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

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016
or
       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission File No. 001-14761

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, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of ''large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", and "smaller reporting company'' in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filer
     
Non-accelerated filer
 
Smaller reporting company
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes    No 
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.
Class
 
Outstanding at April 30, 2016
Class A Common Stock, .001 par value
  (Including 551,900 restricted stock awards)
10,692,404
Class B Common Stock, .001 par value
 
19,096,792


INDEX
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
   
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Item 1.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
- Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
 
 
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
 
- Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
 
 
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
 
- March 31, 2016
 
- December 31, 2015
 
- March 31, 2015
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity:
 
- Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
   
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 
- Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
   
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
   
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Included in Item 2)
   
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
   
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.
Exhibits
   
SIGNATURES
 

2

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

   
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
March 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Revenues
           
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
70,848
   
$
86,068
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
10,537
     
13,738
 
Total revenues
   
81,385
     
99,806
 
Expenses
               
Compensation
   
20,274
     
37,977
 
Management fee
   
1,080
     
4,135
 
Distribution costs
   
10,717
     
14,441
 
Other operating expenses
   
4,372
     
4,663
 
Total expenses
   
36,443
     
61,216
 
 
               
Operating income
   
44,942
     
38,590
 
Other income (expense)
               
Net gain/(loss) from investments
   
223
     
13
 
Interest and dividend income
   
368
     
528
 
Interest expense
   
(3,406
)
   
(1,905
)
Total other expense
   
(2,815
)
   
(1,364
)
Income before income taxes
   
42,127
     
37,226
 
Income tax provision
   
16,102
     
14,078
 
Income from continuing operations
   
26,025
     
23,148
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
   
-
     
1,628
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
26,025
   
$
24,776
 
 
               
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
               
Basic - Continuing operations
   
0.89
     
0.92
 
Basic - Discontinued operations
   
-
     
0.07
 
Basic - Total
 
$
0.89
   
$
0.99
 
 
               
Diluted - Continuing operations
   
0.88
     
0.91
 
Diluted - Discontinued operations
   
-
     
0.06
 
Diluted - Total
 
$
0.88
   
$
0.97
 
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
               
Basic
   
29,247
     
25,132
 
 
               
Diluted
   
29,684
     
25,414
 
 
               
Dividends declared:
 
$
0.02
   
$
0.07
 

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
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
       
Net income
 
$
26,025
   
$
24,776
 
Other comprehensive gain/(loss), net of tax:
               
Foreign currency translation
   
(28
)
   
(42
)
Net unrealized gain/(loss) on securities available for sale (a)
   
2,583
     
(467
)
Other comprehensive gain/(loss)
   
2,555
     
(509
)
 
               
Comprehensive income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.
 
$
28,580
   
$
24,267
 
 
(a) Net of income tax exoense/(benefit) of $1,517 and ($274), respectively.
 
See accompanying notes.

4

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

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2015
   
2015
 
ASSETS
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
28,045
   
$
13,719
   
$
11,261
 
Investments in securities
   
36,419
     
32,975
     
37,954
 
Receivable from brokers
   
1,135
     
1,091
     
2,100
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
29,612
     
31,048
     
32,241
 
Receivable from affiliates
   
5,256
     
5,041
     
28,373
 
Income tax receivable
   
2,452
     
6,787
     
2,433
 
Other assets
   
13,006
     
13,238
     
11,680
 
Assets of discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
     
673,263
 
Total assets
 
$
115,925
   
$
103,899
   
$
799,305
 
                         
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
                       
Payable to brokers
 
$
-
   
$
12
   
$
46
 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
   
12,198
     
4,823
     
23,133
 
Capital lease obligation
   
5,145
     
5,170
     
5,234
 
Compensation payable
   
19,218
     
24,426
     
38,823
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased
   
-
     
129
     
-
 
Payable to affiliates
   
3,754
     
7,687
     
28
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
29,710
     
28,882
     
32,071
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
     
35,782
 
Sub-total
   
70,025
     
71,129
     
135,117
 
                         
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020) (Note F)
   
250,000
     
250,000
     
-
 
Loan from GGCP (due December 28, 2016) (Note F)
   
20,000
     
35,000
     
-
 
5.875% Senior notes (due June 1, 2021)
   
24,103
     
24,097
     
99,398
 
Zero coupon subordinated debentures, Face value: $0.0 million at March 31, 2016,
                       
  $0.0 million at December 31, 2015 and $10.4 million at March 31, 2015,
                       
  respectively (due December 31, 2015)
   
-
     
-
     
9,936
 
Total liabilities
   
364,128
     
380,226
     
244,451
 
                         
Redeemable noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
     
5,519
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note J)
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
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;
                       
  15,472,901, 15,422,901 and 15,357,733 issued, respectively;10,683,604,
                       
  10,664,107 and 6,591,119 outstanding, respectively
   
14
     
14
     
14
 
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
                       
  24,000,000 shares issued; 19,106,792, 19,156,792 and 19,219,260 shares
                       
  outstanding, respectively
   
19
     
19
     
19
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
1,382
     
345
     
293,958
 
Retained earnings (deficit)
   
(8,794
)
   
(34,224
)
   
625,926
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
11,670
     
9,115
     
24,505
 
Treasury stock, at cost (4,789,297, 4,758,794 and 8,766,614 shares, respectively)
   
(252,494
)
   
(251,596
)
   
(397,813
)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)
   
(248,203
)
   
(276,327
)
   
546,609
 
Noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations
   
-
     
-
     
2,726
 
Total equity (deficit)
   
(248,203
)
   
(276,327
)
   
549,335
 
                         
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)
 
$
115,925
   
$
103,899
   
$
799,305
 

See accompanying notes.

5

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

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

         
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders
       
                           
Accumulated
                   
               
Additional
         
Other
               
Redeemable
 
   
Noncontrolling
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
         
Noncontrolling
 
   
Interests
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Stock
   
Total
   
Interests
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
 
$
2,734
   
$
33
   
$
291,681
   
$
602,950
   
$
25,014
   
$
(394,617
)
 
$
527,795
   
$
68,334
 
Redemptions of redeemable
                                                               
noncontrolling interests
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(441
)
Consolidation of a consolidated
                                                               
feeder fund
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
891
 
Deconsolidation of offshore
                                                               
  fund
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(63,256
)
Net income (loss)
   
(8
)
   
-
     
-
     
24,776
     
-
     
-
     
24,768
     
(9
)
Net unrealized losses on
                                                               
securities available for sale,
                                                               
net of income tax benefit ($265)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(451
)
   
-
     
(451
)
   
-
 
Amount reclassed from
                                                               
accumulated other
                                                               
comprehensive income,
                                                               
net of income tax benefit ($9)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(16
)
   
-
     
(16
)
   
-
 
Foreign currency translation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(42
)
   
-
     
(42
)
   
-
 
Dividends declared
                                                               
($0.07 per share)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,800
)
   
-
     
-
     
(1,800
)
   
-
 
Stock based compensation
                                                               
expense
   
-
     
-
     
2,277
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,277
     
-
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(3,196
)
   
(3,196
)
   
-
 
Balance at March 31, 2015
 
$
2,726
   
$
33
   
$
293,958
   
$
625,926
   
$
24,505
   
$
(397,813
)
 
$
549,335
   
$
5,519
 

See accompanying notes.

6

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

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 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
   
-
     
-
     
26,025
     
-
     
-
     
26,025
 
Net unrealized gains on
                                               
securities available for sale,
                                               
net of income tax expense ($1,516)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
2,582
     
-
     
2,582
 
Amounts reclassified from
                                               
accumulated other
                                               
comprehensive income,
                                               
net of income tax expense ($1)
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
1
     
-
     
1
 
Foreign currency translation
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(28
)
   
-
     
(28
)
Dividends declared
                                               
($0.02 per share)
   
-
     
-
     
(595
)
   
-
     
-
     
(595
)
Stock based compensation
                                               
expense
   
-
     
1,037
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
1,037
 
Purchase of treasury stock
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(898
)
   
(898
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
 
$
33
   
$
1,382
   
$
(8,794
)
 
$
11,670
   
$
(252,494
)
 
$
(248,203
)

See accompanying notes.


7

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

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Operating activities
     
Net income
$
26,025
 
$
24,776
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes
 
-
   
(1,628)
Income from continuing operations
 
26,025
   
23,148
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
         
Equity in net gains from partnerships
 
-
   
-
Depreciation and amortization
 
155
   
155
Stock based compensation expense
 
1,037
   
1,639
Deferred income taxes
 
(2,016)
   
1,166
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
 
-
   
-
Foreign currency translation loss
 
(28)
   
(42)
Other-than-temporary loss on available for sale securities
 
-
   
-
Cost basis of donated securities
 
-
   
-
Net gains on sales of available for sale securities
 
(2)
   
(3)
Accretion of zero coupon debentures
 
-
   
213
Loss on extinguishment of zero coupon debentures
 
-
   
156
(Increase) decrease in assets:
         
Investments in trading securities
 
223
   
-
Receivable from affiliates
 
(217)
   
(1,936)
Receivable from brokers
 
(44)
   
(417)
Investment advisory fees receivable
 
1,437
   
5,486
Income tax receivable and deferred tax assets
 
4,335
   
-
Other assets
 
66
   
419
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
         
Payable to affiliates
 
(3,933)
   
(326)
Payable to brokers
 
(12)
   
34
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
 
7,875
   
4,343
Compensation payable
 
(5,206)
   
8,025
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
793
   
4,206
Total adjustments
 
4,463
   
23,118
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations
$
30,488
 
$
46,266

8

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

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Investing activities
     
Purchases of available for sale securities
$
-
 
$
-
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities
 
308
   
32
Return of capital on available for sale securities
 
-
   
-
Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations
 
308
   
32
           
Financing activities
         
Net cash transferred from AC
 
-
   
34,832
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
-
   
-
Dividends paid
 
(585)
   
(1,759)
Repurchase of Zero coupon subordinated debentures
 
-
   
(2,596)
Purchase of treasury stock
 
(898)
   
(3,196)
Repayment of loan from GGCP
 
(15,000)
   
-
Amortization of debt issuance costs
 
6
   
-
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities from continuing operations
 
(16,477)
   
27,281
Cash flows of discontinued operations
         
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
-
   
36,160
Net cash used in investing activities
 
-
   
(41,080)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
-
   
(70,103)
Net cash used in discontinued operations
 
-
   
(75,023)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
 
7
   
11
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
14,326
   
(1,433)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
13,719
   
12,694
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
28,045
 
$
11,261
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
         
Cash paid for interest
$
197
 
$
199
Cash paid for taxes
$
5,137
 
$
9,078

Non-cash activity:
- For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company accrued dividends on restricted stock awards of $10 and $41, respectively.

See accompanying notes.

9

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2016
(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, 2015 from which the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were derived.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts reported for the prior period in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified in order to conform to the current period’s presentation.  Assets and liabilities related to the spin-off (“Spin-off”) of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) on November 30, 2015 on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of March 31, 2015 have been reclassified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations (See Note J. Discontinued Operations for further details).  All assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations are excluded from the footnotes for all periods presented unless otherwise noted.  In addition, the historical results of AC and certain investment partnerships and offshore funds have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 as discontinued operations and financial information related to discontinued operations has been excluded from the notes to these financial statements for all periods presented.

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.  The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods and is to be retrospectively applied.  Early adoption is not permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.
10

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, which amends the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements.  This amended guidance requires entities to present the cost of debt issuances as a reduction of the related debt rather than as an asset.  This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016.  Entities should apply the guidance retrospectively to all prior periods.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2016 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

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. For public companies, the new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. 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. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

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.  ASU 2016-02 is effective beginning January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

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.  Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.
 
B.  Investment in Securities

Investments in securities at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

   
March 31, 2016
   
December 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2015
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Trading securities:
                                   
Common stocks
 
$
15
   
$
17
   
$
385
   
$
368
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Total trading securities
   
15
     
17
     
385
     
368
     
-
     
-
 
                                                 
Available for sale securities:
                                               
Common stocks
   
17,592
     
36,402
     
17,898
     
32,607
     
13,609
     
37,954
 
Total available for sale securities
   
17,592
     
36,402
     
17,898
     
32,607
     
13,609
     
37,954
 
                                                 
Total investments in securities
 
$
17,607
   
$
36,419
   
$
18,283
   
$
32,975
   
$
13,609
   
$
37,954
 

Securities sold, not yet purchased at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
Proceeds
 
Fair Value
 
Proceeds
 
Fair Value
 
Proceeds
 
Fair Value
 
Trading securities:
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
123
   
$
129
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Total securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
123
   
$
129
   
$
-
   
$
-
 

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.
11


The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") into income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
 
Amount
 
Affected Line Items
 
Reason for
Reclassified
 
in the Statements
 
Reclassification
from AOCI
 
Of Income
 
from AOCI
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
 
   
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
   
 
$
2
   
$
3
 
Net gain from investments
 
Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
   
2
     
3
 
Income before income taxes
 
 
   
(1
)
   
(1
)
Income tax provision
 
 
 
$
1
   
$
2
 
Net income
 
 

The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of available for sale investments as of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:

 
March 31, 2016
 
     
Gross
 
Gross
     
     
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
     
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
17,592
   
$
18,810
   
$
-
   
$
36,402
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
17,592
   
$
18,810
   
$
-
   
$
36,402
 

 
December 31, 2015
 
     
Gross
 
Gross
     
     
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
     
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
17,898
   
$
14,709
   
$
-
   
$
32,607
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
17,898
   
$
14,709
   
$
-
   
$
32,607
 

 
March 31, 2015
 
     
Gross
 
Gross
     
     
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
     
 
Cost
 
Gains
 
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Common stocks
 
$
13,609
   
$
24,345
   
$
-
   
$
37,954
 
Total available for sale securities
 
$
13,609
   
$
24,345
   
$
-
   
$
37,954
 

Changes in net unrealized gain/(loss), net of taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 of $2.6 million in gains and $0.5 million in losses, respectively, have been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, proceeds from the sales of investments available for sale were approximately $308,000 and $32,000, respectively.  For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $2,000 and $3,000, 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 three months ended March 31, 2016 or March 31, 2015. The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined using specific identification. Accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of equity is primarily comprised of unrealized gains/losses, net of taxes, for AFS securities.

GBL 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.  
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There were no investments classified as available for sale that were in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 or March 31, 2015.

For the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 there were no losses on available for sale securities that were deemed to be other than temporary.

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 March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2016 (in thousands)

   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
March 31,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2016
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
27,909
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
27,909
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
36,402
     
-
     
-
     
36,402
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
17
     
-
     
-
     
17
 
Total investments in securities
   
36,419
     
-
     
-
     
36,419
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
64,328
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
64,328
 
Liabilities
                               
Securities sold, not yet purchased:
                               
Trading - Common stocks
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Total securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2015 (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)
   
2015
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
13,538
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
13,538
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
32,607
     
-
     
-
     
32,607
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
368
     
-
     
-
     
368
 
Total investments in securities
   
32,975
     
-
     
-
     
32,975
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
46,513
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
46,513
 
Liabilities
                               
Securities sold, not yet purchased:
                               
Trading - Common stocks
 
$
129
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
129
 
Total securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
129
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
129
 

13


Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2015 (in thousands)

   
Quoted Prices in Active
   
Significant Other
   
Significant
   
Balance as of
 
   
Markets for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
   
March 31,
 
Assets
 
Assets (Level 1)
   
Inputs (Level 2)
   
Inputs (Level 3)
   
2015
 
Cash equivalents
 
$
11,107
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
11,107
 
Investments in securities:
                               
AFS - Common stocks
   
37,954
     
-
     
-
     
37,954
 
Trading - Common stocks
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Total investments in securities
   
37,954
     
-
     
-
     
37,954
 
Total assets at fair value
 
$
49,061
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
49,061
 
Liabilities
                               
Securities sold, not yet purchased:
                               
Trading - Common stocks
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Total securities sold, not yet purchased
 
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
   
$
-
 


During the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

Other than certain securities which were part of the Spin-off, the Company did not hold any Level 2 or 3 securities at either March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 or March 31, 2015.

D. Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rate ("ETR") for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 was 38.2% and 37.8%, respectively.
14


E. Earnings Per Share

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

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2016
   
2015
 
Basic:
           
Income from continuing operations
 
$
26,025
   
$
23,148
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
   
-
     
1,628
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
26,025
   
$
24,776
 
 
               
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
29,247
     
25,132
 
 
               
Basic net income per share attributable to GAMCO
               
  Investors, Inc.'s shareholders:
               
Continuing operations
 
$
0.89
   
$
0.92
 
Discontinued operations
   
-
     
0.07
 
Total
 
$
0.89
   
$
0.99
 
 
               
Diluted:
               
Income from continuing operations
 
$
26,025
   
$
23,148
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
   
-
     
1,628
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
26,025
   
$
24,776
 
 
               
Weighted average share outstanding
   
29,247
     
25,132
 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock awards
   
437
     
282
 
Total
   
29,684
     
25,414
 
 
               
Diluted net income per share attributable to GAMCO
               
  Investors, Inc.'s shareholders:
               
Continuing operations
 
$
0.88
   
$
0.91
 
Discontinued operations
   
-
     
0.06
 
Total
 
$
0.88
   
$
0.97
 


F. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
 
Carrying
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
 
Fair Value
 
 
Value
 
Level 2
 
Value
 
Level 2
 
Value
 
Level 2
 
(In thousands)
                       
AC 4% PIK Note
 
$
250,000
   
$
249,183
   
$
250,000
   
$
250,000
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Loan from GGCP
   
20,000
     
20,161
     
35,000
     
35,000
     
-
     
-
 
5.875% Senior notes
   
24,103
     
23,741
     
24,097
     
24,437
     
99,398
     
109,541
 
0% Subordinated debentures
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
9,936
     
10,440
 
Total
 
$
294,103
   
$
293,085
   
$
309,097
   
$
309,437
   
$
109,334
   
$
119,981
 

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. The Company will repay the original principal amount of the AC 4% PIK Note to AC in five equal annual installments of $50 million on each interest payment date up to and including the maturity date.  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.
15

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.

On November 18, 2015, the Company commenced a tender offer (the “Offer”) to purchase for cash up to $100 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount.  $75.8 million of face value Senior Notes were tendered upon the expiration of the Offer.  At March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, the debt was recorded at its face value, net of issuance costs, of $24.1 million, $24.1 million and $99.4 million, respectively.

Loan from GGCP

In connection with the Offer, the Company borrowed $35.0 million from GGCP. The loan has a term of one year and bears interest at 90-day LIBOR plus 3.25%, reset and payable quarterly. Under the terms of the loan agreement, the Company is required to fully pay the loan prior to any accelerated payment of the AC 4% PIK Note. On March 18, 2016, the Company paid back $15.0 million of the loan. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the debt was recorded at its face value of $20.0 million and $35.0 million, respectively.

Zero coupon Subordinated debentures due December 31, 2015

On December 31, 2010, the Company issued $86.4 million in par value of five year zero coupon subordinated debentures due December 31, 2015 ("Debentures") to its shareholders of record on December 15, 2010 through the declaration of a special dividend of $3.20 per share. The Debentures have a par value of $100 and are callable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures to be redeemed. During the three month period ended March 31, 2015 the Company repurchased 25,957 Debentures having a face value of $2.6 million. The redemptions were accounted for as extinguishments of debt and resulted in losses of $156,000 which was included in net gain from investments on the condensed consolidated statements of income. The debt was being accreted to its face value using the effective rate on the date of issuance of 7.45%.  At March 31, 2015, the debt was recorded at its accreted value of  $9.9 million. The debt matured on December 31, 2015 and was fully paid at that time.

The fair value of the Company's 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.

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 March 31, 2016, $500 million is available on the shelf.

G. Stockholders' Equity
 
Shares outstanding were 29.8 million, 29.8 million and 25.8 million on March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively.
16


Dividends
 
 
 
 
Payment
 
Record
     
 
 
 
Date
 
Date
 
Amount
 
                 
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
March 29, 2016
 
March 15, 2016
 
$
0.02
 
Three months ended March 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
March 17, 2015
 
$
0.07
 
                   

Voting Rights

The holders of Class A Common stock ("Class A Stock") and Class B Common stock ("Class B Stock") have identical rights except that (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 3.5 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 March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, there were 553,100 RSA shares, 553,100 RSA shares and 707,050 RSA shares outstanding, respectively, that were previously issued at an average weighted grant price of $64.02, $64.02 and $67.43, respectively.  These RSA grants occurred prior to the spin-off of Associated Capital.  On November 30, 2015, pursuant to the spin-off, all RSA grant holders received shares of Associated Capital’s Class A common stock as a result of their ownership of their GAMCO unvested RSAs (one share of Associated Capital 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.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Actual and projected stock-based compensation expense for RSA shares for the years ended December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2024 (based on awards currently issued or granted) is as follows (in thousands):

     
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
 
 
Q1
   
$
1,639
   
$
1,037
   
$
685
   
$
464
   
$
365
 
 
Q2
     
1,640
     
1,036
     
685
     
453
     
365
 
 
Q3
     
1,644
     
806
     
602
     
402
     
323
 
 
Q4
     
4,945
     
691
     
520
     
366
     
295
 
Full Year
   
$
9,868
   
$
3,570
   
$
2,492
   
$
1,685
   
$
1,348
 
                                             
         
2020
     
2021
     
2022
     
2023
     
2024
 
 
Q1
   
$
219
     
145
   
$
93
   
$
48
   
$
7
 
 
Q2
     
204
     
145
     
93
     
48
     
7
 
 
Q3
     
169
     
114
     
66
     
24
     
5
 
 
Q4
     
145
     
93
     
48
     
7
     
-
 
Full Year
   
$
737
     
497
   
$
300
   
$
127
   
$
19
 


The total compensation cost related to non-vested RSAs not yet recognized is approximately $9.7 million as of March 31, 2016.  There were no options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2016 or March 31, 2015.

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 August 4, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized an incremental 500,000 shares to be added to the current buyback authorization.  For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 30,503 shares and 41,393 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $29.42 and $77.19, respectively. From the inception of the program through March 31, 2016, 9,583,156 shares have been repurchased at an average price of $44.76 per share.  At March 31, 2016, the total shares available under the program to be repurchased in the future were 551,652.
17

H. 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 March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015. 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 2017. 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 March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  The advisory contracts for the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. are both next up for renewal in November 2017. 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 March 31, 2016 or March 31, 2015, and as such there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded.

I. 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 March 31, 2016.
18


J.  Discontinued Operations

As a result of the Spin-off, the results of AC’s operations through the Spin-off Date, as well as transaction costs related to the Spin-off, have been classified in the condensed consolidated statements of income as discontinued operations.  There was no gain or loss on the Spin-off for the Company, and it was a tax-free spin-off to GAMCO’s shareholders.

The first quarter 2015 results include $0.8 million in costs incurred with respect to the Spin-off and are included in Other operating expenses below.  Operating results for the period from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015 is summarized below:

   
Period Ended
 
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
Revenues
     
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
2,119
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
134
 
Institutional research services
   
2,447
 
Total revenues
   
4,700
 
Expenses
       
Compensation
   
5,879
 
Stock based compensation
   
638
 
Management fee
   
302
 
Distribution costs
   
(29
)
Other operating expenses
   
2,555
 
Total expenses
   
9,345
 
Operating loss
   
(4,645
)
Other income (expense)
       
Net gain from investments
   
6,945
 
Interest and dividend income
   
746
 
Interest expense
   
(334
)
Total other income (expense), net
   
7,357
 
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
   
2,712
 
Income tax provision
   
1,101
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
   
1,611
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(17
)
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s discontinued operations, net of taxes
 
$
1,628
 

19


The assets and liabilities of AC have been classified in the consolidated statement of financial condition as of March 31, 2015 as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations and consist of the following:

 
 
March 31, 2015
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
320,373
 
Investments in securities
   
120,834
 
Investments in sponsored registered investment companies
   
120,831
 
Investments in partnerships
   
106,943
 
Receivable from brokers
   
19,515
 
Investment advisory fees receivable
   
1,462
 
Receivable from affiliates
   
(28,373
)
Income tax receivable
   
10
 
Other assets
   
11,668
 
Total assets of discontinued operations
   
673,263
 
         
Payable to brokers
   
10,128
 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities
   
9,697
 
Compensation payable
   
4,571
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased
   
8,569
 
Payable to affiliates
   
(28
)
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
1,298
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   
1,547
 
Total liabilities of discontinued operations
   
35,782
 
 
       
Redeemable noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations
   
5,519
 
 
       
Noncontrolling interests from discontinued operations
   
2,726
 
 
       
Net assets of discontinued operations
 
$
629,236
 

K. Subsequent Events
 
On April 21, 2016, the Company paid down the GGCP Loan by an additional $5.0 million.

On May 3, 2016, the Board of Directors declared its regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share to all of its shareholders, payable on June 28, 2016 to shareholders of record on June 14, 2016.

From April 1, 2016 to May 9, 2016, the Company repurchased 100 shares at $37.43 per share.

20

ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (INCLUDING QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK)
 
Overview
 
GAMCO, through the Gabelli brand, well known for its Private Market Value (PMV) with a CatalystTM investment approach, is a widely-recognized provider of investment advisory services to open- and closed-end funds and institutional and private wealth management investors principally in the United States.  Through G.distributors, LLC (“G.distributors”), we provide mutual 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 other broker-dealer subsidiary.

Assets under management (“AUM”) were $38.7 billion as of March 31, 2016, the same as the AUM from December 31, 2015 of $38.7 billion and a decrease of 14.9% from the March 31, 2015 AUM of $45.5 billion.  The first quarter 2016 activity consisted of net cash outflows of $0.8 billion, $1.0 billion of market appreciation and recurring distributions, net of reinvestments, from open-end and closed-end funds of $0.1 million.  Average total AUM was $37.5 billion in the 2016 quarter versus $45.8 billion in the prior year period, a decrease of 18.1%.  Average AUM in our open-end equity funds, a key driver to our investment advisory fees, was $13.2 billion in the first quarter of 2016, falling 22.4% from the 2015 quarter average AUM of $17.0 billion.

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 March 31, 2016, assets under management with incentive based fees were $2.5 billion, a decrease of $0.2 billion, or 7.4%, from the $2.7 billion at December 31, 2015 and 40.5% lower than the $4.2 billion on March 31, 2015. 
21

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

Table I: Fund Flows - 1st Quarter 2016

                     
Fund
       
         
Market
         
distributions,
       
   
December 31,
   
appreciation/
   
Net cash
   
net of
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
   
(depreciation)
   
flows
   
reinvestments
   
2016
 
Equities:
                             
Open-end Funds
 
$
13,811
   
$
465
   
$
(458
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
13,807
 
Closed-end Funds
   
6,492
     
213
     
70
     
(112
)
   
6,663
 
Institutional & PWM - direct
   
13,366
     
241
     
(327
)
   
-
     
13,280
 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
   
3,401
     
67
     
(41
)
   
-
     
3,427
 
SICAV
   
37
     
1
     
-
     
-
     
38
 
Total Equities
   
37,107
     
987
     
(756
)
   
(123
)
   
37,215
 
Fixed Income:
                                       
Money-Market Fund
   
1,514
     
-
     
(40
)
   
-
     
1,474
 
Institutional & PWM
   
38
     
-
     
(6
)
   
-
     
32
 
Total Fixed Income
   
1,552
     
-
     
(46
)
   
-
     
1,506
 
Total Assets Under Management
 
$
38,659
   
$
987
   
$
(802
)
 
$
(123
)
 
$
38,721
 

Table II: Assets Under Management by Quarter
                     
% Change From
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
   
March 31,
 
 
 
2016
   
2015
   
2015
   
2015
   
2015
 
Equities:
                             
Open-end Funds
 
$
13,807
   
$
13,811
   
$
16,643
     
0.0
%
   
(17.0
%)
Closed-end Funds
   
6,663
     
6,492
     
7,071
     
2.6
     
(5.8
)
Institutional & PWM - direct
   
13,280
     
13,366
     
16,407
     
(0.6
)
   
(19.1
)
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory
   
3,427
     
3,401
     
3,814
     
0.8
     
(10.1
)
SICAV
   
38
     
37
     
-
     
2.7
     
n/
m
Total Equities
   
37,215
     
37,107
     
43,935
     
0.3
     
(15.3
)
Fixed Income:
                                       
Money-Market Fund
   
1,474
     
1,514
     
1,520
     
(2.6
)
   
(3.0
)
Institutional & PWM
   
32
     
38
     
52
     
(15.8
)
   
(38.5
)
Total Fixed Income
   
1,506
     
1,552
     
1,572
     
(3.0
)
   
(4.2
)
Total Assets Under Management
 
$
38,721
   
$
38,659
   
$
45,507
     
0.2
%
   
(14.9
%)

22

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 March 31, 2016 Compared To Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
     
 
 
2016
   
2015
 
Revenues
           
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
70,848
   
$
86,068
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
10,537
     
13,738
 
Total revenues
   
81,385
     
99,806
 
Expenses
               
Compensation
   
20,274
     
37,977
 
Management fee
   
1,080
     
4,135
 
Distribution costs
   
10,717
     
14,441
 
Other operating expenses
   
4,372
     
4,663
 
Total expenses
   
36,443
     
61,216
 
Operating income
   
44,942
     
38,590
 
Other income (expense)
               
Net gain from trading securities
   
223
     
13
 
Interest and dividend income
   
368
     
528
 
Interest expense
   
(3,406
)
   
(1,905
)
Total other expense
   
(2,815
)
   
(1,364
)
Income before income taxes
   
42,127
     
37,226
 
Income tax provision
   
16,102
     
14,078
 
Income from continuing operations
   
26,025
     
23,148
 
Income from discontinued operations
   
-
     
1,628
 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
 
$
26,025
   
$
24,776
 
 
               
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
 
$
0.89
   
$
0.92
 
Basic - Continuing operations
   
-
     
0.07
 
Basic - Discontinued operations
 
$
0.89
   
$
0.99
 
Basic - Total
               
                 
Diluted - Continuing operations
 
$
0.88
   
$
0.91
 
Diluted - Discontinued operations
   
-
     
0.06
 
Diluted - Total
 
$
0.88
   
$
0.97
 
 
Overview
 
Income from continuing operations for the quarter was $26.0 million, or $0.88 per fully diluted share, versus $23.1 million, or $0.91 per fully diluted share, in the prior year’s quarter.  The quarter to quarter comparison was impacted by lower variable compensation partially offset by lower revenues and lower income from firm investments.
 
Revenues
 
Investment advisory and incentive fees for the first quarter 2016 were $70.8 million, 17.8% lower than the 2015 comparative figure of $86.1 million.  Open-end fund revenues decreased by 22.7% to $31.3 million from $40.5 million in the first quarter of 2015 driven by a 22.4% decrease in average open-end equity AUM.  Our closed-end fund revenues decreased 12.1% to $13.1 million in the first quarter 2016 from $14.9 million in 2015 due to a 11.6% decrease 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, decreased $4.2 million to $25.9 million from $30.1 million in first quarter 2015.  There were no incentive fees earned during the first quarter 2016. Incentive fees earned during the first quarter 2015 were $0.5 million.
23


Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $10.5 million for the first quarter 2016, a decrease of $3.2 million or 23.4% from $13.7 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower average AUM in open-end equity funds that generate distribution fees and decreased level of sales of load shares of open-end funds.
 
Expenses
 
Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $20.3 million or 46.6% lower than prior year compensation costs of $38.0 million.  The deferred compensation agreement entered into by the Company with Mr. Gabelli resulted in variable compensation being reduced by $10.4 million during the first quarter of 2016.  This expense will be recognized ratably over the vesting period through January 1, 2020.  The remainder of the quarter over quarter decrease was comprised of a $5.8 million decrease in variable compensation related to the decreased levels of AUM, a $0.6 million decrease in stock compensation expense and a $0.9 million decrease in fixed compensation, primarily relating to reduced bonus accruals in the current quarter.
 
Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, decreased to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2016 from $4.1 million in the 2015 period.  The management fee expense for the first quarter of 2016 was lower by $2.2 million due to the accounting of the deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli.
 
Distribution costs were $10.7 million, a decrease of $3.7 million or 25.7% from $14.4 million in the prior year’s period.  The decline in distribution costs was driven by lower AUM which resulted in reduced payments to third parties for distribution of $2.3 million, lower amortization of advanced commissions of $0.3 million, and the $1.0 million of expenses incurred in launching a closed-end fund during the first quarter of 2015.
 
Other operating expenses were $4.4 million in the first quarter of 2016, a decrease of $0.3 million, or 6.4%, from $4.7 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2016 was $44.9 million, an increase of $6.3 million, or 16.3%, from the $38.6 million in the first quarter of 2015.  Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 55.2% in the 2016 quarter as compared to 38.7% in the 2015 quarter.
 
Other expense
 
Total other expense, net was a net expense of $2.8 million for the first quarter 2016 versus a net expense of $1.4 million in the prior year’s quarter.  Net gain from trading securities increased $0.2 million to $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2016. Interest and dividend income decreased to $0.4 million in the first quarter 2016 from $0.5 million in the first quarter 2015.  Interest expense increased $1.5 million to $3.4 million in the first quarter 2016 from $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2015.
 
The effective tax rates (“ETR”) for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 were 38.2% and 37.8%, respectively.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

On December 21, 2015, GAMCO entered into a deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for 2016 will be in the form of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) determined by the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s Class A Stock during 2016.  The Board’s decision to grant these RSUs and thereby defer the cash payment of his 2016 variable compensation until January 1, 2020 was to provide the Company with greater financial flexibility.  While the issuance of the award itself does not change Mr. Gabelli’s compensation, the GAAP reporting for his compensation has changed.  The first quarter 2016 results were materially bolstered by the GAAP-mandated treatment of these RSUs.  Margins for the first quarter 2016 therefore are not comparable with prior periods.  Under GAAP, only 25% of this deferred compensation expense is being recognized in the current year with the remainder amortized as expense in 2017, 2018, and 2019.  Expressed another way, the 2016 first quarter as well as the remainder of 2016 benefit from a reduction of 75% of the compensation, and 2017, 2018, and 2019 will, in turn, be impacted by an additional 25% of the compensation from 2016 in each year.  No decision has been made regarding whether an RSU grant will be repeated for 2017.
 
The balance sheet is also impacted; the compensation payable at March 31, 2016 and in each future period-end of 2016 is only 25% of the full amount of the 2016 compensation that will be due once the RSUs are fully vested.  At March 31, 2016, the amount of unrecognized compensation was $12.6 million.

24


The following tables show a reconciliation of our results for the first quarter of 2016 and our balance sheet at March 31, 2016 between the GAAP basis and a non-GAAP adjusted basis of the deferred compensation (the RSU grant) as if all of the expense was recognized in 2016.  We believe this adjusted measure is useful in evaluating the ongoing operating results of the Company absent the material adjustment related to the treatment of the deferred compensation agreement.

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
         
Impact of
       
   
Reported
   
Deferred
       
 
 
GAAP
   
Compensation
   
Non-GAAP
 
Revenues
                 
Investment advisory and incentive fees
 
$
70,848
   
$
-
   
$
70,848
 
Distribution fees and other income
   
10,537
     
-
     
10,537
 
Total revenues
   
81,385
     
-
     
81,385
 
Expenses
                       
Compensation
   
20,274
     
10,412
     
30,686
 
Management fee
   
1,080
     
2,199
     
3,279
 
Distribution costs
   
10,717
     
-
     
10,717
 
Other operating expenses
   
4,372
     
-
     
4,372
 
Total expenses
   
36,443
     
12,611
     
49,054
 
 
                       
Operating income