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COWEN INC. - Quarter Report: 2011 March (Form 10-Q)


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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)    

ý

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011

or

o

 

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

For the transition period from                    to                  

Commission File Number: 001-34516

Cowen Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  27-0423711
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

10022
(Zip Code)

(212) 845-7900
(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 ý    No o

        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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

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

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

        As of May 9, 2011 there were 75,668,292 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item No.
  Page No.  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

       
 

1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    4  
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

    4  
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

    5  
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

    6  
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    7  
   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    9  
 

2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    54  
 

3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    82  
 

4. Controls and Procedures

    83  

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

       
 

1. Legal Proceedings

    84  
 

1A. Risk Factors

    85  
 

2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

    86  
 

3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

    86  
 

4. (Removed and Reserved)

    86  
 

5. Other Information

    86  
 

6. Exhibits

    86  

SIGNATURES

    87  

EXHIBIT INDEX

    88  
 

Exhibit 31.1

       
 

Exhibit 31.2

       
 

Exhibit 32

       

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Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

        We have made statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations") that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking terms such as "may," "might," "will," "would," "could," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "project," "possible," "potential," "intend," "seek" or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology or similar expressions. In addition, our management may make forward-looking statements to analysts, representatives of the media and others. These forward-looking statements represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events (many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control) and are predictions only, based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In particular, you should consider the risks contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

        Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this filing to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations.

        Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2010 were audited.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


Cowen Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 
  As of March 31, 2011   As of December 31, 2010  

Assets

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 26,251   $ 36,354  
 

Cash collateral pledged

    8,652     8,633  
 

Securities owned, at fair value

    507,472     474,095  
 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

    72,120     97,755  
 

Other investments

    42,795     40,320  
 

Receivable from brokers

    53,094     95,937  
 

Fees receivable

    33,170     31,688  
 

Due from related parties (see Note 17)

    10,529     16,370  
 

Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $19,084 and $17,764, respectively

    37,814     36,591  
 

Goodwill

    27,179     27,179  
 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $8,884 and $8,146, respectively

    12,016     12,754  
 

Other assets

    25,808     19,456  
 

Consolidated Funds

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

    2,048     7,210  
 

Securities owned, at fair value

    7,471     8,722  
 

Other investments, at fair value

    283,389     333,374  
 

Other assets

    758     732  
           
     

Total Assets

  $ 1,150,566   $ 1,247,170  
           

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

             
 

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

  $ 185,118   $ 197,916  
 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    155,672     192,165  
 

Payable to brokers

    118,924     85,655  
 

Compensation payable

    18,286     76,204  
 

Short-term borrowings and other debt

    30,272     31,733  
 

Fees payable (see Note 17)

    8,131     8,797  
 

Due to related parties (see Note 17)

    7,381     9,187  
 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

    44,945     42,267  
 

Consolidated Funds

             
 

Capital withdrawals payable

    6,490     7,817  
 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

    757     1,827  
           
     

Total Liabilities

    575,976     653,568  
           

Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 12)

             

Redeemable non-controlling interests

    117,967     144,346  
           

Stockholders' equity

             
 

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

         
 

Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 250,000,000 shares authorized, 75,616,399 and 75,490,209 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively (including 1,345,985 and 1,554,124 restricted shares, respectively)

    726     726  
 

Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 250,000,000 authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

         
 

Additional paid-in capital

    511,628     504,480  
 

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

    (55,888 )   (55,970 )
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    157     20  
           
   

Total Stockholders' Equity

    456,623     449,256  
           
     

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

  $ 1,150,566   $ 1,247,170  
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2011   2010  

Revenues

             
 

Investment banking

  $ 14,682   $ 6,005  
 

Brokerage

    27,591     29,575  
 

Management fees

    11,164     9,270  
 

Incentive income

    4,381     2,093  
 

Interest and dividends

    4,559     804  
 

Reimbursement from affiliates

    1,009     1,742  
 

Other revenues

    690     622  
 

Consolidated Funds

             
   

Interest and dividends

    169     5,781  
   

Other

        366  
           
     

Total revenues

    64,245     56,258  

Expenses

             
 

Employee compensation and benefits

    45,087     43,433  
 

Floor brokerage and trade execution

    4,110     5,028  
 

Interest and dividends

    2,609     446  
 

Professional, advisory and other fees

    7,140     2,388  
 

Service fees

    3,612     3,812  
 

Communications

    2,893     3,302  
 

Occupancy and equipment

    5,122     5,629  
 

Depreciation and amortization

    2,058     2,494  
 

Client services and business development

    4,677     4,164  
 

Other

    4,295     7,386  
 

Consolidated Funds

             
   

Interest and dividends

    46     1,568  
   

Professional, advisory and other fees

    460     678  
   

Floor brokerage and trade execution

        709  
   

Other

    122     204  
           
     

Total expenses

    82,231     81,241  

Other income (loss)

             
 

Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments

    17,283     1,524  
 

Consolidated Funds:

             
   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other transactions

    2,343     19,218  
   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives

    (441 )   (220 )
   

Net gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions

    (156 )   (725 )
           
     

Total other income

    19,029     19,797  
           
     

Income (loss) before income taxes

    1,043     (5,186 )
           

Income tax expense (benefit)

    163     (266 )
           
     

Net income (loss)

    880     (4,920 )
 

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

    798     8,056  
           
     

Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. stockholders

  $ 82   $ (12,976 )
           

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

             
 

Basic

    74,160     72,509  
 

Diluted

    76,083     72,509  

Earnings (loss) per share:

             
 

Basic

  $ 0.00   $ (0.18 )
           
 

Diluted

  $ 0.00   $ (0.18 )
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 
  Common
Shares
Outstanding
  Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
  Retained
Earnings/
(Accumulated
deficit)
  Total
Stockholders'
Equity
  Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interest
  Total
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 

Balance, December 31, 2010

    75,490,209   $ 726   $ 504,480   $ 20   $ (55,970 ) $ 449,256   $ 144,346        
                                     

Comprehensive income (loss):

                                                 
 

Net income (loss)

                    82     82     798   $ 880  
 

Defined Benefit Plans

                97         97         97  
 

Foreign currency translation

                40         40         40  
                                   

Total comprehensive income (loss)

                137     82     219     798   $ 1,017  

Capital contributions

                            3,504        

Capital withdrawals

                            (30,681 )      

Restricted stock awards issued

    126,190                                

Amortization of share based compensation

            7,148             7,148            
                                     

Balance, March 31, 2011

    75,616,399   $ 726   $ 511,628   $ 157   $ (55,888 ) $ 456,623   $ 117,967        
                                     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2011   2010  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

             
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 880   $ (4,920 )
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities:

             
     

Depreciation and amortization

    2,058     2,494  
     

Share-based compensation

    7,148     4,210  
     

Net loss on disposal of fixed assets

        264  
     

Purchases of securities owned, at fair value

    (3,709,677 )   (123,057 )
     

Proceeds from sales of securities owned, at fair value

    3,693,913     72,719  
     

Proceeds from the sale of securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

    1,276,363     36,626  
     

Payments to cover securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

    (1,275,464 )   (17,641 )
     

Net (gains) losses on securities, derivatives and other investments

    (16,200 )   (1,297 )
     

Consolidated Funds:

             
       

Purchases of securities owned, at fair value

    (148,429 )   (52,535 )
       

Proceeds from sales of securities owned, at fair value

    149,665     43,904  
       

Purchases of other investments

    (8,100 )   (13,039 )
       

Proceeds from sales of other investments

    58,982     69,481  
       

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on investments and other transactions

    (883 )   (21,227 )
     

(Increase) decrease in operating assets:

             
       

Cash collateral pledged

    (19 )    
       

Securities owned, at fair value, held at broker dealer

    (11,835 )   (37,710 )
       

Receivable from brokers

    42,843     (29,852 )
       

Fees receivable

    (1,482 )   6,417  
       

Due from related parties

    5,841     4,292  
       

Other assets

    (6,312 )   (1,475 )
       

Consolidated Funds:

             
           

Cash and cash equivalents

    5,162     (406 )
           

Other assets

    (26 )   (725 )
     

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:

             
       

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value, held at broker dealer

    (5,644 )   24,629  
       

Payable to brokers

    33,269     24,706  
       

Compensation payable

    (57,821 )   (55,527 )
       

Fees payable

    (666 )   (1,970 )
       

Due to related parties

    (1,806 )   (179 )
       

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilites

    2,739     (15,613 )
       

Consolidated Funds:

             
           

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

    (1,070 )   (44 )
           
             

Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities

    33,429     (87,475 )
           

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2011   2010  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Cash flows from investing activities:

             
 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

    25,635      
 

Purchases of other investments

    (35,683 )   (958 )
 

Proceeds from sales of other investments

    35,577     3,539  
 

Purchase of fixed assets

    (2,543 )   (67 )
           
     

Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities

    22,986     2,514  
           

Cash flows from financing activities:

             
 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    (36,493 )    
 

Repayments on short-term borrowings and other debt

    (1,521 )   (25,001 )
 

Consolidated Funds:

             
   

Capital contributions by non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds

    3,504     1,902  
   

Capital withdrawals to non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds

    (32,008 )   (26,452 )
           
     

Net cash (used in) / provided by financing activities

    (66,518 )   (49,551 )
           

Change in cash and cash equivalents

    (10,103 )   (134,512 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

    36,354     147,367  
           

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 26,251   $ 12,855  
           

Supplemental non-cash information:

             
 

Deconsolidation of CHRP GP (See Note 2b)

  $   $ 1,712  
           
 

Net settlement of cash collateral pledged with repayments on the line of credit

  $   $ 6,745  
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1. Organization and Business

        Cowen Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed on June 1, 2009 in connection with the Transaction Agreement and Agreement and Plan of Merger ("Transaction Agreement"), dated as of June 3, 2009, by and among Cowen Holdings, Inc., ("Cowen Holdings," formerly Cowen Group, Inc.), Lexington Merger Corp., Ramius LLC ("Ramius," formerly Park Exchange LLC) and RCG Holdings LLC ("RCG," formerly Ramius LLC).

        Cowen Group, Inc. is a diversified financial services firm and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Cowen Group" or the "Company") provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, and sales and trading services through its two business segments: alternative investment management and broker-dealer. The alternative investment management segment includes hedge, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures, funds fund of funds, real estate funds, healthcare royalty funds, and cash management services, offered primarily under the Ramius name. The broker-dealer segment offers industry focused investment banking for growth-oriented companies including advisory and global credit markets origination and domain knowledge-driven research and a sales and trading platform for institutional investors, primarily under the Cowen name.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

a.     Basis of presentation

        These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") related to interim financial statements. Results for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results for any other interim period or for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, included in the Form 10-K of Cowen Group as filed with the SEC on March 14, 2011. The financial information contained herein is unaudited; however, management believes all adjustments have been made that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The year end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain fund entities that are consolidated in these consolidated financial statements, as further discussed below, are not subject to these consolidation provisions with respect to their own investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.

        The Company serves as the managing member/general partner and/or investment manager to affiliated fund entities which it sponsors and manages. Funds in which the Company has a substantive, controlling general partner interest are consolidated with the Company pursuant to US GAAP as described below. Consequently, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of these funds on a gross basis. The ownership interests in these funds which are not owned by the Company are reflected as redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from these funds are eliminated in consolidation.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

b.     Principles of consolidation

        The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting operating entity ("VOE") or a variable interest entity ("VIE") under US GAAP.

        Voting Operating Entities—VOEs are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders at risk have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance. VOEs are consolidated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") accounting standards. In accordance with these standards, the Company presently consolidates five funds deemed to be VOEs for which it acts as the general partner and investment manager.

        Under FASB accounting standards, the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in an entity is ownership of a majority voting interest. Accordingly, the Company consolidates VOEs in which it owns a majority of the entity's voting shares or units. FASB accounting standards also provide that a general partner of a limited partnership (or a managing member, in the case of a limited liability company) is presumed to control the partnership, and thus should consolidate it, unless a simple majority of the limited partners has the right to remove the general partner without cause or to terminate the partnership. In accordance with these standards, the Company presently consolidates five funds deemed to be VOEs for which it acts as the general partner.

        As of March 31, 2011 the Company consolidates the following funds (the "Consolidated Funds"): Ramius Enterprise LP ("Enterprise LP"), Ramius Multi-Strategy FOF LP ("Multi-Strat FOF"), Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy FOF LP ("Vintage LP"), Ramius Levered Multi-Strategy FOF LP ("Levered FOF"), and RTS Global 3x Fund LP ("RTS Global 3x").

        Variable Interest Entities—VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a VOE. In accordance with FASB accounting standards, an enterprise must consolidate all VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. Under the new FASB consolidation model for VIEs, an enterprise that (1) has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE's economic performance, and (2) has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, is considered to have a controlling financial interest in the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it.

        However, the FASB has deferred the application of the new consolidation model for VIEs that meet the following conditions; (a) the entity has all the attributes of an investment company as defined under AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or does not have all the attributes of an investment company but is an entity for which it is acceptable based on industry practice to apply measurement principles that are consistent with the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, (b) the reporting entity does not have explicit or implicit obligations to fund any losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity, and (c) the entity is not a securitization entity, asset-backed financing entity or an entity that was formerly considered a qualifying special-purpose entity. The Company's involvement with its funds is such that all three of the above conditions are met. Where the VIEs have qualified for the deferral, the analysis is based on previous

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


consolidation rules. These rules require an analysis to (a) determine whether an entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a variable interest entity and (b) whether the Company's involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (e.g., management and performance related fees), would be expected to absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses, receive a majority of the VIEs expected residual returns, or both. If this condition is met, the Company is considered to have a controlling financial interest in the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it. Under both guidelines, the Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a variable interest entity and reconsiders that conclusion continuously.

        The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by performing a qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the VIE that includes a review of, among other things, its capital structure, terms of any contracts between the Company and the VIE, which interests create or absorb variability, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. As of March 31, 2011, the Company does not consolidate any VIEs.

        The Company has determined that it no longer exercises control over Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC (the "CHRP GP") as it no longer acts as a managing member of this entity, and the beginning with the first quarter of 2010, no longer consolidates this entity. The Company now accounts for its investment in the CHRP GP under the equity method of accounting.

        As at March 31, 2011, the Company holds a variable interest in Ramius Enterprise Master Fund Ltd ("Enterprise Master"), Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP and Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP (the "Unconsolidated Master Funds") through three of its Consolidated Funds: Enterprise LP, Multi-Strat FOF and Vintage FOF (the "Consolidated Feeder Funds"), respectively. Investment companies like the Consolidated Feeder Funds, which account for their investments under the specialized industry accounting guidance for investment companies prescribed under FASB accounting standards, are not subject to the consolidation provisions for their investments. Therefore, the Company has not consolidated the Unconsolidated Master Funds.

        In the ordinary course of business, the Company also sponsors various other entities that it has determined to be VIEs. These VIEs are primarily funds and real estate entities for which the Company serves as the general partner, managing member and/or investment manager with decision-making rights.

        The Company does not consolidate any of the funds or real estate entities that are VIEs as it has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary in each instance. Fund investors are entitled to all of the economics of these VIEs with the exception of the management fee and incentive income, if any, earned by the Company. The Company's involvement with funds and real estate entities that are unconsolidated VIEs is limited to providing investment management services in exchange for management fees and incentive income. Although the Company may advance amounts and pay certain expenses on behalf of the funds and real estate entities that it considers to be VIEs, it does not provide, nor is it required to provide, any type of substantive financial support to these entities outside of regular investment management services.

        The total assets and liabilities of the variable interest entities for which the Company has concluded that it holds a variable interest, but for which it is not the primary beneficiary, are

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


$315.3 million and $1 million as of March 31, 2011 and $383.3 million and $26.7 million as of December 31, 2010, respectively. In addition, the maximum exposure relating to these variable interest entities as of March 31, 2011 was $256.9 million all of which is in other investments, at fair value and as of December 31, 2010 was $307.8 million, of which $307.2 million is included in other investments, at fair value and $0.6 million is included in due from related parties in the Company's consolidated statements of financial condition, respectively. The Consolidated Feeder Funds' maximum exposure to loss related to their respective Unconsolidated Master Funds at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was limited to their investment in their respective Unconsolidated Master Funds. See Note 4 for further information regarding the Company's investments.

        Equity Method Investments—For operating entities over which the Company exercises significant influence but which do not meet the requirements for consolidation as outlined above, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's investments in equity method investees are recorded in other investments in the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's equity in earnings or losses from equity method investees is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the consolidated statements of operations.

        The Company evaluates for impairment its equity method investments whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. The difference between the carrying value of the equity method investment and its estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment when the loss in value is deemed other than temporary.

        Cost Method Investments—When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest and does not exert significant influence over an entity's operating and financial policies, but has an investment in private equity for which market quotations are not readily available and is not otherwise accounted for at fair value, the Company accounts for its investment in accordance with the cost method of accounting.

        Other—If the Company does not consolidate an entity, apply the equity method of accounting or account for an investment under the cost method, the Company accounts for all other debt and marketable equity securities which are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term as trading securities in accordance with FASB accounting standards, at fair value with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the consolidated statements of operations.

        Retention of Specialized Accounting—The Consolidated Funds are investment companies and apply specialized industry accounting for investment companies. The Company has retained this specialized accounting for these funds pursuant to FASB accounting standards. The Consolidated Funds report their investments on the consolidated statements of financial condition at their estimated fair value, with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected as a component of operations. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect different accounting policies for investments depending on whether or not they are held through a consolidated investment company. In addition, the Company's broker-dealer subsidiaries, Ramius Securities LLC ("Ramius Securities") and Cowen and Company, LLC ("Cowen and Company") apply the specialized industry accounting for brokers and dealers in securities also prescribed under FASB accounting standards. The Company also has retained this specialized accounting in consolidation.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

c.     Use of estimates

        The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of securities and other investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, the accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

d.     Valuation of investments and derivative contracts

        The FASB accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1   Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date;
Level 2   Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; and
Level 3   Fair value is determined based on pricing inputs that are unobservable and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The determination of fair value for assets and liabilities in this category requires significant management judgment or estimation.

        Inputs are used in applying the various valuation techniques and broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make valuation decisions, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may include price information, volatility statistics, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. However, the determination of what constitutes "observable" requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be that market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Company's perceived risk of that instrument.

        The Company and its operating company subsidiaries act as the manager for the Consolidated Funds. Both the Company and the Consolidated Funds hold certain investments which are valued by the Company, acting as the investment manager. The fair value of these investments is generally estimated based on proprietary models developed by the Company, which include discounted cash flow analyses, public market comparables, and other techniques and may be based, at least in part, on independently sourced market information. The material estimates and assumptions used in these models include the timing and expected amount of cash flows, the appropriateness of discount rates

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


used, and, in some cases, the ability to execute, timing of, and estimated proceeds from expected financings. Significant judgment and estimation goes into the selection of an appropriate valuation methodology as well as the assumptions used in these models, and the timing and actual values realized with respect to investments could be materially different from values derived based on the use of those estimates. The valuation methodologies applied impact the reported value of the Company's investments and the investments held by the Consolidated Funds in the consolidated financial statements. Certain of the Company's investments are relatively illiquid or thinly traded and may not be immediately liquidated on demand if needed. Fair values assigned to these investments may differ significantly from the fair values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed and such differences could be material.

        The Company primarily uses the "market approach" valuation technique to value its financial instruments measured at fair value. In determining an instrument's placement within the hierarchy, the Company separates the Company's financial instruments into three categories: securities, derivative contracts and other investments. To the extent applicable, each of these categories can further be divided between those held long or sold short.

        Securities—Securities whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, and are therefore classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, include active listed equities, certain U.S. government and sovereign obligations, and certain money market securities. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

        Certain positions for which there is a limited market, consisting primarily of convertible debt, corporate debt and loans, are stated at fair value. The estimated fair values assigned by management are determined in good faith and are based on available information considering, among other things, quotations provided by published pricing services, counterparties and other market participants, and pricing models using quoted inputs, and do not necessarily represent the amounts which might ultimately be realized. Such positions that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources which are supported by observable inputs are classified within level 2. As level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability.

        Derivative contracts—Derivative contracts can be exchange-traded or privately negotiated over-the-counter ("OTC"). Exchange-traded derivatives, such as futures contracts and exchange traded option contracts, are typically classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether or not they are deemed to be actively traded. OTC derivatives, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within level 2. Derivative contracts are included within other assets or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's direct involvement with derivative financial instruments include credit default swaps, futures, equity swaps, options and warrants and rights which are included within securities owned, at fair value in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        Other investments—Other investments consist primarily of portfolio funds, real estate investments and equity method investments, which are valued as follows:

    i.
    Portfolio funds—Portfolio funds ("Portfolio Funds") include interests in funds and investment companies managed by the Company or its affiliates. The Company follows an accounting pronouncement regarding fair value measurements and disclosures relating to investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent). The guidance permits, as a practical expedient, an entity holding investments in certain entities that either are investment companies as defined by the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or have attributes similar to an investment company, and calculate net asset value per share or its equivalent for which the fair value is not readily determinable, to measure the fair value of such investments on the basis of that NAV per share, or its equivalent, without adjustment.

      The Company categorizes its investments in Portfolio Funds within the fair value hierarchy dependent on the ability to redeem the investment. If the Company has the ability to redeem its investment at NAV at the measurement date or within the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a Level 2 fair value measurement. If the Company does not know when it will have the ability to redeem its investment or cannot do so in the near term, the Portfolio Fund is categorized as a Level 3 fair value measurement. See Note 4 and Note 5 for further details of the Company's investments in Portfolio Funds.

    ii.
    Real estate investments—Real estate investments are valued at estimated fair value. The fair value of real estate investments are estimated based on the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. Real estate investments without a public market are valued based on assumptions and valuation techniques used by the Company. Such valuation techniques may include discounted cash flow analysis, prevailing market capitalization rates or earning multiples applied to earnings from the investment, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, actual sale negotiations and bona fide purchase offers received from third parties, consideration of the amount that currently would be required to replace the asset, as adjusted for obsolescence, as well as independent external appraisals. In general, the Company considers several valuation techniques when measuring the fair value of a real estate investment. However, in certain circumstances, a single valuation technique may be appropriate. Real estate investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Company for significant changes at the property level or a significant change in the overall market which would impact the value of the real estate investment resulting in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

      The Company also reflects its real estate equity investments net of investment level financing. Valuation adjustments attributable to underlying financing arrangements are considered in the real estate equity valuation based on amounts at which the financing liabilities could be transferred to market participants at the measurement date.

      Real estate and capital markets are cyclical in nature. Property and investment values are affected by, among other things, the availability of capital, occupancy rates, rental rates and interest and inflation rates. In addition, the Company invests in real estate and real estate related investments for which no liquid market exists. The market prices for such investments

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


      may be volatile and may not be readily ascertainable. Amounts ultimately realized by the Company from investments sold may differ from the fair values presented, and the differences could be material.

      The Company's real estate investments are typically categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as management uses significant unobservable inputs in determining their estimated fair value.

        See Note 4 and 5 for further information regarding the Company's investments, including equity method investments, and fair value measurements.

e.     Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        Transactions involving purchases of securities under agreements to resell are carried at their contract value which approximates fair value. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of the collateral received by the Company was $70.3 million and $95.5 million, respectively.

        Transactions involving the sale of securities under agreements to repurchase are carried at their contract value and are accounted for as collateralized financings. In connection with these financings, as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had pledged collateral in the amount of $170 million and $207.4 million, respectively, which is included in securities owned, at fair value in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

        Collateral is valued periodically and the Company and its counterparties may adjust the collateral or require additional collateral to be deposited when appropriate. Collateral held by counterparties may be sold or re-hypothecated by such counterparties, subject to certain limitations sometimes imposed by the Company. Collateralized repurchase agreements may result in credit exposure in the event the counterparties to the transactions are unable to fill their contractual obligations. The Company minimizes the credit risk associated with this activity by monitoring credit exposure and collateral values, and by requiring additional collateral to be promptly deposited with or returned to the Company when deemed necessary. The Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were transacted pursuant to agreements with multiple counterparties at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

f.      Expenses

        Included within expenses in the first quarter of 2011 is $2.8 million in acquisition-related expenses such as legal, consulting and banking fees, associated with the proposed acquisition of LaBranche & Co Inc. and other reorganization charges within the alternative investment management business.

g.     Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

        April 2011, the FASB issued guidance to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements (repos) and other agreements by modifying the criteria for determining when the transactions would be accounted for as financings (secured borrowings/lending agreements) as opposed to sales (purchases) with commitments to repurchase (resell). Specifically, the guidance removes from the assessment of effective control the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in default by the transferee. In accordance with

16


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


the new guidance, the contractual rights and obligations determine effective control and there does not need to be a requirement to assess the ability to exercise those rights. The guidance is effective prospectively for new transfers and existing transactions that are modified in the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

        In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance on improving disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance requires additional disclosure on transfers in and out of Levels I and II fair value measurements in the fair value hierarchy and the reasons for such transfers. In addition, for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level III), the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances shall be presented on a gross basis, with separate disclosure of gross purchases, sales, issuances and settlements and transfers in and transfers out of Level III. The new guidance also requires enhanced disclosures on the fair value hierarchy to disaggregate disclosures by each class of assets and liabilities. In addition, an entity is required to provide further disclosures on valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for fair value measurements that fall in either Level II or Level III. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level III fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company adopted the guidance, excluding the reconciliation of Level III activity, with the issuance of its March 31, 2010 financial statements. In addition, the Company adopted the guidance related to the reconciliation of Level III activity in its March 31, 2011 condensed consolidation financial statements. As the guidance is limited to enhanced disclosures, adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

        In March 2010, the FASB issued accounting guidance that changes the accounting for credit derivatives embedded in beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. The new guidance eliminates the scope exception for embedded credit derivatives, unless they are created solely by subordination of one financial instrument to another. Bifurcation and separate recognition may be required for certain beneficial interests that are currently not accounted for at fair value through earnings. The adoption of this accounting guidance on July 1, 2010 did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

        In April 2010, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for stock awards to employees of a foreign operation or employees whose pay is denominated in a currency other than the one in which the equity security trades. The guidance clarifies that share-based payment awards with an exercise price denominated in the currency of a market in which a substantial portion of the entity's equity securities trade shall not be considered to contain a condition that is not a market, performance, or service condition. Such an award shall not be classified as a liability if it otherwise qualifies for equity classification. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods ending after December 15, 2010. The Company makes share-based payment awards to employees in foreign operations. The guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

        In December 2010, the FASB issued enhanced guidance on when to perform step two of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The updated guidance modifies existing requirements under step one of the goodwill impairment test for reporting

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Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)


units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires step two to be performed if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. As the Company's reporting units do not currently have zero or negative carrying values, adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

        In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance on disclosures around business combinations for public entities that present comparative financial statements. The guidance specifies that an entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The guidance is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. As the guidance is limited to disclosures, adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

h.     Future adoption of accounting pronouncements

        As of March 31, 2011, none of the changes to the Codification issued by the FASB that are not yet effective are expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

3. Cash collateral pledged

        As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, cash collateral pledged in the amount of $8.6 million, respectively, primarily relates to a letter of credit issued to the landlord of the Company's premises in New York City (see Note 13). Also included in cash collateral pledged as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is $0.5 million, respectively, relating to an agreement that the Company has with Société Générale to cover the costs of litigation matters included in the agreement.

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

a.     Operating Entities

Securities owned, at fair value

        Securities owned are held by the Company and considered held for trading and carried at fair value. Substantially all equity securities and options are pledged to the clearing broker under terms which permit the clearing broker to sell or re-pledge the securities to others subject to certain limitations.

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Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

        As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, securities owned consisted of the following, at fair value:

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

U.S. Government securities(a)

  $ 78,892   $ 143,247  

Common stocks

    153,715     116,215  

Restricted common stock

    5,000     5,000  

Corporate bonds(b)

    244,028     191,702  

Options

    22,061     14,349  

Warrants and rights

    2,902     2,334  

Mutual funds

    874     1,248  
           

  $ 507,472   $ 474,095  
           

(a)
As of March 31, 2011, maturities ranged from February 2016 to November 2021 and interest rates ranged between 2.13% and 8%. As of December 31, 2010, maturities ranged from November 2019 to February 2026 and interest rates ranged between 3.38% and 8%.

(b)
As of March 31, 2011, maturities ranged from April 2011 to January 2068 and interest rates ranged between 1.75% and 13.5%. At December 31, 2010, maturities ranged from May 2011 to August 2039 and interest rates ranged between 1.4% and 13%.

        The Company's direct involvement with derivative financial instruments includes credit default swaps, futures, equity swaps, options and warrants and rights. The Company's long exposure to futures, equity swap and credit default swap derivative contracts, at fair value, as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 of $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, is included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's short exposure to futures and equity swap derivative contracts, at fair value, as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 of $0.6 million, respectively, is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

        The Company may transact in a variety of derivative instruments primarily for trading purposes with each instruments' primary risk exposure being interest rate, credit, foreign exchange, equity or commodity risk.

        Pursuant to the various derivatives transactions discussed above, the Company is required to post collateral for its obligations or potential obligations. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, collateral consisting of $3.2 million, respectively, is included in receivable from brokers on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 all derivative contracts were with major financial institutions.

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Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

Other investments

        As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, other investments consisted of the following:

    Other investments

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

(1) Portfolio Funds, at fair value

  $ 31,653   $ 29,391  

(2) Real estate investments, at fair value

    2,102     1,882  

(3) Equity method investments

    8,539     8,734  

(4) Lehman claims, at fair value

    501     313  
           

  $ 42,795   $ 40,320  
           

    (1)    Portfolio Funds, at fair value

        The Portfolio Funds, at fair value as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, included the following:

    Portfolio Funds, at fair value

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Tapestry Investment Co PCC Ltd(a)

  $ 283   $ 565  

Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners(b)(*)

    15,164     14,769  

Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners II(b)(*)

    431     143  

Ramius Global Credit Fund LP(c)(*)

    13,147     11,733  

Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd(d)(*)

    877     866  

Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC(e)(*)

    561      

Other affiliated funds(f)(*)

    1,190     1,315  
           

  $ 31,653   $ 29,391  
           

*
These portfolio funds are affiliates of the Company

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

    The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding the portfolio funds, at fair value held by the Company except as noted for Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners and Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners II in Note 12.

(a)
Tapestry Investment Co PCC Ltd is in the process of liquidating and redemptions will be made periodically by the investment managers' decision based on cash available.

(b)
Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners and Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners II are private equity funds and therefore redemptions will be paid out at the investment manager's discretion.

(c)
Ramius Global Credit Fund LP has a quarterly redemption policy with 60 day notice period and one year soft lock (4% penalty).

(d)
Ramius Alternative Replication Ltd has monthly redemption policies with seven days notice period.

(e)
Ramius Enhanced Replication Fund LLC has monthly redemption policies with seven days notice period.

(f)
The majority of these funds are real estate fund affiliates of the Company or are managed by the Company and the investors can redeem from these funds when cash is available.

    (2)    Real estate investments, at fair value

        Real estate investments as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are carried at fair value and include real estate equity investments held by RCG RE Manager, LLC ("RE Manager"), a real estate operating subsidiary of the Company, of $1.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and real estate debt investments held by the Company of $0.8 million, respectively.

    (3)    Equity method investments

        Equity method investments include investments held by the Company in several operating companies whose responsibilities primarily include the day to day management of a number of real estate funds, including the portfolio management and administrative services related to the acquisition, disposition, and active monitoring of the real estate funds' underlying debt and equity investments. The Company's ownership interests in these equity method investments range from 30% to 55%. The Company holds a majority of the outstanding ownership interest (i.e., more than 50%) in three of these entities: RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC, RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Partners, LLC and RCG Longview Partners II, LLC. The operating agreements that govern the management of day-to-day operations and affairs of each of these three entities stipulate that certain decisions require support and approval from other members in addition to the support and approval of the Company. As a result, all operating decisions made in these three entities require the support of both the Company and an affirmative vote of a majority of the other managing members who are not affiliates of the Company that is not protective in nature. As the Company does not possess unilateral control over any of these entities, the presumption of consolidation has been overcome pursuant to current accounting standards and the Company accounts for these investments under the equity method

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

of accounting. Also included in equity method investments is the investment in CHRP GP (see Note 2). The following table summarizes equity method investments held by the Company:

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC

  $ 989   $ 2,009  

Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC

    1,231     1,176  

Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP II, LLC

    22     8  

RCG Longview Partners, LLC

    2,347     2,203  

RCG Longview Louisiana Manager, LLC

    193     186  

RCG Urban American, LLC

    1,026     889  

RCG Urban American Management, LLC

    627     359  

RCG Longview Equity Management, LLC

    331     499  

Urban American Real Estate Fund II, L.P. 

    1,095     833  

RCG Kennedy House, LLC

    330     259  

Other

    348     313  
           

  $ 8,539   $ 8,734  
           

        As of March 31, 2011, the Company's share of losses in its equity method investment in RCG Longview Partners II, LLC has exceeded the carrying amount recorded in this investee. RCG Longview Partners II, LLC, as general partner to a real estate fund, has reversed previously recorded incentive income allocations and has recorded a current clawback obligation to the limited partners in the fund. This obligation is due to a change in unrealized value of the fund on which there have previously been distributed carried interest realizations; however, the settlement of a potential obligation is not due until the end of the life of the respective fund. As the Company is obligated to return previous distributions it received from RCG Longview Partners II, LLC, it has continued to record its share of gains/losses in the investee including reflecting its share of the clawback obligation in the amount of $6.2 million. All such amounts are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

        The Company's income (loss) from equity method investments was $1.2 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company recorded no impairment charges in relation to its equity method investments for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

        For the period ended March 31, 2011 certain single equity method investments held by the Company have exceeded the 20% threshold for the income test. As such, the Company is required to present summarized income statement information for these significant investees for current and the

22


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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)


comparative prior year-to-date interim periods. The summarized income statement information for individually significant investees presented in aggregate below is as follows:

 
  For the three
months ended
March 31, 2011
  For the three
months ended
March 31, 2010
 
 
  ($ in thousands)
 

Revenues

  $ 2,116   $ 2,094  

Expenses

    (1,381 )   (1,559 )

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    364     (122 )
           

Net Income

  $ 1,099   $ 413  
           

    (4)    Lehman Claims, at fair value

        Lehman Brothers International (Europe) ("LBIE"), through certain affiliates, was a prime broker to the Company, and the Company held cash and cash equivalent balances with LBIE. On September 15, 2008, LBIE was placed into administration (the "Administration") in the United Kingdom and, as a result, the assets held by the Company in its LBIE accounts were frozen at LBIE. The status and ultimate resolution of the assets under LBIE's Administration proceedings is uncertain. The assets of the Company at LBIE at the time of Administration (the "Total Net Equity Claim") consist of $1.0 million, which the Company believes will represent an unsecured claim against LBIE. This does not include the additional claims held by the Company against LBIE through its investment in Enterprise Master discussed in Note 4b. There can be no assurance that the Total Net Equity Claim value, as determined by the Company, will be accepted by the Administrators, nor does the Company know the manner and timing in which such claim will be satisfied and the ultimate value that will be received.

        Given the great degree of uncertainty as to the status of the assets held at LBIE and the process and prospects of the return of those assets, the Company has decided to record the fair value of the Total Net Equity Claim at an approximately 52% discount at March 31, 2011 and a 70% discount at December 31, 2010, which represents management's best estimate at the respective dates of the value that ultimately may be recovered with respect to the Total Net Equity Claim (the "Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim"). The Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim was recorded at estimated fair value considering a number of factors including the status of the assets under U.K. insolvency laws and the trading levels of Lehman unsecured debt. In determining the estimated value of the Total Net Equity Claim, the Company was required to use considerable judgment and is based on the facts currently available. As additional information on the LBIE proceeding becomes available, the Company may need to adjust the valuation of the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim. The actual loss that may ultimately be incurred by the Company with respect to the pending LBIE claim is not known and could be materially different from the estimated value assigned by the Company.

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

        Securities sold, not yet purchased, represent obligations of the Company to deliver a specified security at a contracted price and, thereby, create a liability to purchase that security in the market at prevailing prices. The Company's liability for securities to be delivered is measured at their fair value as

23


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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)


of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements. However, these transactions result in off-balance sheet risk, as the Company's ultimate cost to satisfy the delivery of securities sold, not yet purchased, may exceed the amount reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Substantially all equity securities and options are pledged to the clearing broker under terms which permit the clearing broker to sell or re-pledge the securities to others subject to certain limitations. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, securities sold, not yet purchased, consisted of the following, at fair value:

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

U.S. Government securities(a)

  $ 75,455   $ 100,559  

Common stocks

    90,710     88,580  

Corporate bonds(b)

    8,829     2,615  

Options

    10,124     6,162  
           

  $ 185,118   $ 197,916  
           

(a)
As of March 31, 2011, maturities ranged from February 2016 to November 2040 and interest rates ranged between 2.625% and 4.25%. As of December 31, 2010, maturities ranged from December 2015 to August 2026 and interest rates ranged between 2.13% and 6.75%.

(b)
As of March 31, 2011, maturities ranged from June 2013 to December 2049 and interest rates ranged between 3.25% and 7.75%. As of December 31, 2010, maturities ranged from June 2013 to December 2025 and interest rates ranged between 2.25% and 3.75%.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        The following table represents the Company's securities purchased under agreements to resell and securities sold under agreements to repurchase as of March 31, 2011:

 
  As of March 31,
2011
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

       

Agreements with Barclays Inc bearing interest of -0.05% - 0.14% due on April 1, 2011 to April 14, 2011

  $ 72,120  
       

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

       

Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 1.415% - 1.58125% due on April 21, 2011 to January 31, 2012

    55,102  

Agreements with Barclays Inc bearing interest of 0.18% - 1.45375% due on April 1, 2011 to May 9, 2011

    100,570  
       

  $ 155,672  
       

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

 
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

       

Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.07% - 0.14% due on January 3, 2011

  $ 97,755  
       

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

       

Agreements with Royal Bank of Canada bearing interest of 1.415% due on February 22, 2011 to September 1, 2011

    48,532  

Agreements with Barclays Capital Inc bearing interest of 0.18% - 1.50% due on January 7, 2011 to June 6, 2011

    143,633  
       

  $ 192,165  
       

b.     Consolidated Funds

Securities owned, at fair value

        As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 securities owned, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Government sponsored securities*

  $ 6,562   $ 7,682  

Commercial paper**

    909      

Corporate bond***

        1,040  
           

  $ 7,471   $ 8,722  
           

*
As of March 31, 2011, maturities ranged from April 2011 to February 2013 and interest rates ranged between 0.50% and 1.735%. As of December 31, 2010, maturities ranged from January 2011 to December 2012 and interest rates ranged between 0.35% and 4.88%.

**
Commercial paper was purchased at a discount and matures on April 1, 2011.

***
The maturity was January 2011 with interest rate of 0.42%.

25


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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

Other investments, at fair value

        As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 other investments, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

(1) Portfolio Funds

  $ 276,196   $ 327,131  

(2) Lehman claims

    7,193     6,243  
           

  $ 283,389   $ 333,374  
           

    (1)    Investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value

        As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value, included the following:

Description
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Investments of Enterprise LP

  $ 227,457   $ 257,246  

Investments of consolidated fund of funds investment companies

    48,739     69,885  
           

  $ 276,196   $ 327,131  
           

    Consolidated investments of Enterprise LP

        Enterprise LP operates under a "master-feeder" structure with Enterprise Master, whereby Enterprise Master's shareholders are Enterprise LP and RCG II Intermediate, LP. The consolidated investments in Portfolio Funds recorded in other investments on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition include Enterprise LP's investment of $227 million and $257 million in Enterprise Master as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. On May 12, 2010, the Company announced its intention to close Enterprise Master. Prior to this announcement, strategies utilized by Enterprise Master included merger arbitrage and activist investing, investments in distressed securities, convertible hedging, capital structure arbitrage, equity market neutral, investments in private placements of convertible securities, proprietary mortgages, structured credit investments, investments in mortgage backed securities and other structured finance products, investments in real estate and real property interests, structured private placements and other relative value strategies. Enterprise Master had broad investment powers and maximum flexibility in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Enterprise Master was permitted to invest in equity securities, debt instruments, options, futures, swaps, credit default swaps and other derivatives. Enterprise Master has been selling, and will continue to sell, its positions and return capital to its investors. There are no unfunded commitments at Enterprise LP. See Note 12 for unfunded commitments of Enterprise Master.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

    Investments of consolidated fund of funds investment companies

        The investments of consolidated fund of funds investment companies of $48.7 million and $70 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, include the investments of Levered FOF, Multi-Strat FOF and Vintage FOF, all of which are investment companies managed by Ramius Alternative Solutions LLC, as well as RTS Global 3x, which is managed by Ramius Trading Strategies LLC. Levered FOF's and Multi-Strat FOF's investment objectives are to invest discrete pools of their capital on a leveraged basis among portfolio managers that invest through Portfolio Funds, forming a multi-strategy, diversified investment portfolio designed to achieve returns with low to moderate volatility. Vintage FOF's investment objective is to allocate its capital among portfolio managers that invest through investment pools or managed accounts thereby forming concentrated investments in high conviction managers designed to achieve attractive risk adjusted returns with moderate relative volatility. RTS Global 3x's investment objective is to achieve attractive investment returns on a risk-adjusted basis that are non-correlated with the traditional equity and bond markets by investing substantially all of its capital pursuant to managed futures and global macro-based investment strategies. RTS Global 3x seeks to achieve its objective through a multi-advisor investment approach by allocating its capital among third-party trading advisors that are unaffiliated with RTS Global 3x. However, unlike a traditional "fund of funds" that invests with advisors through entities controlled by third-parties, RTS Global 3x will allocate its capital among a number of different trading accounts organized and managed by the general partner.

        The following is a summary of the investments held by the four consolidated fund of funds, at fair value, as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
   
  As of March 31, 2011  
 
   
  Ramius Levered
Multi-Strategy
FOF LP
  Ramius
Multi-Strategy
FOF LP
  Ramius Vintage
Multi-Strategy
FOF LP
  RTS Global 3x
Fund LP
  Total  
Description
  Strategy   Fair Value   Fair Value   Fair Value   Fair Value   Fair Value  
 
   
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*

  Multi-Strategy   $   $ 15,054   $   $   $ 15,054 (a)

Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*

  Multi-Strategy             13,471         13,471 (a)

Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC*

  Credit-Based     635                 635 (b)

Independently Advised Portfolio Funds*

  Futures & Global Macro                 15,753     15,753 (c)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Credit-Based     510                 510 (b)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Event Driven     2,666                 2,666 (d)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Hedged Equity     44                 44 (e)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Multi-Strategy     547                 547 (f)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Fixed Income Arbitrage     59                 59 (g)
                           

      $ 4,461   $ 15,054   $ 13,471   $ 15,753   $ 48,739  
                           

27


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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

 

 
   
  As of December 31, 2010  
 
   
  Ramius Levered
Multi-Strategy
FOF LP
  Ramius
Multi-Strategy
FOF LP
  Ramius Vintage
Multi-Strategy
FOF LP
  RTS Global 3x
Fund LP
  Total  
Description
  Strategy   Fair Value   Fair Value   Fair Value   Fair Value   Fair Value  
 
   
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*

  Multi-Strategy   $   $ 28,633   $   $   $ 28,633 (a)

Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*

  Multi-Strategy             20,722         20,722 (a)

Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC*

  Credit-Based     687                 687 (b)

Independently Advised Portfolio Funds*

  Futures & Global Macro                 15,889     15,889 (c)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Credit-Based     522                 522 (b)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Event Driven     2,800                 2,800 (d)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Hedged Equity     39                 39 (e)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Multi-Strategy     535                 535 (f)

Externally Managed Portfolio Funds

  Fixed Income Arbitrage     58                 58 (g)
                           

      $ 4,641   $ 28,633   $ 20,722   $ 15,889   $ 69,885  
                           

*
These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.


The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding investments held by the four consolidated funds.

(a)
Investments held in affiliated master funds can be redeemed on a monthly basis with no advance notice.

(b)
The Credit-Based strategy aims to generate returns via positions in the credit sensitive sphere of the fixed income markets. The strategy generally involves the purchase of corporate bonds with hedging of the interest exposure. The investments held in Tapestry Pooled Account V LLC, a related fund, are held solely in a credit based fund which the fund's manager has placed in a side-pocket. The remaining amount of the investments within this category represents an investment in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

(c)
The futures and global macro strategy is made up of several portfolio accounts, each of which will be advised independently by a professional commodity trading advisor implementing primarily managed futures or global macro-based investment strategies. The trading advisors (through their respective portfolio accounts) will trade independently of each other and, as a group, will employ a wide variety of systematic, relative value and discretionary trading programs in the global currency, fixed income, commodities and equity futures markets. In implementing their trading programs, the trading advisors will trade primarily in the futures and forward markets (as well as in related options). Although certain trading advisors may be permitted to use total return swaps and trade other financial instruments from time to time on an interim basis, the primary focus will be on the futures and forward markets. Redemption frequency of these portfolio accounts are monthly (and intra-monthly for a $10,000 fee) and the notification period for redemptions is 5 business days (or 3 business days for intra-month).

(d)
The Event Driven strategy is generally implemented through various combinations and permutations of merger arbitrage, restructuring and distressed instruments. Approximately 2% as of March 31, 2011 and 3% as of December 31, 2010 of the investments in this category represent investments in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated. The remaining amount of the investments in this category is in a side pocket or suspended with undetermined payout dates.

(e)
The Hedged Equity strategy focuses on equity strategies with some directional market exposure. The strategy attempts to profit from market efficiencies and direction. The investee fund manager has side-pocketed investments.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

(f)
The Multi-Strategy investment objective is to invest discrete pools of its capital among portfolio managers that invest through investment funds, forming multi-strategy, diversified investment portfolios designed to achieve non-market directional returns with low relative volatility. The investments in this category represent investments in a fund that is in the process of liquidating. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.

(g)
The Fixed Income Arbitrage strategy seeks to achieve long term capital appreciation by employing a variety of strategies to generate returns without significant exposure to credit spread, interest rate changes or duration. As of March 31, 2011, the investment manager has gated investments.

        With respect to the aforementioned Lehman claims, the Total Net Equity Claim of Enterprise Master consists of $24.3 million. Included in this claim were assets with a value of $9.5 million, at the time LBIE entered administration, that were returned to Enterprise Master and its affiliated funds in June 2010. Enterprise Master and its affiliated funds sold the returned assets, for an aggregate $10.7 million, and distributed this amount to Enterprise Master's investors in July 2010. As a result, the remaining Net Equity Claim for Enterprise Master is $14.8 million. Enterprise Master is valuing this claim at $9.0 million as of March 31, 2011. As discussed in Note 4a, the Company has an additional $1 million claim against LBIE as a result of certain cash and cash equivalent balances held at LBIE. The estimated final recoverable amount by Enterprise Master may differ from the actual recoverable amount of the pending LBIE and LBI claims, and the differences may be material.

        As a result of Enterprise Master and certain of the funds managed by the Company having assets they held at LBIE frozen in their LBIE prime brokerage account and the degree of uncertainty as to the status of those assets and the process and prospects of the return of those assets, Enterprise Master and the funds managed by the Company decided that only the investors who were invested at the time of the Administration should participate in any profit or loss relating to the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claim. As a result, Enterprise Master and certain of the funds managed by the Company with assets held at LBIE granted a 100% participation in the Estimated Recoverable Lehman Claims to Special Purpose Vehicles (the "SPVs" or "Lehman Segregated Funds") incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on September 29, 2008, whose shares were distributed to each of their investor funds. Fully redeeming investors of Enterprise LP will not be paid out on the balance invested in the SPV until the claim with LBIE is settled and assets are returned by LBIE.

        In addition, Lehman Brothers, Inc. ("LBI") was a prime broker to Enterprise Master and Enterprise Master holds cash balances of $5.3 million at LBI. On September 19, 2008, LBI was placed in a Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC") liquidation proceeding after the filing for bankruptcy of its parent Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. The status of the assets under LBI's bankruptcy proceedings has not been determined. The amount that will ultimately be recovered from LBI will depend on the amount of assets available in the fund of customer property to be established by the trustee appointed under the Securities Investor Protection Act (the "SIPA Trustee") as approved by the bankruptcy court as well as the total amount of customer claims that seek recovery from the fund of customer property. Based on court filings by the SIPA Trustee, the total amount of customer claims exceeds the assets that are likely to be in the fund of customer property. In addition, the court filings also indicate that Barclays plc has submitted a substantial claim against LBI relating to an asset purchase agreement entered into by Barclays plc with LBIE near the time of the SIPC liquidation proceeding that could affect the amount of assets that are included in the fund of customer property. As a result of these uncertainties and the timing of any distributions from LBI in respect of the

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)


Company's customer claims, management has estimated recovery with respect to the Company's LBI exposure at 54% or $2.9 million as of March 31, 2011, which represents the present value of the mid point between what management believes are reasonable estimates of the low side and high side potential recovery rates with respect to the Company's LBI exposure. The estimated recoverable amount by the Company may differ from the actual recoverable amount of the pending LBI claim, and the differences may be material.

Indirect Concentration of the Underlying Investments Held by Consolidated Funds

        From time to time, through its investments in the Consolidated Funds, the Company may indirectly maintain exposure to a particular issue or issuer (both long and/or short) which may account for 5% or more of the Consolidated Funds' net assets (on an aggregated basis). Based on information that is available to the Company as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company identified Consolidated Funds that had interests in an issuer for which the Company's pro-rata share exceeds 5% of the Consolidated Funds' net assets (on an aggregated basis). There were no indirect concentrations that exceed 5% of the Consolidated Funds' net assets held by the Company as of March 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

Underlying Investments of Unconsolidated Funds Held by Consolidated Funds

Enterprise Master

        Enterprise LP's investment in Enterprise Master is equal to Enterprise LP's proportional share of Enterprise Master's net assets; as a result, the investment balances of Enterprise Master reflected below may exceed the net investment which Enterprise LP has recorded. The following tables present summarized investment information for the underlying investments and derivatives held by Enterprise Master as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
  March 31, 2011   December 31, 2010  
Description
  Securities
owned
  Securities
sold, but not yet
purchased
  Securities
owned
  Securities
sold, but not yet
purchased
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Common stock

  $ 2,482   $   $ 10,123   $  

Corporate bonds

    2,049         1,997      

Over-the-counter foreign currency call option

                (63 )

Preferred stock

    410         410      

Private debt

    66         59      

Private equity

    179         173      

Restricted stock

    3,148         3,148      

Rights

    2,250         2,115      

Trade claims

    128         128      

Warrants

    69         55      
                   

  $ 10,781   $   $ 18,208   $ (63 )
                   

30


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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

Description
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Asset swaps

  $   $ 5  

Currency forwards

    (34 )   (36 )
           

  $ (34 ) $ (31 )
           

 
   
  As of
March 31, 2011
  As of
December 31, 2010
 
Description
  Strategy   Fair Value  
 
   
  (dollars in thousands)
 

624 Art Holdings, LLC*

  Artwork   $ 98   $ 98  

QREX, LLC*

  Life Settlements          

Q Capital Strategies, LLC*

  Life Settlements     111     111  

RCG Longview Equity Fund, LP*

  Real Estate     11,336     10,120  

RCG Longview II, LP*

  Real Estate     1,713     1,835  

RCG Longview Debt Fund IV, LP*

  Real Estate     18,452     12,628  

RCG Longview, LP*

  Real Estate     404     383  

RCG Soundview, LLC*

  Real Estate     3,385     2,542  

RCG Urban American Real Estate Fund, L.P.*

  Real Estate     3,397     3,207  

RCG International Sarl*

  Multi-Strategy     9,090     9,463  

Ramius Navigation Fund Ltd*

  Multi-Strategy     12,238     24,972  

RCG Special Opportunities Fund, Ltd*

  Multi-Strategy     94,816     97,845  

Ramius Credit Opportunities Fund Ltd*

  Distressed     260     300  

RCG Endeavour, LLC*

  Multi-Strategy     75     87  

RCG Energy, LLC *

  Energy     20,243     18,850  

RCG Renergys, LLC*

  Energy     2     2  

Other Private Investments

  Various     15,274     15,189  

Real Estate Investments

  Real Estate     16,763     25,662  
               

      $ 207,657   $ 223,294  
               

*
These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

        Multi-Strat FOF's and Vintage FOF's investments in their respective master funds are equal to their proportional share of their master fund's net assets; as a result, the investments in Portfolio Funds of the master funds reflected below may exceed the net investment which Multi-Strat FOF and Vintage FOF have recorded. The following table presents summarized investment information for the

31


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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

underlying Portfolio Funds held by Ramius Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP and Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP, at estimated fair value, as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
   
  March 31, 2011   December 31, 2010  
Description
  Strategy   Ramius
Multi-Strategy
Master FOF LP
  Ramius Vintage
Multi-Strategy
Master FOF LP
  Ramius
Multi-Strategy
Master FOF LP
  Ramius Vintage
Multi-Strategy
Master FOF LP
 
 
   
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Ramius Vintage Multi-Strategy Master FOF LP*

    Multi Strategy   $ 832   $   $ 1,354   $  

Tapestry Pooled Account II, LLC*

    Hedged Equity         1,146         3,544  

Tapestry Pooled Account V, LLC*

    Credit-Based     1,308     1,396     1,416     1,512  

Externally Managed Funds

    Credit-Based     1,333     784     6,653     803  

Externally Managed Funds

    Event Driven     4,880     6,306     6,491     6,802  

Externally Managed Funds

    Fixed Income Arbitrage     85         83      

Externally Managed Funds

    Hedged Equity     2,659     914     4,386     3,055  

Externally Managed Funds

    Multi Strategy     1,577     1,581     7,785     4,292  

Externally Managed Funds

    Global Macro     844         2,053     679  

Externally Managed Funds

    Opportunistic Equity         931         1,677  

Externally Managed Funds

    Managed Futures             2,430      
                         

        $ 13,518   $ 13,058   $ 32,651   $ 22,364  
                         

*
These Portfolio Funds are affiliates of the Company.

        RTS Global 3x, which commenced operations in March 2010, invests over half of its equity in six externally managed portfolio funds which primarily concentrate on futures and global macro strategies. The following table presents the summarized investment information, which is primarily receivable/

32


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

4. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

(payable) on derivatives, for the underlying Portfolio Funds held by RTS Global 3X, at fair value, as of March 31, 2011:

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Bond future

  $ 5   $ (2 )

Commodity call option

    118     (5 )

Cash

    15,705     17,139  

Currency option

    476     191  

Commodity forward

    (183 )   32  

Commodity future

    554     935  

Currency forward

    194     (63 )

Currency future

    924     1,230  

Index future

    318     130  

Interest rate future

    (13 )   (5 )
           

  $ 18,098   $ 19,582  
           

5. Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds

        The following table presents the financial instruments recorded at fair value on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 
  Assets at Fair Value as of March 31, 2011  
 
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
 
   
  (dollars in thousands)
   
 

Securities owned and derivatives

                         
 

US Government securities

  $ 78,892   $   $   $ 78,892  
 

Common stocks

    150,558     2,667     490     153,715  
 

Restricted common stock

            5,000     5,000  
 

Corporate bonds

        244,028         244,028  
 

Futures

    154             154  
 

Equity swaps

        2         2  
 

Credit default swaps

        300         300  
 

Options

    21,977     84         22,061  
 

Warrants and rights

            2,902     2,902  
 

Mutual funds

    874             874  

Other investments

                         
 

Portfolio Funds

    285     13,708     17,660     31,653  
 

Real estate investments

            2,102     2,102  
 

Lehman claim

            501     501  
                   

  $ 252,740   $ 260,789   $ 28,655   $ 542,184  
                   

33


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

5. Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

 

 
  Liabilities at Fair Value as of March 31, 2011  
 
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Securities sold, not yet purchased and derivatives

                         
 

US Government securities

  $ 75,455   $   $   $ 75,455  
 

Common stocks

    90,309         401     90,710  
 

Corporate bonds

        8,829         8,829  
 

Equity swaps—short exposure

        207         207  
 

Futures

    373             373  
 

Options

    10,124             10,124  
                   

  $ 176,261   $ 9,036   $ 401   $ 185,698  
                   

 

 
  Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2010  
 
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Securities owned and derivatives

                         
 

US Government securities

  $ 143,247   $   $   $ 143,247  
 

Common stocks

    115,875     6     334     116,215  
 

Restricted common stock

            5,000     5,000  
 

Corporate bonds

        191,702         191,702  
 

Futures

    442             442  
 

Options

    14,234     115         14,349  
 

Warrants and rights

    357         1,977     2,334  
 

Mutual funds

    1,248             1,248  

Other investments

                         
 

Portfolio Funds

    566     11,744     17,081     29,391  
 

Real estate investments

            1,882     1,882  
 

Lehman claim

            313     313  
                   

  $ 275,969   $ 203,567   $ 26,587   $ 506,123  
                   

 

 
  Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2010  
 
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Securities sold, not yet purchased and derivatives

                         
 

US Government securities

  $ 100,559   $   $   $ 100,559  
 

Common stocks

    88,580             88,580  
 

Corporate bonds

        2,615         2,615  
 

Equity swaps—short exposure

        245         245  
 

Futures

    334             334  
 

Options

    6,162             6,162  
                   

  $ 195,635   $ 2,860   $   $ 198,495  
                   

34


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

5. Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds (Continued)

 
  Assets at Fair Value as of March 31, 2011  
 
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
 
   
  (dollars in thousands)
   
 

Securities owned

                         
 

US Government securities

  $ 6,562   $   $   $ 6,562  
 

Commercial paper

    909             909  

Other investments

                         
 

Portfolio Funds

        15,753     260,443     276,196  
 

Lehman claims

            7,193     7,193  
                   

  $ 7,471   $ 15,753   $ 267,636   $ 290,860  
                   

 

 
  Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2010  
 
  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total  
 
   
  (dollars in thousands)
   
 

Securities owned

                         
 

US Government securities

  $ 7,682   $   $   $ 7,682  
 

Corporate bonds

        1,040         1,040  

Other investments

                         
 

Portfolio Funds

        15,889     311,242     327,131  
 

Lehman claims

            6,243     6,243  
                   

  $ 7,682   $ 16,929   $ 311,242   $ 342,096  
                   

        The following table includes a rollforward of the amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 for financial instruments classified within level 3. The classification of a financial instrument within level 3 is based upon the significance of the unobservable inputs to the overall fair value measurement.

 
  Operating Entities   Consolidated Funds  
 
  Common
stocks,
owned
  Common stocks,
sold not yet
purchased
  Restricted
Common Stock
  Corporate
Bonds
  Warrants
and Rights
  Portfolio
Funds
  Real
estate
  Lehman
claim
  Portfolio
Funds
  Lehman
claim
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Balance at December 31, 2010

  $ 334   $   $ 5,000   $   $ 1,977   $ 17,081   $ 1,882   $ 313   $ 311,242   $ 6,243  

Purchases/covers

        (152 )           64     34,251     96         1      

Sales/short buys

        416                 (34,142 )   (5 )       (52,624 )    

Transfers in (out)

                                           

Realized gains (losses)

        152                 96             1,533      

Unrealized gains (losses)

    156     (15 )           861     374     129     188     291     950  
                                           

Balance at March 31, 2011

  $ 490   $ 401   $ 5,000   $   $ 2,902   $ 17,660   $ 2,102   $ 501   $ 260,443   $ 7,193  
                                           

Balance at December 31, 2009

  $ 334   $   $   $   $   $ 17,370   $ 1,077   $ 209   $ 97,366   $ 3,881  

Transfers in (out)

                1,356         (2,866 )                

Purchases

            5,000             134     44         13,039      

Sales

                (402 )       (803 )   (53 )       (24,205 )    

Realized gains (losses)

                                104     2,398      

Unrealized gains (losses)

            58     (367 )       572     40         337     10,085  
                                           

Balance at March 31, 2010

  $ 334   $   $ 5,058   $ 587   $   $ 14,407   $ 1,108   $ 313   $ 88,935   $ 13,966  
                                           

        All realized and unrealized gains (losses) in the table above are reflected in other income (loss) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

35


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

6. Receivables from and Payable to Brokers

        Receivable from and payable to brokers includes cash held at the clearing brokers, amounts receivable or payable for unsettled transactions, monies borrowed and proceeds for short sales (including commissions and fees related to securities transactions) equal to the fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased, which are restricted until the Company purchases the securities sold short. Pursuant to the Company's prime broker agreements, these balances are presented net (assets less liabilities) across balances with the same broker. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, receivable from brokers was $53.1 million and $95.9 million, respectively. Payable to brokers was $118.9 million and $85.7 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

7. Goodwill

        At least annually, and more frequently if warranted, we assess whether the goodwill has been impaired by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its estimated net book value. Periodically estimating the fair value of a reporting unit requires significant judgement and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant effect on whether or not an impairment charge is recorded and the magnitude of such a charge. There were no additions or impairment losses to goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

8. Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

        Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries and the related net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries are comprised as follows:

 
  As of
March 31,
2011
  As of
December 31,
2010
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

             

Operating Companies

  $ 475   $ 1,009  

Consolidated Funds

    117,492     143,337  
           

  $ 117,967   $ 144,346  
           

 

 
  For Three Months
Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2011   2010  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

             

Operating Companies

  $ (475 ) $  

Consolidated Funds

    (323 )   (8,056 )
           

  $ (798 ) $ (8,056 )
           

36


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

9. Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans

Share-based compensation plans in place after the Transactions

        The Company issues share based compensation under Cowen Holdings' previously established 2006 Equity and Incentive Plan and the 2007 Equity and Incentive Plan and the Cowen Group, Inc. and the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan (collectively, the "Equity Plans"). The Equity Plans permit the grant of options, restricted shares, restricted stock units and other equity based awards to the Company's employees, consultants and directors for up to 17,725,000 shares of common stock. Stock options granted generally vest over two to five year periods and expire seven years from the date of grant. Restricted shares and restricted share units issued may be immediately vested or may generally vest over a two to five year period. As of March 31, 2011, there were approximately 0.8 million shares available for future issuance under the Equity Plans. On January 1, 2011, 928,590 additional shares representing 7.5% of the Company's outstanding shares of stock, less shares available under the 2010 plan were added to the shares available under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan.

        In addition to the Equity Plans, certain employees of the Company were issued RCG membership interests by RCG, a related party of the Company, in connection with the Transactions (the "RCG Grants"). Substantially all of the assets owned by RCG consist of shares of common stock of the Company. Accordingly, upon withdrawal of capital from RCG, members receive either distributions in kind of shares of common stock of the Company, or the proceeds from the sale of shares of the Company's common stock attributable to their capital accounts. The RCG Grants are subject to a service condition and vest to each employee over a period of approximately three years. Any RCG Grants forfeited are redistributed to the remaining stakeholders in RCG, which includes both employees and non-employees. The RCG Grants represent awards to employees of the Company by a related party, as compensation for services provided to the Company. As such, the expense related to these grants is included in the compensation expense of the Company, with a corresponding credit to stockholders equity.

        The Company measures compensation cost for share based awards according to the fair value method. In accordance with the expense recognition provisions of those standards, the Company amortizes unearned compensation associated with share based awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the option or award. In relation to awards under the Equity Plans, the Company recognized expense of $5.7 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The income tax effect recognized for the Equity Plans was a benefit of $2.6 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

        In relation to awards under the RCG Grants, the Company recognized expense of $1.5 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The income tax effect recognized for the RCG Grants was a benefit of $0.6 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

37


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

9. Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans (Continued)

Stock Options

        The following table summarizes the Company's stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2011:

 
  Shares Subject to Option   Weighted Average Exercise Price/Share   Weighted Average Remaining Term   Aggregate Intrinsic Value(1)  
 
   
   
  (in years)
  (dollars in
thousands)

 

Balance outstanding at December 31, 2010

    893,432   $ 13.04     3.50        

Options granted

                       

Options acquired

                     

Options exercised

                     

Options forfeited

                     

Options expired

    (24,419 )   16.00              
                         

Balance outstanding at March 31, 2011

    869,013   $ 12.96     3.28   $  
                   

Options exercisable at March 31, 2011

    719,010   $ 14.84     2.64   $  
                   

(1)
Based on the Company's closing stock price of $4.69 on December 31, 2010 and $4.01 on March 31, 2011.

        As of March 31, 2011, there was $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's grant of stock options.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units Granted to Employees

        The following table summarizes the Company's restricted share and restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2011:

 
  Nonvested
Restricted Shares
and Restricted
Stock Units
  Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Balance outstanding at December 31, 2010

    5,788,021     5.39  

Granted

    5,859,530     4.28  

Vested

    (321,057 )   4.22  

Cancelled

    (7,735 )   4.31  

Forfeited

    (253,356 )   5.16  
             

Balance outstanding at March 31, 2011

    11,065,403   $ 4.84  
             

        The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.

        As of March 31, 2011, there was $34.8 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's grant of nonvested restricted shares and restricted stock units to employees.

38


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

9. Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans (Continued)


Unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted shares and restricted stock units granted to employees is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.53 years.

RCG Grants

        The following table summarizes the Company's RCG Grants activity for the three months ended March 31, 2011:

 
  Nonvested
RCG Grants
  Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Balance outstanding at December 31, 2010

    2,638,078   $ 7.30  

Granted

         

Vested

         

Forfeited

    (21,055 )(*)   7.30  
             

Balance outstanding at March 31, 2011

    2,617,023   $ 7.30  
             

(*)
Forfeitures of non vested RCG Grants are also reallocated to other interests within RCG Holdings, LLC.

        The fair value of the RCG Grants was determined based on the number of the Company's shares underlying the RCG membership interest and the quoted price of the Company's common stock on the date of the Transactions.

        As of March 31, 2011 there was $9.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to the Company's RCG Grants. Unrecognized compensation expense related to RCG Grants is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.58 years.

Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units Granted to Non-employee Board Members

        There were no restricted stock units awarded during the three months ended March 31, 2011. Vested awards of 73,480 were delivered to non-employee members of the Company's Board of Directors during the three months ended March 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2011 there were 24,574 restricted stock units outstanding for awards to non-employee members of the Company's Board of Directors.

39


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

10. Defined Benefit Plans

        The following amounts relate to the defined benefit plans in aggregate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

 
  For Three Months
Ended
March 31,
 
 
  2011   2010  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Components of net periodic benefit cost included in employee compensation and benefits

             

Service cost

  $   $  

Interest cost

    72     79  

Expected return on plan assets

    (71 )   (73 )

Amortization of (loss)/gain

         

Amortization of prior service cost

    5     5  

Effect of settlement

    (13 )    
           

Net periodic benefit cost

  $ (7 ) $ 11  
           

        In April 2011, the Company contributed $0.6 million to its defined benefit plan. The amount to be contributed to this plan in 2011 will be determined in the fourth quarter.

11. Income Taxes

        The taxable results of the Company's U.S. operations are included in the consolidated income tax returns of Cowen Group, Inc. as well as stand-alone state and local tax returns. The Company has subsidiaries that are resident in foreign countries where tax filings have to be submitted on a stand-alone basis. These subsidiaries are subject to tax in their respective countries and the Company is responsible for and, thus, reports all taxes incurred by these subsidiaries. The countries where the Company owns subsidiaries are United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Gibraltar, Japan, Hong Kong, and China.

        The Company calculated its U.S. tax provision using the estimated annual effective tax rate methodology. The tax expense or benefit caused by an extraordinary item is recorded in the quarter in which it occurs. The Company used the discrete methodology to calculate its income tax provision for its foreign subsidiaries. A reliable estimate of an annual effective tax rate could not be calculated due to the variability in the estimated annual effective tax rates that would result across a range of likely scenarios of income before tax and of permanent differences. The Company will reexamine its methodology in the second quarter of 2011, and use the annual method if reliable estimates can be calculated. Based on these methodologies, the Company's effective income tax rate was 15.60% and 5.13% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the extraordinary items whose tax impact were recorded discretely were primarily related to tax provisions of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

        For the period March 31, 2011, the effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to an increase in the Company's valuation allowance, stock compensation and other non-deductible expenses

40


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

11. Income Taxes (Continued)

        For the period March 31, 2010, the effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to an increase in the Company's valuation allowance.

        The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax benefit or expense that will result from differences between the carrying value of its assets for income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes, as well as for operating or capital loss and tax credit carryovers. A valuation allowance is recorded to bring the net deferred tax assets to a level that, in management's view, is more likely than not to be realized in the foreseeable future. This level will be estimated based on a number of factors, especially the amount of net deferred tax assets of the Company that are actually expected to be realized, for tax purposes, in the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2011 the Company recorded a valuation allowance against substantially all of its net deferred tax assets.

        The Company is subject to examination by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the United Kingdom Inland Revenue Service and state and local and foreign tax authorities in jurisdictions where the Company has significant business operations, such as New York. The Company is currently undergoing an audit by the IRS for tax years 2006 to 2009, which was automatically triggered by the Company's refund claims resulting from NOL carrybacks which exceeded Joint Committee thresholds. Management does not except that this audit will yield any significant adjustments.

        The Company intends to permanently reinvest the capital and accumulated earnings of its foreign subsidiaries in the respective subsidiary, but repatriates the current earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to the United States to the extent such repatriation is permissible under local regulatory rules. The undistributed earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries totaled $3.4 million at March 31, 2011. Determining the tax liability that would arise if these earnings were remitted is not practicable.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

        The Company has entered into non-cancellable leases for office space and equipment. These leases contain rent escalation clauses. The Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any rent holiday periods. Net rent expense was $3.6 million, and $3.9 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

        As of March 31, 2011, future minimum annual lease and service payments for the Company were as follows:

 
  Equipment
Leases (a)
  Service Payments   Facility Leases  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

2011

  $ 2,713   $ 10,565   $ 11,402  

2012

    3,301     10,594     14,522  

2013

    3,301     6,446     14,126  

2014

    1,517     6,223     12,275  

2015

    1,051     3,206     9,833  

Thereafter

    77     139     61,230  
               

  $ 11,960   $ 37,173   $ 123,388  
               

(a)
Equipment Leases include the Company's commitments relating to operating and capital leases. See note 13 for further information on capital lease minimum payments.

41


Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

        For financial reporting purposes, the general partners have recorded a liability for potential clawback obligations to the limited partners of a real estate fund, due to changes in the unrealized value of the fund's remaining investments and where the fund's general partner has previously received carried interest distributions.

        The actual clawback liability, however, does not become realized until the end of a fund's life. The life of the real estate funds with a potential clawback obligation, including available contemplated extensions, are currently anticipated to expire at the end of 2013. Further extensions of such terms may be implemented under certain circumstances. As of March 31, 2011, the clawback obligations were $6.2 million which was recorded within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities. (See Note 17 "Related Party Transactions").

        The Company serves as the general partner/managing member and/or investment manager to various affiliated and sponsored funds. As such, the Company is contingently liable for obligations for those entities. These amounts are not included above as the Company believes that the assets in these funds are sufficient to discharge any liabilities.

        As of March 31, 2011, the Company had unfunded commitments of $8.3 million pertaining to capital commitments in three real estate investments held by the Company, all of which pertain to related party investments. Such commitments can be called at any time, subject to advance notice. In addition, the Company has committed to invest $40.8 million to the funds managed by Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners (the "CHRP Funds") as a limited partner of the CHRP Funds and also as a member of CHRP GP, the general partner of the CHRP Funds. This commitment is expected to be called over a two to five year period. The Company will make its pro-rata investment in the CHRP Funds along with the other limited partners. Through March 31, 2011, the Company has funded $19.7 million towards these commitments.

Litigation

        We face significant legal risks in our businesses and, in recent years, the volume of claims and amount of damages sought in litigation and regulatory proceedings against financial institutions have been increasing. These risks include potential liability under federal securities and other laws in connection with securities offerings and other transactions, as well as advice and opinions we provide concerning strategic transactions. In addition, like most financial institutions, we are often the subject of claims made by current and former employees arising out of their employment or termination of employment with us. We are involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration matters arising in connection with our business including those described herein.

        Pursuant to ASC Topic 450, we review the need for any loss contingency reserves, and we have established reserves, as described below, for certain of these matters that we believe are adequate as of March 31, 2011 where, in the opinion of management, the likelihood of liability is probable and the extent of such liability is reasonably estimable. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the total amounts reserved were $0.5 million and $1.5 million respectively. These amounts are included within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and currently available information and involve a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the type and nature of the

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

12. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)


litigation, claim or proceeding, the progress of the matter, the advice of legal counsel, the Company's defenses and its experience in similar cases or proceedings as well as its assessment of matters, including settlements, involving other defendants in similar or related cases or proceedings. The Company may increase or decrease its legal reserves in the future, on a matter-by-matter basis, to account for developments in such matters.

        In connection with Cowen Holdings' previous IPO and separation from Société Générale ("SG") in 2006, Cowen Holdings entered into an indemnification agreement with SG under which (1) SG will indemnify, and will defend and hold harmless Cowen Holdings and each of the Cowen Holdings' subsidiaries from and against certain liabilities assumed or retained by SG; and (2) SG will indemnify Cowen Holdings for known, pending and threatened litigation (including the costs of such litigation) and certain known regulatory matters, in each case, that existed prior to the date of the Cowen Holdings' IPO to the extent the cost of such litigation results in payments in excess of the amount placed in escrow to fund such matters (the "Indemnification Agreement"). To the extent that the Company is indemnified by SG, indemnified legal expenses and liabilities will be paid out of escrow pursuant to an escrow agreement with SG. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the total amounts reserved in relation to the Indemnification Agreement were $0.5 million and $0.5 million respectively.

        Although there can be no assurances as to the ultimate outcome, the Company has established reserves for litigation and regulatory matters that it believes are adequate as of March 31, 2011. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and currently available information and involve a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the type and nature of the litigation, claim or proceeding, the progress of the matter, the advice of legal counsel, the Company's defenses and its experience in similar cases or proceedings as well as its assessment of matters, including settlements, involving other defendants in similar or related cases or proceedings. The Company may increase or decrease its legal reserves in the future, on a matter-by-matter basis, to account for developments in such matters.

        In view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of various claims against the Company, particularly where the matters are in early stages of discovery or claimants seek indeterminate damages, the Company cannot reasonably determine the eventual outcome, the timing of ultimate resolution or estimate a range of eventual loss, or impact related to each currently pending matter.

        Based on information currently available, the Company believes that the amount of reasonably possible losses will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition or cash flows. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such proceedings, losses may be material to the Company's operating results in a future period, depending in part, on the operating results for such period and the size of the loss or liability imposed.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

13. Short-Term Borrowings and other debt

        As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, short term borrowings and other debt of the Company were as follows:

 
  As of March 31,
2011
  As of December 31,
2010
 
 
  (in thousands)
 

Line of credit

  $ 23,000   $ 24,000  

Notes payable

    875     1,396  

Capital lease obligations

    6,397     6,337  
           

  $ 30,272   $ 31,733  
           

        On June 3, 2009, the Company entered into a collateralized revolving credit agreement with HVB AG, as lender, administrative agent and issuing bank, providing for a revolving credit facility with a $50.0 million aggregate loan commitment amount available. The first borrowing under this line occurred on June 30, 2009. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had borrowings of $23.0 million and $24.0 million, respectively. At the Company's election and discretion, borrowings under the 2009 collateralized revolving credit agreement bear interest per annum (based on a 360 day year) equal to either: (1) the lender's prime rate plus 1.5% or (2) the 1, 2 or 3 month LIBOR rate plus 3.5%. Due to the variable interest rate on these borrowings, their carrying values approximate fair value. The Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility equal to 1.0% per annum of the undrawn amount. The 2009 collateralized revolving credit agreement is to mature on September 29, 2011. The 2009 collateralized revolving credit agreement contained financial and other restrictive covenants that limited the Company's ability to incur additional debt and engage in other activities. As of March 31, 2011 and during the period from June 3, 2009 to March 31, 2011 the Company was in compliance with these covenants. The Company's investment in Enterprise Master through the Enterprise Fund has been pledged as collateral under the line of credit.

        On January 31, 2011, in accordance with the terms of the collateralized revolving credit agreement, the Company remitted $1 million to HVB AG, reducing its revolving line of credit balance.

        Interest incurred on the Company's lines of credit was $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

        In November 2010, the Company borrowed $0.6 million and $1.5 million to fund insurance premium payments. These notes bear interest at 5.05% and 4.95%, respectively and are due in October of 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the outstanding balance on these combined notes payable was $0.9 million. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was not significant.

        The Company entered into several capital leases for computer equipment during the fourth quarter of 2010. These leases amount to $6.3 million and are recorded in fixed assets and as capital lease obligations and have lease terms that range from 48 to 60 months and interest rates that range from 0% to 6.36%. No payments have been made on these leases during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

13. Short-Term Borrowings and other debt (Continued)

        As of March 31, 2011 the Company also has five additional irrevocable letters of credit, for which there is cash collateral pledged, including (i) $50,000, which expires on July 12, 2011, supporting workers' compensation insurance with Safety National Casualty Corporation, (ii) $57,000, which expires on May 12, 2011, supporting Cowen Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC's Stamford office lease and (iii) $82,000, which expires on May 12, 2011, supporting the Company's San Francisco office and (iv) $1.2 million which expires on August 31, 2011, supporting the Company's lease of additional office space in New York and (iv) $6.7 million which supports the lease of office space in New York which the Company pays a fee on the stated amount of the letter of credit at a rate equal to 0.5%, expiring December 12, 2011.

        To the extent any letter of credit is drawn upon, interest will be assessed at the prime commercial lending rate. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no amounts due related to these letters of credit.

        Annual scheduled maturities of debt and minimum lease payments for capital lease obligation and short term borrowings and other debt outstanding at March 31, 2011, are as follows:

 
  Capital Lease
Obligation
  Short Term
Borrowings
 
 
  (in thousands)
 

2011

  $ 1,393   $ 23,875  

2012

    1,541      

2013

    1,541      

2014

    1,371      

2015

    1,051      

Thereafter

    77      
           

Subtotal

    6,974     23,875  

Less: Amount representing interest(a)

    (577 )    
           

Total

  $ 6,397   $ 23,875  
           

(a)
Amount necessary to reduce net minimum lease payments to present value calculated at the Company's implicit rate at lease inception.

14. Earnings Per Share

        The Company calculates its basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with FASB accounting standards. Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. As of March 31, 2011, there were 75,616,399 shares outstanding, of which 1,345,985 are restricted. To the extent that outstanding restricted shares are unvested, they are excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share. The Company has included 24,574 fully vested, unissued restricted stock units in its calculation of basic earnings per share.

        Diluted earnings per common share are calculated by adjusting the weighted average outstanding shares to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive nonvested restricted stock and stock options. The

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

14. Earnings Per Share (Continued)


Company uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of the unvested restricted shares, restricted stock units and unexercised stock options. In calculating the number of dilutive shares outstanding, the shares of common stock underlying unvested restricted shares and restricted stock units are assumed to have been delivered, and options are assumed to have been exercised, on the grant date. The assumed proceeds from the assumed vesting, delivery and exercising were calculated as the sum of (a) the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized and (b) the amount of tax benefit that was credited to additional paid-in capital assuming vesting and delivery of the restricted stock. The tax benefit is the amount resulting from a tax deduction for compensation in excess of compensation expense recognized for financial statement reporting purposes. All outstanding stock options were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

        The computation of earnings per share is as follows:

 
  For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
 
  2011   2010  
 
  (dollars in thousands,
except per share data)

 
 

Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. shareholders

  $ 82   $ (12,976 )
           

Shares for basic and diluted calculations:

             
 

Average shares used in basic computation

    74,160     72,509  
 

Stock options

         
 

Restricted stock

    1,923      
           
 

Average shares used in diluted computation

    76,083     72,509  
           

Earnings (loss) per share:

             
 

Basic

  $ 0.00   $ (0.18 )
 

Diluted

  $ 0.00   $ (0.18 )

15. Segment Reporting

        The Company conducts its operations through two segments: the alternative investment management segment and the broker-dealer segment (subsequent to the November 2009 Ramius/Cowen transaction). These activities are conducted primarily in the United States and substantially all of its revenues are generated domestically. The performance measure for these segments is Economic Income, which management uses to evaluate the financial performance of and make operating decisions for the segment including determining appropriate compensation levels.

        In general, Economic Income (Loss) is a pre-tax measure that (i) eliminates the impact of consolidation for consolidated funds (both 2011 and 2010) (ii) excludes equity award expense related to the November 2009 Ramius/Cowen transaction (both 2011 and 2010) and (iii) excludes certain other acquisition-related and/or reorganization expenses (2011 only). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) revenues include investment income that represents the income the Company has earned in investing

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

15. Segment Reporting (Continued)


its own capital, including realized and unrealized gains and losses, interest and dividends, net of associated investment related expenses. For GAAP purposes, these items are included in each of their respective line items. Economic Income revenues also include management fees, incentive income and investment income earned through the Company's investment as a general partner in certain real estate entities. For GAAP purposes, all of these items are recorded in other income (loss). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) expenses are reduced by reimbursement from affiliates, which for GAAP purposes is presented gross as part of revenue.

        As further stated below, one major difference between Economic Income and US GAAP net income is that Economic Income presents the segments' results of operations without the impact resulting from the full consolidation of any of the Consolidated Funds. Consolidation of these funds results in including in income the pro rata share of the income or loss attributable to other owners of such entities which is reflected in net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. This pro rata share has no effect on the overall financial performance for the Alternative Investment Management segment, as ultimately, this income or loss is not income or loss for the Alternative Investment Management segment itself. Included in Economic Income is the actual pro rata share of the income or loss attributable to the Company as an investor in such entities, which is relevant in management making operating decisions and evaluating financial performance.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

15. Segment Reporting (Continued)

        The following tables set forth operating results for the Company's alternative investment management and broker-dealer segments and related adjustments necessary to reconcile the Company's Economic Income measure to arrive at the Company's consolidated net income (loss):

 
  Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  
 
   
   
   
  Adjustments    
 
 
  Alternative
Investment
Management
  Broker-Dealer   Total
Economic
Income/(loss)
  Funds
Consolidation
  Other
Adjustments
  GAAP  
 
   
   
   
  (dollars in thousands)
   
 

Revenues

                                     
 

Investment banking

  $   $ 14,682   $ 14,682   $   $   $ 14,682  
 

Brokerage

    63     27,528     27,591             27,591  
 

Management fees

    14,047         14,047     (514 )   (2,369 )(a)   11,164  
 

Incentive income

    5,163         5,163         (782 )(a)   4,381  
 

Investment Income

    17,458     (249 )   17,209         (17,209 )(c)    
 

Interest and dividends

                    4,559 (c)   4,559  
 

Reimbursement from affiliates

                (159 )   1,168 (b)   1,009  
 

Other revenue

    1,252     (198 )   1,054         (364 )(c)   690  
 

Consolidated Funds revenues

                169         169  
                           
     

Total revenues

    37,983     41,763     79,746     (504 )   (14,997 )   64,245  

Expenses

                                     
 

Employee compensation and benefits

    17,708     25,029     42,737         2,350     45,087  
 

Interest and dividends

    56     161     217         2,392 (c)   2,609  
 

Non-compensation expenses—Fixed

    6,994     14,593     21,587         (21,587 )(c)    
 

Non-compensation expenses—Variable

    2,096     6,852     8,948         (8,948 )(c)(d)    
 

Non-compensation expenses

                    33,907 (c)(d)   33,907  
 

Reimbursement from affiliates

    (1,169 )       (1,169 )       1,169 (b)    
 

Consolidated Funds expenses

                628           628  
                           
     

Total expenses

    25,685     46,635     72,320     628     9,283     82,231  

Other income (loss)

                                     
 

Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments

                    17,283 (c)   17,283  
 

Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)

                1,455     291     1,746  
                           
     

Total other income (loss)

                1,455     17,574     19,029  
                           
     

Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests

    12,298     (4,872 )   7,426     323     (6,706 )   1,043  
                           

Income taxes expense / (benefit)

                      163 (b)   163  
                           
     

Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests

    12,298     (4,872 )   7,426     323     (6,869 )   880  
 

(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests

    (475 )       (475 )   (323 )       (798 )
                           
     

Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group stockholders

  $ 11,823   $ (4,872 ) $ 6,951   $   $ (6,869 ) $ 82  
                           

 

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

15. Segment Reporting (Continued)

 
  Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
 
   
   
   
  Adjustments    
 
 
  Alternative
Investment
Management
  Broker-Dealer   Total
Economic
Income/(loss)
  Funds
Consolidation
  Other
Adjustments
  GAAP  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Revenues

                                     
 

Investment banking

  $   $ 6,005   $ 6,005   $   $   $ 6,005  
 

Brokerage

        29,575     29,575             29,575  
 

Management fees

    12,587     28     12,615     (895 )   (2,450 )(a)   9,270  
 

Incentive income

    1,982         1,982         111   (a)   2,093  
 

Investment Income

    11,192     229     11,421         (11,421 )(c)    
 

Interest and dividends

                    804   (c)   804  
 

Reimbursement from affiliates

                (145 )   1,887   (b)   1,742  
 

Other revenue

    (51 )   124     73         549   (c)   622  
 

Consolidated Funds revenues

                6,147         6,147  
                           
   

Total revenues

    25,710     35,961     61,671     5,107     (10,520 )   56,258  

Expenses

                                     
 

Employee compensation and benefits

    16,184     25,136     41,320         2,113     43,433  
 

Interest and dividends

    116         116         330   (c)   446  
 

Non-compensation expenses—Fixed

    8,452     16,013     24,465         (24,465 )(c)    
 

Non-compensation expenses—Variable

    331     8,455     8,786         (8,786 )(c)(d)    
 

Non-compensation expenses

                    34,203   (c)(d)   34,203  
 

Reimbursement from affiliates

    (1,887 )       (1,887 )       1,887   (b)    
 

Consolidated Funds expenses

                3,159           3,159  
                           
   

Total expenses

    23,196     49,604     72,800     3,159     5,282     81,241  

Other income (loss)

                                     
 

Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments

                    1,524   (c)   1,524  
 

Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)

                6,108     12,165     18,273  
                           
   

Total other income (loss)

                6,108     13,689     19,797  
                           
   

Income (loss) before income taxes and non-controlling interests

    2,514     (13,643 )   (11,129 )   8,056     (2,113 )   (5,186 )
                           

Income taxes expense / (benefit)

                      (266 )(b)   (266 )
                           
   

Economic Income (Loss) / Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests

    2,514     (13,643 )   (11,129 )   8,056     (1,847 )   (4,920 )
 

(Income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests

                (8,056 )       (8,056 )
                           
   

Economic Income (Loss) / Net Income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group stockholders

  $ 2,514   $ (13,643 ) $ (11,129 ) $   $ (1,847 ) $ (12,976 )
                           

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

15. Segment Reporting (Continued)

        The following is a summary of the adjustments made to US GAAP net income (loss) for the segment to arrive at Economic Income:

        Funds Consolidation:    The impacts of consolidation and the related elimination entries of the Consolidated Funds are not included in Economic Income. Adjustments to reconcile to US GAAP net income include elimination of incentive income and management fees earned from the Consolidated Funds and addition of fund expenses excluding management fees paid, fund revenues and investment income (loss).

        For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, there was no one fund or other customer which represented more than 10% of the Company's total revenues.

16. Regulatory Requirements

        As a registered broker-dealer, Cowen and Company, LLC ("Cowen and Company") is subject to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the "Rule"), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Under the alternative method permitted by the Rule, Cowen and Company's minimum net capital requirement, as defined, is $1.0 million. Cowen and Company is not permitted to withdraw equity if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. As of March 31, 2011, Cowen and Company had total net capital of approximately $39.9 million, which was approximately $38.9 million in excess of its minimum net capital requirement of $1.0 million.

        Cowen and Company is exempt from the provisions of Rule 15c3-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as their activities are limited to those set forth in the conditions for exemption appearing in paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of the Rule.

        Proprietary accounts of introducing brokers ("PAIB") held at the clearing broker are considered allowable assets for net capital purposes, pursuant to agreements between Cowen and Company and the clearing broker, which require, among other things, that the clearing broker performs computations for PAIB and segregates certain balances on behalf of Cowen and Company, if applicable.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

16. Regulatory Requirements (Continued)

        Ramius UK Ltd. ("Ramius UK") and Cowen International Limited ("CIL") are subject to the capital requirements of the Financial Services Authority ("FSA") of the UK. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the total Financial Resources requirement of the FSA. At March 31, 2011, Ramius UK's Financial Resources of $4.3 million exceeded its minimum requirement of $0.6 million by $3.7 million. At March 31, 2011, CIL's Financial Resources of $4.0 million exceeded its minimum requirement of $2.2 million by $1.8 million.

        Cowen Latitude Advisors Limited ("CLAL") is subject to the financial resources requirements of the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") of Hong Kong. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the Total Financial Resources requirement of the SFC. At March 31, 2011, CLAL's Financial Resources of $1.0 million exceeded the minimum requirement of $0.1 million by $0.9 million.

17. Related Party Transactions

        The Company acts as managing member, general partner and/or investment manager to the Ramius managed funds, Cowen Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC ("CHRP Management"), and the CHRP Funds, and certain managed accounts. Management fees and incentive income are primarily earned from affiliated entities. Fees receivable primarily represents the management fees and incentive income owed to the Company from these related funds and certain affiliated managed accounts. As of March 31, 2011, approximately $13.7 million included in fees receivable are earned from external parties and the associated revenues are recorded in investment banking revenues in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

        The Company may, at its discretion, waive certain of the fees charged to the funds that it manages to avoid duplication of fees when such funds have an underlying investment in another affiliated investment fund. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company reimbursed the funds that it manages $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, which were recorded net in management fees and incentive income in the consolidated statements of operations. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, related amounts still payable were $2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and were reflected in fees payable in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

        During the first quarter of 2010, certain affiliated funds incurred a loss related to a trading error for which the Company determined, consistent with its internal policies, to bear the cost of correcting such error. This resulted in a loss of approximately $2.7 million for the Company. This amount is included in other expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

        Pursuant to the operating agreement for its subsidiary Ramius Alternative Solutions LLC, the Company is required to pay certain distribution fees on assets raised by third party distributors. Such distribution fees are reported as client services and business development in the consolidated statements of operations. These amounts equaled $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, related amounts still payable were $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and were reflected in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

17. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

        As a result of a business combination in 2004, Ramius Alternative Solutions LLC acquired receivables of $9.6 million and assumed liabilities of a corresponding amount relating to various agreements with investors. Such amounts have been recorded in fees receivable and due to related parties, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The remaining balance yet to be paid was $1.6 million and $1.7 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Of such amounts outstanding at March 31, 2011, $0.7 million will be paid in 2011.

        The Company may, on occasion, also make loans to employees or other affiliates, excluding executive officers of the Company. These loans are interest bearing and settle pursuant to the agreed-upon terms with such employees or affiliates and are included in receivable from affiliates in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, loans to employees of $4.5 million and $4.7 million, respectively, were included in due from related parties on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 interest charged for these loans and advances was immaterial. The remaining balance included in due from related parties primarily relates to amounts due to the Company from affiliated funds and real estate entities due to expenses paid on their behalf.

        Included in due to related parties is approximately $5.7 million and $6.5 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, related to a subordination agreement with an investor in certain real estate funds. This total is based on a hypothetical liquidation of the real estate funds as of the balance sheet date.

18. Guarantees

        FASB accounting standards require the Company to disclose information about its obligations under certain guarantee arrangements. Those standards define guarantees as contracts and indemnification agreements that contingently require a guarantor to make payments to the guaranteed party based on changes in an underlying security (such as an interest or foreign exchange rate, security or commodity price, an index or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of a specified event) related to an asset, liability or equity security of a guaranteed party. Those standards also define guarantees as contracts that contingently require the guarantor to make payments to the guaranteed party based on another entity's failure to perform under an agreement as well as indirect guarantees of the indebtedness of others.

        In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Company's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

        The Company indemnifies and guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, trustees and administrators, against specified potential losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the Company or its affiliates. The Company also indemnifies some clients against potential losses incurred in the event specified third-party service providers, including sub-custodians and third-party brokers, improperly execute transactions. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnifications

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Cowen Group, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

18. Guarantees (Continued)


cannot be estimated. However, the Company believes that it is unlikely it will have to make significant payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

        The Company is a member of various securities exchanges. Under the standard membership agreements, members are required to guarantee the performance of other members and, accordingly, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the exchange, all other members would be required to meet the shortfall. The Company's liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, management believes that the potential for the Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the consolidated statements of financial condition for these arrangements.

        The Company also provides representations and warranties to counterparties in connection with a variety of commercial transactions and occasionally indemnifies them against potential losses caused by the breach of those representations and warranties. The Company may also provide standard indemnifications to some counterparties to protect them in the event additional taxes are owed or payments are withheld, due either to a change in or adverse application of certain tax laws. These indemnifications generally are standard contractual terms and are entered into in the normal course of business. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be estimated. However, the Company believes it is unlikely it will have to make material payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

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Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes of Cowen Group, Inc. included elsewhere in this quarterly report. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Overview

        Cowen Group, Inc. is a diversified financial services firm and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, and sales and trading services through its two business segments: alternative investment management and broker-dealer. The alternative investment management segment includes hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, fund of funds, real estate funds, healthcare royalty funds, and cash management services, offered primarily under the Ramius name. The broker-dealer segment offers industry focused investment banking for growth-oriented companies including advisory and global capital markets origination and domain knowledge-driven research and a sales and trading platform for institutional investors, primarily under the Cowen name.

        Our alternative investment management business had approximately $9.7 billion of assets under management as of April 1, 2011. The predecessor to this business was founded in 1994 and, through one of its subsidiaries, has been a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act since 1997. Our alternative investment management products, solutions and services include hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, fund of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, and cash management services. Our institutional investors include pension funds, insurance companies, banks, foundations and endowments, wealth management organizations and family offices.

        Throughout 2010, our alternative investment management business underwent important changes designed to better serve our institutional clientele. For example, we integrated senior management and certain aspects of the infrastructure of our hedge fund and fund of funds businesses to improve institutional efficiency and service and we expanded our alternative investment management business with the formation of the Ramius Trading Strategies managed account platform. Additionally, in the letter half of the year we launched our first mutual fund, the Ramius Dynamic Replication Fund. The fund focuses on hedge fund replication that provides investors the opportunity to access market exposures typically characterized by investments in hedge funds, but with the daily liquidity of a mutual fund.

        Our broker-dealer businesses include research, brokerage and investment banking services to companies and institutional investor clients primarily in the healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, REITs and alternative energy sectors. We provide research and brokerage services to over 1,000 domestic and international clients seeking to trade securities, principally in our target sectors. Historically, we have focused our investment banking efforts on small to mid-capitalization public companies as well as private companies.

        In 2010, we expanded our investment banking product offerings to include credit and fixed income, including public and private debt placements, exchange offers, consent solicitations and tender offers. We also added origination and distribution capabilities for convertible securities. In addition, we have enhanced our presence in the PIPE and registered direct market by adding personnel. With the addition of these capital markets capabilities we also established a unified capital markets group which will allow us to be even more effective in providing cohesive solutions for our clients.

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        Success in our business is highly dependent on human capital; accordingly, compensation and benefits comprise the largest component of our expenses, and our performance is dependent upon our ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled employees who are motivated and committed to provide the highest quality of service and guidance to our clients.

Certain Factors Impacting Our Business

        Our alternative investment management business and results of operations are impacted by the following factors:

        Our financial performance is highly dependent on the environment in which our businesses operate. A favorable business environment is characterized by many factors, including a stable

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geopolitical climate, transparent financial markets, low inflation, low interest rates, low unemployment, strong business profitability and high business and investor confidence. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence, limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital, increases in inflation, interest rates, exchange rate volatility, unfavorable global asset allocation trends, outbreaks of hostilities or other geopolitical instability, corporate, political or other scandals that reduce investor confidence in the capital markets, or a combination of these or other factors. Our businesses and profitability have been and may continue to be adversely affected by market conditions in many ways, including the following:

        Our businesses, by their nature, do not produce predictable earnings. Our results in any period can be materially affected by conditions in global financial markets and economic conditions generally. We are also subject to various legal and regulatory actions that impact our business and financial results.

Recent Developments

        The Company agreed to spin-off its Value and Opportunity business, which focuses on investing in deep value situations and using shareholder activism to generate superior returns, into a stand-alone and independent business that will be managed by Starboard Value LP ("Starboard"). The Company completed the separation on April 1, 2011. The Company maintains a significant minority interest in Starboard. The condensed consolidated financial results of Cowen Group, Inc. as of March 31, 2011, include 100% of the results of Starboard. The Company has recorded an expense amounting to a percentage of net income of Starboard which is included in other expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. This amount is due to the majority members of Starboard pursuant to the spin-off agreement.

        During February 2011, the Company and LaBranche & Co Inc. ("LaBranche") announced a definitive merger agreement under which the Company has agreed to acquire LaBranche, a market-maker in options, exchange traded funds and futures on various exchanges domestically and internationally. Under the terms of the merger agreement and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions, the Company will acquire LaBranche in a stock-for-stock merger transaction valued, as of the signing date, at approximately $192.8 million. LaBranche shareholders will receive upon closing of 0.9980 shares of the Company's Class A common stock for each outstanding share of

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LaBranche common stock. The total Company shares to be issued to LaBranche shareholders will represent approximately 35.1% of the combined company and 33.8% on a fully diluted basis. On March 31, 2011, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 in connection with LaBranche transaction.

Basis of presentation

        The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries, and entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest or a substantive, controlling general partner interest. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain fund entities that are consolidated in the condensed consolidated financial statements, are not subject to these consolidation provisions with respect to their own investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.

        The Company serves as the managing member/general partner and/or investment manager to affiliated fund entities which it sponsors and manages. Certain of these funds in which the Company has a substantive, controlling general partner interest are consolidated with the Company pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles as described below (the "Consolidated Funds"). Consequently, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of these funds on a gross basis. The ownership interests in these funds which are not owned by the Company are reflected as non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries in the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from these funds are eliminated in consolidation.

        The business combination between Ramius and Cowen Holdings was accounted for as an "acquisition" by Ramius of Cowen Holdings, as that term is used under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for accounting and financial reporting purposes. As a result, the historical financial statements of Ramius (the business of which was operated by RCG Holdings LLC, the Company's accounting predecessor, prior to the consummation of the Transactions) have become the historical financial statements of the Company.

Revenue recognition

        The Company's principal sources of revenue are derived from two segments: an alternative investment management segment and a broker-dealer segment as more fully described below.

        Our alternative investment management segment generates revenue through three principal sources: management fees, incentive income and investment income from our own capital.

        Our broker-dealer segment generates revenue through two principal sources: investment banking and brokerage.

Management fees

        The Company earns management fees from affiliated funds and certain managed accounts that it serves as the investment manager based on assets under management. The actual management fees received vary depending on distribution fees or fee splits paid to third parties either in connection with raising the assets or structuring the investment.

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        Management fees are generally paid on a quarterly basis at the beginning of each quarter in arrears and are prorated for capital inflows and redemptions. While some investors may have separately negotiated fees pursuant to side letter arrangements, in general the management fees are as follows:

Incentive income

        The Company earns incentive income based on net profits (as defined in the respective investment management agreements) of the Company's funds and certain managed accounts, allocable for each fiscal year that exceeds cumulative unrecovered net losses, if any, that have carried forward from prior years. For the products we offer, incentive income earned is typically 20% for hedge funds and 10% for fund of funds (in certain cases in excess of a benchmark), in each case, of the net profits earned for

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the full year that are attributable to each fee-paying investor. Incentive income on real estate investments is earned in the year of a sale or realization of a private investment. Incentive income in the CHRP Funds is earned only after investors receive a full return of their capital plus a preferred return.

        In periods following a period of a net loss attributable to an investor, the Company does not earn incentive income on any future profits attributable to that investor until the accumulated net loss from prior periods is recovered, an arrangement commonly referred to as a "high-water mark." The Company has elected to record incentive income revenue in accordance with "Method 2" of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") accounting standards. Under Method 2, the incentive income from the Company's funds and managed accounts for any period is based upon the net profits of those funds and managed accounts at the reporting date. Any incentive income recognized in a quarter's condensed consolidated statement of operations may be subject to reversal in a subsequent quarter as a result of subsequent negative investment performance prior to the conclusion of the fiscal year, when all contingencies have been resolved. As a result of negative investment performance in 2008, and in the case of certain real estate funds, in 2009, the Company entered 2010 with high-water marks in certain of its fund products. These high-water marks require the funds to recover cumulative losses before the Company could begin to earn incentive income in 2010 and beyond with respect to the investments of investors who previously suffered losses. In 2010, the Ramius Value and Opportunity Funds surpassed their high water marks and the Company began to earn incentive income again on these products.

        Carried interest is subject to clawback to the extent that the carried interest actually distributed to date exceeds the amount due to the Company based on cumulative results. As such, the accrual for potential repayment of previously received carried interest, which is a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, represents all amounts previously distributed to the Company, less an assumed tax liability, that would need to be repaid to certain real estate funds if these funds were to be liquidated based on the current fair value of the underlying funds' investments as of the reporting date. Generally, the actual clawback liability does not become realized until the end of a fund's life.

Investment Banking

        The Company earns investment banking revenue primarily from fees associated with public and private capital raising transactions and providing strategic advisory services. Investment banking revenues are derived primarily from small and mid-capitalization companies within the Company's target sectors of healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, REITs and alternative energy.

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Brokerage

        Brokerage revenue consists of commissions, principal transactions, net and equity research fees.

Interest and dividends

        Interest and dividends are earned by the Company from various sources. The Company receives interest and dividends primarily from investments held by its Consolidated Funds and its brokerage balances from invested capital. Interest is recognized on an accrual basis and interest income is recognized on the debt of those issuers that is deemed collectible. Interest income and expense includes premiums and discounts amortized and accreted on debt investments based on criteria determined by the Company using the effective yield method, which assumes the reinvestment of all interest payments. Dividends are recognized on the ex-dividend date.

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Reimbursement from affiliates

        The Company allocates, at its discretion, certain expenses incurred on behalf of its hedge fund, fund of funds and real estate businesses. These expenses relate to the administration of such subsidiaries and assets that the Company manages for its funds. In addition, pursuant to the funds' offering documents, the Company charges certain allowable expenses to the funds, including charges and personnel costs for legal, compliance, accounting, tax compliance, marketing, risk and technology expenses that directly relate to administering the assets of the funds. Such expenses that have been reimbursed at their actual costs are included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as employee compensation and benefits, professional, advisory and other fees, communications, occupancy and equipment, client services and business development and other.

Other revenues

        The Company receives other revenues which are unrelated to its principal sources of revenue and which may vary from year to year. Sources of such other revenues primarily include other fees earned from real estate entities and deferred gains from a sale of an asset.

Expenses

        The Company's expenses consist of compensation and benefits, interest expense and general, administrative and other expenses.

Income Taxes

        The taxable results of the Company's U.S. operations are subject to U.S. federal, state and city taxation as a corporation. The Company is also subject to foreign taxation on income it generates in certain countries.

        The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax benefit or expense that will result from differences between the carrying value of its assets for income tax purposes and for financial reporting purposes, as well as for operating or capital loss and tax credit carryovers. A valuation allowance is recorded to bring the net deferred tax assets to a level that, in management's view, is more likely than not to be realized in the foreseeable future. This level will be estimated based on a number of factors, especially the amount of net deferred tax assets of the Company that are

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actually expected to be realized, for tax purposes, in the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2011, the Company recorded a valuation allowance against substantially all of its net deferred tax assets.

Redeemable Non-controlling Interests

        Redeemable non-controlling interests represent the pro rata share of the income or loss of the non-wholly owned consolidated entities attributable to the other owners of such entities. Due to the fact that the non-controlling interests are redeemable at the option of the holder they have been classified as temporary equity.

Assets Under Management and Fund Performance

        Assets under management refer to all of our alternative investment management products, solutions and services including hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, fund of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management services and mortgage advisory services. Assets under management also include the fair value of assets we manage pursuant to separately managed accounts, collateralized debt obligations for which we are the collateral manager, and, as indicated in the footnotes to the table below, proprietary assets which the Company has invested in these products. Also, as indicated, assets under management for certain products represent committed capital and certain products where the Company owns a portion of the general partners.

        As of April 1, 2011, the Company had assets under management of $9.7 billion, a 7.7% increase as compared to assets under management of $9.04 billion as of January 1, 2011. The $697 million increase in assets under management during the first quarter of 2011 resulted from $544 million in net subscriptions (including redemptions effective on February 1, March 1 and April 1, 2011, which included $95.8 million of assets returned to investors, as a result of closing the Ramius Multi-Strategy and Ramius Enterprise funds and the return of assets to UniCredit pursuant to the terms of Modification Agreement), and a $153 million performance-related increase in assets.

        The following table is a breakout of total assets under management by platform as of April 1, 2011.

 
  Total Assets under
Management
   
Platform
  April 1, 2011   January 1, 2011   Primary Strategies
 
  (dollars in millions)
   

Hedge Funds

  $ 1,397 (1) $ 1,385 (1) Multi-Strategy

              Single Strategy

Alternative Solutions(2)

   
2,007

(2)
 
1,750

(2)

Multi-Strategy

              Single Strategy

              Customized Solutions

              Hedging Strategies

    1,189     1,124   Commodity Trading

              Advisory

Real Estate(3)

   
1,628

(4)
 
1,628

(4)

Debt

              Equity

Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners(5)

   
1,131

(4)
 
1,041

(4)

Royalty Interests

Other(6)

   
2,387
   
2,113
 

Cash Management

              Mortgage Advisory
             

Total

 
$

9,739
 
$

9,041
   
             

(1)
This amount includes the Company's invested capital of approximately $139 million and $154 million as of April 1, 2011 and January 1, 2011, respectively.

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(2)
This amount includes the Company's invested capital of approximately $22 million and $32 million (which includes the notional amount of one of the fund of funds products) as of April 1, 2011 and January 1, 2011, respectively.

(3)
The Company owns between 30% and 55% of the general partners of the real estate business. We do not possess unilateral control over any of these general partners.

(4)
This amount reflects committed capital.

(5)
The Company shares the management fees from the CHRP Funds equally with the founders of the CHRP Funds. In addition, the Company receives a share of the carried interests of the general partners of the CHRP Funds of between 33.3% and 40.2%.

(6)
The Company's cash management services business provides clients with investment guidelines for managing cash and establishes investment programs for managing their cash in separately managed accounts. The Company also provides mortgage advisory services where the Company manages collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs") held by investors and liquidates CDOs that were historically managed by others.

        The following table presents total assets under management by period:

 
  Three Months Ended    
   
   
 
 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
   
  January 1, 2011  
 
  April 1, 2011   2010   2009   2008  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Beginning Assets under Management

  $ 9,041,446   $ 9,276,278   $ 8,313,638   $ 9,765,230   $ 12,900,355  

Net Subscriptions (Redemptions)

    543,693     (234,832 )   812,555     (1,780,117 )(2)   (1,066,714 )

Net Performance(1)

    153,625         150,085     328,525     (2,068,411 )
                       

Ending Assets under Management

  $ 9,738,764   $ 9,041,446   $ 9,276,278   $ 8,313,638   $ 9,765,230  
                       

(1)
Net performance is net of all management and incentive fees and includes the effect of any foreign exchange translation adjustments and leverage in certain funds.

(2)
Net subscriptions for 2011 include $90 million of capital commitments to the CHRP Funds that were part of Cowen Holdings prior to the Transactions.

        The first quarter of 2011 was marked by unanticipated events of global significance, including the Japanese earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear plant crises, along with increasing turmoil throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Most major global markets gained traction late in the first quarter of 2011, but a number of leading-performance countries in 2010 faced an uphill battle. While investor sentiment continued to move toward a strengthening global economy, inflation concerns, driven by higher commodity prices, were a tempering consideration. The move upward in crude oil was especially noteworthy. The US Dollar lost significant ground versus the Euro and hit multi-year lows against the Yen on repatriation fears. Despite these pockets of turmoil, equity market volatility indices ground lower as the quarter progressed. Similarly, concerns about the U.S. budget deficit and ongoing banking issues in Europe failed to deter fixed income investors. Credit markets remained strong, based on fund flows and demand for yield from both institutional and private investors in a near-zero base rate environment. Corporations responded with significant levels of debt issuance, especially in high yield. Further, global companies utilized their improved balance sheets and higher equity valuations to pursue attractive business targets, creating a robust merger and acquisition calendar.

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        Ramius investment vehicles began the year with positive results in each category except for active trading in the global macro and managed futures sectors, where events noted above made market conditions especially challenging. Investors in the multi-strategy funds received flattish returns, with capital essentially being protected as assets continue to be liquidated and distributions made to investors. Thus far in 2011, the directly managed hedge funds have exceeded the parameters of their individual mandates. Customized hedge fund of funds portfolios had satisfactory results, while noting that those portfolios with overlay hedges would have lagged comparative returns for directional market indices. In addition, longer-dated vehicles in areas such as real estate continue to experience stronger underlying investment valuations, extending the recovery from the lows seen in 2009.

        The table below sets forth performance information as of March 31, 2011, for the Company's funds with assets greater than $200 million as well as information with respect to the firm's single-strategy hedge funds and RTS funds. The performance reflected below is representative of the net return of the most recently issued full fee paying class of fund interests offered for the respective fund. The net returns are net of all management and incentive fees, and are calculated monthly based on the change in an investor's current month ending equity as a percentage of their prior month's ending equity, adjusted for the current month's subscriptions and redemptions. Such returns are compounded monthly in calculating the final net year to date return. Performance information for the CHRP Funds is not presented due to existing confidentiality provisions.

        The following table presents fund performance for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
   
   
  Performance for
three months
Ended
March 31,
 
Platform
  Strategy   Fund(1)   2011   2010  

Hedge Funds

  Single Strategy   Ramius Value and Opportunity Fund Ltd.     7.45 %   7.80 %

      (Inception Mar. 1, 2006)              

      Ramius Global Credit Fund LP     4.38 %(4)   4.72 %(4)

      (Inception Oct. 1, 2009)              

      Ramius Enterprise LP(5)     0.12 %(2)   1.93 %(2)

      (Inception Jan. 1, 2008)              

Alternative Solutions

 

Managed Accounts

 

Activist Portfolio with Hedging Overlay

   
0.27

%
 
2.94

%

      (Inception Sept. 1, 2007)              

  Global Macro/Managed Futures   RTS Global Fund LP     (3.05 )%   1.95 %

      (Inception Mar. 1, 2010)              

      RTS Global 3X Fund LP     (8.65 )%   5.99 %

      (Inception Mar. 1, 2010)              

Real Estate

 

Debt

 

RCG Longview Debt Fund IV, L.P.(3)

   
2.82

%
 
2.93

%

      (Inception Nov. 12, 2007)              

  Equity   RCG Longview Equity Fund, L.P.(3)     6.11 %   8.01 %

      (Inception Nov. 22, 2006)              

Other

 

Cash Management

       
0.19

%
 
0.67

%

(1)
Products included above represent funds and accounts with assets under management greater than $200 million (excluding CHRP and Ramius Multi- Strategy Fund Ltd), the Company's single-strategy funds and the Ramius Trading Strategies funds. Ramius Multi-Strategy Fund Ltd and Ramius Enterprise LP have been closed to new investors and we began winding down these funds in 2010. Ramius Enterprise LP has been included above as the firm maintains a substantial proprietary equity investment in this entity. The inception date for a fund or account represent the initial date that the fund or account accepted capital from third party investors. As of April 1, 2011, the net assets of the funds presented above were $3.87 billion, or 40% of the total assets under management as of April 1, 2011 of $9.74 billion. Excluded from the table above are funds and managed accounts with $5.87 billion, or 60%, of total assets under management as of April 1, 2011. These include a total of 63 smaller individual funds and managed accounts, the Ramius Multi-Strategy Fund Ltd and the Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners funds.

(2)
Performance does not reflect any increase in valuation for LBIE assets which have been segregated.

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(3)
Returns for each period represent net internal rates of return to limited partners after management fees and incentive allocations, if any, and are computed on a year-to-year basis consistent with industry standards. Incentive allocations are computed based on a hypothetical liquidation of net assets of each fund as of the balance sheet date. Returns are calculated for the investors as a whole. The computation of such returns for an individual investor may vary from these returns based on different management fee and incentive arrangements and the timing of capital transactions. The hypothetical liquidation value may not reflect the ultimate value that may be realized from the real estate investments, particularly given the relatively long period of time that the real estate investments may be held under the terms of the real estate fund documents.

(4)
Performance reflects application of the fee terms applicable to the Class B interests, which is the class of interests offered by the Fund beginning on July 1, 2010. As a result, the 2010 data is pro forma applying the same fee terms applicable to the Class B interests.

(5)
See the "Certain Factors Impacting Our Business—Assets Under Management" section as it refers to the Multi-Strategy products' closings.

Invested Capital

        The Company invests a significant portion of its capital base to help drive returns and facilitate the growth of its alternative investment management and broker/dealer businesses. Management allocates capital to three primary categories: (i) trading strategies; (ii) merchant banking investments; and (iii) real estate investments. The Company makes strategic and opportunistic investments in varying capital structures across a diverse array of businesses, hedge funds and mutual funds. Much of the Company's trading strategy portfolio is invested along side the Company's alternative investment management clients and include investment strategies such as credit trading, event driven, macro trading, and enhanced cash management. Within its merchant banking investment strategy, management generally takes a long-term view that typically involves investing directly in public and private companies globally, private equity funds and along side its alternative investment management clients. The Company's real estate investment strategy focuses on making investments along side the Company's alternative investment management clients in Ramius managed funds such as the RCG Longview platform, as well as in direct investments in commercial real estate projects.

        At March 31, 2011, the Company's invested capital amounted to a net value $387.3 million (a long market value of $582.0 million, gross of $194.7 million of trading strategy leverage), representing approximately 85% of Cowen Group's stockholders' equity presented in accordance with GAAP. The table below presents the Company's invested equity capital by strategy and as a percentage of Cowen Group's stockholders' equity at March 31, 2011. The net values presented in the table below do not tie to Cowen Group's condensed consolidated statement of financial condition at March 31, 2011, because they are included in various line items of the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition, including "securities owned, at fair value", "other investments", "cash and cash equivalents", and "consolidated funds-securities owned, at fair value".

Strategy
  Net Value   %  
 
  ($ in millions)
   
 

Trading

  $ 214.3     47  

Merchant Banking

    134.4     29  

Real Estate

    38.6     9  
           
 

Total

  $ 387.3     85 %
           

Stockholders' Equity

  $ 456.0     100 %
           

        The allocations shown in the table above will change over time.

Results of Operations

        To provide comparative information of the Company's operating results for the periods presented, a discussion of Economic Income of our alternative investment management and broker-dealer segments follows the discussion of our total consolidated GAAP results. Economic Income reflects, on

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a consistent basis for all periods presented in the Company's consolidated financial statements, income earned from the Company's funds and managed accounts and from its own invested capital. Economic Income excludes certain adjustments required under GAAP. See the section titled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company—Segment Analysis and Economic Income," and Note 15 to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements, appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, for a reconciliation of Economic Income to total Company net income (loss).

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared with the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared with the Three Months Ended
March 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended March 31,   Period to Period  
 
  2011   2010   $ Change   % Change  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Revenues

                         
   

Investment banking

  $ 14,682   $ 6,005   $ 8,677     144.5 %
   

Brokerage

    27,591     29,575     (1,984 )   (6.7 )%
   

Management fees

    11,164     9,270     1,894     20.4 %
   

Incentive income

    4,381     2,093     2,288     109.3 %
   

Interest and dividends

    4,559     804     3,755     467.0 %
   

Reimbursement from affiliates

    1,009     1,742     (733 )   (42.1 )%
   

Other revenue

    690     622     68     10.9 %
   

Consolidated Funds revenues

    169     6,147     (5,978 )   (97.3 )%
                   
     

Total revenues

    64,245     56,258     7,987     14.2 %

Expenses

                         
   

Employee compensation and benefits

    45,087     43,433     1,695     3.9 %
   

Interest and dividends

    2,609     446     2,163     485.0 %
   

General, administrative and other expenses

    33,907     34,203     (296 )   (0.9 )%
   

Consolidated Funds expenses

    628     3,159     (2,531 )   (80.1 )%
                   
     

Total expenses

    82,231     81,241     1,031     1.3 %

Other income (loss)

                         
   

Net gain (loss) on securities, derivatives and other investments

    17,283     1,524     15,759     NM  
   

Consolidated Funds net gains (losses)

    1,746     18,273     (16,527 )   (90.4 )%
                   
     

Total other income (loss)

    19,029     19,797     (768 )   (3.9 )%
                   
     

Income (loss) before income taxes

    1,043     (5,186 )   6,188     (120.3 )%
                   

Income taxes expense (benefit)

    163     (266 )   429     (161.3 )%
                   
     

Net income (loss)

    880     (4,920 )   5,759     (118.0 )%
   

Income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests

    798     8,056     (7,299 )   (90.1 )%
                   
     

Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group stockholders

  $ 82   $ (12,976 ) $ 13,058     (100.6 )%
                   

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Revenues

Investment Banking

        Investment banking revenues were $14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, an increase of $8.7 million compared to $6 million for the prior year quarter. During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company completed twelve underwriting transactions, one private capital raising transaction, two strategic advisory transactions, and one debt financing transaction. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company completed four underwriting transactions, one private capital raising transaction, four strategic advisory transactions.

Brokerage

        Brokerage revenues were $27.6 million for three months ended March 31, 2011, a decrease of $2.0 million compared to $29.6 million for the prior year quarter. The decrease resulted primarily from decreased revenues related to our core customer facilitation related activities. Aggregate NYSE and NASDAQ trading volumes declined by 9% in the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the prior year quarter.

Management Fees

        Management fees increased $1.9 million to $11.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $9.3 million for the prior year quarter. The increase was a result of an increase in management fees for our CHRP funds of $2.9 million as a result of an increase in committed capital, which was partially offset by a decrease in hedge fund management fees of $1.5 million as a result of returning assets to investors in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, as a result of closing the Ramius Multi-Strategy Fund and the Enterprise Fund.

Incentive Income

        Incentive income was $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to $2.1 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in incentive fees was a result of an increase in performance primarily from the Value and Opportunity fund and Global Credit fund which resulted in an increase in incentive fees of $2.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, partially offset by the decrease in performance of our alternative solutions business.

Interest and Dividends

        Interest and dividends increased $3.8 million to $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared with $0.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in interest income resulting from an increase in investments in interest bearing assets in the first quarter of 2011 relative to the same period last year.

Reimbursements from Affiliates

        Reimbursements from affiliates decreased $0.7 million to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $1.7 million for the prior year quarter. The decrease was attributable to a decrease in AUM associated with the funds for which the Company receives the majority of its reimbursements.

Other Revenue

        Other revenue remained constant at $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the prior year quarter.

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Consolidated Funds Revenues

        Consolidated funds revenues decreased $5.9 million to $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $6.1 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in interest income from Enterprise Fund's long holdings of interest bearing securities, due to the fact that this fund has been closed and the focus has therefore been on selling positions and returning assets rather than producing investment returns.

Expenses

Employee Compensation and Benefits

        Employee compensation and benefits expenses increased $1.7 million to $45.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $43.4 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily related to an increase in stock compensation expense and severance expense during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Interest and Dividends

        Interest and dividend expense increased $2.2 of million to $2.6 million or the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $0.4 million in the prior year quarter. Interest and dividends expense relates to interest on our credit facility in addition to increased trading activity with respect to the Company's holdings.

General, Administrative and Other Expenses

        General, administrative and other expenses decreased $0.3 million to $33.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $34.2 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to general efficiencies received in relation to the November 2009 transaction partially offset by increased professional, advisory and other fees.

Consolidated Funds Expenses

        Consolidated funds expenses decreased $2.6 million to $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $3.2 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was attributable to a decrease in interest expense recognized by the Enterprise Fund due to a decrease in short holdings of interest bearing securities, due to the fact that this fund has been closed and the focus has therefore been on selling positions and returning assets rather than producing investment returns.

Other Income (Loss)

        Other income (loss) decreased $0.8 million to $19 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $19.8 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease primarily relates to a decrease in the Consolidated Funds' performance due to Enterprise Master. Enterprise Master's performance in the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased from that during the three months ended March 31, 2010 due to the fact that this fund has been closed and the focus has therefore been on selling positions and returning assets rather than producing investment returns. The gains and losses shown under Consolidated Funds reflect the consolidated total performance for such funds, and the portion of those gains or losses that are attributable to other investors is allocated to a non-controlling interest. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in performance of the Company's own invested capital driven by improved performance across certain investment strategies within our investment portfolio, particularly the concentrated public equity, credit, deep value and global macro strategies.

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Income Taxes

        Income tax expense amounted to $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This compares to a $0.3 million income tax benefit in the prior year quarter. The Company's tax expense was driven by the Company's foreign subsidiaries pre-tax income.

(Income) Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interests

        (Income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests was income of $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with income of $8.1 million in the prior year quarter. The period over period change was the result of a decrease in performance in the Consolidated Funds and therefore lower allocations of income to non-controlling interest holders, primarily driven by Enterprise Master which has been closed and is therefore focused on selling positions and returning capital to its investors rather than producing investment returns.

Segment Analysis and Economic Income (Loss)

Segments

        Prior to the consummation of the Transactions, the Company conducted its operations through one reportable segment, the alternative investment management segment, which provides management services to its hedge funds, fund of funds, real estate and other investment platforms. Following the combination of Ramius and Cowen Holdings, the Company conducts its operations through two segments: an alternative investment management segment and a broker-dealer segment. The Company's alternative investment management segment currently includes its hedge funds, fund of funds, real estate and other investment platforms businesses, as well as CHRP, which was a legacy Cowen operating business prior to the Transactions. The Company's broker-dealer segment currently includes its investment banking, brokerage and equity research businesses.

Economic Income (Loss)

        The performance measure used by the Company for each segment is Economic Income (Loss), which management uses to evaluate the financial performance of and make operating decisions for the firm as a whole and each segment. Accordingly, management assesses its business by analyzing the performance of each segment and believes that investors should review the same performance measure that it uses to analyze its segment and business performance. In addition, management believes that Economic Income (Loss) is helpful to gain an understanding of its segment results of operations because it reflects such results on a consistent basis for all periods presented.

        Our Economic Income (Loss) may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We use Economic Income (Loss) as a measure of each segment's operating performance, not as a measure of liquidity. Economic Income (Loss) should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income, operating cash flows, investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. As a result of the adjustments made to arrive at Economic Income (Loss), Economic Income (Loss) has limitations in that it does not take into account certain items included or excluded under GAAP, including our Consolidated Funds. Economic Income (Loss) is considered by management as a supplemental measure to the GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of each segment's performance as measured by management. For a reconciliation of Economic Income to GAAP net income (loss) for the periods presented and additional information regarding the reconciling adjustments discussed above, see Note 15 to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.

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        In general, Economic Income (Loss) is a pre-tax measure that (i) eliminates the impact of consolidation for consolidated funds (both 2011 and 2010) (ii) excludes equity award expense related to the November 2009 Ramius/Cowen transaction (both 2011 and 2010) and (iii) excludes certain other acquisition-related and/or reorganization expenses (2011 only). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) revenues include investment income that represents the income the Company has earned in investing its own capital, including realized and unrealized gains and losses, interest and dividends, net of associated investment related expenses. For GAAP purposes, these items are included in each of their respective line items. Economic Income revenues also include management fees, incentive income and investment income earned through the Company's investment as a general partner in certain real estate entities. For GAAP purposes, all of these items are recorded in other income (loss). In addition, Economic Income (Loss) expenses are reduced by reimbursement from affiliates, which for GAAP purposes is presented gross as part of revenue.

Economic Income Revenues

        The Company's principal sources of Economic Income revenues are derived from activities in the following business segments:

        Our alternative investment management segment generates Economic Income revenues through three principal sources: management fees, incentive income and investment income from our own capital. Management fees are directly impacted by any increase or decrease in assets under management, while incentive income is impacted by our funds' performance and any increase or decrease in assets under management. Investment income from the Company's own capital is impacted by the performance of the funds and other securities in which our capital is invested. The Company periodically receives other Economic Income revenue which is unrelated to our own invested capital or our activities on behalf of the Company's funds, such as certain placement fee income received by a non-wholly owned subsidiary that engaged in the distribution of interests in the real estate funds.

        Our broker-dealer segment generates Economic Income revenues through two principal sources: investment banking and brokerage. The Company earns investment banking revenue primarily from fees associated with public and private capital raising transactions and providing strategic advisory services. Investment banking revenues are derived primarily from small and mid-capitalization companies within the Company's target sectors of healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, REITs and alternative energy. The Company's brokerage revenues consist of commissions, principal transactions and fees paid for equity research. Management reviews brokerage revenue on a combined basis as the vast majority of the revenue is derived from the same group of clients. The Company derives its brokerage revenue primarily from trading equity and equity-linked securities on behalf of institutional investors. The majority of the Company's trading gains and losses are a result of activities that support the facilitation of client orders in both listed and over-the-counter securities, although all trading gains and losses are recorded in brokerage in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Economic Income Expenses

        The Company's Economic Income expenses consist of compensation and benefits, non-compensation expenses—fixed and non-compensation expenses—variable, less reimbursement from affiliates.

Non-controlling Interests

        Non-controlling interests represent the pro rata share of the income or loss of the non-wholly owned consolidated entities attributable to the other owners of such entities. The non-wholly-owned entity included is Cowen Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC.

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 Compared with the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

        For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company's alternative investment management segment includes its hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures fund, fund of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management services, CHRP's operating results and other investment platforms operating results.

        For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company's broker-dealer segment includes its investment banking and brokerage businesses' operating results.

 
  Three Months Ended March 31,    
   
 
 
  2011   2010   Total
Period-to-Period
 
 
  Alternative
Investment
Management
   
  Total
2011
  Alternative
Investment
Management
   
  Total
2010
 
 
  Broker-Dealer   Broker-Dealer   $ Change   % Change  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Economic Income Revenues

                                                 
 

Investment banking

  $   $ 14,682   $ 14,682   $   $ 6,005   $ 6,005   $ 8,677     144.5 %
 

Brokerage

    63     27,528     27,591         29,575     29,575     (1,984 )   (6.7 )%
 

Management fees

    14,047         14,047     12,587     28     12,615     1,432     11.4 %
 

Incentive income (loss)

    5,163         5,163     1,982         1,982     3,181     160.5 %
 

Investment income (loss)

    17,458     (249 )   17,209     11,192     229     11,421     5,788     50.7 %
 

Other revenue

    1,252     (198 )   1,054     (51 )   124     73     981     1343.8 %
                                   

Total economic income revenues

    37,983     41,763     79,746     25,710     35,961     61,671     18,075     29.3 %
                                   

Economic Income Expenses

                                                 
 

Compensation and benefits

    17,708     25,029     42,737     16,143     25,136     41,279     1,458     3.5 %
 

Non-compensation expenses—Fixed

    7,050     14,754     21,804     8,568     16,013     24,581     (2,777 )   (11.3 )%
 

Non-compensation expenses—Variable

    2,096     6,852     8,948     331     8,455     8,786     162     1.8 %
 

Reimbursement from affiliates

    (1,169 )       (1,169 )   (1,887 )       (1,887 )   718     (38.0 )%
                                   

Total economic income expenses

    25,685     46,635     72,320     23,155     49,604     72,759     (439 )   (0.6 )%
                                   

Net economic income (loss) (before non-controlling interest)

    12,298     (4,872 )   7,426     2,555     (13,643 )   (11,088 )   18,514     (167.0 )%

Non-controlling interest

    (475 )       (475 )   (41 )       (41 )   (434 )   1058.5 %
                                   

Economic income (loss)

  $ 11,823   $ (4,872 ) $ 6,951   $ 2,514   $ (13,643 ) $ (11,129 ) $ 18,080     (162.5 )%
                                   

Economic Income Revenues

        Total economic income revenues were $79.2 million for three months ended March 31, 2011, an increase of $17.5 million compared to economic income revenues of $61.7 million for the prior year quarter.

Alternative Investment Management Segment

        Alternative investment management segment economic income revenues were $37.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, an increase of $11.8 million compared to a revenues of $25.7 million for the prior year quarter.

        Management Fees.    Management fees for the segment increased by $1.4 million to $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $12.6 million for the prior year quarter. The increase was a result of an increase in management fees for our CHRP funds of $2.9 million as a result of an increase in committed capital, which was partially offset by a decline in average annualized management fees charged, and a decrease in hedge fund management fees of $1.5 million as a result of returning assets to investors in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, as a result of closing the Ramius Multi-Strategy Fund and the Enterprise Fund.

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        Incentive Income (Loss).    Incentive income for the segment increased by $3.2 million to $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $2 million for the prior year quarter. The increase in incentive fees was a result of an increase in performance primarily from the Value and Opportunity fund and Global Credit fund which resulted in an increase in incentive fees of $2.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and real estate fees of $0.8 million, partially offset by the decrease in performance of our alternative solutions business.

        Investment Income.    Investment income for the segment increased by $6.3 million to a gain of $17.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with income of $11.2 million for the prior year quarter. The increase is a result of an improved performance in the firm's invested capital.

        Other Revenue.    Other revenue for the segment increased by $1.4 million to a gain of $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with a loss of $0.1 million for the prior year quarter. The change is primarily related to foreign exchange gains/losses in relation to doing business in our foreign wholly owned subsidiaries.

Broker-Dealer Segment

        Broker-dealer segment economic income revenues increased by $5.8 million to $41.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $36 million for the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily due to and increase in investment banking revenue offset by a decrease in brokerage revenue.

        Investment Banking.    Investment banking revenues increased by $8.7 million to $14.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to $6 million for the prior year quarter. During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company completed twelve underwriting transactions, one private capital raising transaction, two strategic advisory transactions, and one debt financing transaction. During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company completed four underwriting transactions, one private capital raising transaction, four strategic advisory transactions

        Brokerage.    Brokerage revenues decreased by $2 million to $27.6 million for three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to $29.6 million for the prior year quarter. The decrease resulted primarily from decreased revenues related to our core customer facilitation related activities as cash equities volumes remained at subdued levels thus far in 2011. Aggregate NYSE and NASDAQ trading volumes declined by 9% during the quarter on a year-over-year basis.

Economic Income Expenses

        Compensation and Benefits.    Total compensation and benefits expense increased by $1.4 million to $42.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, compared to $41.3 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was attributable to an increase in stock compensation and severance expense.

        Compensation and benefits expenses for the alternative investment management segment increased by $1.5 million to $17.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $16.2 million in the prior year quarter. The increase is supported by an increase in the bonus accrual in accordance with the compensation to revenue ratio.

        Compensation and benefits expenses for the broker-dealer segment were $25 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which substantially remained constant compared to $25.1 million in the prior year quarter.

        Non-compensation Expenses—Fixed.    Fixed non-compensation expenses decreased by $2.8 million to $21.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $24.6 million in the prior

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year quarter. The decrease was due to decreases in occupancy costs and general efficiencies received in relation to the November 2009 Ramius/Cowen transaction, offset by increases in professional fees.

        Fixed non-compensation expenses for the alternative investment management segment decreased by $1.6 million to $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to $8.6 million for the first quarter of prior year. Non-compensation expenses for the broker-dealer segment decreased by $1.2 million to $14.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared with $16 million for the first quarter of prior year.

        The following table shows the components of the non-compensation expenses—fixed, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Period-to-Period  
 
  2011   2010   $ Change   % Change  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Non-compensation expenses—fixed:

                         

Interest expense

  $ 217   $ 116   $ 101     87.1 %

Professional, advisory and other fees

    2,917     2,388     529     22.2 %

Occupancy and equipment

    5,117     5,645     (528 )   (9.4 )%

Depreciation and amortization

    2,056     2,494     (438 )   (17.6 )%

Service fees

    3,612     3,812     (200 )   (5.2 )%

Other

    7,885     10,126     (2,241 )   (22.1 )%
                   
 

Total

  $ 21,804   $ 24,581   $ (2,777 )   (11.3 )%
                   

        Non-compensation Expenses—Variable.    Variable non-compensation expenses, which primarily are comprised of expenses which are incurred as a direct result of the processing and soliciting of revenue generating activities, increased by $0.1 million to $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $8.8 million in the prior year quarter. The increase was due to increases in conference related expenses, expenses related to Luxembourg reinsurance deals and syndication costs related to an alternative asset fund, offset by a reduction in our floor brokerage expenses due to lower volumes.

        The following table shows the components of the non-compensation expenses—variable, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 
  Three Months Ended
March 31,
  Period-to-Period  
 
  2011   2010   $ Change   % Change  
 
  (dollars in thousands)
 

Non-compensation expenses—Variable:

                         

Floor brokerage and trade execution

  $ 3,033   $ 4,945   $ (1,912 )   (38.7 )%

CHRP syndication costs

    1,072         1,072     NM  

Expenses related to Luxembourg reinsurance companies

    545         545     NM  

Marketing and business development

    4,298     3,841     457     11.9 %
                   
 

Total

  $ 8,948   $ 8,786   $ 162     1.8 %
                   

        Reimbursement from Affiliates.    Reimbursements from affiliates, which relate to the alternative investment management segment, decreased by $0.7 million to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared with $1.9 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was attributable to a decrease in AUM associated with the funds for which the Company receives the majority of its reimbursements.

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        Non-Controlling Interest.    Non-Controlling interest represents the portion of the net income or loss attributable to certain non-wholly owned subsidiaries that is allocated to other investors.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        We continually monitor our liquidity position. The working capital needs of the Company's business have been met through current levels of equity capital, current cash and cash equivalents, and anticipated cash generated from our operating activities, including management fees, incentive income, returns on the Company's own capital, investment banking fees and brokerage commissions. The Company expects that its primary working capital liquidity needs over the next twelve months will be to:

        Based on our historical results, management's experience, our current business strategy and current assets under management, the Company believes that its existing cash resources will be sufficient to meet its anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next twelve months. Our cash reserves include cash, cash equivalents and assets readily convertible into cash such as our securities held in inventory. Securities inventories are stated at fair value and are generally readily marketable. As of March 31, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of $26.3 million, which includes $9.5 million held in foreign subsidiaries, and net liquid investment assets of $205.5 million. At April 1, 2011, the Company's investment in the Enterprise Fund was valued at $138.9 million. The Company has received total distributions of $16 million from the Enterprise Fund during 2011 which includes the April 1, 2011 redemption of $8.8 million.

        The timing of cash bonus payments to our employees may significantly affect our cash position and liquidity from period to period. While our employees are generally paid salaries bi-weekly during the year, cash bonus payments, which can make up a significant portion of total compensation, are generally paid once a year in February.

        As discussed in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Certain Factors Impacting Our Business" we have entered into a modification agreement with affiliates of Unicredit S.p.A and it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's liquidity and capital resources.

        As of March 31, 2011, the Company had unfunded commitments of $8.3 million pertaining to capital commitments in three real estate investments held by the Company, all of which pertain to related party investments. Such commitments can be called at any time, subject to advance notice. In addition, the Company has committed to invest $40.8 million to the funds managed by Cowen Healthcare Royalty Partners (the "CHRP Funds") as a limited partner of the CHRP Funds and also as a member of Cowen Healthcare Royalty GP, LLC, the general partner of the CHRP Funds. This commitment is expected to be called over a two to five year period. The Company will make its pro-rata investment in the CHRP Funds along with the other limited partners. Through March 31, 2011, the Company has funded $19.7 million towards these commitments.

        As a registered broker-dealer, Cowen and Company, LLC ("Cowen and Company") is subject to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the "Rule"), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Under the alternative method permitted by the Rule, Cowen and Company minimum net capital requirement, as defined, is $1.0 million. Cowen and Company is not permitted to withdraw equity if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. As of March 31, 2011, Cowen and

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Company had total net capital of approximately $39.9 million, which was approximately $38.9 million in excess of its minimum net capital requirement of $1.0 million.

        Cowen and Company is exempt from the provisions of Rule 15c3-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as their activities are limited to those set forth in the conditions for exemption appearing in paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of the Rule.

        Proprietary accounts of introducing brokers ("PAIB") held at the clearing broker are considered allowable assets for net capital purposes, pursuant to agreements between Cowen and Company, LLC and the clearing broker, which require, among other things, that the clearing broker performs computations for PAIB and segregates certain balances on behalf of Cowen and Company, LLC, if applicable.

        Ramius UK Ltd. ("Ramius UK") and Cowen International Limited ("CIL") are subject to the capital requirements of the Financial Services Authority ("FSA") of the UK. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the total Financial Resources requirement of the FSA. At March 31, 2011, Ramius UK's Financial Resources of $4.3 million exceeded its minimum requirement of $0.6 million by $3.7 million. At March 31, 2011, CIL's Financial Resources of $4.0 million exceeded its minimum requirement of $2.2 million by $1.8 million.

        Cowen Latitude Advisors Limited ("CLAL") is subject to the financial resources requirements of the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") of Hong Kong. Financial Resources, as defined, must exceed the Total Financial Resources requirement of the SFC. At March 31, 2011, CLAL's Financial Resources of $1.0 million exceeded the minimum requirement of $0.1 million by $0.9 million.

        The Company may also incur additional indebtedness or raise additional capital under certain circumstances to respond to market opportunities and challenges. Current market conditions may make it more difficult or costly to borrow additional funds or raise additional capital. In addition, our secured revolving credit facility with UniCredit Bank AG (formerly known as Bayerische Hypo-und Vereinsbank AG) ("HVB AG") referenced below prohibits us and certain of our subsidiaries from incurring any indebtedness, other than certain indebtedness permitted under the facility.

Cash Flows Analysis

        The Company's primary sources of cash are derived from its operating activities, fees, realized returns on its own invested capital and borrowings under its line of credit. The Company's primary uses of cash include compensation, general and administrative expenses and payments of interest and principal under its line of credit.

        Operating Activities.    Net cash provided by operating activities of $33.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was predominately related to an increase in cash held at brokers and proceeds from the sale of other investments owned by Consolidated Funds, partially offset by cash used to pay for year end bonuses included in compensation payable. Net cash used in operating activities of $87.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was predominately related to cash used to pay for year end bonus accruals included in compensation payable and payments for purchases of securities related to the firms invested capital partially offset by proceeds from sale of other investments owned by consolidated funds.

        Investing Activities.    Net cash provided by investing activities of $23 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was primarily from increased repurchase agreement activity. Net cash provided by investing activities of $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was primarily due to the proceeds from sale of other investments.

        Financing Activities.    Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $66.5 million primarily related to increased repurchase agreement activity and payments by the consolidated funds to investors for capital withdrawals. Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $49.6 million primarily related to a repayment on the line of credit and payments by the consolidated funds to investors for capital withdrawals.

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Short-Term Borrowing and Other Debt

        On June 3, 2009, the Company entered into a collateralized revolving credit agreement with HVB AG, as lender, administrative agent and issuing bank, providing for a revolving credit facility with a $50.0 million aggregate loan commitment amount available. The first borrowing under this line occurred on June 30, 2009. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had borrowings of $23.0 million and $24.0 million, respectively. At the Company's election and discretion, borrowings under the 2009 collateralized revolving credit agreement bear interest per annum (based on a 360 day year) equal to either: (1) the lender's prime rate plus 1.5% or (2) the 1, 2 or 3 month LIBOR rate plus 3.5%. Due to the variable interest rate on these borrowings, their carrying values approximate fair value. The Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility equal to 1.0% per annum of the undrawn amount. The 2009 collateralized revolving credit agreement is to mature on September 29, 2011. The 2009 collateralized revolving credit agreement contained financial and other restrictive covenants that limited the Company's ability to incur additional debt and engage in other activities. As of March 31, 2011 and during the period from June 3, 2009 to March 31, 2011 the Company was in compliance with these covenants. The Company's investment in Enterprise Master through the Enterprise Fund has been pledged as collateral under the line of credit.

        On January 31, 2011, in accordance with the terms of the collateralized revolving credit agreement, the Company remitted $1 million to HVB AG, reducing its revolving line of credit balance.

        Interest incurred on the Company's lines of credit was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

        In November 2010, the Company borrowed $0.6 million and $1.5 million to fund insurance premium payments. These notes bear interest at 5.05% and 4.95%, respectively and are due in October of 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the outstanding balance on these combined notes payable was $0.9 million. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was not significant.

        The Company entered into several capital leases for computer equipment during the fourth quarter of 2010. These leases amount to $6.3 million and are recorded in fixed assets and as capital lease obligations and have lease terms that range from 48 to 60 months and interest rates that range from 0% to 6.36%. No payments have been made on these leases during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

        As of March 31, 2011 the Company also has five additional irrevocable letters of credit, for which there is cash collateral pledged, including (i) $50,000, which expires on July 12, 2011, supporting workers' compensation insurance with Safety National Casualty Corporation, (ii) $57,000, which expires on May 12, 2011, supporting Cowen Healthcare Royalty Management, LLC's Stamford office lease and (iii) $82,000, which expires on May 12, 2011, supporting the Company's San Francisco office and (iv) $1.2 million which expires on August 31, 2011, supporting the Company's lease of additional office space in New York and (iv) $6.7 million which supports the lease of office space in New York which the Company pays a fee on the stated amount of the letter of credit at a rate equal to 0.5%, expiring December 12, 2011.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2011. However, through indemnification provisions in our clearing agreement, customer activities may expose us to off-balance-sheet credit risk. Pursuant to the clearing agreement, we are required to reimburse our clearing broker, without limit, for any losses incurred due to a counterparty's failure to satisfy its contractual obligations. However, these transactions are collateralized by the underlying security, thereby reducing the associated risk to changes in the market value of the security through the settlement date.

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        Cowen and Company is a member of various securities exchanges. Under the standard membership agreement, members are required to guarantee the performance of other members and, accordingly, if another member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the exchange, all other members would be required to meet the shortfall. Cowen and Company's liability under these arrangements is not quantifiable and could exceed the cash and securities it has posted as collateral. However, management believes that the potential for Cowen and Company to be required to make payments under these arrangements is remote. Accordingly, no contingent liability is carried in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for these arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

        Critical accounting policies are those that require the Company to make significant judgments, estimates or assumptions that affect amounts reported in its consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto. The Company bases its judgments, estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that the Company believes to be reasonable and prudent. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

        The following is a summary of what the Company believes to be its most critical accounting policies and estimates:

        These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries, and entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest, including the Consolidated Funds, in which the Company has a substantive, controlling general partner interest. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company's funds are not subject to these consolidation provisions with respect to their investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.

        The Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of the Consolidated Funds on a gross basis. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from the Consolidated Funds were eliminated in consolidation; however, the Company's allocated share of net income from these funds was increased by the amount of this eliminated income. Hence, the consolidation of these funds had no net effect on the Company's net earnings.

        FASB accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

    Level 1   Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date;    
   
Level 2

 

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; and

 

 
   
Level 3

 

Fair value is determined based on pricing inputs that are unobservable and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The determination of fair value for assets and liabilities in this category requires significant management judgment or estimation.

 

 

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        Inputs are used in applying the various valuation techniques and broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make valuation decisions, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may include price information, volatility statistics, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. However, the determination of what constitutes "observable" requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be that market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Company's perceived risk of that instrument.

        The Company and its operating company subsidiaries act as the manager for the Consolidated Funds. Both the Company and the Consolidated Funds hold certain investments which are valued by the Company, acting as the investment manager. The fair value of these investments is generally estimated based on proprietary models developed by the Company, which include discounted cash flow analyses, public market comparables, and other techniques and may be based, at least in part, on independently sourced market information. The material estimates and assumptions used in these models include the timing and expected amount of cash flows, the appropriateness of discount rates used, and, in some cases, the ability to execute, timing of, and estimated proceeds from expected financings. Significant judgment and estimation goes into the selection of an appropriate valuation methodology as well as the assumptions used in these models, and the timing and actual values realized with respect to investments could be materially different from values derived based on the use of those estimates. The valuation methodologies applied impact the reported value of the Company's investments and the investments held by the Consolidated Funds in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

        The Company primarily uses the "market approach" valuation technique to value its financial instruments measured at fair value. In determining an instrument's placement within the hierarchy, the Company separates the Company's financial instruments into three categories: securities, derivative contracts and other investments. To the extent applicable, each of these categories can further be divided between those held long or sold short.

        Securities—Securities whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, and are therefore classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, include active listed equities, certain U.S. government and sovereign obligations, and certain money market securities. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

        Certain positions for which there is a limited market, consisting primarily of convertible debt, corporate debt and loans, are stated at fair value. The estimated fair values assigned by management are determined in good faith and are based on available information considering, among other things, quotations provided by published pricing services, counterparties and other market participants, and pricing models using quoted inputs, and do not necessarily represent the amounts which might ultimately be realized. Such positions that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources which are supported by observable inputs are classified within level 2. As level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability.

        Derivative contracts—Derivative contracts can be exchange-traded or privately negotiated over-the-counter ("OTC"). Exchange-traded derivatives, such as futures contracts and exchange traded option contracts, are typically classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending

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on whether or not they are deemed to be actively traded. OTC derivatives, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within level 2. Derivative contracts are included within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

        Other investments—Other investments measured at fair value consist primarily of portfolio funds and real estate investments, which are valued as follows:

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Revenue Recognition

        The Company generates through several principal sources as more fully described below:

        The Company earns management fees from funds and managed accounts for which serves as the investment manager, based on a fixed percentage of net asset value, committed capital or invested capital. Management fees are based on contractual terms specified in the underlying investment management agreements with each specific fund or managed account. Management fees are generally paid on a quarterly basis at the beginning of each quarter in arrears and are prorated for capital inflows and redemptions. Management fees earned from our fund of funds products and certain portfolio funds are based and initially calculated on estimated net asset values and actual fees ultimately earned could be impacted to the extent of any changes in these estimates.

        The Company earns incentive income based on net profits (as defined in the respective investment management agreements) of the Company's funds and certain managed accounts, allocable for each fiscal year that exceeds cumulative unrecovered net losses, if any, that have carried forward from prior years. For the products we offer, incentive income earned is typically 20% for hedge funds and 10% for fund of funds (in certain cases in excess of a benchmark), in each case, of the net profits earned for the full year that are attributable to each fee-paying investor. Incentive income on real estate investments is earned in the year of a sale or realization of a private investment. Incentive income in the CHRP Funds is earned only after investors receive a full return of their capital plus a preferred return.

        In periods following a period of a net loss attributable to an investor, the Company does not earn incentive income on any future profits attributable to that investor until the accumulated net loss from prior periods is recovered, an arrangement commonly referred to as a "high-water mark." The Company has elected to record incentive income revenue in accordance with "Method 2" of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") accounting standards. Under Method 2, the incentive income from the Company's funds and managed accounts for any period is based upon the net profits of those funds and managed accounts at the reporting date. Any incentive income recognized in a quarter's condensed consolidated statement of operations may be subject to reversal in a subsequent quarter as a result of subsequent negative investment performance prior to the conclusion of the fiscal year, when all contingencies have been resolved. As a result of negative investment performance in 2008, and in the case of certain real estate funds, in 2009, the Company entered 2010 with high-water marks in certain of its fund products. These high-water marks require the funds to recover cumulative losses before the Company could begin to earn incentive income in 2010 and beyond with respect to the investments of investors who previously suffered losses. In 2010, the Ramius Value and Opportunity Funds surpassed their high water marks and the Company began to earn incentive income again on these products.

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        Carried interest is subject to clawback to the extent that the carried interest actually distributed to date exceeds the amount due to the Company based on cumulative results. As such, the accrual for potential repayment of previously received carried interest, which is a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, represents all amounts previously distributed to the Company, less an assumed tax liability, that would need to be repaid to certain real estate funds if these funds were to be liquidated based on the current fair value of the underlying funds' investments as of the reporting date. Generally, the actual clawback liability does not become realized until the end of a fund's life.

        The Company earns investment banking revenue primarily from fees associated with public and private capital raising transactions and providing strategic advisory services. The Company's investment banking revenues are derived primarily from small and mid-capitalization companies within the Company's target sectors of healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, consumer, aerospace & defense, and alternative energy.

        Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price consideration of acquired companies over the estimated fair value assigned to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company

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tests goodwill for impairment in accordance with the two-step method described in FASB accounting standards. The first step involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, its goodwill is not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not necessary. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, then the second step of the goodwill impairment test must be performed. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with its carrying amount to measure the amount of impairment, if any. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. In other words, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of its assets and liabilities (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment during the fourth quarter or earlier upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. Goodwill impairment tests are subject to significant judgment in determining the estimation of future cash flows, discount rates and other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value and any resulting impairment of goodwill.

        Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated average useful lives. The Company does not have any intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives. Intangible assets are tested for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that an asset's or asset group's carrying value may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss, calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of an asset or asset group, is recognized if the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to the asset or asset group is less than the corresponding carrying value.

        The Company estimates potential losses that may arise out of legal and regulatory proceedings and records a reserve and takes a charge to income when losses with respect to such matters are deemed probable and can be reasonably estimated, in accordance with FASB accounting standards. These amounts are reported in other expenses, net of recoveries, in the consolidated statements of operations. The condensed consolidated statements of operations do not include litigation expenses incurred by the Company in connection with indemnified litigation matters. See Note 12 to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion. As the successor of the named party in these litigation matters, the Company recognizes the related legal reserve in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

        For a detailed discussion, see Note 2g. "Recently adopted accounting pronouncements" in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and "Significant Accounting Policies" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 which was filed with the SEC on March 14, 2011.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

        During the three months ended March 31, 2011, there were no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. For a detailed discussion concerning our market risk, see Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

        Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively), evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2011.

        Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide a reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

        There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

        The following information reflects developments with respect to the Company's legal proceedings that occurred in the first quarter of 2011. These items should be read together with the Company's discussion in Note 12 "Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees—Litigation," in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 and the Company's discussion set forth under Legal Proceedings in Part I, Item 3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

        As previously disclosed, Cowen and Company filed an answer to the complaint on January 6, 2011. To the extent that the Company incurs additional legal fees or pays any fine or monetary sanction, it will be indemnified by Société Générale.

        On March 24, 2011, the District Court for the Southern District of California remanded the case back to the Superior Court for the State of California, County of San Diego. The Company cannot presently predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation or estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any.

        The parties are presently conducting discovery, and the SDNY intends to set a briefing schedule for summary judgment motions on June 29, 2011. The Company cannot presently predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation or estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any.

        On February 22, 2011, a putative class action by a purported holder of LaBranche & Co. stock, captioned Moskal v. LaBranche & Co., et. al., was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, naming as defendants the Company, LaBranche, members of the board of directors of LaBranche (collectively, "LaBranche"), and Louisiana Merger Sub, Inc.. On February 24, 2011, a separate lawsuit was filed, captioned , in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York against the same parties. The two lawsuits, which were consolidated on April 19, 2011, challenge LaBranche's decision to enter into the merger. On April 15, 2011, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. The amended complaint alleges that members of the LaBranche board of directors breached the fiduciary duties owed to the LaBranche stockholders by failing to maximize the sale price for LaBranche, by agreeing to provisions in the merger agreement that allegedly are intended to deter alternative bids, and by failing to disclose material information to LaBranche stockholders in connection with the merger. The amended complaint further alleges that two members of the LaBranche board of directors were motivated to approve the Merger Agreement by the prospect of positions with the Company following the closing of the merger. The amended complaint also alleges, among other things, that LaBranche, the Company and Louisiana Merger Sub, Inc. aided and abetted LaBranche's directors in breaching their fiduciary duties to shareholders. The amended complaint seeks, among other things, injunctive relief against consummation of the merger, attorney's fees and damages in an unspecified amount.

        On May 2, 2011, counsel for the parties to the consolidated lawsuit reached an agreement in principle to settle the consolidated lawsuit reflected in a memorandum of understanding. In connection with the settlement, LaBranche and Cowen agreed to make certain additional disclosures in the Form S-4 filed in connection with the LaBranche transaction. The memorandum of understanding also contemplates that the parties will enter into a stipulation of settlement. The stipulation of settlement

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will contain customary releases and will be subject to customary conditions, including approval by the Court. In the event that the parties enter into a stipulation of settlement, a hearing will be scheduled at which the Court will consider the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the settlement which, if finally approved by the Court, will resolve all of the claims that were or could have been brought in the actions being settled, including all claims relating to the merger, the Merger Agreement and any disclosure made in connection therewith. In addition, in connection with the settlement and as provided in the memorandum of understanding, the parties contemplate that plaintiffs' counsel will seek an award of attorneys' fees and expenses as part of the settlement.

        There can be no assurance that the parties will ultimately enter into a stipulation of settlement or that the Court will approve the settlement even if the parties were to enter into such stipulation. In such event, the proposed settlement as contemplated by the memorandum of understanding may be terminated.

        The Company cannot presently predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation or estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any.

        On February 22, 2011, a putative class action, captioned Mallen v. Alphatec Holdings, Inc., et. al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, naming as defendants Alphatec Holdings, Inc. ("Alphatec"), members of the Alphatec board of directors, Healthpoint Capital Partners, LLP, Healthpoint Capital Partners II, LLP, as well as Jefferies & Co., Inc., Canaccord Adams, Inc., Lazard Capital Markets, LLC, and Cowen and Company, LLC (the "Underwriter Defendants"). The complaint brings claims against the Underwriter Defendants under sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 for alleged materially inaccurate and misleading statements and omissions in the registration statement and prospectus for an April 2010 offering of common stock of Alphatec regarding the success of Alphatec's acquisition of a company named Scient'x. On April 18, 2011, the Underwriter Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint as against the Underwriter Defendants. The Company cannot presently predict the ultimate outcome of the litigation or estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any

        Given the additional market information available to Ramius, Ramius has decided to value its total net equity claim as follows: (i) the trust assets that we have been informed are within the control of LBIE and are expected to be distributed to us in the relatively near term are being valued at market less a 1% discount that corresponds to the fee that will be charged under the Claim Resolution Agreement for the return of trust assets, (ii) the trust assets that are not within the control of LBIE, but that Ramius believes are held by LBIE through Lehman Brothers, Inc. ("LBI"), are being valued at 54% which represents the present value of the mid-point between what Ramius believes are reasonable estimates of the low-side and high-side potential recovery rates with respect to its LBI exposure, (iii) Ramius's unsecured claims against LBIE are being valued at 48%, which represents Ramius's estimate of potential recovery rates with respect to this exposure and (iv) the trust assets that are not within the control of LBIE and are not believed to be held through LBI are being valued at 48%, which represents Ramius's estimate of potential recovery rates with respect to this exposure assuming that the trust assets are not available and become unsecured claims against LBIE.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

        The discussion of our business and operations should be read together with the risk factors contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. These risk factors describe various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of

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operations, cash flows, strategies or prospects in a material and adverse manner. There are no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2010 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 14, 2011.

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

        None.

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

        None.

Item 4.    Removed and Reserved

Item 5.    Other Information

        None.

Item 6.    Exhibits

        See Exhibit Index.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

    COWEN GROUP, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ PETER A. COHEN

        Name:   Peter A. Cohen
        Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President
(principal executive officer)

 

 

By:

 

/s/ STEPHEN A. LASOTA

        Name:   Stephen A. Lasota
        Title:   Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer
and principal accounting officer)

Dated: May 10, 2011

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.   Description
  31.1   Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

 

Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32

 

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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