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GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET AL - Quarter Report: 2010 March (Form 10-Q)

form10q033110.htm



SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
or

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

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission File No. 1-106

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
       
New York
   
13-4007862
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
   
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
     
One Corporate Center, Rye, NY
   
10580-1422
(Address of principle executive offices)
   
(Zip Code)
       
(914) 921-5100
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
x
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yeso    Noo
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", and "smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer ¨
 
Accelerated filer x
 
       
Non-accelerated filer o
 
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
x
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.
Class
 
Outstanding at April 30, 2010
 
Class A Common Stock, .001 par value
 
7,102,097
 
Class B Common Stock, .001 par value
 
20,292,917
 
 
 
 

 
 
INDEX
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
   
   
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
   
Item 1.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
-    Three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
   
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
 
-    March 31, 2010
 
-    December 31, 2009
 
-    March 31, 2009
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity and Comprehensive Income:
 
-    Three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 
-    Three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
   
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
   
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Included in Item 2)
   
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
   
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
   
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
   
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
Item 6.
Exhibits
   
   
SIGNATURES
 
   
 
 
2

 
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
UNAUDITED
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
             
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenues
           
  Investment advisory and incentive fees
  $ 49,342     $ 35,199  
  Institutional research services
    3,424       3,650  
  Distribution fees and other income
    7,232       4,510  
Total revenues
    59,998       43,359  
Expenses
               
  Compensation
    26,213       20,785  
  Management fee
    2,448       1,349  
  Distribution costs
    7,031       5,422  
  Other operating expenses
    4,936       4,301  
Total expenses
    40,628       31,857  
                 
Operating income
    19,370       11,502  
Other income (expense)
               
  Net gain from investments
    5,232       2,592  
  Interest and dividend income
    815       1,278  
  Interest expense
    (3,292 )     (3,234 )
Total other income, net
    2,755       636  
Income before income taxes
    22,125       12,138  
Income tax provision
    8,294       3,988  
Net income
    13,831       8,150  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    105       (62 )
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
  $ 13,726     $ 8,212  
                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
               
  per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.50     $ 0.30  
                 
Diluted
  $ 0.50     $ 0.30  
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    27,184       27,379  
                 
Diluted
    28,148       27,386  
                 
Dividends declared:
  $ 0.03     $ 0.03  
                 
See accompanying notes.
               
 
 
3

 
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
UNAUDITED
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
                   
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2009
 
ASSETS
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $62,265,
                 
  $62,258 and $22,199, respectively
  $ 411,365     $ 400,528     $ 415,854  
Investments in securities, including restricted securities of $0,
                       
  $0 and $39,968, respectively
    177,001       157,403       165,614  
Investments in partnerships
    70,744       62,655       56,244  
Receivable from brokers
    25,368       30,072       12,911  
Investment advisory fees receivable
    18,858       35,685       12,044  
Income tax receivable and deferred tax assets
    -       -       23,913  
Other assets
    21,289       21,466       18,695  
  Total assets
  $ 724,625     $ 707,809     $ 705,275  
                         
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
                       
Payable to brokers
  $ 4,394     $ 395     $ 2,149  
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
    7,548       8,523       -  
Capital lease obligation
    5,239       5,265       5,313  
Compensation payable
    21,335       13,302       15,129  
Securities sold, not yet purchased
    9,063       9,569       3,570  
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests
    1,636       1,622       1,388  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    23,333       25,157       21,034  
  Sub-total
    72,548       63,833       48,583  
                         
5.5% Senior notes (due May 15, 2013)
    99,000       99,000       99,000  
6% Convertible note (due August 14, 2011)
    39,873       39,851       39,787  
6.5% Convertible note (due October 2, 2018)
    60,000       60,000       60,000  
  Total liabilities
    271,421       262,684       247,370  
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
    1,464       1,464       3,168  
Commitments and contingencies (Note J)
                       
Equity
                       
  GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
                       
    Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000
                       
      shares authorized; 13,119,776, 13,120,276 and 13,033,062
                       
      issued, respectively; 7,131,297, 7,311,997 and 7,381,283
                       
      outstanding, respectively
    13       13       13  
    Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000
                       
      shares authorized; 24,000,000 shares issued;
                       
      20,292,917, 20,292,917 and 20,370,931 shares
                       
      outstanding, respectively
    20       20       20  
    Additional paid-in capital
    252,987       251,591       247,128  
    Retained earnings
    423,374       410,473       420,841  
    Accumulated comprehensive income
    20,871       19,088       17,121  
    Treasury stock, at cost (5,988,479, 5,808,279 and 5,651,779
                       
    shares, respectively)
    (249,604 )     (241,567 )     (234,537 )
  Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
    447,661       439,618       450,586  
Noncontrolling interests
    4,079       4,043       4,151  
Total equity
    451,740       443,661       454,737  
                         
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 724,625     $ 707,809     $ 705,275  
                         
See accompanying notes.
                       
 
 
4

 
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
UNAUDITED
 
(In thousands)
 
                                                       
For the three months ended March 31, 2010
 
         
GAMCO Investors, Inc. shareholders
             
               
Additional
         
Accumulated
               
Redeemable
       
   
Noncontrolling
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
         
Noncontrolling
    Comprehensive   
   
Interests
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Total
   
Interests
   
Income
 
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 4,043     $ 33     $ 251,591     $ 410,473     $ 19,088     $ (241,567 )   $ 443,661     $ 1,464    $  
Redemption of noncontrolling
                                                                     
 interests
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (475 )    -  
Contributions of noncontrolling                                                                         
 interests      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        406        -  
Net income
    36       -       -       13,726       -       -       13,762       69       13,831  
Net unrealized gains on
                                                                       
 securities available for sale,
                                                                       
 net of income tax ($1,067)
    -       -       -       -       1,816       -       1,816       -        1,816  
Foreign currency translation
    -       -       -       -       (33 )     -       (33 )     -        (33
Dividends declared ($0.03 per
                                                                       
 share)
    -       -       -       (825 )     -       -       (825 )     -        -  
Stock based compensation
                                                                       
 expense
    -       -       1,383       -       -       -       1,383       -        -  
Exercise of stock options
                                                                       
 including tax benefit
    -       -       13       -       -       -       13       -        -  
Purchase of treasury stock
    -       -       -       -       -       (8,037 )     (8,037 )     -        -  
Balance at March 31, 2010
  $ 4,079     $ 33     $ 252,987     $ 423,374     $ 20,871     $ (249,604 )   $ 451,740     $ 1,464      $ 15,614   
                                                                         
See accompanying notes.
                                                                 
 
 
5

 
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
UNAUDITED
 
(In thousands)
 
                                                       
For the three months ended March 31, 2009
 
         
GAMCO Investors, Inc. shareholders
             
               
Additional
         
Accumulated
               
Redeemable
       
   
Noncontrolling
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
         
Noncontrolling
    Comprehensive   
   
Interests
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Total
   
Interests
   
Income
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 4,788     $ 33     $ 245,973     $ 413,761     $ 14,923     $ (234,537 )   $ 444,941     $ 4,201    -  
Purchase of subsidiary shares
                                                                     
 from noncontrolling interest
    (172 )     -       -       -       -       -       (172 )     -      -  
Redemption of noncontrolling                                                                       
 interests      -        -        -        -        -        -        -        (1,024      
Spin-off of subsidiary shares
                                                                     
 to noncontrolling interests
    (412 )     -       -       -       -       -       (412 )     -      -  
Net income
    (53 )     -       -       8,212       -       -       8,159       (9 )     8,150  
Net unrealized gains on
                                                                       
 securities available for sale,
                                                                       
 net of income tax ($1,256)
    -       -       -       -       2,205       -       2,205       -        2,205  
Foreign currency translation
    -       -       -       -       (7 )     -       (7 )     -        (7
Dividends declared ($0.03 per
                                                                       
 share)
    -       -       -       (1,132 )     -       -       (1,132 )     -        -  
Income tax effect of transaction
                                                                       
 with shareholders
    -       -       (243 )     -       -       -       (243 )     -        -  
Stock based compensation
                                                                       
 expense
    -       -       1,271       -       -       -       1,271       -        -  
Exercise of stock options
                                                                       
 including tax benefit
    -       -       127       -       -       -       127       -        -  
Balance at March 31, 2009
  $ 4,151     $ 33     $ 247,128     $ 420,841     $ 17,121     $ (234,537 )   $ 454,737     $ 3,168      $ 10,348  
                                                                         
See accompanying notes.
                                                                 
 
 
6

 
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
UNAUDITED
 
(In thousands)
 
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Operating activities
           
Net income
  $ 13,831     $ 8,150  
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
  Equity in net (gains) losses from partnerships and affiliates
    (2,352 )     (918 )
  Depreciation and amortization
    171       165  
  Stock based compensation expense
    1,383       1,271  
  Deferred income taxes
    277       (947 )
  Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
    5       34  
  Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)
    (33 )     (7 )
  Fair value of donated securities
    77       121  
  (Gains) losses on sales of available for sale securities
    -       (794 )
  Amortization of discount on debt
    22       21  
(Increase) decrease in assets:
               
  Investments in trading securities
    (17,980 )     70,527  
  Investments in partnerships:                 
    Contributions to partnerships
    (11,129 )     (807 )
    Distributions from partnerships
    5,391       6,189  
  Receivable from brokers
    4,704       3,549  
  Income tax receivable and deferred tax assets
    -       (281 )
  Investment advisory fees receivable
    16,827       (109 )
  Other assets
    (6     776  
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
               
  Payable to brokers
    3,999       292  
  Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
    (2,320 )     -  
  Compensation payable
    8,035       (1,099 )
  Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests
    14       (8 )
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (1,791 )     (2,498 )
Total adjustments
    5,294       75,477  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    19,125       83,627  


 
7

 
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
UNAUDITED (continued)
 
(In thousands)
 
             
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Investing activities
           
Purchases of available for sale securities
  $ (4 )   $ (5,419 )
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities
    686       2,175  
Increase in restricted cash
    (7 )     (15,043 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    675       (18,287 )
                 
Financing activities
               
Contributions related to consolidated investment partnerships and offshore funds
    (69 )     (1,023 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    8       93  
Dividends paid
    (825 )     (1,742 )
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests
    -       (172 )
Purchase of treasury stock
    (8,037 )     -  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (8,923 )     (2,844 )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    10,877       62,496  
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
    (48 )     (15 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    338,270       331,174  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 349,099     $ 393,655  
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 3,447     $ 3,413  
Cash paid for taxes
  9,969     $ 5,743  
Non-cash acivity:
               
- On March 20, 2009, GAMCO Investors, Inc. distributed its shares of Teton Advisors, Inc. ($300) to its shareholders
 
which resulted in the deconsolidation of Teton, and decreases of approximately $911 of cash and cash equivalents,
 
    $199 of net liabilities and $412 of noncontrolling interests.
               
                 
See accompanying notes.
               
 
 
8

 
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2010
(Unaudited)
A.  Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation
 
Unless we have indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “GAMCO Investors, Inc.,” “GAMCO,” “the Company,” “GBL,” “we,” “us” and “our” or similar terms are to GAMCO Investors, Inc., its predecessors and its subsidiaries.
 
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of GAMCO included herein have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows of GAMCO for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GAMCO and its subsidiaries.  Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
 
These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 from which the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were derived.

On March 20, 2009, the Company completed its spin-off of its ownership of Teton Advisors, Inc. (“Teton”) to its shareholders.  The condensed consolidated financial statements include the results of Teton up to March 20, 2009.
 
Certain items previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s condensed consolidated financial statement presentation.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
9

 

Recent Accounting Developments
 
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets.  This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009 and shall be applied prospectively.  Early adoption is prohibited.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2010 with no impact to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued amended guidance on the accounting for variable interest entities (“VIEs”).  The amendments will significantly affect the overall consolidation analysis, changing the approach taken by companies in identifying which entities are VIEs and in determining which party is the primary beneficiary.  The guidance requires continuous assessment of the reporting entity’s involvement with such VIEs.  The revised guidance also enhances the disclosure requirements for a reporting entity’s involvement with VIEs, irrespective of whether they qualify for deferral, as discussed below.  The guidance is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009 and early adoption is prohibited.  In February 2010, the FASB issued further guidance which provided a limited scope deferral for a reporting entity’s interest in an entity that meets all of 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 reporting entity is required to perform a consolidation analysis for entities that qualify for the deferral in accordance with previously issued guidance on VIEs.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2010 and has evaluated the deferral guidelines and determined that all significant entities that the Company is involved with that this guidance would potentially have impacted qualify for the deferral, and therefore the guidance issued did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance to improve disclosures about fair value measurements.  The guidance affects all entities that are required to make disclosures about recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements.  The guidance requires new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements and activity related to Level 3 fair value measurements.  In addition, the guidance clarifies existing fair value disclosure requirements related to the level of disaggregation of assets and liabilities and the valuation techniques and inputs used.  This update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements.  Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2010 without a material impact to the condensed consolidated financial statement disclosures.
 
 
10

 
 
 B.  Investment in Securities

Investments in securities at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 consisted of the following:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2009
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Trading securities:
                                   
  Government obligations
  $ 1,388     $ 1,348     $ -     $ -     $ 43,711     $ 43,820  
  Common stocks
    68,071       74,573       53,985       58,834       40,782       35,250  
  Mutual funds
    1,194       1,379       1,194       1,295       3,132       2,328  
  Convertible bonds
    637       749       -       -       -       -  
  Preferred stocks
    -       11       -       15       -       14  
  Other investments
    367       142       819       585       321       323  
Total trading securities
    71,657       78,202       55,998       60,729       87,946       81,735  
                                                 
Available for sale securities:
                                               
  Common stocks
    17,063       34,655       17,100       34,294       18,234       39,285  
  Mutual funds
    48,773       64,144       49,656       62,380       50,167       44,594  
Total available for sale securities
    65,836       98,799       66,756       96,674       68,401       83,879  
                                                 
Total investments in securities
  $ 137,493     $ 177,001     $ 122,754     $ 157,403     $ 156,347     $ 165,614  
                                                 
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 consisted of the following:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2009
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
  $ 9,268     $ 9,052     $ 9,505     $ 9,569     $ 3,443     $ 3,570  
Other
    10       11       -       -       -       -  
Total securities sold, not yet purchased
  $ 9,278     $ 9,063     $ 9,505     $ 9,569     $ 3,443     $ 3,570  
                                                 
 
Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date.  Investments in United States Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are classified as investments in securities and those with maturities of three months or less at time of purchase are classified as cash and cash equivalents.  A substantial portion of investments in securities are held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements and therefore are classified as trading securities.  Trading securities are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, reported in current period earnings.  Available for sale (“AFS”) investments are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of equity except for losses deemed to be other than temporary which are recorded as unrealized losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  There were no impairment of AFS securities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  
 
The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value and are included in either investments in securities or securities sold, not yet purchased on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  From time to time, the Company will enter into hedging transactions to manage its exposure to foreign currencies and equity prices related to its proprietary investments.  These transactions are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and changes in fair values of these derivatives are included in net gain (loss) from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had derivative transactions in equity derivatives which resulted in net losses of $61,000 and $27,000, respectively.  The notional value of derivatives at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $38,000 and $275,000, respectively and the fair value was $29,000 and $246,000, respectively.  There were no derivatives held as of March 31, 2009.
 
 
11

 

At March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, the fair value of common stock investments available for sale was $34.7 million, $34.3 million and $39.3 million, respectively.  The total unrealized gains for common stock investments available for sale securities with unrealized gains was $17.6 million, $17.2 million and $21.1 million at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively.  There were no unrealized losses for common stock investments available for sale at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 or March 31, 2009.  At March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, the fair value of mutual fund investments available for sale with unrealized gains was $62.2 million, $60.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively.  At March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, the fair value of mutual fund investments available for sale with unrealized losses was $1.9 million, $2.0 million and $38.3 million, respectively.  The total unrealized gains for mutual fund investments available for sale securities with unrealized gains was $15.4 million, $12.9 million and $0.5 million at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively, while the total unrealized losses for available for sale securities with unrealized losses was $0.1 million, $1,700 and $6.1 million, respectively.

Increases in unrealized gains to fair value, net of taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 of $1.8 million and $2.2 million, respectively, have been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively.  Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale were approximately $0.7 million and $2.2 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to less than $1,000 and $0.8 million, respectively; there were no gross losses on the sale of investments available for sale.  The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined is specific identification.

Investments classified as available for sale that are in an unrealized loss position for which other-than-temporary impairment has not been recognized consisted of the following:
 
   
March 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
   
March 31, 2009
 
         
Unrealized
             
Unrealized
             
Unrealized
     
   
Cost
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Cost
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Cost
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
(in thousands)
                                                     
Mutual Funds
  $ 2,002     $ (55 )   $ 1,947     $ 2,002     $ (2 )   $ 2,000     $ 44,402     $ (6,109 )   $ 38,293  
 
At March 31, 2010, there were two holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations.  In these specific instances, the investments at March 31, 2010 were mutual funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and in most cases across multiple industries.  One holding was impaired for four months and one holding was impaired for twelve consecutive months.  The fair value of these holdings at March 31, 2010 was $1.9 million.

At December 31, 2009, there were five holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations.  In these specific instances, the investments at December 31, 2009 were mutual funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and in most cases across multiple industries.  One holding was impaired for one month, one holding was impaired for nine consecutive months and three holdings were impaired for fourteen consecutive months.  The fair value of these holdings at December 31, 2009 was $2.0 million.

At March 31, 2009, there were sixty-four holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations.  In these specific instances, the investments at March 31, 2009 were mutual funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and in most cases across multiple industries.  Fifty-five holdings were impaired for three months, one holding was impaired for five consecutive months, two holdings were impaired for six consecutive months and six holdings were impaired for seven consecutive months.  The fair value of these holdings at March 31, 2009 was $38.3 million.
 
 
12

 

C. Investments in Partnerships
 
The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various sponsored limited partnerships and the investment manager of various sponsored offshore funds whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities (the “affiliated entities”).  We also have investments in those unaffiliated partnerships, offshore funds and other entities.  Certain of the entities are consolidated, generally because a majority of the equity is owned by the Company.  Other investment partnerships for which we serve as the general partner but have only a minority ownership interest are not consolidated because the limited partners have substantive rights to replace the Company as general partner.  Our balance sheet caption “investments in partnerships” includes those investments, in both affiliated and unaffiliated entities, which the Company accounts for under the equity method of accounting.  The Company reflects the equity in earnings of these equity method investees under the caption net gain/(loss) from investments on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

We also have sponsored a number of investment vehicles where we are the investment manager in which, aside from one instance, we do not have an equity investment.  These vehicles are considered VIEs and we are not the primary beneficiary because we do not absorb a majority of the entities’ expected losses or expected returns.  The Company has not provided any financial or other support to these entities.  The total assets of these entities at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 were $10.5 million, $10.4 million and $9.1 million, respectively.  Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with the VIEs is limited to our investment in the respective VIEs which was only the case for one of these.  On March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, we had an investment in one of the VIE offshore funds of approximately $287,000, $284,000 and $264,000, respectively, and was included in investments in partnerships on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  Additionally, as the general partner or investment manager to these VIEs the Company earns fees in relation to these roles, which given a decline in AUMs for the VIEs would result in lower fee revenues earned by the Company which would be reflected in the condensed consolidated statement of income, condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
 
At March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, the Company consolidated two limited partnerships and one offshore fund (the “consolidated feeder funds”), two limited partnerships and one offshore fund, three limited partnerships and one offshore fund, two limited partnerships and one offshore funds, and three limited partnerships and one offshore fund, respectively, that owned 100% of their offshore master funds.  The Company retained the specialized accounting of the consolidated feeder funds in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Included in the investment in partnerships on the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, is $26.2 million $25.1 million, and $21.4 million, respectively, which represents the consolidated feeder fund’s proportionate investment in the master funds carried at fair value. 

D. Fair Value

All of the instruments within cash and cash equivalents, investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are measured at fair value.  Certain instruments within investments in partnerships are also measured at fair value as described in detail below.
 
The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with the FASB’s guidance on fair value measurement.  The levels of the fair value hierarchy and their applicability to the Company are described below:

-  
Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reporting date.  Level 1 assets include cash equivalents, government obligations, listed mutual funds and equities.
-  
Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly-quoted intervals.  Assets that generally are included in this category may include certain limited partnership interests in hedge funds in which the valuations for substantially all of the investments within the fund are based upon Level 1 or Level 2 inputs and over the counter derivatives that have inputs to the valuations that can be generally corroborated by observable market data.
-  
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.  Assets included in this category generally include equities and direct private equity investments held within consolidated partnerships.
 
 
13

 
 
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.  Investments are transferred into or out of any level at their beginning period values.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from product to product and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of product, whether the product is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction.  To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized as Level 3.
 
Many of our securities have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the marketplace.  In the absence of a closing price, an average of the bid and ask price is used.  Bid prices reflect the highest price that the market is willing to pay for an asset.  Ask prices represent the lowest price that the market is willing to accept for an asset.
 
Cash equivalents – Cash is maintained in demand deposit accounts at major United States banking institutions.  Cash equivalents primarily consist of an affiliated money market mutual fund which is invested solely in U.S. Treasuries.  U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase are considered cash equivalents.  Cash equivalents are valued using quoted market prices.

Investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased – Investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are generally valued based on quoted prices from an exchange.  To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  Nonpublic and infrequently traded investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because significant inputs to measure fair value are unobservable.  Securities categorized in Level 2 investments are valued using other observable inputs.
 
Investments in PartnershipsThe Company’s investments include limited partner investments in hedge funds.  Initially, the transaction price is generally considered by the Company as the exit price and is the Company’s best estimate of fair value.  After initial recognition, in determining the fair value of internally managed funds, the Company considers the net asset value of the fund to be the best estimate of fair value.  Investments in hedge funds that are redeemable at the measurement date or in the near future, are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  These funds primarily invest in long and short investments in debt and equity securities that are traded in public and over-the-counter exchanges in the United States and are classified as level 1 assets or liabilities in the funds’ financial statements.  We may redeem our investments in these funds monthly with 30 days’ notice.
 
 
14

 
 
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
March 31,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2010
 
Cash equivalents
  $ 410,798     $ -     $ -     $ 410,798  
Investments in securities:
                               
  AFS - Common stocks
    34,655       -       -       34,655  
  AFS - Mutual funds
    64,144       -       -       64,144  
  Trading - Gov't obligations
    1,348       -       -       1,348  
  Trading - Common stocks
    74,227       113       233       74,573  
  Trading - Mutual funds
    1,379       -       -       1,379  
  Trading - Convertible bonds
    749       -       -       749  
  Trading - Preferred stocks
    -       -       11       11  
  Trading - Investments in
                               
    partnerships
    -       26,202       -       26,202  
  Trading - Other
    12       40       90       142  
Total investments in securities
    176,514       26,355       334       203,203  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 587,312     $ 26,355     $ 334     $ 614,001  
Liabilities
                               
  Trading - Common stocks
  $ 9,052     $ -     $ -     $ 9,052  
  Trading - Other
    -       11       -       11  
Securities sold, not yet purchased
  $ 9,052     $ 11     $ -     $ 9,063  
 
There were no significant transfers between any levels during the three months ended March 31, 2010.  Transfers are based on the value at the beginning of the period.
 
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
December 31,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2009
 
Cash equivalents
  $ 400,111     $ -     $ -     $ 400,111  
Investments in securities:
                               
  AFS - Common stocks
    34,294       -       -       34,294  
  AFS - Mutual funds
    62,380       -       -       62,380  
  Trading - Common stocks
    58,521       108       205       58,834  
  Trading - Mutual funds
    1,295       -       -       1,295  
  Trading - Preferred stocks
    -       -       15       15  
  Trading - Investments in
                               
    partnerships
    -       25,092       -       25,092  
  Trading - Other
    249       246       90       585  
Total investments in securities
    156,739       25,446       310       182,495  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 556,850     $ 25,446     $ 310     $ 582,606  
Liabilities
                               
  Trading - Common stocks
  $ 9,569     $ -     $ -     $ 9,569  
Securities sold, not yet purchased
  $ 9,569     $ -     $ -     $ 9,569  
 
 
15

 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
March 31,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2009
 
Cash equivalents
  $ 393,859     $ -     $ -     $ 393,859  
Investments in securities:
                               
  AFS - Common stocks
    39,285       -       -       39,285  
  AFS - Mutual funds
    44,594       -       -       44,594  
  Trading - U.S. Gov't obligations
    65,815       -       -       65,815  
  Trading - Common stocks
    33,012       2,086       152       35,250  
  Trading - Mutual funds
    2,3298       -       -       2,328  
  Trading - Preferred stocks
    -       -       14       14  
  Trading - Investments in
                               
    partnerships
    -       21,366       -       21,366  
  Trading - Other
    22       -       301       323  
Total investments in securities
    185,056       23,452       467       208,975  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 578,915     $ 23,452     $ 467     $ 602,834  
Liabilities
                               
  Trading - common stocks
  $ 3,570     $ -     $ -     $ 3,570  
Securities sold, not yet purchased
  $ 3,570     $ -     $ -     $ 3,570  
 
The following tables present additional information about assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value.
 
Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 (in thousands)
 
                     
Total
                         
                     
Unrealized
                         
                     
Gains or
   
Total
                   
          Total Realized and    
(Losses)
   
Realized
         
Net
       
   
December
   
Unrealized Gains or
   
Included in
   
and
         
Transfers
       
    31, 2009    
(Losses) in Income
   
Other
   
Unrealized
   
Purchases
   
In and/or
       
    Beginning           AFS     Comprehensive     Gains or     and Sales,     (Out) of     Ending  
Asset
 
Balance
   
Trading
   
Investments
   
Income
   
(Losses)
   
net
   
Level 3
   
Balance
 
Financial
                                                 
instruments owned:
                                                 
Trading - Common
                                                 
  stocks
  $ 205     $ 37     $ -     $ -     $ 37     $ (32 )   $ 23     $ 233  
Trading - Preferred
                                                               
  stocks
    15       (4 )     -       -       (4 )     -       -       11  
Trading - Other
    90       -       -       -       -       -       -       90  
Total
  $ 310     $ 33     $ -     $ -     $ 33     $ (32 )   $ 23     $ 334  
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company reclassed approximately $23,000 of investments from Level 1 to Level 3.  The reclassifications were due to decreased availability of market price quotations and were based on the values at the beginning of the period in which the reclass occurred.
 
 
16

 
 
Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 (in thousands)
 
                     
Total
                         
                     
Unrealized
                         
                     
Gains or
   
Total
                   
          Total Realized and    
(Losses)
   
Realized
         
Net
       
   
December
   
Unrealized Gains or
   
Included in
   
and
         
Transfers
       
    31, 2008    
(Losses) in Income
   
Other
   
Unrealized
   
Purchases
   
In and/or
       
    Beginning           AFS     Comprehensive     Gains or     and Sales,     (Out) of     Ending  
Asset
 
Balance
   
Trading
   
Investments
   
Income
   
(Losses)
   
net
   
Level 3
   
Balance
 
Financial
                                                 
instruments owned:
                                                 
Trading - Common
                                                 
  stocks
  $ 1,115     $ 29     $ -     $ -     $ 29     $ (29 )   $ (963 )   $ 152  
Trading - Preferred
                                                               
  stocks
    95       (81 )     -       -       (81 )     -       -       14  
Trading - Other
    331       (30 )     -       -       (30 )     -       -       301  
Total
  $ 1,541     $ (82 )   $ -     $ -     $ (82 )   $ (29 )   $ (963 )   $ 467  
 
During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, the Company reclassified approximately $1.0 million of investments from Level 3 to Level 2.  The reclassifications were due to increased availability of market price quotations and were based on the values at the beginning of the period in which the reclass occurred.

Unrealized Level 3 gains and/or losses included within net gain (loss) from investments in the condensed consolidated statement of income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were approximately $33,000 of gains and $82,000 of losses for those Level 3 securities held at March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
E. Debt
 
The fair value of the Company’s debt is estimated based on either quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or using market standard models depending on the characteristics of the debt issuance.  Inputs in these standard models include credit rating, maturity, interest rate and size of comparable issues.  At March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009, the fair value of the Company’s debt is estimated to be $208.5 million, $204.2 million and $175.7 million, respectively.  The carrying value of the Company debt at March 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2009 is $198.9 million, $198.9 million and $198.8 million, respectively.
 
F. Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was 37.5% compared to the prior year quarter’s effective rate of 32.9%.  The prior year’s rate includes a reduction to certain income tax reserves.
 
 
17

 
 
G. Earnings Per Share
 
The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:
 
   
Three
   
Three
 
   
Months
   
Months
 
   
Ended
   
Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2010
   
2009
 
Basic:
           
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
  $ 13,726     $ 8,212  
Weighted average shares outstanding
    27,184       27,379  
Basic net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s
               
  shareholders per share
  $ 0.50     $ 0.30  
                 
Diluted:
               
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
  $ 13,726     $ 8,212  
Add interest expense on certain convertible notes, net of
               
  management fee and taxes
    339       -  
Total
  $ 14,065     $ 8,212  
                 
Weighted average share outstanding
    27,184       27,379  
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards
    209       7  
Assumed conversion of certain convertible notes
    755       -  
Total
    28,148       27,386  
Diluted net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s
               
  shareholders per share
  $ 0.50     $ 0.30  
 
H. Stockholders’ Equity
 
Shares outstanding were 27.4 million on March 31, 2010, 27.6 million on December 31, 2009, and 27.8 million shares on March 31, 2009. 
 
On February 9, 2010, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders, payable on March 30, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2010.  On February 3, 2009, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders, payable on March 31, 2009 to shareholders of record on March 17, 2009.
 
Voting Rights

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

Stock Award and Incentive Plan
 
The Company maintains two Plans approved by the shareholders, which are designed to provide incentives which will attract and retain individuals key to the success of GAMCO through direct or indirect ownership of our common stock.  Benefits under the Plans may be granted in any one or a combination of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents and other stock or cash based awards.  A maximum of 1,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under each of the Plans by a committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) responsible for administering the plans.  Under the Plans, the Compensation Committee may grant either incentive or nonqualified stock options with a term not to exceed ten years from the grant date and at an exercise price that the committee may determine and restricted stock awards (“RSAs”).  Options granted under the Plans vest 75% after three years and 100% after four years from the date of grant and expire after ten years.
 
 
18

 
 
On February 9, 2010, the Company approved the granting of 88,800 RSA shares at a grant date fair value of $40.64 per share to be issued on June 1, 2010.  As of March 31, 2010, there were 359,100 RSA shares outstanding that were previously issued at an average grant price of $60.78.  All grants of the RSAs were recommended by the Company's Chairman, who did not receive an RSA, and approved by the Compensation Committee.  This expense will be recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is 30% over three years from the date of grant and 70% over five years from the date of grant.  During the vesting period, dividends to RSA holders are held for them until the RSA vesting dates and are forfeited if the grantee is no longer employed by the Company on the vesting dates.  Dividends declared on these RSAs are charged to retained earnings on the declaration date.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively.  Stock-based compensation expense for RSAs and options for the years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2015 (based on awards currently issued or granted) is as follows ($ in thousands):
 
     
2009
   
2010
   
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
 
  Q1     $ 1,271     $ 1,382     $ 926     $ 890     $ 203     $ 95     $ 95  
  Q2       1,267       1,416       922       889       182       95       63  
  Q3       1,283       1,416       906       889       117       95       -  
  Q4       1,264       1,253       898       660       107       95       -  
Full Year
    $ 5,085     $ 5,467     $ 3,652     $ 3,328     $ 609     $ 380     $ 158  
 
The total compensation costs related to non-vested restricted stock awards and options not yet recognized is approximately $12.2 million.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, proceeds from the exercise of 500 and 5,325 stock options were $8,000 and $93,000, respectively, resulting in a tax benefit to GAMCO of $5,000 and $34,000, respectively.
 
Stock Repurchase Program
 
In March 1999, GAMCO's Board of Directors established the Stock Repurchase Program to grant the authority to repurchase shares of our Class A Common Stock.  For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Company repurchased 180,200 shares at an average price per share of $44.58.  The Company did not repurchase any shares during the three months ended March 31, 2009.  From the inception of the program through March 31, 2010, 6,389,283 shares have been repurchased at an average price of $40.04 per share.  At March 31, 2010, the total shares available under the program able to be repurchased were 528,136.
 
I. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
 
The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill and other intangible assets at least annually, or more often should events warrant, using a present value cash flow method.  There was no impairment charge recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2010 or 2009.  At March 31, 2010, $3.5 million of goodwill is reflected within other assets on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition related to our 93%-owned subsidiary, Gabelli Securities, Inc.

On March 10, 2008, the Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund's (the "Fund") Board of Directors, subsequent to obtaining shareholder approval, approved the assignment of the advisory contract to Gabelli Funds, LLC as the investment adviser to the Fund.  GAMCO Asset Management Inc. had been the sub-adviser to the Fund.  On July 8, 2008, the Fund was renamed the Gabelli Enterprise Merger and Acquisitions Fund.  As a result of becoming the adviser to the rebranded Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund the Company maintains an indefinite-lived identifiable intangible asset within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition of approximately $1.9 million at both March 31, 2010 and 2009.  The investment advisory agreement is subject to annual renewal by the Fund's Board of Directors, which the Company expects will be renewed, and the Company does not expect to incur additional expense as a result, which is consistent with other investment advisory agreements entered into by the Company.  The advisory contract is next up for renewal in February 2011.
 
J.  Commitments and Contingencies
 
From time to time, the Company is named in legal actions.  These actions may seek substantial compensatory as well as punitive damages.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse outcomes including fines, injunctions or other relief.  The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of such matters.  The condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provision for losses that are deemed to be probable and estimable.  In the opinion of management, the resolution of such claims will not be material to the financial condition of the Company.
 
 
19

 
 
We indemnify the clearing brokers for our affiliated broker-dealer for losses they may sustain from the customer accounts that trade on margin introduced by our broker-dealer subsidiary.  At March 31, 2010, the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification (i.e. unsecured margin debits) was immaterial.  The Company also has entered into arrangements with various other third parties many of which provide for indemnification of the third parties against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of our obligations under the agreements.  The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements, and we believe the likelihood of a claim being made is remote.  Management cannot estimate any potential maximum exposure due both to the remoteness of any potential claims and the fact that items that would be included within any such calculated claim would be beyond the control of management.  Consequently, no accrual has been made in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
K. Subsequent Events
 
From April 1, 2010 to May 6, 2010, the Company repurchased 39,100 shares at $45.88 per share.  
 
On April 20, 2010, the Company gave notice to the holder of the 6% convertible note due in August 2011 that on May 31, 2010, the Company will redeem $20 million of the $40 million currently outstanding at 101% of par.

On May 4, 2010, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders, payable on June 29, 2010 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2010.
 
On May 4, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized that an additional 500,000 shares be added to our current buyback authorization.  This brings the remaining authorization under the stock repurchase program to 989,036 shares at May 6, 2010.
 
 
20

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

Overview
 
GAMCO through the Gabelli brand, well known for its Private Market Value (PMV) with a CatalystTM investment approach, is a widely-recognized provider of investment advisory services to mutual funds, institutional and high net worth investors, and investment partnerships, principally in the United States.  Through Gabelli & Company, Inc., we provide institutional research and brokerage services to institutional clients and investment partnerships and mutual fund distribution.  We generally manage assets on a discretionary basis and invest in a variety of U.S. and international securities through various investment styles.  Our revenues are based primarily on the firm’s levels of assets under management and fees associated with our various investment products.
 
Since 1977, we have been identified with and have enhanced the “value” style approach to investing. Our investment objective is to earn a superior risk-adjusted return for our clients over the long-term through our proprietary fundamental research.  In addition to our value portfolios, we offer our clients a broad array of investment strategies that include global, growth, international and convertible products.  We also offer a series of investment partnership (performance fee-based) vehicles that provide a series of long-short investment opportunities in market and sector specific opportunities, including offerings of non-market correlated investments in merger arbitrage, as well as fixed income strategies.
 
Our revenues are highly correlated to the level of assets under management and fees associated with our various investment products, rather than our own corporate assets.  Assets under management, which are directly influenced by the level and changes of the overall equity markets, can also fluctuate through acquisitions, the creation of new products, the addition of new accounts or the loss of existing accounts.  Since various equity products have different fees, changes in our business mix may also affect revenues.  At times, the performance of our equity products may differ markedly from popular market indices, and this can also impact our revenues.  General stock market trends will have the greatest impact on our level of assets under management and hence, revenues.

We conduct our investment advisory business principally through: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (Separate Accounts), Gabelli Funds, LLC (Mutual Funds) and Gabelli Securities, Inc. (Investment Partnerships).  We also act as an underwriter, are a distributor of our open-end funds and provide institutional research through Gabelli & Company, Inc. (“Gabelli & Company”), our broker-dealer subsidiary.
 
 
21

 
 
Assets under management (“AUM”) were $28.0 billion as of March 31, 2010, 51.3% greater than March 31, 2009 AUM of $18.5 billion and 6.2% higher than December 31, 2009 AUM of $26.3 billion.  Equity AUM were $26.2 billion on March 31, 2010, 57.2% above the $16.7 billion on March 31, 2009 and 6.6% above the December 31, 2009 equity AUM of $24.6 billion.  Highlights are as follows:
 
-  
Our open-end equity funds AUM were $9.2 billion on March 31, 2010, 62.7% higher than the $5.6 billion on March 31, 2009 and 8.0% above the $8.5 billion on December 31, 2009.  During the first quarter of 2010 we had net cash inflow of $281 million.

-  
Our institutional and private wealth management business ended the quarter with $12.0 billion in separately managed accounts, up 60.0% from the $7.5 billion on March 31, 2009 and 7.1% higher than the December 31, 2009 level of $11.2 billion.  During the first quarter of 2010 we had net cash outflow of $22 million.

-  
Our closed-end funds had AUM of $4.8 billion on March 31, 2010, climbing nearly 42% from the $3.4 billion on March 31, 2009 and 3.4% above the $4.6 billion on December 31, 2009.  During the first quarter of 2010 we had net cash inflow of $52 million.

-  
Our investment partnerships AUM were $341 million on March 31, 2010 versus $265 million on March 31, 2009 and $305 million on December 31, 2009.  During the first quarter of 2010 we had net cash inflow of $29 million.

-  
AUM in The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, our 100% U.S. Treasury money market fund, was flat at $1.7 billion at March 31, 2010 as compared to December 31, 2009 and slightly lower than the March 31, 2009 AUM of $1.8 billion.

-  
We have the opportunity to earn base fees and incentive fees for certain institutional client assets, assets attributable to preferred issues for our closed-end funds, our Gabelli Global Deal Fund (NYSE: GDL) and investment partnership assets.  As of March 31, 2010, assets with incentive based fees were $2.9 billion, 16.0% higher than the $2.5 billion on March 31, 2009 and 3.6% above the $2.8 billion on December 31, 2009.
 
 
22

 
 
The Company reported Assets Under Management as follows (in millions):
                   
                               
Table I: Fund Flows - 1st Quarter 2010
                         
           Closed-end Fund                    
         
distributions,
                   
   
December 31,
 
net of
   
Net cash
   
Market
   
March 31,
 
   
2009
   
reinvesments
   
flows (a)
   
appreciation
   
2010
 
Equities:
                             
Open-end Funds
  $ 8,476     $ -     $ 281     $ 396     $ 9,153  
Closed-end Funds
    4,609       (73 )     52       178       4,766  
Institutional & PWM - direct
    9,312       -       (46 )     638       9,904  
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
    1,897       -       24       138       2,059  
Investment Partnerships
    305       -       29       7       341  
Total Equities
    24,599       (73 )     340       1,357       26,223  
Fixed Income:
                                       
Money-Market Fund
    1,721       -       5       1       1,727  
Institutional & PWM
    26       -       -       -       26  
Total Fixed Income
    1,747       -       5       1       1,753  
Total Assets Under Management
  $ 26,346     $ (73 )   $ 345     $ 1,358     $ 27,976  
(a) Includes $52 million of shares issued for closed-end funds.
                         
                                         
 
Table II:
                 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
   
%
 
   
2009
   
2010
   
Inc.(Dec.)
 
Equities:
                 
Open-end Funds
  $ 5,627     $ 9,153       62.7 %
Closed-end Funds
    3,359       4,766       41.9  
Institutional & PWM - direct
    6,227       9,904       59.0  
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
    1,202       2,059       71.3  
Investment Partnerships
    265       341       28.7  
Total Equities
    16,680       26,223       57.2  
Fixed Income:
                       
Money-Market Fund
    1,794       1,727       (3.7 )
Institutional & PWM
    21       26       23.8  
Total Fixed Income
    1,815       1,753       (3.4 )
Total Assets Under Management
  $ 18,495     $ 27,976       51.3 %
                         
 
Table III: Assets Under Management by Quarter
                               
                                 
% Increase/
 
                                 
(decrease) from
 
      3/09       6/09       9/09       12/09       3/10       3/09       12/09  
Equities:
                                                       
Open-end Funds
  $ 5,627     $ 6,684     $ 7,906     $ 8,476     $ 9,153       62.7 %     8.0 %
Closed-end Funds
    3,359       3,822       4,369       4,609       4,766       41.9       3.4  
Institutional & PWM - direct
    6,227       7,332       8,491       9,312       9,904       59.0       6.4  
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
    1,202       1,476       1,777       1,897       2,059       71.3       8.5  
Investment Partnerships
    265       266       291       305       341       28.7       11.8  
Total Equities
    16,680       19,580       22,834       24,599       26,223       57.2       6.6  
Fixed Income:
                                                       
Money-Market Fund
    1,794       1,765       1,616       1,721       1,727       (3.7 )     0.3  
Institutional & PWM
    21       21       26       26       26       23.8       -  
Total Fixed Income
    1,815       1,786       1,642       1,747       1,753       (3.4 )     0.3  
Total Assets Under Management
  $ 18,495     $ 21,366     $ 24,476     $ 26,346     $ 27,976       51.3 %     6.2 %
                                                         
 
 
23

 
 
Relative long-term investment performance remains strong.  60% of all firm mutual funds performed in the top half of their Lipper categories on a one-, three-, five-, and ten-year total return basis, respectively as of March 31, 2010.  Also, 47% of the firm’s mutual funds have a 4- or 5-star 3 year Morningstar RatingTM.

Gabelli Funds Morningstar Ratings Based on Risk Adjusted returns as of March 31, 2010 for funds that we manage
     
   
Overall Rating
3 Year Rating
5 Year Rating
10 Year Rating
 
Morningstar
 
# of
 
# of
 
# of
 
# of
FUND
Category
Stars
Funds
Stars
Funds
Stars
Funds
Stars
Funds
Gabelli ABC AAA
Mid-Cap Blend
êêêêê
376
êêêêê
376
êêêêê
314
êêêê
161
Gabelli Asset AAA
Mid-Cap Blend
êêêê
376
êêêê
376
êêêê
314
êêê
161
Gabelli Blue Chip Value AAA
Large Blend
êêê
1785
êêê
1785
êêêê
1402
êêê
731
Gabelli Equity Income AAA
Large Value
êêêêê
1120
êêêêê
1120
êêêêê
941
êêêêê
476
Gabelli Small Cap Growth AAA
Small Blend
êêêêê
562
êêêêê
562
êêêêê
471
êêêê
248
Gabelli SRI Green AAA
Mid-Cap Blend
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Gabelli Utilities AAA
Specialty-Utilities
êêêê
91
êêêêê
91
êêêê
78
êêêê
53
Gabelli Value A
Mid-Cap Blend
êê
376
êê
376
êê
314
êê
161
Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value AAA
Small Blend
êêê
562
êêêê
562
êêê
471
n/a
n/a
GAMCO Global Convertible Secs AAA
Convertibles
ê
61
ê
61
ê
57
ê
41
GAMCO Global Growth AAA
World Stock
êê
565
êêê
565
êêê
456
ê
255
GAMCO Global Opportunity AAA
World Stock
êêê
565
êêê
565
êêêê
456
êêê
255
GAMCO Global Telecommunications AAA
Specialty-Communications
êêê
39
êêê
39
êêê
33
êêê
17
GAMCO Gold AAA
Specialty-Precious Metals
êêê
67
êêê
67
êêê
60
êêê
37
GAMCO Growth AAA
Large Growth
êê
1547
êêê
1547
êê
1276
êê
718
GAMCO International Growth AAA
Foreign Large Growth
êêê
215
êêêê
215
êêê
158
êêê
81
GAMCO Mathers
Conservative Allocation
êê
533
êêê
533
êê
349
ê
161
Gabelli Enterprise Mergers & Acquisitions Y
Mid-cap Blend
êêêê
376
êêêê
376
êêêê
314
n/a
n/a
Comstock Capital Value AAA
Bear Market
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Percent of Rated funds rated 4 or 5 stars
 
35.29%
 
47.06%
 
47.06%
 
26.67%
 
                   
The Overall Morningstar Rating™ is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three, five and ten year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics.
Data presented reflects past performance, which is no guarantee of future results.  Ratings are for Class AAA, A or Y shares only, other classes may have different performance
characteristics.  Unrated funds and closed-end funds are not listed.  For each fund with at least a three year history, Morningstar calculates a Morningstar Rating based on a
Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure (including the effects of sales charges, loads, and redemption fees) that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance, placing
more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance.  The top 10% of the funds in each category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35%
receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star.  (Each share class is counted as a fraction of one fund within this scale and rated separately, which
may cause slight variations in the distribution percentages.)  Strong relative performance is not indicative of positive fund returns.  © 2010 Morningstar, Inc.  All rights reserved.  The
information contained herein:  (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or
timely.  Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.  Investors should consider the investment
objectives, risks, sales charges and expenses of the fund carefully before investing.  Each Fund's prospectus contains this and other information about the Funds and is available,
along with information on other Gabelli Funds, by calling 800-GABELLI (422-3554), online at www.gabelli.com/funds or from your financial advisor.  The prospectus should be
read carefully before investing.  Distributed by Gabelli & Company, One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580 Call 1-800-GABELLI (422-3554) for a prospectus.
The inception date for the Gabelli SRI Green Fund was June 1, 2007.  The inception date for the Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund was December 31, 2002.
The inception date for the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers & Acquisitions Fund was February 28, 2001.  The inception date for the Comstock Capital Value Fund was October 10, 1985.
                   
 
 
24

 
 
GABELLI/GAMCO FUNDS
 
Gabelli Funds Lipper Rankings as of March 31, 2010
   
1 Yr - 03/31/09-03/31/10
3 Yrs - 03/31/07-03/31/10
5 Yrs - 03/31/05-03/31/10
10 Yrs - 03/31/00-03/31/10
   
Percentile
Rank /
Percentile
Rank /
Percentile
Rank /
Percentile
Rank /
Fund Name
Lipper Category
Rank
Total Funds
Rank
Total Funds
Rank
Total Funds
Rank
Total Funds
Gabelli Asset; AAA
Multi-Cap Core Funds
19
148/805
20
137/698
12
61/539
20
45/234
Gabelli Value Fund; A
Multi-Cap Core Funds
8
60/805
62
429/698
56
299/539
32
74/234
Gabelli SRI; AAA
Multi-Cap Growth Funds
5
21/456
-
-
-
-
-
-
Gabelli Eq:Eq Inc; AAA
Equity Income Funds
27
79/298
18
44/245
16
30/193
13
14/108
GAMCO Growth; AAA
Large-Cap Growth Funds
27
225/834
61
444/730
53
323/611
71
235/330
Gabelli Eq:SC Gro; AAA
Small-Cap Core Funds
71
514/733
14
86/621
17
84/508
24
64/272
Gabelli Eq:Wd SCV; AAA
Small-Cap Core Funds
33
237/733
27
166/621
56
282/508
-
-
GAMCO Gl:Oppty; AAA
Global Large-Cap Growth
35
44/125
28
24/87
23
15/66
27
11/40
GAMCO Gl:Growth; AAA
Global Large-Cap Growth
38
47/125
16
14/87
35
23/66
88
36/40
GAMCO Gold; AAA
Gold Oriented Funds
55
41/74
45
27/59
40
21/52
29
9/31
GAMCO Intl Gro; AAA
International Large-Cap Growth
24
45/187
34
50/148
67
77/115
53
31/58
Gabelli Bl Chp Val; AAA
Large-Cap Core Funds
67
622/930
48
380/799
35
228/664
25
96/387
Gabelli Inv:ABC; AAA
Specialty Diversified Equity Funds
68
27/39
9
3/33
7
1/15
30
3/9
GAMCO Mathers; AAA
Specialty Diversified Equity Funds
78
31/39
42
14/33
50
8/15
60
6/9
Comstock Cap Val; A
Specialty Diversified Equity Funds
90
36/39
59
20/33
82
13/15
70
7/9
GAMCO Gl:Telecom; AAA
Telecommunications Funds
28
12/43
20
7/34
32
9/28
22
3/13
GAMCO Gl:Convert; AAA
Convertible Securities Funds
68
46/67
95
50/52
92
46/49
93
38/40
Gabelli Utilities; AAA
Utility Funds
27
24/91
9
7/81
18
12/67
26
12/46
787:Gabelli Merg&Acq; Y
Mid-Cap Core Funds
96
387/404
33
112/343
49
134/275
-
-
Gabelli Capital Asset Fund
Distributed through Insurance Channel
8
27/342
1
3/300
9
18/200
7
6/95
% of funds in top half
 
60.0%
 
78.9%
 
68.4%
 
64.7%
 
                   
Data presented reflects past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Strong rankings are not indicative of positive fund performance.  Absolute performance for some funds was negative for certain periods.  Other share classes are available which may have different performance characteristics.
                   
Lipper, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments including mutual funds, retirement funds, hedge funds, fund fees and expenses to the asset management and media communities. Lipper ranks the performance of mutual funds within a classification of funds that have similar investment objectives. Rankings are historical with capital gains and dividends reinvested and do not include the effect of loads. If an expense waiver was in effect, it may have had a material effect on the total return or yield for the period.
                   
Relative long-term investment performance remained strong with approximately 60%, 79%, 68% and 65% of firmwide mutual funds in the top half of their Lipper categories on a one-, three-, five-, and ten-year total-return basis, respectively, as of March 31, 2010.
                   
Investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a fund before investing.  The Prospectus which contains more information about this and other matters, should be read carefully before investing.  You can obtain a prospectus by calling 1-800 GABELLI.  Distributed by Gabelli & Company.  Other share classes are available that have different performance characteristics.
                   
The inception date for the Gabelli SRI Green Fund was June 1, 2007.  The inception date for the Gabelli Woodland Small Cap Value Fund was December 31, 2002.  The inception date for the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers & Acquisitions Fund was February 28, 2001.
 
 
25

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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared To Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
 
(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
           
   
2010
   
2009
 
Revenues
           
  Investment advisory and incentive fees
  $ 49,342     $ 35,199  
  Insitutional research services
    3,424       3,650  
  Distribution fees and other income
    7,232       4,510  
Total revenues
    59,998       43,359  
Expenses
               
  Compensation
    26,213       20,785  
  Management fee
    2,448       1,349  
  Distribution costs
    7,031       5,422  
  Other operating expenses
    4,936       4,301  
Total expenses
    40,628       31,857  
Operating income
    19,370       11,502  
Other income (expense)
               
  Net gain from investments
    5,232       2,592  
  Interest and dividend income
    815       1,278  
  Interest expense
    (3,292 )     (3,234 )
Total other income, net
    2,755       636  
Income before income taxes
    22,125       12,138  
Income tax provision
    8,294       3,988  
Net income
    13,831       8,150  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
    105       (62 )
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
  $ 13,726     $ 8,212  
                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share
               
Basic
  $ 0.50     $ 0.30  
Diluted
  $ 0.50     $ 0.30  
                 
Reconciliation of net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
               
  to Adjusted EBITDA:
               
                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
  $ 13,726     $ 8,212  
Interest expense
    3,292       3,234  
Income tax provision and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    8,399       3,926  
Depreciation and amortization
    171       165  
Adjusted EBITDA (a)
  $ 25,588     $ 15,537  
 
(a) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and noncontrolling interests.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States nor should it be considered as an indicator of our overall financial performance.  We use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of performance as we believe it gives investors a more complete understanding of our operating results before the impact of financing activities as a tool for determining the private market value of an enterprise.
 
 
26

 

Total revenues were $60.0 million in the first quarter of 2010, 38.2% above the $43.4 million reported in the first quarter of 2009.  Operating income was $19.4 million, an increase of $7.9 million or 68.7% from the $11.5 million in the first quarter of 2009.  Total other income, net of interest expense, was $2.8 million for the first quarter 2010 versus $0.6 million in the prior year’s quarter.  In the short-run, our results remain sensitive to changes in the equity market.  Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.’s shareholders for the quarter was $13.7 million or $0.50 per fully diluted share versus $8.2 million or $0.30 per fully diluted share in the prior year’s quarter.
 
Investment advisory fees for the first quarter 2010 were $49.3 million, 40.1% above the 2009 comparative figure of $35.2 million. Open-end mutual fund revenues increased by 40.1% to $22.0 million from $15.7 million in first quarter 2009 due to higher average AUM.  Our closed-end fund revenues rose 50.0% to $8.7 million in the first quarter 2010 from $5.8 million in 2009 due to increased average AUM.  Institutional and private wealth management accounts revenues, whose revenues are based upon prior quarter-end AUM, increased 35.6% to $17.9 million from $13.2 million in first quarter 2009, primarily due to higher AUM.  Investment partnership revenues were $0.8 million, nearly double the $0.5 million in 2009.  This increase was primarily due to higher AUM in the current quarter as compared to the prior year's quarter.
 
Our institutional research subsidiary achieved revenues of $3.4 million in the first quarter 2010, declining 8.1% from the $3.7 million in the prior year.
 
Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $7.2 million for the first quarter 2010, an increase of 60.0% or $2.7 million from the prior period’s $4.5 million, primarily due to higher quarterly average AUM in open-end equity mutual funds that generate such fees.
 
Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $26.2 million or 26.0% higher than the $20.8 million recorded in the prior year period.  This increase was driven by higher revenues across most business lines as AUM increased quarter over quarter.
 
Management fee expense, which is completely variable and based on pretax income, increased to $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2010 from $1.3 million in the 2009 period.
 
Distribution costs were $7.0 million, an increase of 29.6% from $5.4 million in the prior year’s period.
 
Other operating expenses increased by $0.6 million to $4.9 million in the first quarter of 2010 from the prior year first quarter of $4.3 million.  Excluding the receipt of insurance claims for legal fees and expenses submitted in prior quarters, for both the 2010 and 2009 first quarter, other operating expenses would have decreased by $0.5 million.
 
Total expenses, excluding the management fee, were $38.2 million in the first quarter of 2010, a 25.2% increase from $30.5 million in the first quarter of 2009.
 
Operating income for the first quarter of 2010 was $19.4 million, an increase of $7.9 million from the first quarter 2009’s $11.5 million.  This increase was largely due to the increase in revenues partially offset by a smaller increase in operating expenses.
 
Total other income (net of interest expense) was $2.8 million for the first quarter 2010 versus $0.6 million in the prior year’s quarter.  $2.7 million of this increase is from the effect of mark to market increases in equity instruments.  Interest income was lower by $0.5 million while dividend income was unchanged.  Interest expense increased slightly to $3.3 million for first quarter 2010 from $3.2 million for the prior year quarter.
 
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was 37.5% as compared to the prior year period’s effective rate of 32.9%.  The prior year’s rate includes a reduction to certain income tax reserves.
 
 
27

 
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our principal assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, securities held for investment purposes and investments in mutual funds, and investment partnerships and offshore funds, both proprietary and external.  Cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of United States Treasury securities with maturities of three months or less and money market funds managed by GAMCO.  Although the investment partnerships and offshore funds are for the most part illiquid, the underlying investments of such partnerships or funds are for the most part liquid, and the valuations of these products reflect that underlying liquidity.
 
Summary cash flow data is as follows:
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash flows provided by (used in):
 
(in thousands)
 
  Operating activities
  $ 19,125     $ 83,627  
  Investing activities
    675       (18,287 )
  Financing activities
    (8,923 )     (2,844 )
  Net increase
    10,877       64,496  
  Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
    (48 )     (15 )
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    338,270       331,174  
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 349,099     $ 393,655  
 
Cash requirements and liquidity needs have historically been met through cash generated by operating activities and our borrowing capacity.  Our shelf registration provides us opportunistic flexibility to sell any combination of senior and subordinate debt securities, convertible debt securities, equity securities (including common and preferred stock), and other securities up to a total amount of $400 million.  On February 25, 2010, Moody’s Investors Service lowered the Company’s investment grade rating one notch from Baa2 to Baa3 while maintaining a stable outlook.
 
At March 31, 2010, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $349.1 million, an increase of $10.9 million from December 31, 2009.  Cash and cash equivalents and investments in securities held in escrow relating to the $60 million 6.5% convertible note and held by consolidated investment partnerships and offshore funds are restricted from use for general operating purposes.  Total debt outstanding at March 31, 2010 was $198.9 million, consisting of the $60 million 6.5% convertible note, the $40 million 6% convertible note and the $99 million of 5.5% senior notes.  The Company has given notice to the holder of the $40 million 6% convertible note that the Company will redeem $20 million of the convertible note for 101% of par value on May 31, 2010.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2010, cash provided by operating activities was $19.1 million.  The most significant contributor to the lower cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of 2010 versus the first three months of 2009 was the activity in the trading securities and investment in partnerships.  Cash provided by investing activities, related to purchases and proceeds from sales of available for sale securities and change in restricted cash, was $0.7 million in the first three months of 2010.  Cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2010 was $8.9 million.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, cash provided by operating activities was $83.6 million.  Cash used in investing activities, related to purchases and sales of available for sale securities and change in restricted cash, was $18.3 million in the first three months of 2009.  Cash used in financing activities in the first three months of 2009 was $2.8 million.

Based upon our current level of operations and anticipated growth, we expect that our current cash balances plus cash flows from operating activities and our borrowing capacity will be sufficient to finance our working capital needs for the foreseeable future.  We have no material commitments for capital expenditures aside from the $20 million redemption of the $40 million 6% convertible note for 101% of par value on May 31, 2010.
 
As a registered broker-dealer, Gabelli & Company is subject to certain net capital requirements.  Gabelli & Company's net capital has historically exceeded these minimum net capital requirements.  Gabelli & Company computes its net capital under the alternative method permitted, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debt items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The requirement was $250,000 at March 31, 2010.  At March 31, 2010, Gabelli & Company had net capital, as defined, of approximately $18.6 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $18.4 million.  Gabelli & Company’s net capital, as defined, may be reduced when Gabelli & Company is involved in firm commitment underwriting activities.  This did not occur as of or for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
 
 
28

 
 
Market Risk
 
Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in equity prices and interest rates.  Since over 90% of our AUM are equities, our financial results are subject to equity-market risk as revenues from our money management services are sensitive to stock market dynamics.  In addition, returns from our proprietary investment portfolio are exposed to interest rate and equity market risk.
 
The Company earns substantially all of its revenue as advisory fees from our Mutual Fund, Institutional and Private Wealth Management, and Investment Partnership assets.  Such fees represent a percentage of AUM and the majority of these assets are in equity investments.  Accordingly, since revenues are proportionate to the value of those investments, a substantial increase or decrease in equity markets overall will have a corresponding effect on the Company's revenues.
 
With respect to our proprietary investment activities, included in investments in securities of $177.0 million at March 31, 2010 were investments in mutual funds, largely invested in equity products, of $65.5 million, a selection of common and preferred stocks totaling $109.2 million, and other investments of approximately $2.2 million.  Investments in mutual funds generally lower market risk through the diversification of financial instruments within their portfolio.  In addition, we may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management.  Of the approximately $109.2 million invested in common and preferred stocks at March 31, 2010, $34.7 million represented our investment in Westwood Holdings Group Inc., and $20.4 million was invested in risk arbitrage opportunities in connection with mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, tender offers or other similar transactions.  Securities sold, not yet purchased are stated at fair value and are subject to market risks resulting from changes in price and volatility.  At March 31, 2010, the fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased was $9.1 million.  Investments in partnerships totaled $70.7 million at March 31, 2010, the majority of which consisted of investment partnerships and offshore funds which invest in risk arbitrage opportunities.  These transactions generally involve announced deals with agreed upon terms and conditions, including pricing, which typically involve less market risk than common stocks held in a trading portfolio.  The principal risk associated with risk arbitrage transactions is the inability of the companies involved to complete the transaction.
 
GAMCO’s exposure to interest rate risk results, principally, from its investment of excess cash in U.S. Government securities.  These investments are primarily short term in nature, and the carrying value of these investments generally approximates fair value.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.  See Note A and the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in GAMCO’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 15, 2010 for details on Significant Accounting Policies.
 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
In the normal course of its business, GAMCO is exposed to risk of loss due to fluctuations in the securities market and general economy. Management is responsible for identifying, assessing and managing market and other risks.
 
Our exposure to pricing risk in equity securities is directly related to our role as financial intermediary and advisor for AUM in our Mutual Funds, Separate Accounts, and Investment Partnerships as well as our proprietary investment and trading activities.  At March 31, 2010, we had equity investments, including mutual funds largely invested in equity products, of $174.8 million.  Investments in mutual funds, $65.5 million, usually generate lower market risk through the diversification of financial instruments within their portfolios.  In addition, we may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management.  We also hold investments in partnerships which invest primarily in equity securities and which are subject to changes in equity prices.  Investments in partnerships totaled $70.2 million, of which $19.0 million were invested in partnerships which invest in event-driven merger arbitrage strategies.  These strategies are primarily dependent upon deal closure rather than the overall market environment.  The equity investment portfolio is at fair value and will move in line with the equity markets.  The trading portfolio changes will be recorded as net gain (loss) from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income while the available for sale portfolio changes will be recorded in other comprehensive income in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
 
 
29

 
 
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2010.  Disclosure controls and procedures as defined under the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rule and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), and Co-Principal Accounting Officers (“PAOs”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Our CEO, CFO, and PAOs participated in this evaluation and concluded that, as of the date of March 31, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as defined by Rule 13a-15(f) that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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

 Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
   
From time to time, the Company is named in legal actions.  These actions may seek substantial compensatory as well as punitive damages.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse outcomes including fines, injunctions or other relief.  The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of such matters.
 
 Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
 
The following table provides information with respect to the repurchase of Class A Common Stock of GAMCO during the three months ended March 31, 2010:

               
(c) Total Number of
   
(d) Maximum
 
   
(a) Total
   
(b) Average
   
Shares Repurchased as
   
Number of Shares
 
   
Number of
   
Price Paid Per
   
Part of Publicly
   
That May Yet Be
 
   
Shares
   
Share, net of
   
Announced Plans
   
Purchased Under
 
Period
 
Repurchased
   
Commissions
   
or Programs
   
the Plans or Programs
 
1/01/10 - 1/31/10
    29,100     $ 43.47       29,100       679,236  
2/01/10 - 2/28/10
    47,800     $ 41.54       47,800       631,436  
3/01/10 - 3/31/10
    103,300     $ 46.30       103,300       528,136  
Totals
    180,200               180,200          

 
30

 

Item 6.
  (a) Exhibits
   
 
 
31.1
Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

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

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

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

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
(Registrant)
 
By:/s/ Kieran Caterina
 
By:/s/ Diane M. LaPointe
 
Name: Kieran Caterina
Name:  Diane M. LaPointe
Title: Co-Principal Accounting Officer
Title: Co-Principal Accounting Officer
   
Date: May 6, 2010
Date: May 6, 2010
 
 
31