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 JuneSeptember 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 JulyOctober 31, 2017
Class A Common Stock, .001 par value  (Including 420,240164,050 restricted stock awards)10,208,72410,089,844
Class B Common Stock, .001 par value 19,092,16819,062,168

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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016
 - SixNine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
 - Three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016
 - SixNine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
 - JuneSeptember 30, 2017
 - December 31, 2016
 - JuneSeptember 30, 2016
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity:
 - SixNine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 - SixNine months ended JuneSeptember 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  Six Months Ended  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 June 30,  June 30,  September 30,  September 30, 
 2017  2016  2017  2016  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Revenues                        
Investment advisory and incentive fees $76,625  $72,794  $151,614  $143,642  $77,328  $75,952  $228,942  $219,594 
Distribution fees and other income  10,975   11,150   21,903   21,687   11,013   11,769   32,916   33,456 
Total revenues  87,600   83,944   173,517   165,329   88,341   87,721   261,858   253,050 
Expenses                                
Compensation  29,437   20,623   54,715   40,897   42,919   21,233   97,634   62,130 
Management fee  2,356   1,133   4,520   2,213   4,935   1,163   9,455   3,376 
Distribution costs  10,795   10,501   21,708   21,218   11,665   11,568   33,373   32,786 
Other operating expenses  5,352   4,940   10,471   9,312   5,429   5,681   15,900   14,993 
Total expenses  47,940   37,197   91,414   73,640   64,948   39,645   156,362   113,285 
                                
Operating income  39,660   46,747   82,103   91,689   23,393   48,076   105,496   139,765 
Other income (expense)                                
Net gain/(loss) from investments  (14)  240   26   463 
Net gain from investments  2,841   55   2,867   518 
Interest and dividend income  551   365   1,020   733   745   371   1,765   1,104 
Interest expense  (2,749)  (3,168)  (5,581)  (6,574)  (2,688)  (3,155)  (8,269)  (9,729)
Total other income/(expense), net  (2,212)  (2,563)  (4,535)  (5,378)
Shareholder-designated contribution  (3,857)  -   (3,857)  - 
Total other expense, net  (2,959)  (2,729)  (7,494)  (8,107)
Income before income taxes  37,448   44,184   77,568   86,311   20,434   45,347   98,002   131,658 
Income tax provision  14,554   16,641   29,854   32,743   3,834   14,486   33,688   47,229 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $22,894  $27,543  $47,714  $53,568  $16,600  $30,861  $64,314  $84,429 
                                
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders                                
per share:                                
Basic $0.79  $0.94  $1.65  $1.83  $0.57  $1.06  $2.22  $2.89 
                                
Diluted $0.76  $0.93  $1.58  $1.82  $0.55  $1.03  $2.14  $2.85 
                                
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                
Basic  28,896   29,234   28,933   29,241   28,926   29,185   28,930   29,222 
                                
Diluted  31,100   29,522   31,130   29,510   31,173   30,406   31,144   29,811 
                                
Dividends declared: $0.02  $0.02  $0.04  $0.04  $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 Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 
June 30, June 30, September 30, September 30, 
2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 
                
Net income $22,894  $27,543  $47,714  $53,568  $16,600  $30,861  $64,314  $84,429 
Other comprehensive gain/(loss), net of tax:                                
Foreign currency translation  37   (65)  47   (93)  28   (28)  75   (121)
Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale (a)  1,259   (2,766)  (1,302)  (183)
Other comprehensive income / (loss)  1,296   (2,831)  (1,255)  (276)
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. $24,190  $24,712  $46,459  $53,292  $18,949  $31,339  $65,408  $84,631 

(a) Net of income tax benefitexpense of $739, ($1,624), ($765)$1,363, $297, $599 and ($107),$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)

 June 30,  December 31,  June 30,  September 30,  December 31,  September 30, 
 2017  2016  2016  2017  2016  2016 
ASSETS                  
Cash and cash equivalents $90,405  $39,812  $24,224 
Investments in securities  35,225   37,285   32,079 
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  843   453   230   1,342   453   344 
Investment advisory fees receivable  27,495   43,736   31,811   25,549   43,736   26,606 
Receivable from affiliates  4,893   5,960   -   4,784   5,960   4,745 
Income tax receivable and deferred tax asset  19,361   9,349   11,905   24,941   9,349   10,634 
Other assets  12,709   12,634   13,665   11,888   12,634   12,198 
Total assets $190,931  $149,229  $113,914  $231,026  $149,229  $121,268 
                        
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                        
Payable to brokers $4,670  $66  $45  $13,311  $66  $10,203 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities  3,486   3,815   822   3,215   3,815   164 
Capital lease obligation  5,008   5,066   5,120   4,976   5,066   5,094 
Compensation payable  53,642   42,384   25,592   82,896   42,384   31,469 
Payable to affiliates  2,387   1,412   1,226   2,981   1,412   7,679 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  28,791   29,178   30,483   24,134   29,178   31,801 
Sub-total  97,984   81,921   63,288   131,513   81,921   86,410 
                        
4.5% Convertible note (net of issuance costs of $147, $165 and $0, respectively)            
4.5% Convertible note (net of issuance costs of $138, $165 and $174, respectively)            
(due August 15, 2021) (Note F)  109,853   109,835   -   109,862   109,835   109,826 
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020) (Note F)  80,000   100,000   250,000   70,000   100,000   100,000 
Loan from GGCP (due ) (Note F)            
5.875% Senior notes (net of issuance costs of $93, $105 and $116, respectively)            
5.875% Senior notes (net of issuance costs of $87, $105 and $110, respectively)            
(due June 1, 2021) (Note F)  24,132   24,120   24,109   24,138   24,120   24,115 
Total liabilities  311,969   315,876   337,397   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;                        
15,475,025, 15,477,082 and 15,482,982 issued, respectively;10,208,724,            
10,369,601 and 10,681,153 outstanding, respectively  14   14   14 
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   19   19   19 
Additional paid-in capital  8,981   3,903   2,417   11,084   3,903   3,135 
Retained earnings (deficit)  127,058   80,515   18,155 
Retained earnings  143,026   80,515   48,412 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  10,016   11,271   8,839   12,365   11,271   9,317 
Treasury stock, at cost (5,266,301, 5,107,481 and 4,801,829 shares, respectively)  (267,126)  (262,369)  (252,927)
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)  (121,038)  (166,647)  (223,483)  (104,487)  (166,647)  (199,083)
                        
Total liabilities and equity (deficit) $190,931  $149,229  $113,914 
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 SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017

 GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders  GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders 
          Accumulated                 Accumulated       
    Additional     Other           Additional     Other       
 Common  Paid-in  Retained  Comprehensive  Treasury     Common  Paid-in  Retained  Comprehensive  Treasury    
 Stock  Capital  Earnings  Income  Stock  Total  Stock  Capital  Earnings  Income  Stock  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2016 $33  $3,903  $80,515  $11,271  $(262,369) $(166,647) $33  $3,903  $80,515  $11,271  $(262,369) $(166,647)
Net income  -   -   47,714   -   -   47,714   -   -   64,314   -   -   64,314 
Net unrealized loss on                        
Net unrealized gains on                        
securities available for sale,                                                
net of income tax benefit ($752)  -   -   -   (1,281)  -   (1,281)
net of income tax expense ($1,663)  -   -   -   2,830   -   2,830 
Amounts reclassified from                                                
accumulated other                                                
comprehensive income,                                                
net of income tax benefit ($13)  -   -   -   (21)  -   (21)
net of income tax benefit ($1,064)  -   -   -   (1,811)  -   (1,811)
Foreign currency translation  -   -   -   47   -   47   -   -   -   75   -   75 
Dividends declared ($0.04 per                        
Dividends declared ($0.06 per                        
share)  -   -   (1,171)  -   -   (1,171)  -   -   (1,803)  -   -   (1,803)
Stock based compensation                                                
expense  -   5,078   -   -   -   5,078   -   7,181   -   -   -   7,181 
Purchase of treasury stock  -   -   -   -   (4,757)  (4,757)  -   -   -   -   (8,626)  (8,626)
Balance at June 30, 2017 $33  $8,981  $127,058  $10,016  $(267,126) $(121,038)
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 SixNine Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2016

 GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders  GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders 
          Accumulated                 Accumulated       
    Additional  Retained  Other           Additional  Retained  Other       
 Common  Paid-in  Earnings  Comprehensive  Treasury     Common  Paid-in  Earnings  Comprehensive  Treasury    
 Stock  Capital  (Deficit)  Income  Stock  Total  Stock  Capital  (Deficit)  Income  Stock  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2015 $33  $345  $(34,224) $9,115  $(251,596) $(276,327) $33  $345  $(34,224) $9,115  $(251,596) $(276,327)
Net income  -   -   53,568   -   -   53,568   -   -   84,429   -   -   84,429 
Net unrealized losses on                        
Net unrealized gains on                        
securities available for sale,                                                
net of income tax benefit ($49)  -   -   -   (85)  -   (85)
net of income tax expense ($129)  -   -   -   221   -   221 
Amounts reclassified from                                                
accumulated other                                                
comprehensive income,                                                
net of income tax expense ($58)  -   -   -   (98)  -   (98)
net of income tax expense ($61)  -   -   -   102   -   102 
Foreign currency translation  -   -   -   (93)  -   (93)  -   -   -   (121)  -   (121)
Dividends declared ($0.04 per                        
Dividends declared ($0.06 per                        
share)  -   -   (1,189)  -   -   (1,189)  -   -   (1,793)  -   -   (1,793)
Stock based compensation                                                
expense  -   2,072   -   -   -   2,072   -   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  -   -   -   -   (1,331)  (1,331)  -   -   -   -   (8,384)  (8,384)
Balance at June 30, 2016 $33  $2,417  $18,155  $8,839  $(252,927) $(223,483)
Balance at September 30, 2016 $33  $3,135  $48,412  $9,317  $(259,980) $(199,083)


See accompanying notes.


7
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
UNAUDITED
(In thousands)

 Six Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 June 30,  September 30, 
 2017  2016  2017  2016 
Operating activities            
Net income $47,714  $53,568  $64,314  $84,429 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization  294   313   439   470 
Stock based compensation expense  5,078   2,072   7,181   3,258 
Deferred income taxes  (5,698)  (2,016)  (9,229)  (3,930)
Foreign currency translation loss  47   (93)  75   (121)
Cost basis of donated securities  16   65   1,051   68 
Net gains on sales of available for sale securities  -   (4)  (20)  (4)
(Increase) decrease in assets:                
Investments in trading securities  27   223   (59,943)  223 
Receivable from affiliates  1,069   5,036   1,179   290 
Receivable from brokers  (390)  861   (889)  747 
Investment advisory fees receivable  16,241   (762)  18,188   4,442 
Income taxes receivable and deferred tax assets  (10,013)  (5,118)  (15,592)  (3,847)
Other assets  (357)  (769)  325   534 
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:                
Payable to affiliates  974   (6,461)  1,569   (8)
Payable to brokers  4,604   32   13,245   10,190 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities  6,134   (1,875)  8,029   (1,384)
Compensation payable  11,254   1,172   40,506   7,051 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (458)  1,533   (5,199)  2,804 
Total adjustments  28,822   (5,791)  915   20,783 
Net cash provided by operating activities $76,536  $47,777  $65,229  $105,212 

8
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
UNAUDITED (continued)
(In thousands)

 Six Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
 June 30,  September 30, 
 2017  2016  2017  2016 
Investing activities            
Purchases of available for sale securities $(50) $(213) $(3,932) $(223)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities  -   408   321   408 
Net cash provided by investing activities  (50)  195 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (3,611)  185 
                
Financing activities                
Issuance of 4.5% Convertible note  -   109,826 
Dividends paid  (1,156)  (1,170)  (1,737)  (1,752)
Purchase of treasury stock  (4,757)  (1,331)  (8,626)  (8,384)
Repayment of AC 4% PIK Note  (20,000)  -   (30,000)  (150,000)
Repayment of loan from GGCP  -   (35,000)  -   (35,000)
Amortization of debt issuance costs  30   12   45   18 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (25,883)  (37,489)
Net cash used in financing activities  (40,318)  (85,292)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  (10)  22   (15)  28 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  50,593   10,505   21,285   20,133 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  39,812   13,719   39,812   13,719 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $90,405  $24,224  $61,097  $33,852 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                
Cash paid for interest $3,824  $1,089  $6,621  $4,561 
Cash paid for taxes $38,905  $39,354  $52,628  $55,216 

Non-cash activity:
-For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, the Company accrued dividends on restricted stock awards of $15$66 and $19,$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
JuneSeptember 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 ongoing; however, itnearing 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 is currently evaluating performance obligations and the related transaction costs. The Company ishas also been reviewing and preparing for the enhanced disclosure requirements of the standard.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. TheFinally, 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.



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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 quarternine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017.


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B.  Investment in Securities

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

 June 30, 2017  December 31, 2016  June 30, 2016  September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016  September 30, 2016 
 Cost  Fair Value  Cost  Fair Value  Cost  Fair Value  Cost  Fair Value  Cost  Fair Value  Cost  Fair Value 
 (In thousands)  (In thousands) 
Trading securities:                                    
US Government Obligations $59,905  $59,954  $-  $-  $-  $- 
Common stocks $20  $26  $51  $54  $16  $17   24   31   51   54   16   16 
Mutual Funds  1   1   -   -   -   -   11   11   -   -   -   - 
Total trading securities  21   27   51   54   16   17   59,940   59,996   51   54   16   16 
                                                
Available for sale securities:                                                
Common stocks  18,773   35,088   18,739   37,131   17,642   32,062   21,319   41,315   18,739   37,131   17,649   32,873 
Closed-end funds  99   110   99   100   -   -   99   114   99   100   -   - 
Total available for sale securities  18,872   35,198   18,838   37,231   17,642   32,062   21,418   41,429   18,838   37,231   17,649   32,873 
                                                
Total investments in securities $18,893  $35,225  $18,889  $37,285  $17,658  $32,079  $81,358  $101,425  $18,889  $37,285  $17,665  $32,889 

There were no securities sold, not yet purchased at JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 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 sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
AmountAmount Affected Line Items Reason forAmount Affected Line Items Reason for
ReclassifiedReclassified in the Statements ReclassificationReclassified in the Statements Reclassification
from AOCIfrom AOCI Of Income from AOCIfrom AOCI Of Income from AOCI
Three Months Ended June 30,     
Three Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30,     
20172017 2016     2017 2016     
$-  $2 Net gain from investments Realized gain on sale of AFS securities$20  $- Net gain from investments Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
 34   152 Other operating expenses/net gains from investments Realized gain on donations of AFS securities 2,821   7 Other operating expenses/net gains from investments Realized gain on donations of AFS securities
 34   154 Income before income taxes   2,841   7 Income before income taxes  
 (13)  (57)Income tax provision   (1,051)  (3)Income tax provision  
$21  $97 Net income  $1,790  $4 Net income  

AmountAmount Affected Line Items Reason forAmount Affected Line Items Reason for
ReclassifiedReclassified in the Statements ReclassificationReclassified in the Statements Reclassification
from AOCIfrom AOCI Of Income from AOCIfrom AOCI Of Income from AOCI
Six Months Ended June 30,     
Nine Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,     
20172017 2016     2017 2016     
$-  $4 Net gain from investments Realized gain on sale of AFS securities$20  $4 Net gain from investments Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
 34   152 Other operating expenses/net gains from investments Realized gain on donations of AFS securities 2,855   159 Other operating expenses/net gains from investments Realized gain on donations of AFS securities
       Net gain from investments Other than temporary impairment of AFS securities 2,875   163 Income before income taxes  
 34   156 Income before income taxes   (1,064)  (61)Income tax provision  
 (13)  (58)Income tax provision  $1,811  $102 Net income  
$21  $98 Net income  


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

June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017 
  Gross Gross     Gross Gross   
  Unrealized Unrealized     Unrealized Unrealized   
Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Cost Gains Losses Fair Value 
(In thousands) (In thousands) 
Common stocks $18,773  $16,315  $-  $35,088  $21,319  $19,996  $-  $41,315 
Closed-end funds  99   11   -   110   99   15   -   114 
Total available for sale securities $18,872  $16,326  $-  $35,198  $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 

June 30, 2016 September 30, 2016 
  Gross Gross     Gross Gross   
  Unrealized Unrealized     Unrealized Unrealized   
Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Cost Gains Losses Fair Value 
(In thousands) (In thousands) 
Common stocks $17,642  $14,420  $-  $32,062  $17,649  $15,224  $-  $32,873 
Total available for sale securities $17,642  $14,420  $-  $32,062  $17,649  $15,224  $-  $32,873 

A net unrealized gain, net of taxes, for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 of $1.3$2.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, has been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at JuneSeptember 30, 2017.  A net unrealized loss, net of taxes, for2017 and 2016.  During the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 20162017, proceeds from the sales of $2.8 million has been included ininvestments 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 a componentinto net gain from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of equity, at June 30, 2016.income.  There were no sales of investments available for sale for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017.  During2016. There were no realized losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the three months ended JuneSeptember 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 $100,000$321,000 and $408,000, respectively, and gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $2,000$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 threenine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 or June 30, 2016.  A net unrealized loss, net of taxes, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 of $1.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, has been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, respectively.  There were no sales of investments available for sale for the six months ended June 30, 2017.  During the six months ended June 30, 2016, proceeds from the sales of investments available for sale were approximately $408,000 and gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $4,000 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 six months ended June 30, 2017 or JuneSeptember 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.

GBLThe 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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 or JuneSeptember 30, 2016.

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


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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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017 (in thousands)

 Quoted Prices in Active  Significant Other  Significant  Balance as of  Quoted Prices in Active  Significant Other  Significant  Balance as of 
 Markets for Identical  Observable  Unobservable  June 30,  Markets for Identical  Observable  Unobservable  September 30, 
Assets Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2017  Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2017 
Cash equivalents $90,206  $-  $-  $90,206  $60,702  $-  $-  $60,702 
Investments in securities:                                
AFS - Common stocks  35,088   -   -   35,088   41,315   -   -   41,315 
AFS - Closed-end Funds  110   -   -   110   114   -   -   114 
US Government Obligations  59,954   -   -   59,954 
Trading - Common stocks  26   -   -   26   31   -   -   31 
Trading - Mutual Funds  1   -   -   1   11   -   -   11 
Total investments in securities  35,225   -   -   35,225   101,425   -   -   101,425 
Total assets at fair value $125,431  $-  $-  $125,431  $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 JuneSeptember 30, 2016 (in thousands)

 Quoted Prices in Active  Significant Other  Significant  Balance as of  Quoted Prices in Active  Significant Other  Significant  Balance as of 
 Markets for Identical  Observable  Unobservable  June 30,  Markets for Identical  Observable  Unobservable  September 30, 
Assets Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2016  Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2016 
Cash equivalents $23,988  $-  $-  $23,988  $33,576  $-  $-  $33,576 
Investments in securities:                                
AFS - Common stocks  32,062   -   -   32,062   32,873   -   -   32,873 
Trading - Common stocks  17   -   -   17   16   -   -   16 
Total investments in securities  32,079   -   -   32,079   32,889   -   -   32,889 
Total assets at fair value $56,067  $-  $-  $56,067  $66,465  $-  $-  $66,465 

During the quarters ended JuneSeptember 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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016 was 38.9%18.8% and 37.7%31.9%, respectively. The ETR for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016 was 38.5%34.4% and 37.9%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.


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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 sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the ETR was higher by 0.6%3.6% and 0.3%1.0%, respectively, as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits.

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E. Earnings Per Share

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

 Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017  2016  2017  2016  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Basic:         ��              
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s                        
shareholders $22,894  $27,543  $47,714  $53,568  $16,600  $30,861  $64,314  $84,429 
Weighted average shares outstanding  28,896   29,234   28,933   29,241   28,926   29,185   28,930   29,222 
                
Basic net income per share attributable to GAMCO                                
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $0.79  $0.94  $1.65  $1.83  $0.57  $1.06  $2.22  $2.89 
                                
Diluted:                                
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $22,894  $27,543  $47,714  $53,568  $16,600  $30,861  $64,314  $84,429 
Add interest on convertible note, net of management fee and taxes  748   -   1,496   -   696   387   2,192   387 
Total income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $23,642  $27,543  $49,210  $53,568  $17,296  $31,248  $66,506  $84,816 
                                
Weighted average share outstanding  28,896   29,234   28,933   29,241   28,926   29,185   28,930   29,222 
Restricted stock awards  204   288   197   269   247   221   214   253 
Assumed conversion of convertible note  2,000   -   2,000   -   2,000   1,000   2,000   336 
Total  31,100   29,522   31,130   29,510   31,173   30,406   31,144   29,811 
                                
Diluted net income per share attributable to GAMCO                                
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $0.76  $0.93  $1.58  $1.82  $0.55  $1.03  $2.14  $2.85 

F. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016 
Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value 
Value Level 2 Value Level 2 Value Level 2 Value Level 2 Value Level 2 Value Level 2 
(In thousands)                        
4.5 % Convertible note $109,853   112,176  $109,835  $111,525  $-  $-  $109,862   111,574  $109,835  $111,525  $109,826  $112,172 
AC 4% PIK Note  80,000   91,599   100,000   100,930   250,000   251,909   70,000   71,755   100,000   100,930   100,000   101,347 
5.875% Senior notes  24,132   24,822   24,120   24,558   24,109   24,483   24,138   24,748   24,120   24,558   24,115   25,073 
Total $213,985  $228,597  $233,955  $237,013  $274,109  $276,392  $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.


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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.


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During the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the Company prepaid $10 million and $20$30 million, respectively, of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note against the principal amount due on November 30, 2018.  Of the $80$70 million principal amount outstanding after this payment, $10 million is due on November 30, 2018, $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 notesNotes

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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 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 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.

G. Stockholders’ Equity
 
Shares outstanding were 29.329.2 million, 29.5 million and 29.829.5 million on JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, respectively.


16
Dividends

 PaymentRecord    Record Payment   
 DateDate Amount  Date Date Amount 
           
Three months ended March 31, 2017March 28, 2017March 14, 2017 $0.02  March 14, 2017 March 28, 2017 $0.02 
Three months ended June 30, 2017July 11, 2017June 27, 2017  0.02  June 27, 2017 July 11, 2017  0.02 
Six months ended June 30, 2017    $0.04 
Three months ended September 30, 2017 September 12, 2017 September 26, 2017  0.02 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017      $0.06 

 PaymentRecord    Record Payment   
 DateDate Amount  Date Date Amount 
           
Three months ended March 31, 2016March 29, 2016March 15, 2016 $0.02  March 15, 2016 March 29, 2016 $0.02 
Three months ended June 30, 2016June 28, 2016June 14, 2016  0.02  June 14, 2016 June 28, 2016  0.02 
Six months ended June 30, 2016    $0.04 
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.


16
As of JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, there were 420,240164,050 RSA shares, 424,340 RSA shares and 549,700427,290 RSA shares outstanding, respectively, that were previously issued at an average weighted grant price of $65.59,$66.84, $65.74 and $63.99,$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 three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017.  This amount related to GBL teammates who held AC RSAs.  While thereThere 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, there will bethe 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 stillthree and nine months ended September 30, 2017.  There continue to be 164,050 GBL RSAs outstanding GBL RSAs.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 the 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 sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the Company reduced previously recorded tax benefits relating to RSA expense by $(0.3)$0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, on RSAs that vested.


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For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $4.4$2.1 million and $1.0$1.2 million, respectively.  For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $5.1$7.2 million and $2.1$3.3 million, respectively.  The three and six month amounts includeamount 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  $237  $187  $114  $75  $49  $25  $4 
 Q2   1,036   4,381   232   187   106   75   49   25   4 
 Q3   1,186   307   206   165   88   59   35   12   3 
 Q4   691   264   187   150   75   49   25   4   - 
Full Year  $3,950  $5,651  $862  $689  $383  $258  $158  $66  $11 
   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 $3.0$1.7 million as of JuneSeptember 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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, the Company repurchased 33,410131,480 shares and 12,532223,811 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $28.80$29.42 and $34.61,$31.50, respectively.  For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, the Company repurchased 158,820290,300 shares and 43,035266,846 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $29.94$29.71 and $30.93,$31.41, respectively.  From the inception of the program through JuneSeptember 30, 2017, 10,060,16010,191,640 shares have been repurchased at an average price of $44.09$43.90 per share.  At JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the total shares available under the program to be repurchased in the future were 574,648.868,520.


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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 JuneSeptember 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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 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 2017.2018. 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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017 or JuneSeptember 30, 2016, and as such there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded.

I.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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017.

J.K. Subsequent Events

On AugustSeptember 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 September 26, 2017January 10, 2018 to shareholders of record on September 12,December 27, 2017.

On August 3,From October 1, 2017 to November 7, 2017, the Board of Directors increased the authorization under the Stock Repurchase Program by an additional 425,352 shares.  As a result, there are 1,000,000Company repurchased 31,100 shares available to be repurchased under this existing buyback plan.at $29.11 per share.

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ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT'SMANAGEMENT’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 $41.3$43.1 billion as of September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.8 billion, or 4.3%, from June 30, 2017 a decrease of $0.1 billion, or 0.1%, from March 31, 2017 of $41.4$41.3 billion and an increase of $2.0$3.5 billion, or 5.2%8.9% from the JuneSeptember 30, 2016 AUM of $39.3$39.6 billion.  The secondthird quarter 2017 activity consisted of net cash outflows of $0.6 billion, $0.7$213 million, $1.8 billion of market appreciation and recurring distributions, net of reinvestments, from open-end and closed-end funds of $0.1 billion.$140 million.  Average total AUM was $41.5$42.3 billion in the 2017 quarter versus $38.9$39.9 billion in the prior year period, an increase of 6.7%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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, assets under management with incentive based fees were $2.5$3.0 billion, unchanged from$0.2 billion higher than the $2.5$2.8 billion on both March 31,June 30, 2017 and June$0.6 billion higher than the $2.4 billion on September 30, 2016. 
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The Company reported Assets Under Management as follows (in millions):

Table I: Fund Flows - 2nd3rd Quarter 2017

          Fund              Fund    
    Market     distributions,        Market     distributions,    
 March 31,  appreciation/  Net cash  net of  June 30,  June 30,  appreciation/  Net cash  net of  September 30, 
 2017  (depreciation)  flows  reinvestments  2017  2017  (depreciation)  flows  reinvestments  2017 
Equities:                              
Open-end Funds $13,708  $215  $(339) $(10) $13,574  $13,574  $517  $(305) $(24) $13,762 
Closed-end Funds  7,315   172   (10)  (118)  7,359   7,359   249   176   (116)  7,668 
Institutional & PWM - direct  13,492   234   (289)  -   13,437   13,437   613   (157)  -   13,893 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory  5,019   80   (51)  -   5,048   5,048   368   (70)  -   5,346 
SICAV(a)  49   2   (1)  -   50   421   10   73   -   504 
Total Equities  39,583   703   (690)  (128)  39,468   39,839   1,757   (283)  (140)  41,173 
Fixed Income:                                        
Money-Market Fund  1,752   4   57   -   1,813   1,813   4   73   -   1,890 
Institutional & PWM  34   -   (5)  -   29   29   -   (3)  -   26 
Total Fixed Income  1,786   4   52   -   1,842   1,842   4   70   -   1,916 
Total Assets Under Management $41,369  $707  $(638) $(128) $41,310  $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 JuneSeptember 2017

 ��         Fund               Fund    
    Market       distributions,        Market       distributions,    
 December 31,  appreciation/  Net cash   net of  June 30,  December 31,  appreciation/  Net cash   net of  September 30, 
 2016  (depreciation)  flows   reinvestments  2017  2016  (depreciation)  flows   reinvestments  2017 
Equities:                                
Open-end Funds $13,462  $837  $(704)  $(21) $13,574  $13,462  $1,354  $(1,009)  $(45) $13,762 
Closed-end Funds  7,150   463   (14)   (240)  7,359   7,150   712   162    (356)  7,668 
Institutional & PWM - direct  13,441   910   (914)   -   13,437   13,441   1,523   (1,071)   -   13,893 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory  3,783   154   1,111 (a)  -   5,048   3,783   522   1,041 (b)  -   5,346 
SICAV(a)  50   4   (4)   -   50   320   29   155    -   504 
Total Equities  37,886   2,368   (525)   (261)  39,468   38,156   4,140   (722)   (401)  41,173 
Fixed Income:                                          
Money-Market Fund  1,767   5   41    -   1,813   1,767   9   114    -   1,890 
Institutional & PWM  31   -   (2)   -   29   31   -   (5)   -   26 
Total Fixed Income  1,798   5   39    -   1,842   1,798   9   109    -   1,916 
Total Assets Under Management $39,684  $2,373  $(486)  $(261) $41,310  $39,954  $4,149  $(613)  $(401) $43,089 

(a) Adjusted to include Merger Arbitrage of $270 million at December 31, 2016.
(a)(b) Includes $1.2 billion from being approved as the sub-advisor on two sub-advisory entities as of February 27, 2017.
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Table III: Assets Under Management by Quarter

           % Change From 
  June 30,  March 31,  June 30,  March 31,  June 30, 
  2017  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Equities:               
Open-end Funds $13,574  $13,708  $13,981   (1.0%)  (2.9%)
Closed-end Funds  7,359   7,315   6,917   0.6   6.4 
Institutional & PWM - direct  13,437   13,492   13,326   (0.4)  0.8 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory  5,048   5,019   3,459   0.6   45.9 
SICAV  50   49   40   2.0   25.0 
Total Equities  39,468   39,583   37,723   (0.3)  4.6 
Fixed Income:                    
Money-Market Fund  1,813   1,752   1,518   3.5   19.4 
Institutional & PWM  29   34   32   (14.7)  (9.4)
Total Fixed Income  1,842   1,786   1,550   3.1   18.8 
Total Assets Under Management $41,310  $41,369  $39,273   (0.1%)  5.2%
           % 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 $292 million and $307$286 million of Money Market Fund AUM at September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017 March 31,and September 30, 2016, respectively.
(a) Adjusted to include Merger Arbitrage of $371 million and $225 million at June 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, respectively.


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DEFERRED COMPENSATION

On December 21,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 GAMCOspin-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 deferred compensationthird DCCA agreement (“Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA”) with Mr. Gabelli wherebyour Chief Executive Officer on September 30, 2017 deferring his variable cash compensation for 2016 was deferred (“2016 Deferred Cash Compensation Agreement” or “2016 DCCA”).  When the restrictions lapsefourth 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 January 1, 2020 (the “Lapse Date”), the 2016third quarter results but will impact our results in future quarters as his fourth quarter 2017’s compensation expense is amortized over the DCCA can be settled in either cash or stock.  vesting period.

Notwithstanding its ability to settle this agreementthese agreements in stock, GAMCO currently intends to make a cash paymentpayments to Mr. Gabelli on the Lapse Date.respective vesting dates.  While the agreement itself doesagreements did not change Mr. Gabelli’s compensation, the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”)GAAP reporting for his compensation has changed.  did change due to the ratable vesting.
The three and six month 2016 results were materially bolsteredDCCAs 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 GAAP-mandatedcompensation until the end of the vesting period, so generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) specify this treatment of this agreement while the three and six monthexpense.  The 2016 DCCA is expensed ratably over 4 years, the First Half 2017 results were materially encumbered.  Under GAAP, only 25% of this expense was recognized in the 2016 year, 12.5% was recognized in the first half of 2017,DCCA is expensed ratably over 18 months, and the remaining 62.5% will be amortized ratably as expense in the second half of 2017 and in 2018 and 2019.

On December 23, 2016, GAMCO entered into a second deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli for the period of January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017 (“2017 Deferred Cash Compensation Agreement” or “2017 DCCA”).  Mr. Gabelli’s variable cash compensation for that period will vest on July 1, 2018.  For GAAP accounting purposes, the compensation earned from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017Fourth Quarter DCCA will be expensed ratably from Januaryover 18 months beginning October 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.  As a result, under2017.

Because the GAAP the three and six month 2017 results were materially bolstered by the GAAP-mandated treatment.  Under GAAP, only 33%reporting of the total 2017 DCCADCCAs granted to the CEO tracks vesting, compensation expense was recognized in the first half of 2017 with the remaining 67% to be amortized as expense from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

The table below shows the effect of recording the DCCAs on a GAAP basis versus recording theand management fee expense in the period it was earned:

       Full Year
  Q2 2016  Q2 2017 2016 2017 2018 2019
              
2016 DCCA (13,046)  3,964  (53,516)  8,564  17,129  17,129
2017 DCCA -  (11,353)  -  (11,379)  11,379  -

Accordingly, marginsyear 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 second quartercurrent 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 2016 therefore arethe 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 comparabledeferred so 100% of the CEO’s compensation for that period was recorded together with periods prior to the issuanceratable portions of the vestings of the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCAs.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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017 only includes 18/48thsthe vested portion of the 2016 DCCA compensation and 1/3rd ofsubject to the 2017 DCCA compensation.DCCAs.  At JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the amount of unrecognized compensation was $67.5$57.2 million.

The following tables show a reconciliation of our results for the secondthird quarters and first halvesnine months of 2017 and 2016, and our balance sheet at JuneSeptember 30, 2017 between the GAAP basis and a non-GAAP adjusted basis as if all of the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCAsDCCA expense waswere recognized in 2016 and 2017, respectively.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 sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 as well as at JuneSeptember 30, 2017.
22

  Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 
             
  Reported  Impact of  Impact of    
  GAAP  2017 DCCA  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
Revenues            
Investment advisory and incentive fees $76,625  $-  $-  $76,625 
Distribution fees and other income  10,975   -   -   10,975 
Total revenues  87,600   -   -   87,600 
Expenses                
Compensation  29,437   9,666   (3,260)  35,843 
Management fee  2,356   1,687   (704)  3,339 
Distribution costs  10,795   -   -   10,795 
Other operating expenses  5,352   -   -   5,352 
Total expenses  47,940   11,353   (3,964)  55,329 
                 
Operating income  39,660   (11,353)  3,964   32,271 
Other income (expense)                
Net gain (loss) from investments  (14)  -   -   (14)
Interest and dividend income  551   -   -   551 
Interest expense  (2,749)  -   -   (2,749)
Total other expense, net  (2,212)  -   -   (2,212)
Income before income taxes  37,448   (11,353)  3,964   30,059 
Income tax provision  14,554   (4,412)  1,541   11,683 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $22,894  $(6,941) $2,423  $18,376 
                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders                
per share:                
Basic $0.79  $(0.24) $0.08  $0.64 
Diluted $0.76  $(0.22) $0.08  $0.61 

  Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 
             
  Reported  Impact of  Impact of    
  GAAP  2017 DCCA  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
Revenues            
Investment advisory and incentive fees $151,614  $-  $-  $151,614 
Distribution fees and other income  21,903   -   -   21,903 
Total revenues  173,517   -   -   173,517 
Expenses                
Compensation  54,715   19,206   (5,759)  68,162 
Management fee  4,520   3,552   (1,484)  6,588 
Distribution costs  21,708   -   -   21,708 
Other operating expenses  10,471   -   -   10,471 
Total expenses  91,414   22,758   (7,243)  106,929 
                 
Operating income  82,103   (22,758)  7,243   66,588 
Other income (expense)                
Net gain (loss) from investments  26   -   -   26 
Interest and dividend income  1,020   -   -   1,020 
Interest expense  (5,581)  -   -   (5,581)
Total other expense, net  (4,535)  -   -   (4,535)
Income before income taxes  77,568   (22,758)  7,243   62,053 
Income tax provision  29,854   (8,761)  2,791   23,884 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $47,714  $(13,997) $4,452  $38,169 
                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders                
per share:                
Basic $1.65  $(0.48) $0.15  $1.32 
Diluted $1.58  $(0.45) $0.14  $1.27 
23

 Three Months Ended June 30, 2016  Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 
             Impact of       
 Reported  Impact of     Reported  First Half  Impact of    
 GAAP  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP  GAAP  2017 DCCA  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
Revenues                     
Investment advisory and incentive fees $72,794  $-  $72,794  $77,328  $-  $-  $77,328 
Distribution fees and other income  11,150   -   11,150   11,013   -   -   11,013 
Total revenues  83,944   -   83,944   88,341   -   -   88,341 
Expenses                            
Compensation  20,623   10,719   31,342   42,919   (4,816)  (3,415)  34,688 
Management fee  1,133   2,327   3,460   4,935   (886)  (688)  3,361 
Distribution costs  10,501   -   10,501   11,665   -   -   11,665 
Other operating expenses  4,940   -   4,940   5,429   -   -   5,429 
Total expenses  37,197   13,046   50,243   64,948   (5,702)  (4,103)  55,143 
                            
Operating income  46,747   (13,046)  33,701   23,393   5,702   4,103   33,198 
Other income (expense)                            
Net gain from investments  240   -   240 
Net gain (loss) from investments  2,841   -   -   2,841 
Interest and dividend income  365   -   365   745   -   -   745 
Interest expense  (3,168)  -   (3,168)  (2,688)  -   -   (2,688)
Shareholder-designated contribution  (3,857)  -   -   (3,857)
Total other expense, net  (2,563)  -   (2,563)  (2,959)  -   -   (2,959)
Income before income taxes  44,184   (13,046)  31,138   20,434   5,702   4,103   30,239 
Income tax provision  16,641   (4,916)  11,725   3,834   2,167   1,559   7,560 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $27,543  $(8,130) $19,413  $16,600  $3,535  $2,544  $22,679 
                            
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders                            
per share:                            
Basic $0.94  $(0.28) $0.66  $0.57  $0.12  $0.09  $0.78 
Diluted $0.93  $(0.28) $0.66  $0.55  $0.11  $0.08  $0.75 
 

  Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 
          
  Reported  Impact of    
  GAAP  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
Revenues         
  Investment advisory and incentive fees $143,642  $-  $143,642 
  Distribution fees and other income  21,687   -   21,687 
Total revenues  165,329   -   165,329 
Expenses            
  Compensation  40,897   21,131   62,028 
  Management fee  2,213   4,526   6,739 
  Distribution costs  21,218   -   21,218 
  Other operating expenses  9,312   -   9,312 
Total expenses  73,640   25,657   99,297 
             
Operating income  91,689   (25,657)  66,032 
Other income (expense)            
  Net gain from investments  463   -   463 
  Interest and dividend income  733   -   733 
  Interest expense  (6,574)  -   (6,574)
Total other expense, net  (5,378)  -   (5,378)
Income before income taxes  86,311   (25,657)  60,654 
Income tax provision  32,743   (9,736)  23,007 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $53,568  $(15,921) $37,647 
             
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders            
  per share:            
Basic $1.83  $(0.54) $1.29 
Diluted $1.82  $(0.54) $1.28 
  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
 
 
  June 30, 2017 
             
  Reported  Impact of  Impact of    
  GAAP  2016 DCCA  2017 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
ASSETS            
Cash and cash equivalents $90,405  $-  $-  $90,405 
Investments in securities  35,225   -   -   35,225 
Receivable from brokers  843   -   -   843 
Investment advisory fees receivable  27,495   -   -   27,495 
Receivable from affiliates  4,893   -   -   4,893 
Income tax receivable  19,361   9,378   16,272   45,011 
Other assets  12,709   -   -   12,709 
Total assets $190,931  $9,378  $16,272  $216,581 
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                
Payable to brokers  4,670   -   -   4,670 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities  3,486   -   -   3,486 
Capital lease obligation  5,008   -   -   5,008 
Compensation payable  53,642   24,679   42,822   121,143 
Payable to affiliates  2,387   -   -   2,387 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  28,791   -   -   28,791 
Sub-total  97,984   24,679   42,822   165,485 
                 
4.5% Convertible note (due August 15, 2021)  109,853   -   -   109,853 
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020)  80,000   -   -   80,000 
5.875% Senior notes (due June 1, 2021)  24,132   -   -   24,132 
Total liabilities  311,969   24,679   42,822   379,470 
                 
Equity                
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity                
Class A Common Stock  14   -   -   14 
Class B Common Stock  19   -   -   19 
Additional paid-in capital  8,981   -   -   8,981 
Retained earnings (deficit)  127,058   (15,301)  (26,550)  85,207 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  10,016   -   -   10,016 
Treasury stock, at cost  (267,126)  -   -   (267,126)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)  (121,038)  (15,301)  (26,550)  (162,889)
Total liabilities and equity (deficit) $190,931  $9,378  $16,272  $216,581 
  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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017 Compared To Three Months Ended JuneSeptember 30, 2016

(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)      
 2017  2016  2017  2016 
Revenues            
Investment advisory and incentive fees $76,625  $72,794  $77,328  $75,952 
Distribution fees and other income  10,975   11,150   11,013   11,769 
Total revenues  87,600   83,944   88,341   87,721 
Expenses                
Compensation  29,437   20,623   42,919   21,233 
Management fee  2,356   1,133   4,935   1,163 
Distribution costs  10,795   10,501   11,665   11,568 
Other operating expenses  5,352   4,940   5,429   5,681 
Total expenses  47,940   37,197   64,948   39,645 
Operating income  39,660   46,747   23,393   48,076 
Other income (expense)                
Net gain from trading securities  (14)  240   2,841   55 
Interest and dividend income  551   365   745   371 
Interest expense  (2,749)  (3,168)  (2,688)  (3,155)
Shareholder-designated contribution  (3,857)  - 
Total other expense, net  (2,212)  (2,563)  (2,959)  (2,729)
Income before income taxes  37,448   44,184   20,434   45,347 
Income tax provision  14,554   16,641   3,834   14,486 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $22,894  $27,543  $16,600  $30,861 
                
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:                
Basic $0.79  $0.94  $0.57  $1.06 
                
Diluted $0.76  $0.93  $0.55  $1.03 

Overview

IncomeNet income for the quarter was $22.9$16.6 million, or $0.76$0.55 per fully diluted share, versus $27.5$30.9 million, or $0.93$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 quarter comparisonthe 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 impacted by higher revenues partially offset by higher variable compensation.$21.2 million versus $20.4 million in 2016.

Revenues
 
Investment advisory and incentive fees for the secondthird quarter 2017 were $76.6$77.3 million, 5.2%1.7% higher than the 2016 comparative figure of $72.8$76.0 million.  Open-end fund revenues increased by 2.1%0.6% to $33.4$33.8 million from $32.7$33.6 million in the secondthird quarter of 2016.  Our closed-end fund revenues increased 10.5%5.2% to $15.8$16.2 million in the secondthird quarter 2017 from $14.3$15.4 million in 2016 due to a 8.7%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.

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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 $1.2$1.3 million to $26.4$78.6 million from $25.2$77.3 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2016.  There were no incentive fees earned during the second quartersfirst 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 $1.0$3.2 million in the second quarter ofnine months ended September 2017 versus $0.6$1.9 million in the second quarter ofnine months ended September 2016.
 
Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $11.0$32.9 million for the second quarterfirst nine months of 2017, a decrease of $0.2$0.6 million or 1.8% from $11.2$33.5 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower average AUM in open-end equity funds that generate distribution fees.


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Expenses
 
Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $29.4$97.6 million or 42.7%57.2% higher than prior year compensation costs of $20.6$62.1 million.  The 2017 DCCA resulted in variable compensation being reduced by $9.7 million duringThis is primarily due to the second quarter of 2017.  This expense will be recognized ratably overaccounting for the vesting period through July 1, 2018.  The 2016of 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 resulted in variablecompensation on top of the normal compensation for the second quartercurrent 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 increased by $3.3 million whiledeferred and expense being recorded for 33% vesting in that period.  In the variablethird quarter 2017, there was no DCCA, so 100% of the CEO’s compensation for that period was recorded together with the second quarterratable portions of the vestings of the 2016 was reduced by $10.7 million.  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 quarterperiod over quarterperiod increase was comprised of a $1.3$4.2 million increase in variable compensation related to the increased levels of AUM, a $0.1$0.6 million decreaseincrease in fixed compensation, and a $3.3$3.9 million net increase in stock compensation expense, inclusive of the $3.7$5.5 million incurred in the second quarter of 2017 for the acceleration of the GBL and AC RSAs.

Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, increased to $2.4$9.5 million in the second quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2017 from $1.1$3.4 million in the 2016 period.  The management fee expense for the second quarter of 2016 was lower by $2.3 millionOnce again, this increase is primarily due to the accounting for the 2016 DCCA whilevesting 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 for the second quarter of 2017 was higher by $0.7 million due to the 2016 DCCA but $1.7 million lower due to the 2017 DCCA.
is based.
 
Distribution costs were $10.8$33.4 million, an increase of $0.3$0.6 million or 2.9%1.8% from $10.5$32.8 million in the prior year’s period.

Other operating expenses were $5.4$15.9 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2017, an increase of $0.5$0.9 million, or 10.2%6%, from $4.9$15.0 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2016. The research fee paid to G.research increased to $0.8$2.3 million in the second quarter ofnine months ending September 30, 2017 from $0.4$1.1 million in the prior year quarter.period.

Operating income for the second quarterfirst nine months of 2017 was $39.7$105.5 million, a decrease of $7.0$34.3 million, or 15.0%24.5%, from the $46.7$139.8 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2016.  Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 45.3%40.3% in the 2017 quarterperiod as compared to 55.7%55.2% in the 2016 quarter.period.

Other expense
 
Total other expense, net was an expense of $2.2$7.5 million for the second quarternine months ended September 30, 2017 versus an expense of $2.6$8.1 million in the prior year’s quarter.period.  Net lossesgains from trading securities were $14,000 in the second quarter of 2017 versus gains of $0.2increased to $2.9 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2016.2017 from $0.5 million in the prior year period.  Interest and dividend income increased to $0.5$1.8 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2017 from $0.4$1.1 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2016.  Interest expense decreased $0.5$1.4 million to $2.7$8.3 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2017 from $3.2$9.7 million in the second quarterfirst nine months of 2016 as gross debt at JuneSeptember 30, 2017 was $60.1$204.0 million lower as debt felldown from $274.1the $233.9 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2016 to $214.0 million at June 30, 2017.2016.
 
The effective tax rates (“ETR”)ETR for the threenine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016 were 38.9%34.4% and 37.7%35.9%, respectively.  The ETR for the threenine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 was higher by 0.6%1.0% than it would have otherwise been as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits.

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Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared To Six Months Ended June 30, 2016

(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)   
  2017  2016 
Revenues      
Investment advisory and incentive fees $151,614  $143,642 
Distribution fees and other income  21,903   21,687 
Total revenues  173,517   165,329 
Expenses        
Compensation  54,715   40,897 
Management fee  4,520   2,213 
Distribution costs  21,708   21,218 
Other operating expenses  10,471   9,312 
Total expenses  91,414   73,640 
Operating income  82,103   91,689 
Other income (expense)        
Net gain from trading securities  26   463 
Interest and dividend income  1,020   733 
Interest expense  (5,581)  (6,574)
Total other expense, net  (4,535)  (5,378)
Income before income taxes  77,568   86,311 
Income tax provision  29,854   32,743 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $47,714  $53,568 
         
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:        
Basic $1.65  $1.83 
         
Diluted $1.58  $1.82 

Overview

Income for The current year quarter’s ETR benefited from the first six months was $47.7reversal of certain tax accruals totaling $3.6 million or $1.58 per fully diluted share, versus $53.6as well as a $1.0 million or $1.82 per fully diluted share, in the prior year’s quarter.  The quartertax benefit related to quarter comparison was impacted by higher revenues and lower other expense, net partially offset by higher variable compensation.

Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees for the six months ended June 2017 were $151.6 million, 5.6% higher than the 2016 comparative figure of $143.6 million.  Open-end fund revenues increased by 3.0% to $65.9 million from $64.0 million in the first six months of 2017 driven by a 1.2% increase in average open-end equity AUM.  Our closed-end fund revenues increased 13.9% to $31.2 million in the six months ended June 2017 from $27.4 million in 2016 due to a 12.3% 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, rose $1.5 million to $52.6 million from $51.1 million in the first six months of 2016.  There were no incentive fees earned during the first half of 2017 or 2016.  We recognize incentive fees only when the earning period for them is complete.  Revenues relating to the SICAV were $1.9 million in the six months ended June 2017 versus $1.1 million in the six months ended June 2016.
Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $21.9 million for the first six months of 2017, an increase of $0.2 million or 0.9% from $21.7 million incharitable contributions while the prior year period, primarilyquarter benefited from a reversal of $2.6 million in tax accruals due to higher average AUM in open-end equity funds that generate distribution fees.the conclusion of a state audit.


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Expenses
Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $54.7 million or 33.7% higher than prior year compensation costs of $40.9 million.  The 2017 DCCA resulted in variable compensation being reduced by $19.2 million during the first six months of 2017.  This expense will be recognized ratably over the vesting period through July 1, 2018.  The 2016 DCCA resulted in variable compensation for the first half of 2017 being increased by $5.8 million while the variable compensation for the first half of 2016 was reduced by $21.1 million.  The remainder of the period over period increase was comprised of a $3.0 million increase in variable compensation related to the increased levels of AUM, a $0.1 million increase in fixed compensation, and a $3.0 million net increase in stock compensation expense, inclusive of the $3.7 million incurred in 2017 for the acceleration of the AC RSAs.
Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, increased to $4.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017 from $2.2 million in the 2016 period.  The management fee expense for the first half of 2016 was lower by $4.5 million due to the accounting for the 2016 DCCA while the management fee for the first half of 2017 was higher by $1.5 million due to the 2016 DCCA but $3.6 million lower due to the 2017 DCCA.
Distribution costs were $21.7 million, an increase of $0.5 million or 2.4% from $21.2 million in the prior year’s period.
Other operating expenses were $10.5 million in the first half of 2017, an increase of $1.2 million, or 12.9%, from $9.3 million in the first half of 2016. The research fee paid to G.research increased to $1.5 million in the six months ending June 30, 2017 from $0.8 million in the prior year period.

Operating income for the first half of 2017 was $82.1 million, a decrease of $9.6 million, or 10.5%, from the $91.7 million in the first half of 2016.  Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 47.3% in the 2017 period as compared to 55.5% in the 2016 period.

Other expense
Total other expense, net was an expense of $4.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 versus an expense of $5.4 million in the prior year’s period.  Net gains from trading securities decreased to $26,000 in the second half of 2017 from $0.5 million in the prior year period.  Interest and dividend income increased to $1.0 million in the first six months of 2017 from $0.7 million in the first six months of 2016.  Interest expense decreased $1.0 million to $5.6 million in the first six months of 2017 from $6.6 million in the first six months of 2016 as gross debt at June 30, 2017 was $214.0 million down from the $274.1 million at June 30, 2016.
The ETR for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 were 38.5% and 37.9%, respectively.  The ETR for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was higher by 0.3% than it would have otherwise been as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits.
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:

 Six months ended  Nine months ended 
 June 30,  September 30, 
 2017  2016  2017  2016 
Cash flows provided by (used in) operations : (in thousands) 
Cash flows provided by / (used in) operations : (in thousands) 
Operating activities $76,536  $47,777  $65,229  $105,212 
Investing activities  (50)  195   (3,611)  185 
Financing activities  (25,883)  (37,489)  (40,318)  (85,292)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations  50,603   10,483   21,300   20,105 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  (10)  22   (15)  28 
Net increase  50,593   10,505   21,285   20,133 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  39,812   13,719   39,812   13,719 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $90,405  $24,224  $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.


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At JuneSeptember 30, 2017, we had total unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $90.4$61.0 million, an increase of $50.6$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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017 was $214$204 million, consisting of $80$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 sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017, cash provided by operating activities was $76.5$65.2 million, an increasea decrease of $28.7$40.0 million from cash provided in the prior year period of $47.8$105.2 million.  Cash was provided through an increase in compensation payable of $33.5 million, a decrease in investment advisory fees receivable of $17.0$13.7 million, an increase in compensation payable of $10.1 million, an increase in payable to affiliates of $7.4 million, an increase in payable to brokers of $4.6 million, an increase of $3.0 million in stock based compensation expense and an increase in income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities of $8.0 million.$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 $5.9 million, an increase of $4.0 in receivable from affiliates, a decrease to accrued expenses and other liabilities of $2.0 million, an increase in deferred income taxes of $3.7$20.1 million, an increase in income tax receivable and deferred tax assets of $4.9$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 $0.9 millionan increase in receivable from other sources.brokers of $1.6 million.  Cash used in investing activities was $0.1$3.6 million.  Cash used in financing activities in the first halfnine months of 2017 was $25.9$40.3 million, including $4.8$8.6 million paid for the purchase of treasury stock, and $1.2$1.7 million paid in dividends and $20.0$30.0 million for the partial repayment for the 4% PIK Note.

For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2016, cash provided by operating activities was $47.8$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 sixnine months of 2016.  Cash used in financing activities in the first sixnine months of 2016 was $37.5$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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017.  At JuneSeptember 30, 2017, G.distributors had net capital, as defined, of approximately $3.3$3.8 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $3.0$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.

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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.
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With respect to our proprietary investment activities, investments in securities of $35.2$101.4 million, $37.3 million and $32.1$32.9 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, respectively, included investments in common stocks of $35.1$41.3 million, $37.2 million and $32.1$32.9 million, respectively, and investments in closed-end funds of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0, respectively.  Of the $35.1$41.3 million, $37.2 million and $32.1$32.9 million, invested in common stocks at JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, respectively, $35.1$41.3 million, $37.1 million and $32.1$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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 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 JuneSeptember 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   Fair Value Fair Value 
  assuming assuming   assuming assuming 
  10% decrease in 10% increase in   10% decrease in 10% increase in 
(unaudited)Fair Value equity prices equity prices Fair Value equity prices equity prices 
At June 30, 2017:      
At September 30, 2017:      
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value $35,225  $31,702  $38,747  $101,425  $91,282  $111,567 
At December 31, 2016:                        
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value $37,285  $33,557  $41,014  $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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, cash and cash equivalent balance of $90.4$61.1 million, a 1% increase in interest rates would increase our interest income by $0.9$0.6 million annually.  Given that our current return on these cash equivalent investments in this low interest rate environment is approximately 0.83%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 8,7, 2017 for details on Critical Accounting Policies.


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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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017, we had equity investments of $35.2$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.

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of JuneSeptember 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 JuneSeptember 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 JuneSeptember 30, 2017.



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Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
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 JuneSeptember 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 
4/01/17 - 4/30/17  9,787  $28.19   9,787   98,271 
5/01/17 - 5/31/17  17,591   28.97   17,591   580,680 
6/01/17 - 6/30/17  6,032   29.30   6,032   574,648 
Totals  33,410  $28.80   33,410     
       (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 MayAugust 2017, the Board of Directors increased the buyback authorization by 500,000425,352 shares of GBL Class A stock.  Our stock repurchase program is not subject to an expiration date.
 
Item 5. Other Information6.    (a) Exhibits

On August 3, 2017, following the shareholder meeting held on May 3, 2017, the Corporation’s Board of Directors determined that the frequency of the shareholder vote on “say-on-pay” will be every three years, which is consistent with the shareholder advisory vote.

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

 31.2
Certification of co-CAO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
   
 31.3
Certification of co-CAO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

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

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

101.INS 
XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
   
101.CAL 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
   
101.DEF 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
   
101.LAB 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
   
101.PRE 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


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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 CaterinaName: Diane M. LaPointe
Title: Co-Chief Accounting OfficerTitle: Co-Chief Accounting Officer
  
Date: August 3,November 7, 2017Date: August 3,November 7, 2017

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