Annual Statements Open main menu

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET AL - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

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

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
or
       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission File No. 001-14761

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

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

(914) 921-3700
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   No 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  No

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

Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company
   
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes    No 
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.
Class
 
Outstanding at October 31, 2017
Class A Common Stock, .001 par value
  (Including 164,050 restricted stock awards)
10,089,844
Class B Common Stock, .001 par value
 
19,062,168


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 September 30, 2017 and 2016
 
- Nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
 
- Three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
 
- Nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
 
- September 30, 2017
 
- December 31, 2016
 
- September 30, 2016
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity:
 
- Nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 
- Nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
   
 
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
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
                       
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
77,328
   
$
75,952
   
$
228,942
   
$
219,594
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
11,013
     
11,769
     
32,916
     
33,456
 
Total revenues
   
88,341
     
87,721
     
261,858
     
253,050
 
Expenses
                               
Compensation
   
42,919
     
21,233
     
97,634
     
62,130
 
Management fee
   
4,935
     
1,163
     
9,455
     
3,376
 
Distribution costs
   
11,665
     
11,568
     
33,373
     
32,786
 
Other operating expenses
   
5,429
     
5,681
     
15,900
     
14,993
 
Total expenses
   
64,948
     
39,645
     
156,362
     
113,285
 
                                 
Operating income
   
23,393
     
48,076
     
105,496
     
139,765
 
Other income (expense)
                               
Net gain from investments
   
2,841
     
55
     
2,867
     
518
 
Interest and dividend income
   
745
     
371
     
1,765
     
1,104
 
Interest expense
   
(2,688
)
   
(3,155
)
   
(8,269
)
   
(9,729
)
Shareholder-designated contribution
   
(3,857
)
   
-
     
(3,857
)
   
-
 
Total other expense, net
   
(2,959
)
   
(2,729
)
   
(7,494
)
   
(8,107
)
Income before income taxes
   
20,434
     
45,347
     
98,002
     
131,658
 
Income tax provision
   
3,834
     
14,486
     
33,688
     
47,229
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
16,600
   
$
30,861
   
$
64,314
   
$
84,429
 
                                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
                               
per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.57
   
$
1.06
   
$
2.22
   
$
2.89
 
                                 
Diluted
 
$
0.55
   
$
1.03
   
$
2.14
   
$
2.85
 
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
28,926
     
29,185
     
28,930
     
29,222
 
                                 
Diluted
   
31,173
     
30,406
     
31,144
     
29,811
 
                                 
Dividends declared:
 
$
0.02
   
$
0.02
   
$
0.06
   
$
0.06
 

See accompanying notes.

3

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

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
                 
Net income
 
$
16,600
   
$
30,861
   
$
64,314
   
$
84,429
 
Other comprehensive gain/(loss), net of tax:
                               
Foreign currency translation
   
28
     
(28
)
   
75
     
(121
)
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale (a)
   
2,321
     
506
     
1,019
     
323
 
Other comprehensive gain
   
2,349
     
478
     
1,094
     
202
 
                                 
Comprehensive income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.
 
$
18,949
   
$
31,339
   
$
65,408
   
$
84,631
 

(a) Net of income tax expense of $1,363, $297, $599 and $190, respectively.

See accompanying notes.

4

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

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
   
2016
 
ASSETS
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $95, $0 and $0, respectively
 
$
61,097
   
$
39,812
   
$
33,852
 
Investments in securities, including restricted investments in securities                         
  of $59,954, $0 and $0, respectively
   
101,425
     
37,285
     
32,889
 
Receivable from brokers
   
1,342
     
453
     
344
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
25,549
     
43,736
     
26,606
 
Receivable from affiliates
   
4,784
     
5,960
     
4,745
 
Income tax receivable and deferred tax asset
   
24,941
     
9,349
     
10,634
 
Other assets
   
11,888
     
12,634
     
12,198
 
Total assets
 
$
231,026
   
$
149,229
   
$
121,268
 
                         
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
                       
Payable to brokers
 
$
13,311
   
$
66
   
$
10,203
 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
   
3,215
     
3,815
     
164
 
Capital lease obligation
   
4,976
     
5,066
     
5,094
 
Compensation payable
   
82,896
     
42,384
     
31,469
 
Payable to affiliates
   
2,981
     
1,412
     
7,679
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
24,134
     
29,178
     
31,801
 
Sub-total
   
131,513
     
81,921
     
86,410
 
                         
4.5% Convertible note (net of issuance costs of $138, $165 and $174, respectively)
                       
  (due August 15, 2021) (Note F)
   
109,862
     
109,835
     
109,826
 
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020) (Note F)
   
70,000
     
100,000
     
100,000
 
5.875% Senior notes (net of issuance costs of $87, $105 and $110, respectively)
                       
  (due June 1, 2021) (Note F)
   
24,138
     
24,120
     
24,115
 
Total liabilities
   
335,513
     
315,876
     
320,351
 
                         
Commitments and contingencies (Note I)
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
                         
Equity
                       
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
                       
Preferred stock, $.001 par value;10,000,000 shares authorized;
                       
         none issued and outstanding
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
                       
  15,473,725, 15,477,082 and 15,480,032 issued, respectively;10,075,944,
                       
  10,369,601 and 10,454,392 outstanding, respectively
   
14
     
14
     
14
 
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
                       
  24,000,000 shares issued; 19,092,168, 19,093,311 and 19,093,311 shares
                       
  outstanding, respectively
   
19
     
19
     
19
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
11,084
     
3,903
     
3,135
 
Retained earnings
   
143,026
     
80,515
     
48,412
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
12,365
     
11,271
     
9,317
 
Treasury stock, at cost (5,397,781, 5,107,481 and 5,025,640 shares, respectively)
   
(270,995
)
   
(262,369
)
   
(259,980
)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)
   
(104,487
)
   
(166,647
)
   
(199,083
)
                         
Total liabilities and equity
 
$
231,026
   
$
149,229
   
$
121,268
 

See accompanying notes.

5

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

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

   
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders
 
                     
Accumulated
             
         
Additional
         
Other
             
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
33
   
$
3,903
   
$
80,515
   
$
11,271
   
$
(262,369
)
 
$
(166,647
)
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
64,314
     
-
     
-
     
64,314
 
Net unrealized gains on
                                               
securities available for sale,
                                               
net of income tax expense ($1,663)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,830
     
-
     
2,830
 
Amounts reclassified from
                                               
  accumulated other
                                               
  comprehensive income,
                                               
  net of income tax benefit ($1,064)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,811
)
   
-
     
(1,811
)
Foreign currency translation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
75
     
-
     
75
 
Dividends declared ($0.06 per
                                               
share)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,803
)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,803
)
Stock based compensation
                                               
expense
   
-
     
7,181
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
7,181
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(8,626
)
   
(8,626
)
Balance at September 30, 2017
 
$
33
   
$
11,084
   
$
143,026
   
$
12,365
   
$
(270,995
)
 
$
(104,487
)

See accompanying notes.

6

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

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

   
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders
 
                     
Accumulated
             
         
Additional
   
Retained
   
Other
             
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Earnings
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
(Deficit)
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
33
   
$
345
   
$
(34,224
)
 
$
9,115
   
$
(251,596
)
 
$
(276,327
)
Net income
   
-
     
-
     
84,429
     
-
     
-
     
84,429
 
Net unrealized gains on
                                               
securities available for sale,
                                               
net of income tax expense ($129)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
221
     
-
     
221
 
Amounts reclassified from
                                               
accumulated other
                                               
comprehensive income,
                                               
net of income tax expense ($61)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
102
     
-
     
102
 
Foreign currency translation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(121
)
   
-
     
(121
)
Dividends declared ($0.06 per
                                               
share)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,793
)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,793
)
Stock based compensation
                                               
expense
   
-
     
3,258
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
3,258
 
Reduction of deferred tax asset
                                               
for excess of recorded RSA tax
                                               
benefit over actual tax benefit
   
-
     
(468
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(468
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(8,384
)
   
(8,384
)
Balance at September 30, 2016
 
$
33
   
$
3,135
   
$
48,412
   
$
9,317
   
$
(259,980
)
 
$
(199,083
)


See accompanying notes.



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

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
Operating activities
           
Net income
 
$
64,314
   
$
84,429
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
439
     
470
 
Stock based compensation expense
   
7,181
     
3,258
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(9,229
)
   
(3,930
)
Foreign currency translation loss
   
75
     
(121
)
Cost basis of donated securities
   
1,051
     
68
 
Net gains on sales of available for sale securities
   
(20
)
   
(4
)
(Increase) decrease in assets:
               
Investments in trading securities
   
(59,943
)
   
223
 
Receivable from affiliates
   
1,179
     
290
 
Receivable from brokers
   
(889
)
   
747
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
18,188
     
4,442
 
Income taxes receivable and deferred tax assets
   
(15,592
)
   
(3,847
)
Other assets
   
325
     
534
 
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
               
Payable to affiliates
   
1,569
     
(8
)
Payable to brokers
   
13,245
     
10,190
 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
   
8,029
     
(1,384
)
Compensation payable
   
40,506
     
7,051
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
(5,199
)
   
2,804
 
Total adjustments
   
915
     
20,783
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
65,229
   
$
105,212
 


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

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2016
 
Investing activities
           
Purchases of available for sale securities
 
$
(3,932
)
 
$
(223
)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities
   
321
     
408
 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
   
(3,611
)
   
185
 
                 
Financing activities
               
Issuance of 4.5% Convertible note
   
-
     
109,826
 
Dividends paid
   
(1,737
)
   
(1,752
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(8,626
)
   
(8,384
)
Repayment of AC 4% PIK Note
   
(30,000
)
   
(150,000
)
Repayment of loan from GGCP
   
-
     
(35,000
)
Amortization of debt issuance costs
   
45
     
18
 
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(40,318
)
   
(85,292
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
   
(15
)
   
28
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
21,285
     
20,133
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
39,812
     
13,719
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
61,097
   
$
33,852
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for interest
 
$
6,621
   
$
4,561
 
Cash paid for taxes
 
$
52,628
   
$
55,216
 

Non-cash activity:
-
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company accrued dividends on restricted stock awards of $66 and $41, respectively.
-
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $468 as a reduction to its deferred tax asset and additional paid-in capital for the excess of the recorded restricted stock award tax benefit over the actual tax benefit.

See accompanying notes.

9

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)

A.  Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Unless we have indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “GAMCO Investors, Inc.,” “GAMCO,” “the Company,” “GBL,” “we,” “us” and “our” or similar terms are to GAMCO Investors, Inc., its predecessors and its subsidiaries.
 
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of GAMCO included herein have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP in the United States for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows of GAMCO for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.
 
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GAMCO and its subsidiaries.  Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
 
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Use of Estimates

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

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in the Accounting Standards Codification ("Codification") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the Codification.  The core principle of the new ASU No. 2014-09 is for companies to recognize revenue from the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  The new standard provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and also requires expanded disclosures about revenue recognition.  In March 2016, the FASB issued revised guidance which clarifies the guidance related to (a) determining the appropriate unit of account under the revenue standard’s principal versus agent guidance and (b) applying the indicators of whether an entity is a principal or an agent in accordance with the revenue standard’s control principle. In April 2016, the FASB issued an amendment to provide more detailed guidance including additional implementation guidance and examples related to a) identifying performance obligations and b) licenses of intellectual property. In May 2016, the FASB amended the standard to clarify the guidance on assessing collectability, presenting sales taxes, measuring noncash consideration, and certain transition matters. This new guidance will be effective for the Company's first quarter of 2018 and requires either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adoption. The Company’s implementation analysis is nearing completion, and the Company does not expect the adoption of the guidance to have a significant effect on the timing of the recognition of revenue.  The Company has also been reviewing and preparing for the enhanced disclosure requirements of the standard, which will have an effect on the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  The overall effect upon adoption may change based on further analysis and implementation efforts. Finally, the Company has not yet determined which transition method it will use.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the ASU retains many current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. To adopt the amendments, entities will be required to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the guidance is effective. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2018. Upon adoption of this guidance, changes in the fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale investments will be reported through earnings rather than through other comprehensive income.



10

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP for the accounting for leases.  ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from most operating leases in the condensed consolidated statement of financial position. It requires these operating leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as right of use assets and offsetting lease liability obligations.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions for both public and nonpublic entities, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. For public companies, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.  Please see Note D.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  This guidance is intended to unify the currently diverse presentations and classifications, which address eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2018 and requires a retrospective approach to adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements and the related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which amends ASC 230 to clarify guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows.  Key requirements are that an entity should include in its cash and cash equivalent balances in the statement of cash flow those amounts that are deemed to be restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents and that a reconciliation between the statement of financial position and the statement of cash flows must be disclosed when the statement of financial position includes more than one line item for cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents.  The ASU also mandates that changes in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents that result from transfers between cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents should not be presented as cash flow activities in the statement of cash flows and that an entity with a material amount of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents must disclose information about the nature of the restrictions.  This new guidance was to be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2018, but the Company has elected to early adopt in the third quarter of 2017.  There was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 to simplify the process used to test for goodwill impairment.  A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

On May 10, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements.  The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718.  Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification.  For all entities, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period.  This ASU, which we did not early adopt, would not have impacted the accounting for the acceleration of vesting of restricted stock awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.


11


B.  Investment in Securities

Investments in securities at September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 consisted of the following:

   
September 30, 2017
   
December 31, 2016
   
September 30, 2016
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Trading securities:
                                   
US Government Obligations
 
$
59,905
   
$
59,954
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Common stocks
   
24
     
31
     
51
     
54
     
16
     
16
 
Mutual Funds
   
11
     
11
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total trading securities
   
59,940
     
59,996
     
51
     
54
     
16
     
16
 
                                                 
Available for sale securities:
                                               
Common stocks
   
21,319
     
41,315
     
18,739
     
37,131
     
17,649
     
32,873
 
Closed-end funds
   
99
     
114
     
99
     
100
     
-
     
-
 
Total available for sale securities
   
21,418
     
41,429
     
18,838
     
37,231
     
17,649
     
32,873
 
                                                 
Total investments in securities
 
$
81,358
   
$
101,425
   
$
18,889
   
$
37,285
   
$
17,665
   
$
32,889
 

There were no securities sold, not yet purchased at September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016.

$59.9 million of U.S. Government Obligations are held in an escrow account for the benefit of the Convertible Note holder.

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

The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) into income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
Amount
 
Affected Line Items
 
Reason for
Reclassified
 
in the Statements
 
Reclassification
from AOCI
 
Of Income
 
from AOCI
Three Months Ended September 30,
        
2017
 
2016
        
 
$
20
   
$
-
 
Net gain from investments
 
Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
   
2,821
     
7
 
Other operating expenses/net gains from investments
 
Realized gain on donations of AFS securities
   
2,841
     
7
 
Income before income taxes
   
   
(1,051
)
   
(3
)
Income tax provision
   
 
$
1,790
   
$
4
 
Net income
   

Amount
 
Affected Line Items
 
Reason for
Reclassified
 
in the Statements
 
Reclassification
from AOCI
 
Of Income
 
from AOCI
Nine Months Ended September 30,
        
2017
 
2016
        
 
$
20
   
$
4
 
Net gain from investments
 
Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
   
2,855
     
159
 
Other operating expenses/net gains from investments
 
Realized gain on donations of AFS securities
   
2,875
     
163
 
Income before income taxes
   
   
(1,064
)
   
(61
)
Income tax provision
   
 
$
1,811
   
$
102
 
Net income
   


12

The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of available for sale investments as of September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016:

 
September 30, 2017
 
     
Gross
 
Gross
     
     
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
     
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
21,319
   
$
19,996
   
$
-
   
$
41,315
 
Closed-end funds
   
99
     
15
     
-
     
114
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
21,418
   
$
20,011
   
$
-
   
$
41,429
 

 
December 31, 2016
 
     
Gross
 
Gross
     
     
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
     
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
18,739
   
$
18,392
   
$
-
   
$
37,131
 
Closed-end funds
   
99
     
1
     
-
     
100
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
18,838
   
$
18,393
   
$
-
   
$
37,231
 

 
September 30, 2016
 
     
Gross
 
Gross
     
     
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
     
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
17,649
   
$
15,224
   
$
-
   
$
32,873
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
17,649
   
$
15,224
   
$
-
   
$
32,873
 

A net unrealized gain, net of taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 of $2.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, has been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at September 30, 2017 and 2016.  During the three months ended September 30, 2017, proceeds from the sales of investments available for sale were approximately $321,000 and gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $20,000 and were reclassified from other comprehensive income into net gain from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  There were no sales of investments available for sale for the three months ended September 30, 2016. There were no realized losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the three months ended September 30, 2017 or September 30, 2016.  A net unrealized gain, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 of $1.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively, has been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, proceeds from the sales of investments available for sale were approximately $321,000 and $408,000, respectively, and gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $20,000 and $4,000, respectively, and were reclassified from other comprehensive income into net gain from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  There were no realized losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or September 30, 2016.  The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined using specific identification.  Accumulated other comprehensive income on the condensed consolidated statements of equity is primarily comprised of unrealized gains/losses, net of taxes, for AFS securities.

The Company has an established accounting policy and methodology to determine other-than-temporary impairment on available for sale securities.  Under this policy, available for sale securities are evaluated for other than temporary impairments and any impairment charges are recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the condensed consolidated statements of income.  Management reviews all available for sale securities whose cost exceeds their market value to determine if the impairment is other than temporary.  Management uses qualitative factors such as diversification of the investment, the amount of time that the investment has been impaired, the intent to sell and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment is other than temporary.  

There were no investments classified as available for sale that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 or September 30, 2016.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, there were no losses on available for sale securities that were deemed to be other than temporary.


13

C. Fair Value

The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016 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 September 30, 2017 (in thousands)

   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
September 30,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2017
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
60,702
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
60,702
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
41,315
     
-
     
-
     
41,315
 
AFS - Closed-end Funds
   
114
     
-
     
-
     
114
 
US Government Obligations
   
59,954
     
-
     
-
     
59,954
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
31
     
-
     
-
     
31
 
Trading - Mutual Funds
   
11
     
-
     
-
     
11
 
Total investments in securities
   
101,425
     
-
     
-
     
101,425
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
162,127
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
162,127
 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2016 (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)
   
2016
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
39,638
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
39,638
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
37,131
     
-
     
-
     
37,131
 
AFS - Closed-end Funds
   
100
     
-
     
-
     
100
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
54
     
-
     
-
     
54
 
Total investments in securities
   
37,285
     
-
     
-
     
37,285
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
76,923
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
76,923
 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of September 30, 2016 (in thousands)

   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
September 30,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2016
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
33,576
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
33,576
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
32,873
     
-
     
-
     
32,873
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
16
     
-
     
-
     
16
 
Total investments in securities
   
32,889
     
-
     
-
     
32,889
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
66,465
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
66,465
 

During the quarters ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

D. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 was 18.8% and 31.9%, respectively. The ETR for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 was 34.4% and 35.9%, respectively. The current year quarter’s ETR benefited from the reversal of certain tax accruals totaling $3.6 million due to a change in accounting estimate as well as a $1.0 million tax benefit related to the charitable contribution while the prior year quarter benefited from a reversal of $2.6 million in tax accruals due to the conclusion of a state audit.


14

ASU 2016-09, which was issued in March 2016 and became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, simplifies several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, our accounting for excess tax benefits has changed and adopted prospectively, resulting in recognition of excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies against income tax expenses rather than additional paid-in capital.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the ETR was higher by 3.6% and 1.0%, respectively, as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits.

E. Earnings Per Share

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

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Basic:
                       
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s
                       
shareholders
 
$
16,600
   
$
30,861
   
$
64,314
   
$
84,429
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
28,926
     
29,185
     
28,930
     
29,222
 
                                 
Basic net income per share attributable to GAMCO
                               
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
0.57
   
$
1.06
   
$
2.22
   
$
2.89
 
                                 
Diluted:
                               
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
16,600
   
$
30,861
   
$
64,314
   
$
84,429
 
Add interest on convertible note, net of management fee and taxes
   
696
     
387
     
2,192
     
387
 
Total income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
17,296
   
$
31,248
   
$
66,506
   
$
84,816
 
                                 
Weighted average share outstanding
   
28,926
     
29,185
     
28,930
     
29,222
 
Restricted stock awards
   
247
     
221
     
214
     
253
 
Assumed conversion of convertible note
   
2,000
     
1,000
     
2,000
     
336
 
Total
   
31,173
     
30,406
     
31,144
     
29,811
 
                                 
Diluted net income per share attributable to GAMCO
                               
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
0.55
   
$
1.03
   
$
2.14
   
$
2.85
 

F. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
Carrying
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
 
Fair Value
 
 
Value
 
Level 2
 
Value
 
Level 2
 
Value
 
Level 2
 
(In thousands)
                       
4.5 % Convertible note
 
$
109,862
     
111,574
   
$
109,835
   
$
111,525
   
$
109,826
   
$
112,172
 
AC 4% PIK Note
   
70,000
     
71,755
     
100,000
     
100,930
     
100,000
     
101,347
 
5.875% Senior notes
   
24,138
     
24,748
     
24,120
     
24,558
     
24,115
     
25,073
 
Total
 
$
204,000
   
$
208,077
   
$
233,955
   
$
237,013
   
$
233,941
   
$
238,592
 

4.5% Convertible Note

On August 15, 2016, the Company issued and sold a 5-year, $110 million convertible note (“Convertible Note”).  The note bears interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum and is convertible into shares of the Company’s Class A Common stock (“Class A Stock”) at an initial conversion price of $55.00 per share.  The Convertible Note is initially convertible into two million shares of the Company’s Class A Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Note.  The Company is required to repurchase the Convertible Note at the request of the holder on specified dates or after certain circumstances involving a Fundamental Change (as defined in the Convertible Note).  The Company recorded $174,000 of costs in connection with the issuance of the Convertible Note.  GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”), which owns approximately 63 % of the equity interest of the Company, has deposited cash equal to the principal amount of the Note and six months interest (“Initial Deposit”) into an escrow account established pursuant to an escrow agreement by and among GGCP, the Company, the Convertible Note holder and the escrow agent.  In connection with the Initial Deposit made by GGCP, the Company has agreed that GGCP has a right to demand payment in an amount equal to any funds withdrawn from the escrow account by the Convertible Note holder.


15

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Convertible Note are now held in an escrow account established pursuant to an escrow agreement dated August 15, 2016 by and among the Company, GGCP and its related parties, Cascade and JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agreement”).  On September 30, 2017, in connection with an amendment to the Escrow Agreement and in exchange for approximately 53% of the assets in the escrow account, the Company paid GGCP $60 million. The $60 million is disclosed as restricted cash and restricted investment in securities of $0.1 million and $59.9 million, respectively, on the statement of financial condition. The Escrow Agreement provides for the release to the Company of a pro rata portion of the escrowed funds upon repayment of the Convertible Note or conversion of the Convertible Note, based upon the principal amount of the Convertible Note that is converted into Class A Stock.  Under the Convertible Note, Cascade has the right to claim the escrowed funds upon a payment default by the Company.  It is the Company’s current plan to redeem the Convertible Note no later than February 15, 2019.

AC 4% PIK Note

In connection with the spin-off of AC on November 30, 2015, the Company issued a $250 million promissory note (the “AC 4% PIK Note”) payable to AC.  The AC 4% PIK Note bears interest at 4.0% per annum.  The original principal amount has a maturity date of November 30, 2020.  Interest on the AC 4% PIK Note will accrue from the date of the last interest payment, or if no interest has been paid, from the effective date of the AC 4% PIK Note.  At the election of the Company, payment of interest on the AC 4% PIK Note may be paid in kind (in whole or in part) on the then-outstanding principal amount (a “PIK Amount”) in lieu of cash.  All PIK Amounts added to the outstanding principal amount of the AC 4% PIK Note will mature on the fifth anniversary from the date the PIK Amount was added to the outstanding principal of the AC 4% PIK Note.  In no event may any interest be paid in kind subsequent to November 30, 2019.  The Company may prepay the AC 4% PIK Note (in whole or in part) prior to maturity without penalty.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company prepaid $10 million and $30 million, respectively, of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note against the principal amount due on November 30, 2018.  Of the $70 million principal amount outstanding after this payment, $20 million is due on November 30, 2019, and $50 million is due on November 30, 2020. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company prepaid $150 million of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note.  Subsequent to quarter end, the Company paid an additional $20 million of principal, thereby reducing the amount outstanding to $50 million, all of which is due on November 30, 2020.

5.875% Senior Notes

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

At September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, the debt was recorded at its face value, net of issuance costs, of $24.1 million, $24.1 million and $24.1 million, respectively.

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

G. Stockholders Equity
 
Shares outstanding were 29.2 million, 29.5 million and 29.5 million on September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively.


16

Dividends

 
  Record  
Payment
     
 
  Date  
Date
 
Amount
 
               
Three months ended March 31, 2017
 
March 14, 2017
 
March 28, 2017
 
$
0.02
 
Three months ended June 30, 2017
 
June 27, 2017
 
July 11, 2017
   
0.02
 
Three months ended September 30, 2017
 
September 12, 2017
 
September 26, 2017
   
0.02
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
          
$
0.06
 

 
 
Record
 
Payment
     
 
  Date  
Date
 
Amount
 
               
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
March 15, 2016
 
March 29, 2016
 
$
0.02
 
Three months ended June 30, 2016
 
June 14, 2016
 
June 28, 2016
   
0.02
 
Three months ended September 30, 2016
 
September 13, 2016
 
September 27, 2016
   
0.02
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
          
$
0.06
 

Voting Rights

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

Stock Award and Incentive Plan
 
The Company maintains two Plans approved by the shareholders, which are designed to provide incentives which will attract and retain individuals key to the success of GBL through direct or indirect ownership of our common stock. Benefits under the Plans may be granted in any one or a combination of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents and other stock or cash based awards. A maximum of 7.5 million shares of Class A Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Plans by a committee of the Board of Directors responsible for administering the Plans (“Compensation Committee”). Under the Plans, the committee may grant RSAs and either incentive or nonqualified stock options with a term not to exceed ten years from the grant date and at an exercise price that the committee may determine.

As of September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, there were 164,050 RSA shares, 424,340 RSA shares and 427,290 RSA shares outstanding, respectively, that were previously issued at an average weighted grant price of $66.84, $65.74 and $65.72, respectively. These RSA grants occurred prior to the spin-off of Associated Capital (“AC”). On November 30, 2015, pursuant to the spin-off, all RSA grant holders received shares of AC’s Class A common stock as a result of their ownership of their GAMCO unvested RSAs (one share of AC for each share of GBL). All grants of the RSA shares were recommended by the Company's Chairman, who did not receive a RSA, and approved by the Compensation Committee. This expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is either (1) 30% over three years from the date of grant and 70% over five years from the date of grant or (2) 30% over three years from the date of grant and 10% each year over years four through ten from the date of grant.  During the vesting period, dividends to RSA holders are held for them until the RSA vesting dates and are forfeited if the grantee is no longer employed by the Company on the vesting dates.  Dividends declared on these RSAs, less estimated forfeitures, are charged to retained earnings (deficit) on the declaration date.

On June 1, 2017, the Compensation Committee of AC accelerated the vesting of all 420,240 AC RSAs outstanding effective June 15, 2017.  As a result, GBL recorded an incremental $3.7 million of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  This amount related to GBL teammates who held AC RSAs.  There will be no further expense related to these AC RSAs recorded by GBL after the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee of GBL accelerated the vesting relating to 201,120 of GBL RSAs outstanding effective August 31, 2017.  As a result, GBL recorded an incremental $1.8 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.  There continue to be 164,050 GBL RSAs outstanding that were not vested as part of this acceleration which will result in recognition of expense as these RSAs continue to vest.  See table below for impact by quarter.

ASU 2016-09, which was issued in March 2016 and became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, simplifies several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions.  Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, the Company elected not to change its accounting policy on forfeitures and continue to estimate forfeitures rather than accounting for forfeitures as they occur, an alternative allowed under ASU 2016-09.  The Company’s accounting treatment for excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies also changed with the adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017. Excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies are now required to be recorded within the income tax expense line in the consolidated statement of income rather than to additional paid-in capital within the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company reduced previously recorded tax benefits relating to RSA expense by $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, on RSAs that vested.


17

For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $2.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $7.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively.  The three month amount for 2017 includes the $1.8 million related to the GBL RSA accelerated vesting mentioned above.  The nine month amount for 2017 includes the $1.8 million related to the GBL RSAs’ accelerated vesting and the $3.7 million related to the AC RSAs’ accelerated vesting both mentioned above.  All stock-based compensation expense in future periods for grants currently outstanding will relate to GBL RSAs only.

Actual and projected stock-based compensation expense for RSA shares for the years ended December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2024 is as follows (in thousands):

     
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2023
   
2024
 
 
Q1
   
$
1,037
   
$
699
   
$
144
   
$
113
   
$
72
   
$
49
   
$
32
   
$
17
   
$
4
 
 
Q2
     
1,036
     
4,381
     
141
     
113
     
68
     
49
     
32
     
17
     
4
 
 
Q3
     
1,186
     
2,103
     
126
     
101
     
57
     
39
     
24
     
10
     
2
 
 
Q4
     
691
     
157
     
113
     
90
     
49
     
32
     
17
     
4
     
-
 
Full Year
   
$
3,950
   
$
7,340
   
$
524
   
$
417
   
$
246
   
$
169
   
$
105
   
$
48
   
$
10
 

The total compensation cost related to non-vested RSAs not yet recognized is approximately $1.7 million as of September 30, 2017.

Stock Repurchase Program
 
In March 1999, GAMCO's Board of Directors established the Stock Repurchase Program to grant management the authority to repurchase shares of our Class A Common Stock.  On May 3, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized an incremental 500,000 shares to be added to the current buyback authorization. On August 3, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized an incremental 425,352 shares to be added to the current buy back authorization. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company repurchased 131,480 shares and 223,811 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $29.42 and $31.50, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company repurchased 290,300 shares and 266,846 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $29.71 and $31.41, respectively.  From the inception of the program through September 30, 2017, 10,191,640 shares have been repurchased at an average price of $43.90 per share.  At September 30, 2017, the total shares available under the program to be repurchased in the future were 868,520.

Shelf Registration
On May 4, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) declared effective the “shelf” registration statement filed by the Company. The “shelf” provides the Company with the flexibility of issuing any combination of senior and subordinated debt securities, convertible securities and common and preferred securities up to a total amount of $500 million and replaced the existing shelf registration which expired in May 2015.  As of September 30, 2017, $500 million is available on the shelf.

H. Related Party Transactions

In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Note in August 2016, GGCP deposited cash of approximately $112.5 million, equal to the principal amount of the Convertible Note and six months interest, into an escrow account established pursuant to an escrow agreement by and among GGCP, the Company, the Convertible Note holder and the escrow agent.  The Company paid the annual costs of setting up the escrow account in the amount of $55,000 and will continue to pay them as long as the escrow account is open.  The Company did not pay any fees to GGCP in connection with the funding of the escrow account.  On September 30, 2017, in connection with an amendment to the Escrow Agreement and in exchange for approximately 53% of the assets in the escrow account, the Company paid GGCP $60 million.  See Note F. Debt for additional details.


18

I. Identifiable Intangible Assets

As a result of becoming the advisor to the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.9 million within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016. The investment advisory agreement is subject to annual renewal by the fund's Board of Directors, which the Company expects to be renewed, and the Company does not expect to incur additional expense as a result, which is consistent with other investment advisory agreements entered into by the Company.  The advisory contract is next up for renewal in February 2018. On November 1, 2015, as a result of becoming the advisor to the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.6 million within other assets on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition at September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016.  The advisory contracts for the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. are both next up for renewal in August 2018. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset at least annually, or more often should events warrant. There were no indicators of impairment for the three months ended September 30, 2017 or September 30, 2016, and as such there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded.

J. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief. For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures.  However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations or cash flows at September 30, 2017.

K. Subsequent Events

On September 30, 2017, GAMCO entered into a third deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli for the period of October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017.  Mr. Gabelli’s variable cash compensation for that period will vest on April 1, 2019.  For GAAP accounting purposes, the compensation earned from October 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017 will be expensed ratably from October 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019.

On October 3, 2017, the Company paid an additional $20 million of principal relating to the AC 4% PIK Note, thereby reducing the amount outstanding to $50 million, all of which is due on November 30, 2020.

On November 7, 2017, the Board of Directors declared its regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share to all of its shareholders, payable on January 10, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 27, 2017.

From October 1, 2017 to November 7, 2017, the Company repurchased 31,100 shares at $29.11 per share.

19

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

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

We conduct our investment advisory business principally through the following subsidiaries: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (Institutional and Private Wealth Management) and Gabelli Funds, LLC (Funds).  The distribution of our open-end funds is conducted through G.distributors, our broker-dealer subsidiary.

Assets under management (“AUM”) were $43.1 billion as of September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.8 billion, or 4.3%, from June 30, 2017 of $41.3 billion and an increase of $3.5 billion, or 8.9% from the September 30, 2016 AUM of $39.6 billion.  The third quarter 2017 activity consisted of net cash outflows of $213 million, $1.8 billion of market appreciation and recurring distributions, net of reinvestments, from open-end and closed-end funds of $140 million.  Average total AUM was $42.3 billion in the 2017 quarter versus $39.9 billion in the prior year period, an increase of 6.0%.

In addition to management fees, we earn incentive fees for certain institutional client assets, certain assets attributable to preferred issues of our closed-end funds and our GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL).  As of September 30, 2017, assets under management with incentive based fees were $3.0 billion, $0.2 billion higher than the $2.8 billion on June 30, 2017 and $0.6 billion higher than the $2.4 billion on September 30, 2016. 
20

The Company reported Assets Under Management as follows (in millions):

Table I: Fund Flows - 3rd Quarter 2017

                     
Fund
       
         
Market
         
distributions,
       
   
June 30,
   
appreciation/
   
Net cash
   
net of
   
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
(depreciation)
   
flows
   
reinvestments
   
2017
 
Equities:
                             
Open-end Funds
 
$
13,574
   
$
517
   
$
(305
)
 
$
(24
)
 
$
13,762
 
Closed-end Funds
   
7,359
     
249
     
176
     
(116
)
   
7,668
 
Institutional & PWM - direct
   
13,437
     
613
     
(157
)
   
-
     
13,893
 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
   
5,048
     
368
     
(70
)
   
-
     
5,346
 
SICAV (a)
   
421
     
10
     
73
     
-
     
504
 
Total Equities
   
39,839
     
1,757
     
(283
)
   
(140
)
   
41,173
 
Fixed Income:
                                       
Money-Market Fund
   
1,813
     
4
     
73
     
-
     
1,890
 
Institutional & PWM
   
29
     
-
     
(3
)
   
-
     
26
 
Total Fixed Income
   
1,842
     
4
     
70
     
-
     
1,916
 
Total Assets Under Management
 
$
41,681
   
$
1,761
   
$
(213
)
 
$
(140
)
 
$
43,089
 
(a) Adjusted to include Merger Arbitrage of $371 million at June 30, 2017.

Table II: Fund Flows - Year to date September 2017

                       
Fund
       
         
Market
            
distributions,
       
   
December 31,
   
appreciation/
   
Net cash
     
net of
   
September 30,
 
   
2016
   
(depreciation)
   
flows
     
reinvestments
   
2017
 
Equities:
                               
Open-end Funds
 
$
13,462
   
$
1,354
   
$
(1,009
)
   
$
(45
)
 
$
13,762
 
Closed-end Funds
   
7,150
     
712
     
162
       
(356
)
   
7,668
 
Institutional & PWM - direct
   
13,441
     
1,523
     
(1,071
)
     
-
     
13,893
 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
   
3,783
     
522
     
1,041
 
(b)
   
-
     
5,346
 
SICAV (a)
   
320
     
29
     
155
       
-
     
504
 
Total Equities
   
38,156
     
4,140
     
(722
)
     
(401
)
   
41,173
 
Fixed Income:
                                         
Money-Market Fund
   
1,767
     
9
     
114
       
-
     
1,890
 
Institutional & PWM
   
31
     
-
     
(5
)
     
-
     
26
 
Total Fixed Income
   
1,798
     
9
     
109
       
-
     
1,916
 
Total Assets Under Management
 
$
39,954
   
$
4,149
   
$
(613
)
   
$
(401
)
 
$
43,089
 
(a) Adjusted to include Merger Arbitrage of $270 million at December 31, 2016.
(b) Includes $1.2 billion from being approved as the sub-advisor on two sub-advisory entities as of February 27, 2017.
21

Table III: Assets Under Management by Quarter

                     
% Change From
 
   
September 30,
   
June 30,
   
September 30,
   
June 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2017
   
2017
   
2016
   
2017
   
2016
 
Equities:
                             
Open-end Funds
 
$
13,762
   
$
13,574
   
$
13,799
     
1.4
%
   
(0.3
%)
Closed-end Funds
   
7,669
     
7,359
     
7,178
     
4.2
     
6.8
 
Institutional & PWM - direct
   
13,893
     
13,437
     
13,245
     
3.4
     
4.9
 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
   
5,346
     
5,048
     
3,542
     
5.9
     
50.9
 
SICAV (a)
   
504
     
50
     
42
     
908.0
     
1,100.0
 
Total Equities
   
41,174
     
39,468
     
37,806
     
4.3
     
8.9
 
Fixed Income:
                                       
Money-Market Fund
   
1,890
     
1,813
     
1,738
     
4.2
     
8.7
 
Institutional & PWM
   
26
     
29
     
37
     
(10.3
)
   
(29.7
)
Total Fixed Income
   
1,916
     
1,842
     
1,775
     
4.0
     
7.9
 
Total Assets Under Management
 
$
43,090
   
$
41,310
   
$
39,581
     
4.3
%
   
8.9
%
Institutional & PWM - direct includes $280 million, $300 million and $286 million of Money Market Fund AUM at September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.
(a) Adjusted to include Merger Arbitrage of $371 million and $225 million at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.


22

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

As previously disclosed, the Company has deferred the cash compensation of the Chief Executive Officer relating to all of 2016 (“2016 DCCA”) and the first half of 2017 (“First Half 2017 DCCA”) to provide the Company with flexibility to pay down debt.  We have made substantial progress toward this objective, having reduced our debt since the November 2015 spin-off of AC, resulting in Standard & Poor’s recent revision of its outlook to stable from negative and reaffirmation of our debt rating of BBB-.  In furtherance of this strategic objective, we entered into a third DCCA agreement (“Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA”) with our Chief Executive Officer on September 30, 2017 deferring his cash compensation for the fourth quarter of 2017 until April 2019 under terms that are similar to the prior two DCCAs.  This new Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA had no effect on the third quarter results but will impact our results in future quarters as his fourth quarter 2017’s compensation expense is amortized over the DCCA vesting period.

Notwithstanding its ability to settle these agreements in stock, GAMCO currently intends to make cash payments to Mr. Gabelli on the respective vesting dates.  While the agreements did not change Mr. Gabelli’s compensation, GAAP reporting for his compensation did change due to the ratable vesting.
 
The DCCAs defer the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation expense by amortizing it over each DCCA’s respective vesting period.  The Chief Executive Officer is not entitled to receive the compensation until the end of the vesting period, so generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) specify this treatment of the expense.  The 2016 DCCA is expensed ratably over 4 years, the First Half 2017 DCCA is expensed ratably over 18 months, and the Fourth Quarter DCCA will be expensed ratably over 18 months beginning October 1, 2017.

Because the GAAP reporting of the DCCAs granted to the CEO tracks vesting, compensation expense and management fee expense in the year of grant is lower than compensation expense and management fee expense in future periods to the extent that future periods contain the vesting of the prior year’s DCCA compensation on top of the normal compensation for the current year period which has not been deferred.  In 2016, the full amount of the compensation was deferred, and expense was recorded for the 25% vesting in that year.  In the first six months of 2017, the ratable vesting continued for the 2016 compensation, and the new First Half 2017 DCCA grant resulted in compensation for the first six months of 2017 being deferred and expense being recorded for 33% vesting in that period.  The CEO's third quarter compensation was not deferred so 100% of the CEO’s compensation for that period was recorded together with the ratable portions of the vestings of the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA.  So there is a compounding effect in future periods when there are both current period compensation that has not been deferred and prior period compensation that is being ratably vested.
 
Accordingly, this vesting schedule resulted in a $19.1 million and a $26.8 million increase in compensation expense in the third quarter 2017 and first nine months of 2017, respectively, versus the comparable 2016 periods’ amounts as well as a $4.0 million and $6.4 million increase in management fee expense in the third quarter 2017 and first nine months 2017, respectively, as compared to the 2016 periods’ amounts.
 
The GAAP based balance sheets are also impacted; the compensation payable at September 30, 2017 only includes the vested portion of the compensation subject to the DCCAs.  At September 30, 2017, the amount of unrecognized compensation was $57.2 million.

The following tables show a reconciliation of our results for the third quarters and first nine months of 2017 and 2016, and our balance sheet at September 30, 2017 between the GAAP basis and a non-GAAP adjusted basis as if all of the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA expense were recognized in 2016 and 2017, respectively, without regard to the vesting schedule.  We believe the non-GAAP financial measures below provide relevant and meaningful information to investors about our core operating results.  These measures have been established in order to increase transparency for the purpose of evaluating our core business, for comparing results with prior period results, and to enable more appropriate comparisons with industry peers.  However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be calculated differently by other companies.  The following schedules reconcile U.S. GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 as well as at September 30, 2017.
23


 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
         
Impact of
             
   
Reported
   
First Half
   
Impact of
       
 
 
GAAP
   
2017 DCCA
   
2016 DCCA
   
Non-GAAP
 
Revenues
                       
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
77,328
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
77,328
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
11,013
     
-
     
-
     
11,013
 
Total revenues
   
88,341
     
-
     
-
     
88,341
 
Expenses
                               
Compensation
   
42,919
     
(4,816
)
   
(3,415
)
   
34,688
 
Management fee
   
4,935
     
(886
)
   
(688
)
   
3,361
 
Distribution costs
   
11,665
     
-
     
-
     
11,665
 
Other operating expenses
   
5,429
     
-
     
-
     
5,429
 
Total expenses
   
64,948
     
(5,702
)
   
(4,103
)
   
55,143
 
 
                               
Operating income
   
23,393
     
5,702
     
4,103
     
33,198
 
Other income (expense)
                               
Net gain (loss) from investments
   
2,841
     
-
     
-
     
2,841
 
Interest and dividend income
   
745
     
-
     
-
     
745
 
Interest expense
   
(2,688
)
   
-
     
-
     
(2,688
)
Shareholder-designated contribution
   
(3,857
)
   
-
     
-
     
(3,857
)
Total other expense, net
   
(2,959
)
   
-
     
-
     
(2,959
)
Income before income taxes
   
20,434
     
5,702
     
4,103
     
30,239
 
Income tax provision
   
3,834
     
2,167
     
1,559
     
7,560
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
16,600
   
$
3,535
   
$
2,544
   
$
22,679
 
                                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
                               
per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.57
   
$
0.12
   
$
0.09
   
$
0.78
 
Diluted
 
$
0.55
   
$
0.11
   
$
0.08
   
$
0.75
 
 

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
         
Impact of
             
   
Reported
   
First Half
   
Impact of
       
 
 
GAAP
   
2017 DCCA
   
2016 DCCA
   
Non-GAAP
 
Revenues
                       
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
228,942
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
228,942
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
32,916
     
-
     
-
     
32,916
 
Total revenues
   
261,858
     
-
     
-
     
261,858
 
Expenses
                               
Compensation
   
97,634
     
14,390
     
(9,174
)
   
102,850
 
Management fee
   
9,455
     
2,666
     
(2,172
)
   
9,949
 
Distribution costs
   
33,373
     
-
     
-
     
33,373
 
Other operating expenses
   
15,900
     
-
     
-
     
15,900
 
Total expenses
   
156,362
     
17,056
     
(11,346
)
   
162,072
 
 
                               
Operating income
   
105,496
     
(17,056
)
   
11,346
     
99,786
 
Other income (expense)
                               
Net gain (loss) from investments
   
2,867
     
-
     
-
     
2,867
 
Interest and dividend income
   
1,765
     
-
     
-
     
1,765
 
Interest expense
   
(8,269
)
   
-
     
-
     
(8,269
)
Shareholder-designated contribution
   
(3,857
)
   
-
     
-
     
(3,857
)
Total other expense, net
   
(7,494
)
   
-
     
-
     
(7,494
)
Income before income taxes
   
98,002
     
(17,056
)
   
11,346
     
92,292
 
Income tax provision
   
33,688
     
(6,594
)
   
4,350
     
31,444
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
64,314
   
$
(10,462
)
 
$
6,996
   
$
60,848
 
                                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
                               
per share:
                               
Basic
 
$
2.22
   
$
(0.36
)
 
$
0.24
   
$
2.10
 
Diluted
 
$
2.14
   
$
(0.34
)
 
$
0.22
   
$
2.02
 
24

 
 
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
                   
   
Reported
   
Impact of
       
   
GAAP
   
2016 DCCA
   
Non-GAAP
 
Revenues
                 
  Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
75,952
   
$
-
   
$
75,952
 
  Distribution fees and other income
   
11,769
     
-
     
11,769
 
Total revenues
   
87,721
     
-
     
87,721
 
Expenses
                       
  Compensation
   
21,233
     
10,885
     
32,118
 
  Management fee
   
1,163
     
2,400
     
3,563
 
  Distribution costs
   
11,568
     
-
     
11,568
 
  Other operating expenses
   
5,681
     
-
     
5,681
 
Total expenses
   
39,645
     
13,285
     
52,930
 
                         
Operating income
   
48,076
     
(13,285
)
   
34,791
 
Other income (expense)
                       
  Net gain from investments
   
55
     
-
     
55
 
  Interest and dividend income
   
371
     
-
     
371
 
  Interest expense
   
(3,155
)
   
-
     
(3,155
)
Total other expense, net
   
(2,729
)
   
-
     
(2,729
)
Income before income taxes
   
45,347
     
(13,285
)
   
32,062
 
Income tax provision
   
14,486
     
(5,075
)
   
9,411
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
30,861
   
$
(8,210
)
 
$
22,651
 
                         
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
                       
  per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
1.06
   
$
(0.28
)
 
$
0.78
 
Diluted
 
$
1.03
   
$
(0.27
)
 
$
0.76
 
 

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
                   
   
Reported
   
Impact of
       
   
GAAP
   
2016 DCCA
   
Non-GAAP
 
Revenues
                 
  Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
219,594
   
$
-
   
$
219,594
 
  Distribution fees and other income
   
33,456
     
-
     
33,456
 
Total revenues
   
253,050
     
-
     
253,050
 
Expenses
                       
  Compensation
   
62,130
     
32,016
     
94,146
 
  Management fee
   
3,376
     
6,926
     
10,302
 
  Distribution costs
   
32,786
     
-
     
32,786
 
  Other operating expenses
   
14,993
     
-
     
14,993
 
Total expenses
   
113,285
     
38,942
     
152,227
 
                         
Operating income
   
139,765
     
(38,942
)
   
100,823
 
Other income (expense)
                       
  Net gain from investments
   
518
     
-
     
518
 
  Interest and dividend income
   
1,104
     
-
     
1,104
 
  Interest expense
   
(9,729
)
   
-
     
(9,729
)
Total other expense, net
   
(8,107
)
   
-
     
(8,107
)
Income before income taxes
   
131,658
     
(38,942
)
   
92,716
 
Income tax provision
   
47,229
     
(14,811
)
   
32,418
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
84,429
   
$
(24,131
)
 
$
60,298
 
                         
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
                       
  per share:
                       
Basic
 
$
2.89
   
$
(0.83
)
 
$
2.06
 
Diluted
 
$
2.85
   
$
(0.81
)
 
$
2.04
 
 
 
25


 
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
               
Impact of
       
   
Reported
   
Impact of
   
First Half
       
 
 
GAAP
   
2016 DCCA
   
2017 DCCA
   
Non-GAAP
 
ASSETS
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
61,097
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
61,097
 
Investments in securities
   
101,425
     
-
     
-
     
101,425
 
Receivable from brokers
   
1,342
     
-
     
-
     
1,342
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
25,549
     
-
     
-
     
25,549
 
Receivable from affiliates
   
4,784
     
-
     
-
     
4,784
 
Income tax receivable
   
24,941
     
14,724
     
7,017
     
46,682
 
Other assets
    11,888       
-
     
-
     
11,888
 
Total assets
 
$
231,026
   
$
14,724
   
$
7,017
   
$
252,767
 
 
                               
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
                               
Payable to brokers
   
13,311
     
-
     
-
     
13,311
 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
   
3,215
     
-
     
-
     
3,215
 
Capital lease obligation
   
4,976
     
-
     
-
     
4,976
 
Compensation payable
   
82,896
     
38,748
     
18,467
     
140,111
 
Payable to affiliates
   
2,981
     
-
     
-
     
2,981
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
24,134
     
-
     
-
     
24,134
 
Sub-total
   
131,513
     
38,748
     
18,467
     
188,728
 
 
                               
4.5% Convertible note (due August 15, 2021)
   
109,862
     
-
     
-
     
109,862
 
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020)
   
70,000
     
-
     
-
     
70,000
 
5.875% Senior notes (due June 1, 2021)
   
24,138
     
-
     
-
     
24,138
 
Total liabilities
   
335,513
     
38,748
     
18,467
     
392,728
 
 
                               
Equity
                               
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
                               
Class A Common Stock
   
14
     
-
     
-
     
14
 
Class B Common Stock
   
19
     
-
     
-
     
19
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
11,084
     
-
     
-
     
11,084
 
Retained earnings (deficit)
   
143,026
     
(24,024
)
   
(11,450
)
   
107,552
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
12,365
     
-
     
-
     
12,365
 
Treasury stock, at cost
   
(270,995
)
   
-
     
-
     
(270,995
)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)
   
(104,487
)
   
(24,024
)
   
(11,450
)
   
(139,961
)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)
 
$
231,026
   
$
14,724
   
$
7,017
   
$
252,767
 
 

26


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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
     
 
 
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
           
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
77,328
   
$
75,952
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
11,013
     
11,769
 
Total revenues
   
88,341
     
87,721
 
Expenses
               
Compensation
   
42,919
     
21,233
 
Management fee
   
4,935
     
1,163
 
Distribution costs
   
11,665
     
11,568
 
Other operating expenses
   
5,429
     
5,681
 
Total expenses
   
64,948
     
39,645
 
Operating income
   
23,393
     
48,076
 
Other income (expense)
               
Net gain from trading securities
   
2,841
     
55
 
Interest and dividend income
   
745
     
371
 
Interest expense
   
(2,688
)
   
(3,155
)
Shareholder-designated contribution
   
(3,857
)
   
-
 
Total other expense, net
   
(2,959
)
   
(2,729
)
Income before income taxes
   
20,434
     
45,347
 
Income tax provision
   
3,834
     
14,486
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
16,600
   
$
30,861
 
 
               
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
               
Basic
 
$
0.57
   
$
1.06
 
                 
Diluted
 
$
0.55
   
$
1.03
 

Overview

Net income for the quarter was $16.6 million, or $0.55 per fully diluted share, versus $30.9 million, or $1.03 per fully diluted share, in the prior year’s quarter.  There were several distinct items in both quarters that impacted results.  During the third quarter of 2017, we recorded an additional $1.7 million of stock compensation expense, net of tax, $0.6 million of launch costs, net of tax, for a closed-end fund, $2.2 million of charitable contributions, net of tax, and an additional $6.1 million of expense, net of tax, for the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA.  The 2017 quarter also included the recognition of $2.6 million in gains on securities donated, net of tax, and a $3.4 million income tax accrual reversal.  The 2016 third quarter included $8.2 million less in expense, net of tax, relating to the 2016 DCCA, an income tax reversal of $2.6 million and $0.3 million of expense, net of tax, from the launch of a closed-end fund.  Absent these distinct items, net income for 2017 was $21.2 million versus $20.4 million in 2016.

Revenues
 
Investment advisory and incentive fees for the third quarter 2017 were $77.3 million, 1.7% higher than the 2016 comparative figure of $76.0 million.  Open-end fund revenues increased by 0.6% to $33.8 million from $33.6 million in the third quarter of 2016.  Our closed-end fund revenues increased 5.2% to $16.2 million in the third quarter 2017 from $15.4 million in 2016 due to a 5.3% increase in non-performance fee based average AUM.  Institutional and private wealth management account revenues, excluding incentive fees, which are generally based on beginning of quarter AUM, fell $0.2 million to $26.0 million from $26.2 million in the third quarter of 2016.  There were no incentive fees earned during the third quarters of 2017 or 2016.  We recognize incentive fees only when the earning period for them is complete.  Revenues relating to the SICAV were $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2017 versus $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2016.
27

Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $11.0 million for the third quarter 2017, a decrease of $0.8 million or 6.8% from $11.8 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower average AUM in open-end equity funds that generate distribution fees.

Expenses
 
Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $42.9 million or 102.4% higher than prior year compensation costs of $21.2 million.  This is primarily due to the accounting for the vesting of the DCCAs.

Because the GAAP reporting of the DCCAs granted to the CEO tracks vesting, compensation expense in the year of grant is lower than compensation expense in future periods to the extent that future periods contain the vesting of the prior year’s DCCA compensation on top of the normal compensation for the current year period which has not been deferred.  In 2016, the full amount of the compensation was deferred, and expense was recorded for the 25% vesting in that year.  In the first half of 2017, the ratable vesting continued for the 2016 compensation, and the new First Half 2017 DCCA grant resulted in compensation for the first six months of 2017 being deferred and expense being recorded for 33% vesting in that period.  In the third quarter 2017, there was no DCCA so 100% of the CEO’s compensation for that period was recorded together with the ratable portions of the vestings of the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA.  So there is a compounding effect in future periods when there are both current period compensation that has not been deferred and prior period compensation that is being ratably vested.  Accordingly, this vesting schedule resulted in a $19.1 million increase in compensation in third quarter 2017 versus third quarter 2016.

The remainder of the quarter over quarter increase was comprised of a $1.1 million increase in variable compensation related to the increased levels of AUM, a $0.6 million increase in fixed compensation, and a $0.9 million net increase in stock compensation expense, inclusive of the $1.8 million incurred in the third quarter of 2017 for the acceleration of the GBL RSAs.

Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, increased to $4.9 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $1.2 million in the 2016 period.  Once again, this increase is primarily due to the accounting for the vesting of the DCCAs.  The DCCAs affected management fee expense, which is part of the CEO’s DCCAs, in a similar fashion to the compensation expense with the vesting schedule resulting in a $4.0 million increase in management fee expense in the third quarter 2017 as compared with the third quarter 2016.  The remaining $0.3 decline in the year-over-year comparison is due to the decline in pre-tax income on which the management fee is based.

Distribution costs were $11.7 million, an increase of $0.1 million or 0.9% from $11.6 million in the prior year’s period.

Other operating expenses were $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2017, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 5.3%, from $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2016. The research fee paid to G.research increased to $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $0.4 million in the prior year quarter. Legal expense was lower by $0.7 million in the 2017 period.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2017 was $23.4 million, a decrease of $24.7 million, or 51.4%, from the $48.1 million in the third quarter of 2016.  Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 26.5% in the 2017 quarter as compared to 54.8% in the 2016 quarter.

Other expense
 
Total other expense, net was an expense of $3.0 million for the third quarter 2017 versus an expense of $2.7 million in the prior year’s quarter.  Net gains from trading securities were $2.8 million in the third quarter of 2017 versus gains of $55,000 in the third quarter of 2016.  Interest and dividend income increased to $0.7 million in the third quarter 2017 from $0.4 million in the third quarter 2016.  Interest expense decreased $0.5 million to $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2016 as gross debt at September 30, 2017 was $29.9 million lower as debt fell from $233.9 million at September 30, 2016 to $204.0 million at September 30, 2017.
 
The effective tax rates (“ETR”) for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were 18.8% and 31.9%, respectively.  The ETR for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was higher by 3.6% than it would have otherwise been as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits. The current year quarter’s ETR benefited from the reversal of certain tax accruals totaling $3.4 million as well as a $1.0 million tax benefit related to charitable contributions while the prior year quarter benefited from a reversal of $2.6 million in tax accruals due to the conclusion of a state audit.

28

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Compared To Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
     
   
2017
   
2016
 
Revenues
           
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
228,942
   
$
219,594
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
32,916
     
33,456
 
Total revenues
   
261,858
     
253,050
 
Expenses
               
Compensation
   
97,634
     
62,130
 
Management fee
   
9,455
     
3,376
 
Distribution costs
   
33,373
     
32,786
 
Other operating expenses
   
15,900
     
14,993
 
Total expenses
   
156,362
     
113,285
 
Operating income
   
105,496
     
139,765
 
Other income (expense)
               
Net gain from trading securities
   
2,867
     
518
 
Interest and dividend income
   
1,765
     
1,104
 
Interest expense
   
(8,269
)
   
(9,729
)
Shareholder-designated contribution
   
(3,857
)
   
-
 
Total other expense, net
   
(7,494
)
   
(8,107
)
Income before income taxes
   
98,002
     
131,658
 
Income tax provision
   
33,688
     
47,229
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
64,314
   
$
84,429
 
                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
               
Basic
 
$
2.22
   
$
2.89
 
                 
Diluted
 
$
2.14
   
$
2.85
 

Overview

Net income for the first nine months was $64.3 million, or $2.14 per fully diluted share, versus $84.4 million, or $2.85 per fully diluted share, in the prior year’s first nine months.  There were several distinct items in both periods that impacted results.  During 2017, we recorded an additional $4.0 million of stock compensation expense, net of tax, $0.6 million of launch costs, net of tax, for a closed-end fund, and $2.2 million of charitable contributions, net of tax.  The 2017 quarter also included a $3.4 million reduction of expense, net of tax, for the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA, the recognition of $2.6 million in gains on securities donated, net of tax, and a $3.4 million income tax accrual reversal.  The 2016 third quarter included $24.1 million less in expense, net of tax benefit, relating to the 2016 DCCA, a tax reversal of $2.6 million and $0.3 million of expense, net of tax benefit, from the launch of a closed-end fund.  Absent these distinct items, net income for 2017 was $61.7 million versus $58.0 million in 2016.

Revenues
 
Investment advisory and incentive fees for the nine months ended September 2017 were $228.9 million, 4.2% higher than the 2016 comparative figure of $219.6 million.  Open-end fund revenues increased by 2.2% to $99.7 million from $97.6 million in the first nine months of 2017.  Our closed-end fund revenues increased 11.0% to $47.4 million in the nine months ended September 2017 from $42.7 million in 2016 due to a 7.4% increase in non-performance fee based average AUM.  Institutional and private wealth management account revenues, excluding incentive fees, which are generally based on beginning of quarter AUM, rose $1.3 million to $78.6 million from $77.3 million in the first nine months of 2016.  There were no incentive fees earned during the first nine months of 2017 or 2016.  We recognize incentive fees only when the earning period for them is complete.  Revenues relating to the SICAV were $3.2 million in the nine months ended September 2017 versus $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 2016.
 
Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $32.9 million for the first nine months of 2017, a decrease of $0.6 million or 1.8% from $33.5 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower average AUM in open-end equity funds that generate distribution fees.

29

Expenses
 
Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $97.6 million or 57.2% higher than prior year compensation costs of $62.1 million.  This is primarily due to the accounting for the vesting of the DCCAs.

Because the GAAP reporting of the DCCAs granted to the CEO tracks vesting, compensation expense in the year of grant is lower than compensation expense in future periods to the extent that future periods contain the vesting of the prior year’s DCCA compensation on top of the normal compensation for the current year period which has not been deferred.  In 2016, the full amount of the compensation was deferred, and expense was recorded for the 25% vesting in that year.  In the first six months of 2017, the ratable vesting continued for the 2016 compensation, and the new First Half 2017 DCCA grant resulted in compensation for the first six months of 2017 being deferred and expense being recorded for 33% vesting in that period.  In the third quarter 2017, there was no DCCA, so 100% of the CEO’s compensation for that period was recorded together with the ratable portions of the vestings of the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA.  So there is a compounding effect in future periods when there are both current period compensation that has not been deferred and prior period compensation that is being ratably vested.  Accordingly, this vesting schedule resulted in a $26.8 million increase in compensation expense in the first nine months of 2017 versus the comparable 2016 period.

The remainder of the period over period increase was comprised of a $4.2 million increase in variable compensation related to the increased levels of AUM, a $0.6 million increase in fixed compensation, and a $3.9 million net increase in stock compensation expense, inclusive of the $5.5 million incurred in 2017 for the acceleration of the GBL and AC RSAs.

Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, increased to $9.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $3.4 million in the 2016 period.  Once again, this increase is primarily due to the accounting for the vesting of the DCCAs.  The DCCAs affected management fee expense, which is part of the CEO’s DCCAs, in a similar fashion to the compensation expense with the vesting schedule resulting in a $6.4 million increase in management fee expense in the first nine months of 2017 as compared with the comparable period in 2016.  The remaining $0.3 decline in the year-over-year comparison is due to the decline in pre-tax income on which the management fee is based.
 
Distribution costs were $33.4 million, an increase of $0.6 million or 1.8% from $32.8 million in the prior year’s period.
 
Other operating expenses were $15.9 million in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of $0.9 million, or 6%, from $15.0 million in the first nine months of 2016. The research fee paid to G.research increased to $2.3 million in the nine months ending September 30, 2017 from $1.1 million in the prior year period.

Operating income for the first nine months of 2017 was $105.5 million, a decrease of $34.3 million, or 24.5%, from the $139.8 million in the first nine months of 2016.  Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 40.3% in the 2017 period as compared to 55.2% in the 2016 period.

Other expense
 
Total other expense, net was an expense of $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus an expense of $8.1 million in the prior year’s period.  Net gains from trading securities increased to $2.9 million in the first nine months of 2017 from $0.5 million in the prior year period.  Interest and dividend income increased to $1.8 million in the first nine months of 2017 from $1.1 million in the first nine months of 2016.  Interest expense decreased $1.4 million to $8.3 million in the first nine months of 2017 from $9.7 million in the first nine months of 2016 as gross debt at September 30, 2017 was $204.0 million down from the $233.9 million at September 30, 2016.
 
The ETR for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 were 34.4% and 35.9%, respectively.  The ETR for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was higher by 1.0% than it would have otherwise been as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits. The current year quarter’s ETR benefited from the reversal of certain tax accruals totaling $3.6 million as well as a $1.0 million tax benefit related to charitable contributions while the prior year quarter benefited from a reversal of $2.6 million in tax accruals due to the conclusion of a state audit.


30

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our principal assets are highly liquid in nature and consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and securities held for investment purposes.  Cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of 100% U.S. Treasury money market funds managed by GAMCO.

Summary cash flow data is as follows:

   
Nine months ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2017
   
2016
 
Cash flows provided by / (used in) operations :
 
(in thousands)
 
Operating activities
 
$
65,229
   
$
105,212
 
Investing activities
   
(3,611
)
   
185
 
Financing activities
   
(40,318
)
   
(85,292
)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations
   
21,300
     
20,105
 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
   
(15
)
   
28
 
Net increase
   
21,285
     
20,133
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
39,812
     
13,719
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
61,097
   
$
33,852
 

Cash and liquidity requirements have historically been met through cash generated by operating income and our borrowing capacity.  We filed a registration statement with the SEC in 2015 which, among other things, provides us opportunistic flexibility to sell any combination of senior and subordinate debt securities, convertible debt securities, equity securities (including common and preferred stock), and other securities up to a total amount of $500 million.  The shelf is available through April 2018, at which time it may be renewed.

At September 30, 2017, we had total unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $61.0 million, an increase of $21.2 million from December 31, 2016 primarily due to the Company’s operating activities described below.  We also held $0.1 million of cash equivalents and $59.9 million of investments in securities in an escrow account for the benefit of the Convertible Note holder.  Total debt outstanding at September 30, 2017 was $204 million, consisting of $70 million of a 4% PIK Note due November 30, 2020, $110 million of a 4.5% convertible note due August 15, 2021, and $24.2 million of 5.875% senior notes due 2021.  It is anticipated that the majority of our free cash flow will go towards servicing our debt and deferred compensation payable for the next few years.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, cash provided by operating activities was $65.2 million, a decrease of $40.0 million from cash provided in the prior year period of $105.2 million.  Cash was provided through an increase in compensation payable of $33.5 million, a decrease in investment advisory fees receivable of $13.7 million, an increase in income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities of $9.4 million, an increase of $3.9 million in stock based compensation expense, an increase in payable to brokers of $3.1 million, an increase in payable to affiliates of $1.6 million and $1.7 million from other sources.  Reducing cash was an increase in investments in trade securities of $60.2 million, a decrease in net income of $20.1 million, an increase in income tax receivable and deferred tax assets of $11.7 million, an increase in deferred income taxes of $5.3 million, a decrease to accrued expenses and other liabilities of $8.0 million and an increase in receivable from brokers of $1.6 million.  Cash used in investing activities was $3.6 million.  Cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2017 was $40.3 million, including $8.6 million paid for the purchase of treasury stock, and $1.7 million paid in dividends and $30.0 million for the partial repayment for the 4% PIK Note.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, cash provided by operating activities was $105.2 million. Cash provided by investing activities, related to proceeds from sales of available for sale securities was $0.2 million in the first nine months of 2016.  Cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2016 was $85.3 million.

Based upon our current level of operations and anticipated growth, we expect that our current cash balances plus cash flows from operating activities and our borrowing capacity will be sufficient to finance our working capital needs for the foreseeable future.  We have no material commitments for capital expenditures.

We have one broker-dealer, G.distributors, which is subject to certain net capital requirements.  G.distributors computes it net capital under the alternative method permitted, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The requirement was $250,000 for the broker-dealer at September 30, 2017.  At September 30, 2017, G.distributors had net capital, as defined, of approximately $3.8 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $3.5 million.  Net capital requirements for our affiliated broker-dealer may increase in accordance with rules and regulations to the extent they engage in other business activities.
31

Market Risk
 
Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in equity prices and interest rates.  Since approximately 96% of our AUM are equities, our financial results are subject to equity market risk as revenues from our investment management services are sensitive to stock market dynamics.  In addition, returns from our proprietary investment portfolio are exposed to interest rate and equity market risk.

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

Equity Price Risk
 
The Company earns substantially all of its revenue as advisory and distribution fees from affiliated open-end and closed-end funds and Institutional and Private Wealth Management 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, investments in securities of $101.4 million, $37.3 million and $32.9 million at September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively, included investments in common stocks of $41.3 million, $37.2 million and $32.9 million, respectively, and investments in closed-end funds of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0, respectively.  Of the $41.3 million, $37.2 million and $32.9 million, invested in common stocks at September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively, $41.3 million, $37.1 million and $32.9 million, respectively, was related to our investment in Westwood Holdings Group Inc.  Securities sold, not yet purchased are financial instruments purchased under agreements to resell and financial instruments sold under agreement to repurchase.  These financial instruments are stated at fair value and are subject to market risks resulting from changes in price and volatility.  At September 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, there were no securities sold, not yet purchased.

The following table provides a sensitivity analysis for our investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.  The sensitivity analysis assumes a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these investments (in thousands):

     
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
     
assuming
 
assuming
 
     
10% decrease in
 
10% increase in
 
(unaudited)
Fair Value
 
equity prices
 
equity prices
 
At September 30, 2017:
           
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value
 
$
101,425
   
$
91,282
   
$
111,567
 
At December 31, 2016:
                       
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value
 
$
37,285
   
$
33,557
   
$
41,014
 

Interest Rate Risk
 
Our exposure to interest rate risk results, principally, from our investment of excess cash in a sponsored money market fund that holds U.S. Government securities.  These investments are primarily short term in nature, and the carrying value of these investments generally approximates fair value.  Based on September 30, 2017, cash and cash equivalent balance of $61.1 million, a 1% increase in interest rates would increase our interest income by $0.6 million annually.  Given that our current return on these cash equivalent investments in this low interest rate environment is approximately 0.98% annually, an analysis of a 1% decrease is not meaningful.

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 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 7, 2017 for details on Critical Accounting Policies.


32

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
In the normal course of its business, GAMCO is exposed to risk of loss due to fluctuations in the securities market and general economy. Management is responsible for identifying, assessing and managing market and other risks. 

Our exposure to pricing risk in equity securities is directly related to our role as financial intermediary and advisor for AUM in our affiliated open-end and closed-end funds, institutional and private wealth management accounts, and investment partnerships as well as our proprietary investment and trading activities.  At September 30, 2017, we had equity investments of $101.4 million.  We may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management.  The equity investment portfolio is at fair value and will move in line with the equity markets.  The trading portfolio changes are recorded as net gain from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income while the available for sale portfolio changes are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017.  Disclosure controls and procedures as defined under the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in SEC rules and regulations.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Co-Chief Accounting Officers (“CAOs”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Our CEO and CAOs participated in this evaluation and concluded that, as of the date of September 30, 2017, 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 may be named in legal actions and proceedings.  These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief.  For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable.  Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures.  However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations or cash flows at September 30, 2017.



33

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 September 30, 2017:

             
(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
 
7/01/17 - 7/31/17
   
-
   
$
-
     
-
     
574,648
 
8/01/17 - 8/31/17
   
113,121
     
29.53
     
113,121
     
886,879
 
9/01/17 - 9/30/17
   
18,359
     
28.74
     
18,359
     
868,520
 
Totals
   
131,480
   
$
29.42
     
131,480
         

In August 2017, the Board of Directors increased the buyback authorization by 425,352 shares of GBL Class A stock.  Our stock repurchase program is not subject to an expiration date.
 
Item 6.    (a) Exhibits


 
10.20
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated September 30, 2017, by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Mario J. Gabelli. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2017).

 
31.1

 
31.2
     
 
31.3

 
32.1

 
32.2

101.INS
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 


34

SIGNATURES

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

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
(Registrant)

By: /s/ Kieran Caterina
 
By: /s/ Diane M. LaPointe
 
Name: Kieran Caterina
Name: Diane M. LaPointe
Title: Co-Chief Accounting Officer
Title: Co-Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
Date: November 7, 2017
Date: November 7, 2017

35