investment funds		-		-			-		-			-			-			-			6,488
Net loss		-		(22,229	)		-		-			-			-			(22,229	)		(143	)
Stock-based compensation expense		-		-			72		-			-			-			72			-
Proceeds from payment of GBL 4% PIK Note		-		-			-		10,000			-			-			10,000			-
Exchange of GBL stock for AC stock		-		-			-		-			-			(17,737	)		(17,737	)		-
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-			-		-			-			(459	)		(459	)		-
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	25	$	(1,717	)	$	1,010,577	$	(40,000	)	$	-		$	(81,091	)	$	887,794		$	50,604

See accompanying notes.

Index

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

UNAUDITED

(Dollars in thousands)

For the three months ended March 31, 2017
	Associated Capital Group, Inc. shareholders
	Common Stock		Retained Earnings			Additional Paid-in Capital		GBL 4% PIK Note			Accumulated Comprehensive Income			Treasury Stock			Total			Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	25	$	7,327		$	1,007,027	$	(100,000	)	$	1,317		$	(41,674	)	$	874,022		$	4,230
Redemptions of noncontrolling interests		-		-			-		-			-			-			-			(241	)
Net income (loss)		-		(13,078	)		-		-			-			-			(13,078	)		61
Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of income tax benefit ($942)		-		-			-		-			(1,675	)		-			(1,675	)		-
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense ($6,887)		-		-			-		-			12,244			-			12,244			-
Stock-based compensation expense		-		-			444		-			-			-			444			-
Proceeds from payment of GBL 4% PIK Note		-		-			-		10,000			-			-			10,000			-
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-			-		-			-			(126	)		(126	)		-
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	25	$	(5,751	)	$	1,007,471	$	(90,000	)	$	11,886		$	(41,800	)	$	881,831		$	4,050

See accompanying notes.

Index

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED

(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Operating activities
Net loss	$	(22,372	)	$	(13,017	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net losses (gains) from partnerships		499			(696	)
Depreciation and amortization		4			4
Stock-based compensation expense		72			444
Loss on exchange of GBL stock for AC stock		2,127			-
Other-than-temporary loss on available for sale securities		-			19,131
Donated securities		-			566
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Investments in trading securities		(14,225	)		11,056
Investments in partnerships:
Contributions to partnerships		(2,977	)		(4,964	)
Distributions from partnerships		1,916			5,000
Receivable from affiliates		(369	)		(1	)
Receivable from brokers		19,523			567
Investment advisory fees receivable		4,254			8,435
Income taxes receivable and deferred tax assets		(1,241	)		-
Other assets		6,356			5,134
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Payable to brokers		(7,660	)		3,772
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities		(5,484	)		(8,416	)
Payable to affiliates		40			(895	)
Compensation payable		(9,803	)		(11,685	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(48	)		(28,853	)
Total adjustments		(7,016	)		(1,401	)
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(29,388	)	$	(14,418	)

Index

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED (continued)

(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Investing activities
Purchases of available for sale securities	$	-		$	(2,080	)
Return of capital on available for sale securities		-			423
Proceeds from GBL 1.6% Note (due February 28, 2018)		15,000			-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		15,000			(1,657	)

Financing activities
Redemptions of redeemable noncontrolling interests		(1,971	)		(241	)
Dividends paid		(2,369	)		-
Purchase of treasury stock		(459	)		(126	)
Proceeds from payment of GBL 4% PIK Note		10,000			10,000
Net cash provided by financing activities		5,201			9,633
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(9,187	)		(6,442	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		293,112			314,093
Increase in cash from consolidation		47			-
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	283,972		$	307,651
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	33		$	70
Cash paid for taxes	$	-		$	-

Non-cash activity:

On January 1, 2018, AC was deemed to have control over certain investment funds which resulted in their consolidation and an increase of approximately $47 of cash and cash equivalents, $6,441 of net assets and an increase of approximately $6,488 of redeemable noncontrolling interests.

During the first quarter of 2018, AC completed an exchange offer with respect to its Class A shares. The Company exchanged 666,805 GBL Class A shares valued at $17,737 for 493,954 Class A shares.

See accompanying notes.

Index

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2018

(Unaudited)

A. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Unless we have indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “Associated Capital Group, Inc.,” “AC Group,” “the Company,” “AC,” “we,” “us” and “our” or similar terms are to Associated Capital Group, Inc., its predecessors and its subsidiaries.

The Spin-off and Related Transactions

We are a Delaware corporation that provides alternative investment management, institutional research and underwriting services. In addition, we derive investment income/(loss) from proprietary trading of cash and other assets awaiting deployment in our operating businesses. On November 30, 2015, GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO” or “GBL”) distributed all the outstanding shares of each class of AC common stock on a pro rata one-for-one basis to the holders of each class of GAMCO’s common stock (the “Spin-off”).

We conduct our investment management business through Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (“GCIA” f/k/a Gabelli Securities, Inc.). GCIA and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gabelli & Partners, LLC (“Gabelli & Partners”), collectively serve as general partners or investment managers to investment funds including limited partnerships and offshore companies (collectively, “Investment Partnerships”), and separate accounts. We primarily manage assets in equity event-driven value strategies, across a range of risk and event arbitrage portfolios. The business earns management and incentive fees from its advisory assets. Management fees are largely based on a percentage of assets under management. Incentive fees are based on the percentage of the investment returns of certain clients’ portfolios. GCIA is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

We provide our institutional research and underwriting services through G.research, LLC (“G.research”) doing business as “Gabelli & Company”, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. G.research is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). G.research's revenues are derived primarily from institutional research services.

In connection with the Spin-off, GAMCO issued a promissory note (the “GAMCO Note”) to AC Group in the original principal amount of $250 million used to partially capitalize the Company. The GAMCO Note bears interest at 4% per annum and has a maturity date of November 30, 2020 with respect to its original principal amount. Interest on the GAMCO Note will accrue from the most recent date for which interest has been paid. Prior to November 30, 2019, at the election of GAMCO, payment of interest on the GAMCO Note may, in lieu of being paid in cash, be paid, in whole or in part, in kind (a “PIK Amount”). GAMCO will repay all PIK Amounts added to the outstanding principal amount of the GAMCO Note, in cash, on the fifth anniversary of the date on which each such PIK Amount was added to the outstanding principal amount of the GAMCO Note. GAMCO may prepay the GAMCO Note prior to maturity without penalty.

AC has received principal repayments totaling $210 million on the GAMCO Note, of which $10 million was received during the three months ended March 31, 2018 leaving an outstanding principal balance of $40 million due on November 30, 2020.

In addition, GCIA purchased 4,393,055 shares of GAMCO Class A common stock in exchange for a note in the principal amount of $150 million (the “GCIA Note”). In connection with the Spin-off, GAMCO contributed the GCIA Note to the Company. During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, AC forgave the outstanding principal and interest on the GCIA Note.

Index

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of AC Group included herein have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AC Group and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Use of Estimates

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

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the ASC. The core principle of the new ASU No. 2014-09 requires companies to recognize revenue from the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and also requires expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods and is either applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company has evaluated this guidance and has concluded that it has no material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements other than expanded disclosure. The Company has adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments–Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which amends the guidance in GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the ASU retains many current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. Under the new guidance, all equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) will generally be measured at fair value through earnings. In addition, available for sale (“AFS”) classification (changes in fair value reported in other comprehensive income) for equity securities with readily determinable fair values will no longer be available. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. For public companies, the new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018 with no material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements other than the reclassification of the cumulative unrealized gain on equity securities net of tax from other comprehensive income to retained earnings.

Index

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends the guidance in GAAP for the accounting for leases. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from most operating leases in the consolidated statement of financial position. ASU 2016-02 is effective beginning January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the consolidated statements of cash flows. For public companies, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018 with no material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, to simplify the process used to test for impairment of goodwill. Under the new standard, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying amount of a reporting unit over its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. For public companies, the ASU is effective for annual and any interim impairment tests for periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption was permitted for impairment tests that occur after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

On May 10, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. For all entities, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018 with no material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued SAB 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to address the application of ASC 740, Income Taxes, in the reporting period that includes December 22, 2017, the date legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. In general, the SAB provides that a company should reflect the income tax impacts of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. If a company is unable to complete the required accounting as a result of incomplete information, preparation or analysis, however, it may record a reasonable estimate as a provisional amount. Additional provisions deal with situations in which no reasonable estimate can be determined. Changes to estimates determined during a measurement period up to one year from the date of enactment will be reflected as an adjustment to tax expense or benefit in the reporting period the amounts are determined. With the exception of the book/tax differences related to the Company’s investments in funds that are partnerships and/or passive foreign investment companies, the Company has completed its analysis. We believe that we are able to make a reasonable estimate of the tax impact related to funds and have included this in the prior year’s tax provision. As additional information is received from the underlying funds (e.g., Form K-1s are received that set out AC’s share of the funds’ taxable income), these estimates will be adjusted, most likely in the fourth quarter of 2018 following the filing of the Company’s 2017 consolidated income tax return. The SAB also provides requirements concerning financial statement disclosures about the material financial reporting impacts of the Act.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, dealing with the accounting for the tax effects of components of other comprehensive income (OCI). As a result of the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, current accounting guidance requires the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the resulting tax expense or benefit is reflected in net income. If the deferred tax asset or liability related to a component of OCI (e.g., unrealized gain/(loss) on AFS equity securities), however, the tax effects of items within OCI no longer reflect the appropriate tax rate (referred to as stranded tax effects). This ASU permits the reclassification of the stranded tax effects from OCI to retained earnings. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption was permitted. We have adopted the ASU as of January 1, 2018 and reflected an increase to OCI and a decrease to retained earnings of approximately $1.5 million in the current period.

Index

B. Revenue

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as of January 1, 2018. The new standard provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and requires expanded disclosures about revenue recognition.

The Company’s major revenue sources are as follows:

Investment advisory and incentive fees. The Company and its subsidiaries act as general partner, investment manager or sub-advisor to investment funds and/or separately managed accounts of institutional investors (e.g., corporate pension plans). Investors in the investment funds include high net worth individuals, family entities, and retirement plans. The fees that are paid to the Company are set forth in the offering documents for the investment fund or the separately managed account agreement. Investment advisory and incentive fee revenue consists of:

Asset-based advisory fees – The Company receives a management fee, payable monthly in advance but calculated at an annual rate based on value of the net assets of the client and is generally set at a rate of 1%-1.5% per annum. Asset-based management fee revenue is recognized only as the services are performed over the period.

Performance-based advisory fees – Certain accounts’ management contracts call for additional fees and or allocations of income tied to a certain percentage, generally 20%, of the investment performance of the account over a measurement period, generally the calendar year. In the event that an account suffers a loss in one period, it must be recovered before incentive fees are earned by the Company; this is commonly referred to as a “high water mark” provision. The Company does not recognize performance-based fees until the end of the measurement period when the liability for such fees becomes fixed and it satisfies the performance obligation. In addition, the contracts generally provide that performance-based fees or allocations become fixed in the event of an investor redemption prior to the end of the calendar year.

Sub-advisory fees – Pursuant to agreements with other investment advisors, the Company receives a percentage of advisory fees received by such advisors from certain of their investment fund clients. These fees may be either asset- or performance-based. In addition, they may be subject to reduction by certain expenses as set forth in the respective agreements. Sub-advisory fee revenue which is asset-based is recognized only as the services are performed over the relevant period. Sub-advisory fee revenue which is performance-based is recognized only when it becomes fixed and payable.

The Company reserves the right to waive or reduce asset-based and performance-based fees with respect to certain investors in the investment funds which may include investments by employees and other related parties. Advisory fees payable by investment funds are typically approved by third-party administrators and paid directly from the accounts’ assets. Those payable by separate accounts may be subject to review and approval by the client and may be paid either from the accounts’ assets or directly by the client.

Our advisory fee revenues are influenced by both the amount of assets under management (“AUM”) and the investment performance of our products. An overall decline in the prices of securities may cause our advisory fees to decline by either causing the value of our AUM to decrease or causing our clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments they perceive to offer greater opportunity or lower risk. Similarly, success in the investment management business is dependent on investment performance as well as distribution and client servicing. Good performance can stimulate sales of our investment products and tends to keep withdrawals and redemptions low, which generates higher asset-based management fees. Conversely, poor performance, both in absolute terms and/or relative to peers and industry benchmarks, tends to result in decreased sales, increased withdrawals and redemptions and in the loss of clients, with corresponding decreases in revenues to us.

Index

Institutional Research Services. The Company, through G.research, generates institutional research services revenues via hard dollar payments or through commissions on securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of clients. Clients include institutional investors (e.g., hedge funds and asset managers) as well as affiliated mutual funds and managed accounts. These revenues consist of:

Hard dollar payments – The Company receives direct payments for research services provided to related and unrelated parties. Where a contract for such services is in place, the contractual fee for the period is recognized ratably over the contract period, typically a calendar year, which is considered the period over which the Company satisfies its performance obligation. Payments for contracts with affiliated parties are collected monthly. For other payments where no research contract exists, revenue is not recognized until agreement is reached with the client that services have been performed, a value is assigned to those services, and an invoice presented to the client for payment.

Commissions – Commissions are charged on the execution of securities transactions made on behalf of client accounts on an agency basis and are based on a rate schedule. The Company recognizes commission revenue in the period when the securities transactions are executed. Commissions earned are typically collected from the clearing brokers utilized by G.research on a daily or weekly basis.

Selling concessions – The Company participates as a member of the selling group of underwritten equity offerings and receives compensation based on the difference between what its clients pay for the securities sold to its institutional clients and what the issuer receives. The terms of the selling concessions are set forth in contracts between the Company and the underwriter.

Institutional research revenues are impacted by the perceived value of the research product provided to clients, the volume of securities transactions and the acquisition or loss of new client relationships.

Other. Other revenues include (a) underwriting fees include gains, losses, and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising from public equity and debt offerings in which G.research acts as underwriter or agent and are accrued as earned, and (b) other miscellaneous revenues.

Total revenues by type were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively (dollars in thousands):

	Three months ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Investment advisory and incentive fees
Asset-based advisory fees	$	1,839	$	1,852
Performance-based advisory fees		7		-
Sub-advisory fees		683		549
		2,529		2,401

Institutional research services
Hard dollar payments		930		979
Commissions		1,196		1,603
Selling concessions		26		-
		2,152		2,582

Other
Underwriting fees		19		-
Miscellaneous		3		4
		22		4

Total	$	4,703	$	4,987

Index

C. Investment in Securities

Investments in United States Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are classified as investments in securities, and those with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.

Debt and equity securities are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, only investments in securities held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements were classified as trading securities. Other securities were treated as available for sale (“AFS”) investments and were stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, generally reported as other comprehensive income, a component of equity. Realized gains and losses from AFS equity securities were reclassified from equity to current period income and losses deemed to be other-than- temporary (“OTT”) were recorded as realized losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Investments in securities, including GBL stock, at March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				March 31, 2017
	Cost		Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Debt and equity securities:
Government obligations	$	86,039	$	86,242	$	53,681	$	53,804	$	99,687	$	99,820
Common stocks		271,415		267,708		209,686		228,557		71,511		85,802
Mutual funds		2,063		3,393		1,959		3,157		2,405		3,333
Other investments		680		3,105		825		1,824		3,411		3,654
Total debt and equity securities		360,197		360,448		266,151		287,342		177,014		192,609

Available for sale securities:
Common stocks		-		-		65,331		65,024		130,869		129,990
Mutual funds		-		-		103		271		206		511
Total available for sale securities		-		-		65,434		65,295		131,075		130,501

Total investments in securities	$	360,197	$	360,448	$	331,585	$	352,637	$	308,089	$	323,110

Securities sold, not yet purchased at March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				March 31, 2017
	Proceeds		Fair Value		Proceeds		Fair Value		Proceeds		Fair Value
Debt and equity securities:	(In thousands)
Common stocks	$	4,726	$	4,844	$	4,862	$	5,396	$	7,279	$	7,467
Other investments		-		367		1		335		1		52
Total securities sold, not yet purchased	$	4,726	$	5,211	$	4,863	$	5,731	$	7,280	$	7,519

Index

Investments in affiliated registered investment companies at March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 consisted of the following:

	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				March 31, 2017
	Cost		Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value		Cost		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Debt and equity securities:
Closed-end funds	$	79,899	$	87,069	$	26,231	$	26,929	$	-	$	-
Mutual funds		46,735		53,677		41,950		48,328		40,096		45,250
Total debt and equity securities		126,634		140,746		68,181		75,257		40,096		45,250

Available for sale securities:
Closed-end funds		-		-		53,782		66,218		64,589		85,123
Mutual funds		-		-		3,420		4,439		4,387		5,911
Total available for sale securities		-		-		57,202		70,657		68,976		91,034


Total investments in affiliated registered investment companies	$	126,634	$	140,746	$	125,383	$	145,914	$	109,072	$	136,284

The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) into income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):

Amount Reclassified from AOCI					Affected Line Items in the Statements Of Income	Reason for Reclassification from AOCI
Three months ended March 31,
2018		2017

$	-	$	(19,131	)	Net loss from investments	Other than temporary impairment of AFS securities
	-		(19,131	)	Loss before income taxes
	-		6,887		Income tax benefit
$	-	$	(12,244	)	Net loss

The Company recognizes all equity derivatives as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value and includes them in either investments in securities or securities sold, not yet purchased on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. From time to time, the Company and/or the partnerships and offshore funds that the Company consolidates will enter into hedging transactions to manage their exposure to foreign currencies and equity prices related to their investments. At March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, we held derivative contracts on 1.4 million, 1.7 million and (3,041) equity shares, respectively, that are included in investments in securities or securities sold, not yet purchased on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. We had no foreign exchange contracts outstanding at March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017. Generally, these transactions are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and, therefore changes in fair values of these derivatives are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Index

The following table identifies the fair values of all derivatives held by the Company (in thousands):

	Asset Derivatives							Liability Derivatives
	Statement of	Fair Value						Statement of	Fair Value
	Financial Condition Location	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		March 31, 2017		Financial Condition Location	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		March 31, 2017
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20
Foreign exchange contracts	Receivable from brokers	$	-	$	-	$	-	Payable to brokers	$	-	$	-	$	-

Sub total		$	-	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20
Equity contracts	Investments in securities	$	745	$	229	$	102	Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	367	$	335	$	52
Foreign exchange contracts	Receivable from brokers		-		-		-	Payable to brokers		-		-		-

Sub total		$	745	$	229	$	102		$	367	$	335	$	52

Total derivatives		$	745	$	229	$	102		$	367	$	335	$	52

The following table identifies gains and losses of all derivatives held by the Company (in thousands):

Type of Derivative	Income Statement Location	Three Months ended March 31,
		2018			2017

Foreign exchange contracts	Net loss from investments		$	-		$	-
Equity contracts	Net loss from investments			1,778			(11	)

Total			$	1,778		$	(11	)

The Company is a party to enforceable master netting arrangements for swaps entered into with major U.S. financial institutions as part of the investment strategy of the Company’s proprietary portfolio. They are typically not used as hedging instruments. These swaps, while settled on a net basis with the counterparties are shown gross in assets and liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The swaps have a firm contract end date and are closed out and settled when each contract expires.

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition
	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition		Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statements of Financial Condition		Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
Swaps:	(In thousands)
March 31, 2018	$	745	$	-	$	745	$	(367	)	$	-	$	378
December 31, 2017		229		-		229		(229	)		-		-
March 31, 2017	$	102	$	-	$	102	$	(51	)	$	-	$	51

							Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition
	Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statements of Financial Condition		Financial Instruments			Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
Swaps:	(In thousands)
March 31, 2018	$	367	$	-	$	367	$	(367	)	$	-	$	-
December 31, 2017		334		-		334		(229	)		-		105
March 31, 2017	$	51	$	-	$	51	$	(51	)	$	-	$	-

Index

The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of AFS investments as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017:

	December 31, 2017
	Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Common stocks	$	65,331	$	-	$	(307	)	$	65,024
Closed-end funds		53,782		12,436		-			66,218
Mutual funds		3,523		1,187		-			4,710
Total available for sale securities	$	122,636	$	13,623	$	(307	)	$	135,952

	March 31, 2017
	Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Common stocks	$	130,869	$	-	$	(879	)	$	129,990
Closed-end funds		64,589		20,600		(66	)		85,123
Mutual funds		4,593		1,829		-			6,422
Total available for sale securities	$	200,051	$	22,429	$	(945	)	$	221,535

Changes in net unrealized gains, net of taxes, for AFS securities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 of $10.6 million have been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at March 31, 2017. Return of capital on AFS securities was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, there were no proceeds from the sales of AFS investments and no gross gains on the sale of AFS investments. The Company determines the cost of a security sold by using specific identification.

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

	December 31, 2017							March 31, 2017
	Cost		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Cost		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value

Common stocks	$	65,331	$	(307	)	$	65,024	$	130,869	$	(879	)	$	129,990
Closed-end funds		-		-			-		1,864		(66	)		1,798

Total available for sale securities in unrealized loss position	$	65,331	$	(307	)	$	65,024	$	132,733	$	(945	)	$	131,788

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, AC recognized a $19.1 million OTT impairment on the GBL shares due to the magnitude and persistence of the unrealized loss.

D. Investment Partnerships and Variable Interest Entities

The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various affiliated entities, in which the Company had investments totaling $120.0 million, $124.5 million and $112.4 million at March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively, and whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities (“Affiliated Entities”). We also had investments in unaffiliated partnerships, offshore funds and other entities of $20.6 million, $21.1 million and $17.6 million at March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively (“Unaffiliated Entities”). We evaluate each entity for the appropriate accounting treatment and disclosure. Certain of the Affiliated Entities, and none of the Unaffiliated Entities, are consolidated.

For those entities where consolidation is not deemed appropriate, we report them in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition under the caption “Investments in partnerships.” The caption includes investments in Affiliated Entities which the Company accounts for under the equity method of accounting and Unaffiliated Entities which the Company accounts for using fair value accounting. The Company reflects the equity in earnings of these Affiliated Entities and the change in fair value of the Unaffiliated Entities under the caption net loss from investments on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Index

The following table highlights the number of entities that we consolidate as well as the basis under which they are consolidated:

Entities consolidated

	VIEs		VOEs
Entities consolidated at December 31, 2016		1		1
Additional consolidated entities		-		-
Deconsolidated entities		-		-
Entities consolidated at March 31, 2017		1		1
Additional consolidated entities		-		2
Deconsolidated entities		-		-
Entities consolidated at December 31, 2017		1		3
Additional consolidated entities		-		2
Deconsolidated entities		-		-
Entities consolidated at March 31, 2018		1		5

The following table breaks down the investments in partnerships line by accounting method used (in thousands):

	March 31, 2018
Accounting method	Affiliated		Unaffiliated		Total

Fair Value	$	9,432	$	-	$	9,432
Equity Method		110,544		20,608		131,152

Total	$	119,976	$	20,608	$	140,584

	December 31, 2017
Accounting method	Affiliated		Unaffiliated		Total

Fair Value	$	9,442	$	-	$	9,442
Equity Method		115,046		21,103		136,149

Total	$	124,488	$	21,103	$	145,591

	March 31, 2017
Accounting method	Affiliated		Unaffiliated		Total

Fair Value	$	8,195	$	-	$	8,195
Equity Method		104,245		17,618		121,863

Total	$	112,440	$	17,618	$	130,058

Index

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

	March 31, 2018
	Prior to Consolidation		Consolidated Entities			As Reported
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	276,065	$	7,907		$	283,972
Investments in securities (including GBL stock)		255,410		105,038			360,448
Investments in affiliated investment companies		191,986		(51,240	)		140,746
Investments in partnerships		160,332		(19,748	)		140,584
Receivable from brokers		6,567		11,968			18,535
Investment advisory fees receivable		1,503		(18	)		1,485
Other assets		9,277		296			9,573
Total assets	$	901,140	$	54,203		$	955,343
Liabilities and equity
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	4,808	$	403		$	5,211
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		8,538		3,196			11,734
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		-		50,604			50,604
Total equity		887,794		-			887,794
Total liabilities and equity	$	901,140	$	54,203		$	955,343

	December 31, 2017
	Prior to Consolidation		Consolidated Entities			As Reported
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	287,963	$	5,149		$	293,112
Investments in securities (including GBL stock)		255,252		97,385			352,637
Investments in affiliated investment companies		198,469		(52,555	)		145,914
Investments in partnerships		160,456		(14,865	)		145,591
Receivable from brokers		11,722		23,159			34,881
Investment advisory fees receivable		5,749		(10	)		5,739
Other assets		28,865		176			29,041
Total assets	$	948,476	$	58,439		$	1,006,915
Liabilities and equity
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	5,405	$	326		$	5,731
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		24,924		11,883			36,807
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		-		46,230			46,230
Total equity		918,147		-			918,147
Total liabilities and equity	$	948,476	$	58,439		$	1,006,915

	March 31, 2017
	Prior to Consolidation		Consolidated Entities			As Reported
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	307,505	$	146		$	307,651
Investments in securities (including GBL stock)		316,424		6,686			323,110
Investments in affiliated investment companies		136,284		-			136,284
Investments in partnerships		135,129		(5,071	)		130,058
Receivable from brokers		9,666		2,355			12,021
Investment advisory fees receivable		1,361		(12	)		1,349
Other assets		7,160		-			7,160
Total assets	$	913,529	$	4,104		$	917,633
Liabilities and equity
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	7,519	$	-		$	7,519
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		24,179		54			24,233
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		-		4,050			4,050
Total equity		881,831		-			881,831
Total liabilities and equity	$	913,529	$	4,104		$	917,633

Index

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

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	Prior to Consolidation			Consolidated Entities			As Reported
Total revenues	$	4,720		$	(17	)	$	4,703
Total expenses		8,441			512			8,953
Operating loss		(3,721	)		(529	)		(4,250	)
Total other income/(expense), net		(25,242	)		386			(24,856	)
Loss before income taxes		(28,963	)		(143	)		(29,106	)
Income tax benefit		(6,734	)		-			(6,734	)
Net loss before NCI		(22,229	)		(143	)		(22,372	)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		-			(143	)		(143	)
Net loss	$	(22,229	)	$	-		$	(22,229	)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Prior to Consolidation			Consolidated Entities			As Reported
Total revenues	$	4,993		$	(6	)	$	4,987
Total expenses		9,277			42			9,319
Operating loss		(4,284	)		(48	)		(4,332	)
Total other income/(expense), net		(17,218	)		109			(17,109	)
Income/(loss) before income taxes		(21,502	)		61			(21,441	)
Income tax benefit		(8,424	)		-			(8,424	)
Net income/(loss) before NCI		(13,078	)		61			(13,017	)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		-			61			61
Net loss	$	(13,078	)	$	-		$	(13,078	)

Variable Interest Entities

With respect to each consolidated VIE, its assets may only be used to satisfy its obligations. The investors and creditors of these VIEs have no recourse to the Company’s general assets. In addition, the Company neither benefits from the VIE’s assets nor bears the related risk beyond its beneficial interest in the VIE.

The following table presents the balances related to VIEs that are consolidated and included on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as well as the Company’s net interest in these VIEs:

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017			March 31, 2017
(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	71		$	120		$	146
Investments in securities		9,350			8,757			6,686
Receivable from brokers		981			1,657			2,355
Other assets		(1	)		(19	)		(7	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(33	)		(29	)		(35	)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		(399	)		(284	)		(310	)
AC Group's net interests in consolidated VIE	$	9,969		$	10,202		$	8,835

E. Fair Value

The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities by major category measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value. Investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share and other investments that are not held at fair value are provided as separate items to permit reconciliation of the fair value of investments included in the fair value hierarchy to the total amounts presented in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Index

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2018 (in thousands)

Assets	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Investments Measured at NAV (a)		Other Assets Not Held at Fair Value (b)		Balance as of March 31, 2018
Cash equivalents	$	283,946	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	283,946
Investments in partnerships		-		-		-		135,594		4,990		140,584
Investments in securities (including GBL stock):
Gov't obligations		86,242		-		-		-		-		86,242
Common stocks		267,100		1		607		-		-		267,708
Mutual funds		3,393		-		-		-		-		3,393
Other		220		745		2,140		-		-		3,105
Total investments in securities		356,955		746		2,747		-		-		360,448
Investments in affiliated registered investment companies:
Closed-end funds		87,069		-		-		-		-		87,069
Mutual funds		53,677		-		-		-		-		53,677
Total investments in affiliated registered investment companies		140,746		-		-		-		-		140,746
Total investments		497,701		746		2,747		135,594		4,990		641,778
Total assets at fair value	$	781,647	$	746	$	2,747	$	135,594	$	4,990	$	925,724
Liabilities
Common stocks	$	4,844			$	-	$	-	$	-	$	4,844
Other		-		367		-		-		-		367
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	4,844	$	367	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	5,211

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands)

Assets	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Investments Measured at NAV (a)		Other Assets Not Held at Fair Value (b)		Balance as of December 31, 2017
Cash equivalents	$	290,043	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	290,043
Investments in partnerships		-		-		-		140,617		4,974		145,591
Investments in securities (including GBL stock):
AFS - Common stocks		65,024		-		-		-		-		65,024
AFS - Mutual funds		271		-		-		-		-		271
Trading - Gov't obligations		53,804		-		-		-		-		53,804
Trading - Common stocks		227,938		1		618		-		-		228,557
Trading - Mutual funds		3,157		-		-		-		-		3,157
Trading - Other		426		229		1,169		-		-		1,824
Total investments in securities		350,620		230		1,787		-		-		352,637
Investments in affiliated registered investment companies:
AFS - Closed-end funds		66,218		-		-		-		-		66,218
AFS - Mutual funds		4,439		-		-		-		-		4,439
Trading - Closed-end funds		26,929		-		-		-		-		26,929
Trading - Mutual funds		48,328		-		-		-		-		48,328
Total investments in affiliated registered investment companies		145,914		-		-		-		-		145,914
Total investments		496,534		230		1,787		140,617		4,974		644,142
Total assets at fair value	$	786,577	$	230	$	1,787	$	140,617	$	4,974	$	934,185
Liabilities
Trading - Common stocks	$	5,396	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	5,396
Trading - Other		-		335		-		-		-		335
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	5,396	$	335	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	5,731

Index

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2017 (in thousands)

Assets	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Investments Measured at NAV (a)		Other Assets Not Held at Fair Value (b)		Balance as of March 31, 2017
Cash equivalents	$	307,640	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	307,640
Investments in partnerships		-		-		-		126,187		3,871		130,058
Investments in securities (including GBL stock):
AFS - Common stocks		129,990		-		-		-		-		129,990
AFS - Mutual funds		511		-		-		-		-		511
Trading - Gov't obligations		99,820		-		-		-		-		99,820
Trading - Common stocks		85,308		-		494		-		-		85,802
Trading - Mutual funds		3,333		-		-		-		-		3,333
Trading - Other		3,102		102		450		-		-		3,654
Total investments in securities		322,064		102		944		-		-		323,110
Investments in affiliated registered investment companies:
AFS - Closed-end funds		85,123		-		-		-		-		85,123
AFS - Mutual funds		5,911		-		-		-		-		5,911
Trading - Mutual funds		45,250		-		-		-		-		45,250
Total investments in affiliated registered investment companies		136,284		-		-		-		-		136,284
Total investments		458,348		102		944		126,187		3,871		589,452
Total assets at fair value	$	765,988	$	102	$	944	$	126,187	$	3,871	$	897,092
Liabilities
Trading - Common stocks	$	7,467	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	7,467
Trading - Other		-		52		-		-		-		52
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	7,467	$	52	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	7,519

(a)

Amounts are 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.

(b)

Amounts include certain equity method investments which are not accounted for under a fair value measure. In accordance with GAAP, certain equity method investees do not account for both their financial assets and liabilities under fair value measures; therefore, the Company’s investment in such equity method investees may not represent fair value.

Investments that are measured at NAV include investments in Affiliated and Unaffiliated Entities. Capital may generally be redeemed from Affiliated Entities on a monthly basis upon adequate notice as determined in the sole discretion of each entity’s investment manager. Capital invested in Unaffiliated Entities may generally be redeemed at various intervals ranging from monthly to annually upon notice of 30 to 95 days. Certain Unaffiliated Entities may require a minimum investment period before capital can be voluntarily redeemed (a “Lockup Period”). No investment in an Unaffiliated Entity has an unexpired Lockup Period. The Company has no outstanding capital commitments to any Affiliated or Unaffiliated Entity.

Index

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

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands)

Asset	December 31, 2017 Beginning Balance		Consolidated as of January 1, 2018		Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses)			Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses)			Purchases		Sales			Transfers In and/or (Out) of Level 3		March 31, 2018 Ending Balance
Financial instruments owned:
Common stocks	$	618	$	-	$	(11	)	$	(11	)	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	607
Other		1,169		984		8			8			-		(21	)		-		2,140
Total	$	1,787	$	984	$	(3	)	$	(3	)	$	-	$	(21	)	$	-	$	2,747

There were no transfers between any Levels during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands)

Asset	December 31, 2016 Beginning Balance		Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses) in Income				Total Unrealized Gains or (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income		Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses)		Purchases		Sales		Transfers In and/or (Out) of Level 3		March 31, 2017 Ending Balance
Asset	December 31, 2016 Beginning Balance		Trading		AFS Investments				Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses)		Purchases		Sales		Transfers In and/or (Out) of Level 3		March 31, 2017 Ending Balance
Financial instruments owned:
Trading - Common stocks	$	461	$	33	$	-	$	-	$	33	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	494
Trading - Other		283		-		-		-		-		167		-		-		450
Total	$	744	$	33	$	-	$	-	$	33	$	167	$	-	$	-	$	944

There were no transfers between any Levels during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

F. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was 23.1% and 39.3%, respectively. The ETR in the first quarter of 2018 differs from the standard corporate tax rate of 21% primarily due to state and local taxes (net of federal benefit). The ETR in the first quarter of 2017 differs from the standard corporate tax rate of 34% primarily due to the benefit of (a) the donation of appreciated securities and (b) the dividends received deduction.

G. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net loss per share attributable to our shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net loss per share attributable to our shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of restricted stock awards.

Index

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

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2018			2017
Basic:
Net loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.'s shareholders	$	(22,229	)	$	(13,078	)
Weighted average shares outstanding		23,508			23,829
Basic net loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.'s shareholders per share	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.55	)

Diluted:
Net loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.'s shareholders	$	(22,229	)	$	(13,078	)

Weighted average share outstanding		23,508			23,829
Dilutive restricted stock awards		-			-
Total		23,508			23,829
Diluted net loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.'s shareholders per share	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.55	)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended 2017 exclude potential restricted stock awards as we have a net loss for that period and their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

H. Stockholders’ Equity

Shares outstanding were 23.1 million, 23.6 million and 24.2 million on March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively.

Exchange Offer

During the first quarter of 2018, AC completed an exchange offer with respect to its Class A shares. Tendering shareholders received 1.35 GAMCO Class A shares for each AC Class A share, together with cash in lieu of any fractional share. Upon completion of the offer, shareholders tendered 493,954 Class A shares in exchange for 666,805 GAMCO Class A shares with a value of $17.7 million.

Dividends

There were no dividends declared during each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Voting Rights

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

Stock Award and Incentive Plan

There were no restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) issued by AC during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017. On November 30, 2015, in connection with the spin-off, the Company issued 554,100 AC RSA shares to GAMCO employees (including GAMCO employees who became AC employees) who held 554,100 GAMCO RSA shares at that date. The purpose of the issuance was to ensure that any employee who had GAMCO RSAs was granted an equal number of AC RSAs so that the total value of the RSAs post-spin-off was equivalent to the total value pre-spin-off. The value of the GAMCO RSAs held by AC employees is recognized as expense by the Company over the remaining vesting period because the employees’ services are for the benefit of the Company. In accordance with GAAP, we have allocated the stock compensation costs between GAMCO and AC based upon each employee’s individual allocation of their responsibilities between GAMCO and AC.

Index

As of December 31, 2017, there were no AC RSA shares and 19,400 GAMCO RSA shares outstanding. As of March 31, 2017, there were 420,240 AC RSA shares outstanding and 420,240 GAMCO RSA shares outstanding, respectively. During the first quarter of 2018, the compensation committee of GAMCO’s Board of Directors accelerated the vesting of the remaining 19,400 GAMCO RSA shares outstanding.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million in stock-based compensation expense

I. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

At March 31, 2018, $3.4 million of goodwill related to GCIA is separately disclosed on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill at least annually, or more often should events warrant, using a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an impairment has occurred to determine if a quantitative analysis is required. There were no indicators of impairment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 or March 31, 2017, and as such there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded.

J. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. We are also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief. For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether losses exist which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures. However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations or cash flows at March 31, 2018.

G.research has agreed to indemnify the clearing brokers for losses they may sustain from customer accounts introduced by G.research that trade on margin. At each of March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification (i.e., unsecured margin debits) was immaterial. The Company has also entered into arrangements with various other third parties many of which provide for indemnification of the third parties against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of obligations under the agreements. The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements and believes the likelihood of a claim being made is remote, and therefore no accrual has been made on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

K. Shareholder-Designated Contribution Plan

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company established a Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution program. Under the program, each shareholder is eligible to designate a charity to which the Company would make a donation at a rate of $0.25 per share based upon the number of shares registered in the shareholder’s name. Shares held in nominee or street name were not eligible to participate. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a cost of $4.9 million related to this contribution which was included in shareholder-designated contribution in the condensed consolidated statements of income. There was no comparable expense in the current quarter.

Index

L. Contractual Obligations

In February 2018, the Company renewed its sublease agreement with GAMCO for an additional year ending March 31, 2019. Future minimum lease commitments under this operating lease as of March 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

2018	$	410
2019		137
Total	$	547

M. Subsequent Events

From April 1, 2018 to May 8, 2018, the Company repurchased 28,142 shares at an average price of $36.29 per share.

In addition, on May 8, 2018, the Board of Directors approved a semi-annual dividend of $0.10 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders payable on July 2, 2018 to shareholders of record on June 18, 2018.

On April 4, 2018, GAMCO prepaid an additional $10 million of the GAMCO Note, reducing the outstanding principal balance to $30 million.

Index

ITEM 2:

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

Introduction

MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company's unaudited Financial Statements and accompanying notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the Company's audited annual financial statements included in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2018 to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “AC Group” or the “Company” refer collectively to Associated Capital Group, Inc., a holding company, and its subsidiaries through which our operations are actually conducted.

Overview

We provide our institutional research and underwriting services through G.research, LLC (“G.research”) doing business as “Gabelli & Company”, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. G.research is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). G.research’s revenues are derived primarily from institutional research services.

AC has received principal repayments totaling $210 million on the GAMCO Note, of which $10 million was received during the three months ended March 31, 2018, leaving an outstanding principal balance of $40 million due on November 30, 2020.

Index

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

Investment advisory and incentive fees, which are based on the amount and composition of assets under management (“AUM”) in our funds and accounts, represent our largest source of revenues. Growth in revenues depends on good investment performance, which influences the value of existing AUM as well as contributes to higher investment and lower redemption rates and facilitates the ability to attract additional investors while maintaining current fee levels. Growth in AUM is also dependent on being able to access various distribution channels, which is usually based on several factors, including performance and service.

Incentive fees generally consist of an incentive allocation on the absolute gain in a portfolio or a fee of 20% of the economic profit, as defined in the agreements governing the investment vehicle. We recognize revenue only when the measurement period has been completed or at the time of an investor redemption.

Institutional research services revenues consist of brokerage commissions derived from securities transactions executed on an agency basis or direct payments on behalf of institutional clients. Commission revenues vary directly with the perceived value of the research, as well as account trading activity and new account generation.

Compensation costs include variable and fixed compensation and related expenses paid to officers, portfolio managers, sales, trading, research and all other professional staff. Variable compensation paid to sales personnel and portfolio management generally represents 40% of revenues and is the largest component of total compensation costs.

Management fee is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits which is paid to Mario J. Gabelli or his designee for acting as Executive Chairman pursuant to his Employment Agreement so long as he is with the Company.

Other operating expenses include general and administrative operating costs and clearing charges and fees incurred by the brokerage business.

Other income and expenses include net gains and losses from investments (which include both realized and unrealized gains and losses from trading securities and equity in earnings of investments in partnerships), interest and dividend income, and interest expense. Net gains and losses from investments are derived from our proprietary investment portfolio consisting of various public and private investments.

Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests represents the net income/(loss) attributable to third party limited partners of certain partnerships and offshore funds we consolidate. Please refer to Notes A and D in our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

We ended the first quarter of 2018 with approximately $920 million in cash and investments, net of securities sold, not yet purchased of $5 million. This includes $370 million of cash and short term US treasuries; $269 million of securities, net, including 3.7 million shares of GAMCO stock; and $281 million invested in affiliated and third party funds and partnerships. Our liquid financial resources underpin our flexibility to pursue strategic objectives which may include acquisitions, lift-outs, seeding new investment strategies, and co-investing, as well as shareholder compensation in the form of share repurchase and dividends.

Index

Total shareholders’ equity was $888 million or $38.38 per share at March 31, 2018 compared to $918 million or $38.84 per share on December 31, 2017. The decline in equity from the end of 2017 is driven primarily by our net loss offset by the $10 million prepayment of the GAMCO Note during the period.

The Company also reviews an analysis of adjusted economic book value (“AEBV”), and AEBV per share, a non-GAAP financial measure that management believes is useful for analyzing AC’s financial condition because it reflects the impact on book value if and when the GAMCO Note is repaid. The GAMCO Note that was issued as part of the spin-off transaction is not treated as an asset for GAAP purposes, but as a reduction of equity, and will continue to be reflected as a reduction of equity in future periods in the amount of the principal then outstanding. As the GAMCO Note pays down, the Company's total equity will increase, and once the GAMCO Note is fully repaid, the Company's total equity and AEBV will be the same. At March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, AEBV for the Company was $928 million, $968 million and $972 million, respectively, and the AEBV per share was $40.11, $40.96 and $40.08, respectively. The reconciliation of GAAP book value and GAAP book value per share to AEBV and AEBV per share as of each date is shown below (in thousands, except for per share data):

Reconciliation of Total Equity to Adjusted Economic Book Value

	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				March 31, 2017
	Total		Per Share		Total		Per Share		Total		Per Share
Total equity as reported	$	887,794	$	38.38	$	918,147	$	38.84	$	881,831	$	36.37
Add: GAMCO Note		40,000		1.73		50,000		2.12		90,000		3.71
Adjusted Economic book value	$	927,794	$	40.11	$	968,147	$	40.96	$	971,831	$	40.08

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared To Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

(in thousands, except per share data)
	2018			2017
Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$	2,529		$	2,401
Institutional research services		2,152			2,582
Other		22			4
Total revenues		4,703			4,987
Expenses
Compensation		6,324			6,783
Stock-based compensation		72			444
Other operating expenses		2,557			2,092
Total expenses		8,953			9,319
Operating loss		(4,250	)		(4,332	)
Other income (expense)
Net loss from investments		(27,530	)		(14,401	)
Interest and dividend income		2,707			2,257
Interest expense		(33	)		(70	)
Shareholder-designated contribution		-			(4,895	)
Total other income/(expense), net		(24,856	)		(17,109	)
Loss before income taxes		(29,106	)		(21,441	)
Income tax benefit		(6,734	)		(8,424	)
Net loss		(22,372	)		(13,017	)
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(143	)		61
Net loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.'s shareholders	$	(22,229	)	$	(13,078	)

Net loss attributable to Associated Capital Group, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.55	)
Diluted	$	(0.95	)	$	(0.55	)

Index

Overview

Our operating loss for the quarter was $4.3 million, roughly in line with the comparable quarter of 2017. Decreased revenue was offset by decreased expenses, primarily compensation. Investment losses increased to $27.5 million in the first quarter 2018 from $14.4 million in the prior year’s quarter primarily due to mark-to-market losses on our investment portfolio and the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-01 on January 1, 2018 (see further discussion below). Despite the higher pre-tax loss, the Company recorded a lower income tax benefit in the current quarter of $6.7 million compared to $8.4 million in the year ago quarter. This decreased tax benefit primarily resulted from the reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate under the recently-enacted Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Consequently, our current quarter net loss increased to $22.2 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, from $13.1 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

In comparing the current quarter’s results with those of the year ago period, it is important to note the impact of a change in the accounting treatment of available for sale (“AFS”) equity securities resulting from the adoption of ASU 2016-01. In prior periods, the change in unrealized gains or losses attributable to AFS equity securities was reflected in equity and classified as other comprehensive income rather than net income. Beginning with this quarter, however, the mark-to-market adjustments for the entire portfolio flow through net income. On a comparable basis, the first quarter 2017 investment and other non-operating income/(expense), net would have been a loss of $0.6 million. On a comparable basis of accounting for AFS securities, the year ago period would have reported a net loss of $2.5 million (i.e., the Company's reported comprehensive income).

Revenues

Total revenues were $4.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 compared to $5.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

We earn advisory fees based on the level of average AUM in our products. Advisory fees, excluding incentive fees, were $2.5 million for the 2018 quarter compared to $2.4 million for the prior year quarter, an increase of $0.1 million. This increase is due to the increase in AUM to $1.560 billion in the first quarter of 2018 from $1.349 billion in the first quarter of 2017. Incentive fees are generally not recognized until the measurement period ends, typically annually on December 31. If the measurement period had instead ended on March 31, we would have recognized an immaterial amount for each of the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Institutional research services revenues in the current year’s first quarter decreased to $2.2 million, from the prior year’s period of $2.6 million due to a reduction in commissions generated by our institutional research operations.

Expenses

Compensation costs, which include variable compensation, salaries, bonuses and benefits, were $6.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $6.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. Fixed compensation costs, which include salaries and benefits, declined to $3.9 million for the first quarter 2018 from $4.0 million in the 2017 period. Discretionary bonus accruals were $1.0 million and $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The remainder of the compensation expense represents variable compensation that fluctuates with management fee and incentive allocation revenues and gains on investment portfolios. Variable payouts as a percent of revenues are impacted by the mix of products upon which performance fees are earned and the extent to which they may exceed their allocated costs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, stock-based compensation was $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Management fee expense represents incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits which is payable to Mario J. Gabelli pursuant to his employment agreement. AC recorded no management fee expense in the first quarter of 2018 and 2017 due to the year to date pre-tax loss.

Other operating expenses were $2.6 million during the first quarter of 2018 compared to $2.1 million in prior year first quarter, an increase of $0.5 million primarily due to expenses relating to a consolidated fund the Company launched in July 2017.

Other

Net loss from investments is directly related primarily to the performance of our securities portfolio and investments in partnerships. Investment losses were $27.5 million in the 2018 quarter versus $14.4 million in the comparable 2017 quarter, primarily a function of mark-to-market changes in the value of our investments.

Index

Interest and dividend income increased to $2.7 million in the 2018 quarter from $2.3 million in the 2017 quarter primarily due to dividend income of the consolidated fund launched in July 2017 and higher interest rates on our cash balances offset by reduced interest earned on the GAMCO Note due to principal payments received.

During 2016, the Company established a Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution program. Under the program, each shareholder is eligible to designate a charity to which the Company would make a donation at a rate of twenty-five cents per share based upon the actual number of shares registered in the shareholder’s name. Shares held in nominee or street name were not eligible to participate. On February 8, 2017, the Company announced it had again adopted a Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution program for all registered Class A and Class B shareholders. The Company recorded a cost of $4.9 million related to this contribution which was included in shareholder-designated contribution in the condensed consolidated statements of income. There was no comparable expense in the current quarter.

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

Our revenues are highly correlated to the level of assets under management and fees associated with our various investment products, rather than our own corporate assets. Assets under management, which are directly influenced by the level and changes of the overall equity markets, can also fluctuate through acquisitions, the creation of new products, the addition of new accounts or the loss of existing accounts. Since various equity products have different fees, changes in our business mix may also affect revenues. At times, the performance of our equity products may differ markedly from popular market indices, and this can also impact our revenues.

Assets under management were $1.560 billion as of March 31, 2018, an increase of 1.2% and 15.6% over the quarter and the prior twelve months, respectively. The increases were attributable to market appreciation and additional investor contributions, net of redemptions. Significantly, a new closed-end fund, The Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Ltd. (LSE: GMP), launched in July 2017 with over $100 million of AUM.

Table I: Fund Flows - 1st Quarter 2018

	December 31, 2017		Market appreciation/ (depreciation)			Net cash flows			March 31, 2018

Event Merger Arbitrage	$	1,384	$	(3	)	$	26		$	1,407
Event-Driven Value		91		(1	)		(2	)		88
Other		66		(1	)		-			65
Total AUM	$	1,541	$	(5	)	$	24		$	1,560

Index

Table III: Assets Under Management by Quarter

							% Change From
	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		March 31, 2017		December 31, 2017			March 31, 2017

Event Merger Arbitrage	$	1,407	$	1,384	$	1,144		1.7			23.0
Event-Driven Value		88		91		141		(3.3	)		(37.6	)
Other		65		66		64		(1.5	)		1.6
Total AUM	$	1,560	$	1,541	$	1,349		1.2			15.6

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

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

Summary cash flow data is as follows:

	Three months ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Cash flows provided by (used in):	(in thousands)
Operating activities	$	(29,388	)	$	(14,418	)
Investing activities		15,000			(1,657	)
Financing activities		5,201			9,633
Net decrease		(9,187	)		(6,442	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		293,112			314,093
Increase in cash from consolidation		47			-
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	283,972		$	307,651

We require relatively low levels of capital expenditures and have a highly variable cost structure which fluctuates based on the level of revenues we receive. Our revenues are highly correlated to the level of AUM and to its investment performance. We anticipate that our available liquid assets should be more than sufficient to meet our cash requirements. At March 31, 2018, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $284.0 million and $636.6 million in net investments. Of these amounts, $7.9 million and $33.6 million, respectively, were held by consolidated investment funds and may not be readily available for the Company to access.

Net cash used in operating activities was $29.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 primarily due to our net loss adjusted for non-cash items of $21.8 million and $13.2 million of net increases in trading securities and contributions to investment partnerships offset partially by net changes of $5.6 million to accrued expenses and receivables. Net cash provided by investing activities of $15.0 million in 2018 related to the repayment of the GBL 1.6% Note upon maturity during the quarter. Net cash provided by financing activities was $5.2 million for 2018, largely resulting from the $10.0 million prepayment of the GAMCO Note offset by dividends and stock buyback payments of $2.8 million and redemptions from consolidated funds of $2.0 million.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, cash used in operating activities was $14.4 million, primarily due to the quarter’s loss. Cash used in investing activities, primarily related to purchases of available for sale securities was $1.7 million in the first three months of 2017. Cash provided by financing activities in the first quarter of 2017 was $9.6 million due to the principal repayment of the GAMCO Note.

Index

G.research is a registered broker-dealer, and is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”), which specifies, among other requirements, minimum net capital requirements for registered broker-dealers. G.research computes its net capital under the alternative method as permitted by the Rule, which requires that minimum net capital be the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3. G.research had net capital, as defined, of $38.9 million, exceeding the required amount of $250,000 by $38.7 million at March 31, 2018. G.research’s net capital requirements may increase to the extent it engages in other business activities in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

Market Risk

Our primary market risk exposures are to changes in equity prices and interest rates. Since a majority of our AUM is invested in equities, our financial results are subject to equity market risk as revenues from our investment management services are sensitive to stock market dynamics. In addition, returns from our proprietary investment portfolio are exposed to interest rate and equity market risk.

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

Equity Price Risk

The Company earns a substantial portion of its revenue as advisory fees from investment partnership and separate account assets. Such fees represent a percentage of AUM, and the majority of these assets are in equities. Accordingly, since revenues are proportionate to the value of those investments, a substantial increase or decrease in overall equity markets will likely have a corresponding effect on the Company’s revenues.

Investments consisted of the following (in thousands):

	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017

Investment in securities:
Government obligations	$	86,242		$	53,804
GBL stock		92,523			130,254
Common stocks		175,185			163,327
Mutual funds		3,393			3,428
Other investments		3,105			1,824
Total investments in securities		360,448			352,637

Investments in affiliated registered investment companies:
Closed-end funds		87,069			93,147
Mutual funds		53,677			52,767
Total investments in affiliated registered investment companies		140,746			145,914

Investments in partnerships:
Investments in partnerships		140,584			145,591
Total investments in partnerships		140,584			145,591

Securities sold, not yet purchased:
Common stocks		(4,844	)		(5,396	)
Other investments		(367	)		(335	)
Total securities sold, not yet purchased		(5,211	)		(5,731	)

Total investments net of securities sold, not yet purchased	$	636,567		$	638,411

Index

We may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management. Of the approximately $267.7 million and $293.6 million invested in common and preferred stocks at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, $114.5 million and $108.7 million was invested by the Company in arbitrage opportunities in connection with mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, tender offers or other similar transactions. Risk arbitrage generally involves investing in securities of companies that have announced corporate transactions with agreed upon terms and conditions, including pricing, and typically involves less market risk than holding common stocks in a trading portfolio. The principal risk associated with merger arbitrage transactions is the inability of the companies involved to complete the transaction.

Of the investments in affiliated registered investment companies at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $57.2 million and $57.8 million, respectively, consisted of investment companies which invest in merger arbitrage opportunities. Securities sold, not yet purchased are stated at fair value and are subject to market risks resulting from changes in price and volatility. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased was $5.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively. Investments in partnerships totaled $140.6 million and $145.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, $103.4 million and $102.3 million of which consisted of investment partnerships and offshore funds which invest in risk arbitrage opportunities.

The following table provides a sensitivity analysis for our investments in equity securities and partnerships and affiliates which invest primarily in equity securities, excluding arbitrage products for which the principal exposure is to deal closure and not overall market conditions, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The sensitivity analysis assumes a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these investments (in thousands):

	Fair Value		Fair Value assuming 10% decrease in equity prices		Fair Value assuming 10% increase in equity prices
At March 31, 2018:
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value	$	280,353	$	252,318	$	308,388
At December 31, 2017:
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value	$	321,550	$	289,395	$	353,705

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk principally results from our investment of excess cash in a related money market fund that holds U.S. Government securities. These investments are primarily short term in nature, and the carrying value of these investments generally approximates fair value. Based on the March 31, 2018 cash and cash equivalent balance of $284.0 million, a 1% increase in interest rates would increase our interest income by $2.8 million annually while a decrease of 1% would reduce our interest income by $2.8 million.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. See Note A and the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in AC’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2018 for details on Critical Accounting Policies.

Index

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the normal course of its business, AC is exposed to risk of loss due to fluctuations in the securities market and general economy. Management is responsible for identifying, assessing and managing market and other risks.

Our exposure to pricing risk in equity securities is directly related to our role as financial intermediary and advisor for AUM in our investment partnerships and separate accounts as well as our proprietary investment and trading activities. At March 31, 2018, we had equity investments, including open-end funds and closed-end funds largely invested in equity products, of $411.8 million. Included in this total are investments in open-end funds and closed-end funds of $144.1 million which seek to reduce market risk through the diversification of financial instruments within their portfolios. In addition, we may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management. We also hold investments in partnerships which invest primarily in equity securities and which are subject to changes in equity prices. These investments totaled $140.6 million at March 31, 2018, $103.4 million of which comprised partnerships which invest in risk arbitrage. Risk arbitrage is primarily dependent upon deal closure rather than the overall market environment. The equity investment portfolio is recorded at fair value and will generally move in line with the equity markets. The trading portfolio changes are recorded as net gain/(loss) from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2018. Disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in SEC rules and regulations. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our CEO and CFO participated in this evaluation and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2018.

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

Forward-Looking Information

Our disclosure and analysis in this report contain some forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements because they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. They also appear in any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance of our products, expenses, the outcome of any legal proceedings, and financial results. Although we believe that we are basing our expectations and beliefs on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of what we currently know about our business and operations, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from what we expect or believe. Some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations or beliefs include, without limitation:

the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets

a decline in the performance of our products

a general downturn in the economy

changes in government policy or regulation

changes in our ability to attract or retain key employees

unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations

Index

We also direct your attention to any more specific discussions of risk contained in our Form 10 and other public filings. We are providing these statements as permitted by the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We do not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements if we subsequently learn that we are unlikely to achieve our expectations or if we receive any additional information relating to the subject matters of our forward-looking statements.

Part II: Other Information

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief. For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures. However, management believes such amounts, both those that would be probable and those that would be reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations or cash flows at March 31, 2018.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information with respect to the repurchase of Class A Common Stock of AC during the three months ended March 31, 2018:

Period	Total Number of Shares Repurchased		Average Price Paid Per Share, net of Commissions		Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
01/01/18 - 01/31/18		3,971	$	33.99		3,971		886,815
02/01/18 - 02/28/18		-		-		-		886,815
03/01/18 - 03/31/18		502,752		35.92		8,798		878,017
Totals		506,723	$	35.91		12,769

In addition to our on-going stock repurchase program, in March 2018, the Company completed a tender offer with respect to its Class A shares which resulted in the repurchase of 493,954 Class A shares in exchange for 666,805 shares of GBL valued at approximately $17.7 million.

Item 6.

(a) Exhibits

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

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

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

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

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Index

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

(Registrant)

By: /s/ Francis J. Conroy

Name: Francis J. Conroy

Title: Interim Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 8, 2018