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

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018
or
       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission File No. 001-14761

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

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

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes    No 
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.
Class Outstanding at October 31, 2017April 30, 2018
Class A Common Stock, .001 par value  (Including 164,050270,500 restricted stock awards)10,089,84410,053,569
Class B Common Stock, .001 par value 19,062,16819,024,404


INDEX
 
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
  
PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  
Item 1.Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:
 - Three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016
- Nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
 - Three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016
- Nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
 - September 30, 2017March 31, 2018
 - December 31, 20162017
 - September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity:
 - NineThree months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016
  
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 - NineThree months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016
  
 Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
  
Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
  
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Included in Item 2)
  
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
  
PART II.OTHER INFORMATION
  
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.Exhibits
  
SIGNATURES 

2

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

 Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,  September 30,  March 31, 
 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017 
Revenues                  
Investment advisory and incentive fees $77,328  $75,952  $228,942  $219,594  $77,348  $74,989 
Distribution fees and other income  11,013   11,769   32,916   33,456   10,149   10,928 
Total revenues  88,341   87,721   261,858   253,050   87,497   85,917 
Expenses                        
Compensation  42,919   21,233   97,634   62,130   25,950   25,278 
Management fee  4,935   1,163   9,455   3,376   4,634   2,164 
Distribution costs  11,665   11,568   33,373   32,786   10,204   10,913 
Other operating expenses  5,429   5,681   15,900   14,993   5,453   5,119 
Total expenses  64,948   39,645   156,362   113,285   46,241   43,474 
                        
Operating income  23,393   48,076   105,496   139,765   41,256   42,443 
Other income (expense)                        
Net gain from investments  2,841   55   2,867   518 
Net gain (loss) from investments  (5,347)  40 
Interest and dividend income  745   371   1,765   1,104   492   469 
Interest expense  (2,688)  (3,155)  (8,269)  (9,729)  (1,200)  (2,832)
Shareholder-designated contribution  (3,857)  -   (3,857)  - 
Total other expense, net  (2,959)  (2,729)  (7,494)  (8,107)  (6,055)  (2,323)
Income before income taxes  20,434   45,347   98,002   131,658   35,201   40,120 
Income tax provision  3,834   14,486   33,688   47,229   7,940   15,300 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $16,600  $30,861  $64,314  $84,429  $27,261  $24,820 
                        
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders                        
per share:                        
Basic $0.57  $1.06  $2.22  $2.89  $0.94  $0.86 
                        
Diluted $0.55  $1.03  $2.14  $2.85  $0.94  $0.82 
                        
Weighted average shares outstanding:                        
Basic  28,926   29,185   28,930   29,222   28,916   28,970 
                        
Diluted  31,173   30,406   31,144   29,811   28,916   31,160 
                        
Dividends declared: $0.02  $0.02  $0.06  $0.06  $0.02  $0.02 

See accompanying notes.

3

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

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended 
September 30, September 30, March 31, 
2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 
            
Net income $16,600  $30,861  $64,314  $84,429  $27,261  $24,820 
Other comprehensive gain/(loss), net of tax:                        
Foreign currency translation  28   (28)  75   (121)  89   10 
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale (a)  2,321   506   1,019   323 
Other comprehensive gain  2,349   478   1,094   202 
Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale (a)  -   (2,561)
Other comprehensive gain/(loss)  89   (2,551)
                        
Comprehensive income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc. $18,949  $31,339  $65,408  $84,631  $27,350�� $22,269 

(a) Net of income tax expensebenefit of $1,363, $297, $599$0 and $190,$1,504, respectively.

      Effective January 1, 2018, upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the Company no longer recognizes
      unrealized gains or losses on equity securities through other comprehensive gain/(loss).  See Note C.
See accompanying notes.

4

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

 September 30,  December 31,  September 30,  March 31,  December 31,  March 31, 
 2017  2016  2016  2018  2017  2017 
ASSETS                  
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $95, $0 and $0, respectively $61,097  $39,812  $33,852 
Investments in securities, including restricted investments in securities             
of $59,954, $0 and $0, respectively  101,425   37,285   32,889 
Cash and cash equivalents $27,383  $17,821  $88,230 
Investments in securities  31,407   36,790   33,190 
Receivable from brokers  1,342   453   344   1,876   1,578   523 
Investment advisory fees receivable  25,549   43,736   26,606   27,150   38,712   29,810 
Receivable from affiliates  4,784   5,960   4,745   4,794   5,635   5,325 
Income tax receivable and deferred tax asset  24,941   9,349   10,634   12,878   15,615   12,829 
Other assets  11,888   12,634   12,198   11,505   12,135   12,615 
Total assets $231,026  $149,229  $121,268  $116,993  $128,286  $182,522 
                        
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                        
Payable to brokers $13,311  $66  $10,203  $164  $14,926  $10,022 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities  3,215   3,815   164   7,491   3,128   19,787 
Capital lease obligation  4,976   5,066   5,094   4,908   4,943   5,038 
Compensation payable  82,896   42,384   31,469   84,333   82,907   42,295 
Payable to affiliates  2,981   1,412   7,679   864   855   1,528 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  24,134   29,178   31,801   27,706   28,656   27,942 
Sub-total  131,513   81,921   86,410   125,466   135,415   106,612 
                        
4.5% Convertible note (net of issuance costs of $138, $165 and $174, respectively)            
(due August 15, 2021) (Note F)  109,862   109,835   109,826 
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020) (Note F)  70,000   100,000   100,000 
5.875% Senior notes (net of issuance costs of $87, $105 and $110, respectively)            
(due June 1, 2021) (Note F)  24,138   24,120   24,115 
4.5% Convertible note (net of issuance costs of $0, $0 and $156, respectively)            
(due August 15, 2021) (Note G)  -   -   109,844 
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020) (Note G)  40,000   50,000   90,000 
AC 1.6% Note Payable (due February 28, 2018) (Note G)  -   15,000   - 
5.875% Senior notes (net of issuance costs of $75, $81 and $99, respectively)            
(due June 1, 2021) (Note G)  24,150   24,144   24,126 
Total liabilities  335,513   315,876   320,351   189,616   224,559   330,582 
                        
Commitments and contingencies (Note I)  -   -   - 
Commitments and contingencies (Note J)  -   -   - 
                        
Equity                        
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity                        
Preferred stock, $.001 par value;10,000,000 shares authorized;                        
none issued and outstanding  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;                        
15,473,725, 15,477,082 and 15,480,032 issued, respectively;10,075,944,            
10,369,601 and 10,454,392 outstanding, respectively  14   14   14 
15,541,489, 15,541,489 and 15,474,992 issued, respectively;9,830,148,            
9,949,482 and 10,242,101 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            
24,000,000 shares issued; 19,024,404, 19,024,404 and 19,092,201 shares            
outstanding, respectively  19   19   19   19   19   19 
Additional paid-in capital  11,084   3,903   3,135   12,759   12,572   4,602 
Retained earnings  143,026   80,515   48,412   194,732   155,939   104,749 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  12,365   11,271   9,317   (145)  11,876   8,720 
Treasury stock, at cost (5,397,781, 5,107,481 and 5,025,640 shares, respectively)  (270,995)  (262,369)  (259,980)
Treasury stock, at cost (5,711,341, 5,592,007 and 5,232,891 shares, respectively)  (280,002)  (276,693)  (266,164)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)  (104,487)  (166,647)  (199,083)  (72,623)  (96,273)  (148,060)
                        
Total liabilities and equity $231,026  $149,229  $121,268  $116,993  $128,286  $182,522 

See accompanying notes.

5

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

For the NineThree Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018

  GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders 
           Accumulated       
     Additional     Other       
  Common  Paid-in  Retained  Comprehensive  Treasury    
  Stock  Capital  Earnings  Income  Stock  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2016 $33  $3,903  $80,515  $11,271  $(262,369) $(166,647)
Net income  -   -   64,314   -   -   64,314 
Net unrealized gains on                        
securities available for sale,                        
net of income tax expense ($1,663)  -   -   -   2,830   -   2,830 
Amounts reclassified from                        
  accumulated other                        
  comprehensive income,                        
  net of income tax benefit ($1,064)  -   -   -   (1,811)  -   (1,811)
Foreign currency translation  -   -   -   75   -   75 
Dividends declared ($0.06 per                        
share)  -   -   (1,803)  -   -   (1,803)
Stock based compensation                        
expense  -   7,181   -   -   -   7,181 
Purchase of treasury stock  -   -   -   -   (8,626)  (8,626)
Balance at September 30, 2017 $33  $11,084  $143,026  $12,365  $(270,995) $(104,487)
  GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders 
           Accumulated       
     Additional     Other       
  Common  Paid-in  Retained  Comprehensive  Treasury    
  Stock  Capital  Earnings  Income  Stock  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2017 $33  $12,572  $155,939  $11,876  $(276,693) $(96,273)
Net income  -   -   27,261   -   -   27,261 
Reclassification pursuant to                        
adoption of ASU 2016-01                        
, net of tax  -   -   12,110   (12,110)  -   - 
Foreign currency translation  -   -   -   89   -   89 
Dividends declared ($0.02 per                        
share)  -   -   (578)  -   -   (578)
Stock based compensation                        
expense  -   187   -   -   -   187 
Purchase of treasury stock  -   -   -   -   (3,309)  (3,309)
Balance at March 31, 2018 $33  $12,759  $194,732  $(145) $(280,002) $(72,623)

See accompanying notes.

6

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

For the NineThree Months Ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017

  GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders 
           Accumulated       
     Additional  Retained  Other       
  Common  Paid-in  Earnings  Comprehensive  Treasury    
  Stock  Capital  (Deficit)  Income  Stock  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2015 $33  $345  $(34,224) $9,115  $(251,596) $(276,327)
Net income  -   -   84,429   -   -   84,429 
Net unrealized gains on                        
securities available for sale,                        
net of income tax expense ($129)  -   -   -   221   -   221 
Amounts reclassified from                        
accumulated other                        
comprehensive income,                        
net of income tax expense ($61)  -   -   -   102   -   102 
Foreign currency translation  -   -   -   (121)  -   (121)
Dividends declared ($0.06 per                        
share)  -   -   (1,793)  -   -   (1,793)
Stock based compensation                        
expense  -   3,258   -   -   -   3,258 
Reduction of deferred tax asset                        
for excess of recorded RSA tax                        
benefit over actual tax benefit  -   (468)  -   -   -   (468)
Purchase of treasury stock  -   -   -   -   (8,384)  (8,384)
Balance at September 30, 2016 $33  $3,135  $48,412  $9,317  $(259,980) $(199,083)
  GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders 
           Accumulated       
     Additional  Retained  Other       
  Common  Paid-in  Earnings  Comprehensive  Treasury    
  Stock  Capital  (Deficit)  Income  Stock  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2016 $33  $3,903  $80,515  $11,271  $(262,369) $(166,647)
Net income  -   -   24,820   -   -   24,820 
Net unrealized losses on                        
securities available for sale,                        
net of income tax benefit ($1,504)  -   -   -   (2,561)  -   (2,561)
Foreign currency translation  -   -   -   10   -   10 
Dividends declared ($0.02 per                        
share)  -   -   (586)  -   -   (586)
Stock based compensation                        
expense  -   699   -   -   -   699 
Purchase of treasury stock  -   -   -   -   (3,795)  (3,795)
Balance at March 31, 2017 $33  $4,602  $104,749  $8,720  $(266,164) $(148,060)


See accompanying notes.


7

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

 Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,  March 31, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Operating activities            
Net income $64,314  $84,429  $27,261  $24,820 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization  439   470   146   151 
Stock based compensation expense  7,181   3,258   187   699 
Deferred income taxes  (9,229)  (3,930)  (1,409)  (3,756)
Foreign currency translation loss  75   (121)  89   10 
Cost basis of donated securities  1,051   68 
Net gains on sales of available for sale securities  (20)  (4)
(Increase) decrease in assets:                
Investments in trading securities  (59,943)  223 
Investments in securities (trading securities for 2017)  5,384   30 
Receivable from affiliates  1,179   290   935   635 
Receivable from brokers  (889)  747   (298)  (70)
Investment advisory fees receivable  18,188   4,442   11,562   13,927 
Income taxes receivable and deferred tax assets  (15,592)  (3,847)  2,738   (3,480)
Other assets  325   534   490   (130)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:                
Payable to affiliates  1,569   (8)  9   116 
Payable to brokers  13,245   10,190   (282)  9,956 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities  8,029   (1,384)  5,772   21,232 
Compensation payable  40,506   7,051   1,424   (90)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (5,199)  2,804   (988)  (1,272)
Total adjustments  915   20,783   25,759   37,958 
Net cash provided by operating activities $65,229  $105,212  $53,020  $62,778 

8

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

 Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,  March 31, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Investing activities      
Purchases of available for sale securities $(3,932) $(223)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities  321   408 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities  (3,611)  185 
        
Financing activities              
Issuance of 4.5% Convertible note  -   109,826 
Dividends paid  (1,737)  (1,752)  (578)  (578)
Purchase of treasury stock  (8,626)  (8,384)  (3,309)  (3,795)
Repayment of AC 4% PIK Note  (30,000)  (150,000)  (10,000)  (10,000)
Repayment of loan from GGCP  -   (35,000)
Repayment of AC 1.6% Note  (15,000)  - 
Margin loan borrowings  5,000   - 
Margin loan payments  (19,479)  - 
Amortization of debt issuance costs  45   18   6   15 
Net cash used in financing activities  (40,318)  (85,292)  (43,360)  (14,358)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  (15)  28   (98)  (2)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  21,285   20,133   9,562   48,418 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  39,812   13,719   17,821   39,812 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $61,097  $33,852  $27,383  $88,230 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                
Cash paid for interest $6,621  $4,561  $384  $2,797 
Cash paid for taxes $52,628  $55,216  $960  $782 

Non-cash activity:
-For the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, and September 30, 2016, the Company accrued dividends on restricted stock awards of $66$0 and $41,$8, respectively.
-For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $468 as a reduction to its deferred tax asset and additional paid-in capital for the excess of the recorded restricted stock award tax benefit over the actual tax benefit.

See accompanying notes.

9

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2017March 31, 2018
(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, 2016.2017.

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 to receive 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)(a) identifying performance obligations and b)(b) licenses of intellectual property.  In May 2016, the FASB amended the standard to clarify the guidance on (a) assessing collectability, (b) presenting sales taxes, (c) measuring noncash consideration, and (d) certain transition matters.  This newThe Company adopted this guidance will be effective for the Company's first quarter ofon January 1, 2018 and requires either a full retrospective or aadopted the modified retrospective approach to adoption.approach.  The Company’s implementation analysis is nearing completion,has been completed, and we have identified similar performance obligations under this guidance as compared with deliverables and separate units of account previously identified under Topic 605.  As a result, the Companytiming of the recognition of our revenue remains the same as under Topic 605, and therefore the adoption does not expect the adoption of the guidance to have a significantany effect on the timing of the recognition of revenue.  The Company has also been reviewing and preparingSee Note B. Revenue Recognition for the enhanced disclosure requirements of the standard, which will have an effect on the disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  The overall effect upon adoption may change based on further analysis and implementation efforts. Finally, the Company has not yet determined which transition method it will use.required by ASU 2014-09.

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 beare 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 newThe Company adopted this guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarteron January 1, 2018 and reclassified $12.1 million out of 2018. Upon adoption of this guidance,Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and into Retained Earnings.  Effective January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale investments will bein equity securities are reported through earnings in the net gain (loss) from investments line in the condensed consolidated statements of income rather than through other comprehensive income.



10

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

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

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  This guidance is intended to unify the currently diverse presentations and classifications, which address eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2018 and requires a retrospective approach to adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect ofadopted 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 thatJanuary 1, 2018 without 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 adoptionThe Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.
B.  Revenue Recognition

The revenue streams in the discussion below and in the table on page 13 include those that are within the scope of ASU 2014-09.  Those revenues deemed out of scope and excluded are: investment gains and losses generated from the Company’s proprietary trading activities, dividend income, and interest income.  In all cases for all revenue streams discussed below, the revenue generated is permitted, including adoptionfrom a single transaction price, and there is no need to allocate the amounts across more than a single revenue stream.  The customer for all revenues derived from open-end and closed-end funds described in any interim period.  Thisdetail below has been determined to be the fund itself and not the ultimate underlying investor in the fund.  The Company has identified similar performance obligations under ASU which we did not early adopt, would not have impacted2014-09 as compared with ASC Topic 605.  As a result, the accountingtiming of the recognition of our revenue remains the same under this new guidance as it was under ASC Topic 605.

Significant Judgments that affect the amounts and timing of revenue recognition:

The Company’s analysis of the timing of revenue recognition for each revenue stream is based upon an analysis of current contract terms.  Performance obligations could, however, change from time to time if and when existing contracts are modified or new contracts are entered into.  These changes could potentially affect the accelerationtiming of vestingsatisfaction of restricted stock awardsperformance obligations, the determination of the transaction price, and the allocation of the price to performance obligations.  In the case of the revenue streams discussed below, the performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time and in no instance is it satisfied over a period of time.  In the case of performance correlated revenues, the point in time is the end of the measurement period as defined within the contract and subject to reduction to zero on the date where the measurement period ends even if the performance benchmarks were exceeded during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.


intervening period.  Thus, for performance correlated revenues, the performance obligation is satisfied at a single point in time.  The judgments outlined below, where the determination as to these factors is discussed in detail, are continually reviewed and monitored by the Company when new contracts or contract modifications occur.  Transaction price is in all instances formulaic and not subject to significant (or any) judgment at the current time.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is subject to judgment.  There were no impairment losses (allowance for doubtful accounts) on any receivables from any revenue stream at the end of the current period.
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Advisory Fee Revenues

B.Advisory fees for open-end funds, closed-end funds, sub-advisory accounts and SICAVs are earned based on predetermined percentages of the average net assets of the individual funds and are recognized as revenues as the related services are performed.  Fees for open-end funds, sub-advisory accounts and SICAVs are computed on a daily basis on average net assets under management ("AUM"), while fees for closed-end funds are computed on average weekly net AUM.  These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days.  The revenue recognition occurs daily as the performance obligation (advising the fund) is met continuously.  There is a risk of non-payment, and therefore an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date.  There were no such impairment losses for the current period.

Advisory fees for Institutional & Private Wealth Management accounts are earned based on predetermined percentages of the average AUM and are generally computed quarterly based on account values at the end of the preceding quarter.  The revenue recognition occurs daily as the performance obligation (advising the client portfolio) is met continuously.  These fees are received in cash, typically within 60 days of the client being billed.  There is a risk of non-payment, and therefore an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date.  There were no such impairment losses for the current period.

Performance Correlated Revenues

Investment advisory fees earned on many of the closed-end funds' preferred shares are earned at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the closed-end fund for the calendar year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares.  These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period which coincides with the calendar year.  The fee would also be earned and the contract period ended at any interim point in time that the preferred shares are redeemed.  These fees are received in cash after the end of the measurement period within 30 days.

Certain closed-end funds have performance fees that are earned at the end of the fund fiscal year to the extent the total return of each fund exceeds a benchmark return.  The fee would also be earned and the contract period ended at any interim point in time that the fund was to repurchase shares.  These fees are received in cash after the end of the measurement period within 30 days.

We also receive incentive fees from certain institutional clients which are based upon exceeding a specific benchmark index or indices.  These fees are recognized at the end of the stipulated contract period, which is generally annually, for the respective account.  The fee would also be earned and the contract period ended at any interim point in time that the client terminated its relationship with us.  These fees are received in cash after the end of the measurement period typically within 60 days.

Certain funds within the SICAV structure may charge a performance fee.  These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period which coincides with the calendar year or upon redemption.  These fees are received in cash after the end of the measurement period within 30 days.

In all cases of the performance correlated revenue, revenue recognition is delayed until the performance obligation has been met (the measurement period has concluded and the hurdle has been exceeded).  There is a risk of non-payment, and therefore an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date.  There were no such impairment losses for the current period.

Distribution Fees and Other Income

Distribution fees and other income primarily includes distribution fee revenue earned in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Company Act, as amended, along with sales charges and underwriting fees associated with the sale of the mutual funds.  Distribution plan fees are computed based on average daily net assets of each fund and are accrued for during the period in which they are earned.  These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days.  In evaluating the appropriate timing of the recognition of these fees, we applied the guidance on up-front fees to determine whether such fees are related to the transfer of a promised service (a distinct performance obligation).  Our conclusion is that the service being provided by G.distributors to the customer in exchange for the fee is for the initial distribution of the funds and is completed at the time of the sale.  As such, there is no portion of this revenue that needs to be deferred because the performance obligation is complete, and revenue recognition coincides with the completion.  The Company reached the same conclusion with regard to sales charges and underwriting fees associated with the sale of the mutual funds - neither of which is material in the aggregate to the Company's revenue streams.  There is a risk of non-payment, and therefore an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date.  There were no such impairment losses for the current period.

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Revenue Disaggregated
The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by account type:
  Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2018  2017 
Advisory Fees:      
  Open-end Funds $31,834  $32,194 
  Closed-end Funds  17,145   15,397 
  Sub-advisory accounts  1,092   320 
  Institutional & Private Wealth Management  25,965   26,167 
  SICAVs  1,289   911 
  Performance-based  23   - 
Distribution and other income  10,149   10,928 
Total revenues $87,497  $85,917 
         
C.  Investment in Securities

Effective with the Company’s adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, the Company carries all investments in equity securities at fair value through net income (“FVTNI”) which approximates market value.  The Company has no securities that qualify for the equity method or for consolidation of the investee of for which the Company has elected the practicality exception to fair value measurement.
Investments in securities at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 consisted of the following:

 September 30, 2017  December 31, 2016  September 30, 2016  March 31, 2018  December 31, 2017  March 31, 2017 
 Cost  Fair Value  Cost  Fair Value  Cost  Fair Value     Estimated     Estimated     Estimated 
 (In thousands)  Cost  Market Value  Cost  Market Value  Cost  Market Value 
Trading securities:                  
US Government Obligations $59,905  $59,954  $-  $-  $-  $- 
 (In thousands) 
Securities carried at FVTNI (trading securities for comparative periods):Securities carried at FVTNI (trading securities for comparative periods):             
Common stocks  24   31   51   54   16   16  $17,467  $31,291  $26  $34  $20  $24 
Mutual Funds  11   11   -   -   -   -   12   11   11   11   -   - 
Total trading securities  59,940   59,996   51   54   16   16 
Closed-end funds  99   105   -   -   -   - 
Total securities carried at FVTNI  17,578   31,407   37   45   20   24 
                                                
Available for sale securities:                                                
Common stocks  21,319   41,315   18,739   37,131   17,649   32,873   -   -   17,441   36,637   18,739   33,058 
Closed-end funds  99   114   99   100   -   -   -   -   99   108   99   108 
Total available for sale securities  21,418   41,429   18,838   37,231   17,649   32,873   -   -   17,540   36,745   18,838   33,166 
                                                
Total investments in securities $81,358  $101,425  $18,889  $37,285  $17,665  $32,889  $17,578  $31,407  $17,577  $36,790  $18,858  $33,190 

There were no securities sold, not yet purchased at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017.

$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 arewere classified as trading securities.  Trading securities for the periods ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017.  Securities carried at FVTNI for the March 31, 2018 period-end and trading securities in the periods ending December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings.  Available for sale (“AFS”) investments for the periods ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 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 arewere recorded as realized losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

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Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, which eliminated available for sale accounting and resulted in the reclassification of $12.1 million, net of tax, out of accumulated comprehensive income and into retained earnings in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.  As a result, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, changes in the fair value of the Company’s entire investment portfolio are now recorded in the net gain (loss) from investments line in the condensed consolidated statements of income rather than through other comprehensive income.

The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”("AOCI") into income for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):.  (No disclosure is needed for the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to the adoption of ASU 2016-01.)
 
Amount Affected Line Items Reason for
Reclassified in the Statements Reclassification
from AOCI Of Income from AOCI
Three Months Ended September 30,     
2017 2016     
 $20  $- Net gain from investments Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
  2,821   7 Other operating expenses/net gains from investments Realized gain on donations of AFS securities
  2,841   7 Income before income taxes  
  (1,051)  (3)Income tax provision  
 $1,790  $4 Net income  
AmountAffected Line ItemsReason for
Reclassifiedin the StatementsReclassification
from AOCIOf Incomefrom AOCI
Three months ended
March 31, 2017
$-Net gain from investmentsRealized gain on sale of AFS securities
-Other operating expenses/net gain from investmentsRealized gain on donation of AFS securities
-Income before income taxes
-Income tax provision
$-Net income

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


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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 September 30, 2017, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016:March 31, 2017.  (No disclosures are required as of March 31, 2018 due to the adoption of ASU 2016-01.)

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

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

September 30, 2016 December 31, 2017 
  Gross Gross     Gross Gross Estimated 
  Unrealized Unrealized     Unrealized Unrealized Market 
Cost Gains Losses Fair Value Cost Gains Losses Value 
(In thousands) (In thousands) 
Common stocks $17,649  $15,224  $-  $32,873   $17,441  $19,196  $-   $36,637 
Closed-end funds  99   9   -   108 
Total available for sale securities $17,649  $15,224  $-  $32,873   $17,540  $19,205  $-   $36,745 
                
March 31, 2017 
    Gross Gross Estimated   
    Unrealized Unrealized Market 
Cost Gains Losses Value 
(In thousands) 
Common stocks  $18,739  $14,319  $-   $33,058 
Closed-end funds  99   9   -   108 
Total available for sale securities  $18,838  $14,328  $-   $33,166 

A net unrealized gain,loss, net of taxes, for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016 of $2.3$2.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, has been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at September 30, 2017 and 2016.  During the three months ended September 30, 2017, proceeds from the sales of investments available for sale were approximately $321,000 and gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $20,000 and were reclassified from other comprehensive income into net gain from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income.March 31, 2017.  There were no sales of investments available for sale for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017.  There were no realized losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the three months ended September 30, 2017 or September 30, 2016.  A net unrealized gain, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 of $1.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively, has been included in other comprehensive income, a component of equity, at September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, proceeds from the sales of investments available for sale were approximately $321,000 and $408,000, respectively, and gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $20,000 and $4,000, respectively, and were reclassified from other comprehensive income into net gain from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income.  There were no realized losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined using specific identification. Accumulated other comprehensive income onin the condensed consolidated statements of equity is primarily comprised of unrealized gains/losses, net of taxes, for AFS securities.

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

There were no investments classified as available for sale that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2017, December 31, 20162017 or September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017.

For the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 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.D. Fair Value

The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 (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  September 30,  Markets for Identical  Observable  Unobservable  March 31, 
Assets Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2017  Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2018 
Cash equivalents $60,702  $-  $-  $60,702  $27,034  $-  $-  $27,034 
Investments in securities:                                
AFS - Common stocks  41,315   -   -   41,315 
AFS - Closed-end Funds  114   -   -   114 
US Government Obligations  59,954   -   -   59,954 
Trading - Common stocks  31   -   -   31 
Trading - Mutual Funds  11   -   -   11 
Common stocks  31,291   -   -   31,291 
Mutual Funds  11   -   -   11 
Closed-end Funds  105   -   -   105 
Total investments in securities  101,425   -   -   101,425   31,407   -   -   31,407 
Total assets at fair value $162,127  $-  $-  $162,127  $58,441  $-  $-  $58,441 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 20162017 (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  December 31,  Markets for Identical  Observable  Unobservable  December 31, 
Assets Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2016  Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2017 
Cash equivalents $39,638  $-  $-  $39,638  $17,475  $-  $-  $17,475 
Investments in securities:                                
AFS - Common stocks  37,131   -   -   37,131   36,637   -   -   36,637 
AFS - Closed-end Funds  100   -   -   100   108   -   -   108 
Trading - Common stocks  54   -   -   54   34   -   -   34 
Trading - Mutual funds  11   -   -   11 
Total investments in securities  37,285   -   -   37,285   36,790   -   -   36,790 
Total assets at fair value $76,923  $-  $-  $76,923  $54,265  $-  $-  $54,265 

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of September 30, 2016March 31, 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  September 30,  Markets for Identical  Observable  Unobservable  March 31, 
Assets Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2016  Assets (Level 1)  Inputs (Level 2)  Inputs (Level 3)  2017 
Cash equivalents $33,576  $-  $-  $33,576  $88,082  $-  $-  $88,082 
Investments in securities:                                
AFS - Common stocks  32,873   -   -   32,873   33,058   -   -   33,058 
AFS - Closed-end Funds  108   -   -   108 
Trading - Common stocks  16   -   -   16   24   -   -   24 
Total investments in securities  32,889   -   -   32,889   33,190   -   -   33,190 
Total assets at fair value $66,465  $-  $-  $66,465  $121,272  $-  $-  $121,272 

During the quarters ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

D.E. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate (“ETR”("ETR") for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was 22.6% and September 30, 2016 was 18.8% and 31.9%38.1%, respectively. respectively.

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


lower Federal tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which lowered our Federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018.
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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 nine months ended September 30, 2017, the ETR was higher by 3.6% and 1.0%, respectively, as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits.

E.F. Earnings Per Share

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

 Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30,  Three Months Ended March 31, 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017  2016  2017  2016 
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 2018  2017 
Basic:                  
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s            
shareholders $16,600  $30,861  $64,314  $84,429 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $27,261  $24,820 
Weighted average shares outstanding  28,926   29,185   28,930   29,222   28,916   28,970 
                
Basic net income per share attributable to GAMCO                        
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $0.57  $1.06  $2.22  $2.89  $0.94  $0.86 
                        
Diluted:                        
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $16,600  $30,861  $64,314  $84,429  $27,261  $24,820 
Add interest on convertible note, net of management fee and taxes  696   387   2,192   387 
Add interest on convertible notes, net of management fee and taxes  -   748 
Total income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $17,296  $31,248  $66,506  $84,816  $27,261  $25,568 
                        
Weighted average share outstanding  28,926   29,185   28,930   29,222   28,916   28,970 
Restricted stock awards  247   221   214   253   -   190 
Assumed conversion of convertible note  2,000   1,000   2,000   336 
Assumed conversion of convertible notes  -   2,000 
Total  31,173   30,406   31,144   29,811   28,916   31,160 
                        
Diluted net income per share attributable to GAMCO                        
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $0.55  $1.03  $2.14  $2.85  $0.94  $0.82 

F.G. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2017 
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 $109,862   111,574  $109,835  $111,525  $109,826  $112,172  $-   -  $-  $-  $109,844  $111,634 
AC 4% PIK Note  70,000   71,755   100,000   100,930   100,000   101,347   40,000   39,860   50,000   50,572   90,000   90,932 
AC 1.6% Note  -   -   15,000   14,972   -   - 
5.875% Senior notes  24,138   24,748   24,120   24,558   24,115   25,073   24,150   23,742   24,144   24,543   24,126   24,558 
Total $204,000  $208,077  $233,955  $237,013  $233,941  $238,592  $64,150  $63,602  $89,144  $90,087  $223,970  $227,124 

4.5% Convertible Note

On August 15, 2016, the Company issued and sold a 5-year, $110 million convertible note (“Convertible Note”).  The note bearsbore interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum and iswas 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 iswas 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 iswas 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.  On November 20, 2017, the Company and the Convertible Note holder agreed to amend the Convertible Note to allow for an early redemption if the Company paid the Convertible Note holder 103% of the unpaid principal plus all accrued but unpaid interest on the redemption date.  On November 21, 2017, the Company redeemed the Convertible Note for $114.6 million.  The payment was equal to 103% of the unpaid principal amount of the note plus accrued interest.  As a result, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.3 million and expensed the remaining $135,000 of issuance costs.

GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”), which owns approximately 63 %63% of the equity interest of the Company, hasinitially 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.agent (the “Escrow Agreement”).  In connection with the Initial Deposit made by GGCP, the Company hashad agreed that GGCP hashad 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 $60On November 21, 2017, the Company paid GGCP $53 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 portionremaining 47% of the escrowed funds upon repayment ofassets in the Convertible Note or conversion of the Convertible Note, based upon the principal amount of the Convertible Noteescrow account 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.it did not previously own.

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AC 4% PIK Note

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

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the Company prepaid $10 million and $30 million, respectively, of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note against the principal amount due on November 30, 2018.  Of the $70 million principal amount outstanding after this payment, $20 million is due on November 30, 2019, and $50 million is due on November 30, 2020.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company prepaid $150$10 million of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note.

Subsequent to quarter end,March 31, 2018, the Company paid an additional $20$10 million of principal, thereby reducing the amount outstanding to $50$30 million, all of which is due on November 30, 2020.

AC 1.6% Note

On December 26, 2017, to finance tax payments and for working capital purposes, the Company borrowed $15 million from AC in exchange for a note that bore interest at 1.6% per annum.  On February 28, 2018, the date of maturity, the Company repaid the entire principal and accrued interest.

5.875% Senior Notesnotes

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

At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the debt was recorded at its face value, net of issuance costs, of $24.1$24.2 million, $24.1 million and $24.1 million, respectively.

The fair value of the CompanysCompany’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.  The Company has not elected the fair value option for its debt, and, therefore, the provisions of ASU 2016-01 (adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018) related to instrument-specific credit risk are not applicable.

G.H. Stockholders Equity
 
Shares outstanding were 29.228.9 million, 29.529.0 million and 29.529.3 million on September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, respectively.

Dividends

   Record Payment   
   Date Date Amount 
        
Three months ended March 31, 2018 March 13, 2018 March 27, 2018  $0.02 
Three months ended March 31, 2017 March 14, 2017 March 28, 2017  $0.02 

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Dividends

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

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

Voting Rights

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

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

As of September 30, 2017, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, there were 164,050 RSA shares, 424,34019,400 RSA shares and 427,290420,240 RSA shares outstanding, respectively, that were previously issued at an average weighted grant price of $66.84, $65.74$65.67 and $65.72,$65.59, respectively. These RSA grants occurred prior to the spin-off of Associated Capital (“AC”).  There were no RSAs outstanding as of March 31, 2018.  On November 30, 2015, pursuant to the spin-off, all RSA grant holders received shares of AC’s Class A common stock as a result of their ownership of their GAMCO unvested RSAs (one share of AC for each share of GBL). All grants of the RSA shares were recommended by the Company's Chairman, who did not receive a RSA, and approved by the Compensation Committee. This expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is either (1) 30% over three years from the date of grant and 70% over five years from the date of grant or (2) 30% over three years from the date of grant and 10% each year over years four through ten from the date of grant.  During the vesting period, dividends to RSA holders are held for them until the RSA vesting dates and are forfeited if the grantee is no longer employed by the Company on the vesting dates.  Dividends declared on these RSAs, less estimated forfeitures, are charged to retained earnings (deficit) on the declaration date.

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

On August 7, 2017,January 5, 2018, the Compensation Committee of GBL accelerated the vesting relating to 201,120 of GBLthe remaining 19,400 RSAs outstanding effective August 31, 2017.outstanding.  As a result, GBL recorded an incremental $1.8$0.2 million of stock-based compensation expense forduring the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.  There continue to be 164,050 GBL RSAs outstanding that were not vested as partfirst quarter of this acceleration which will result in recognition of expense as these RSAs continue to vest.  See table below for impact by quarter.2018.

ASU 2016-09, which was issued in March 2016 and became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, simplifies several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions.  Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, the Company elected not to change its accounting policy on forfeitures and continue to estimate forfeitures rather than accounting for forfeitures as they occur, an alternative allowed under ASU 2016-09.  The Company’s accounting treatment for excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies also changed with the adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017. Excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies are now required to be recorded within the income tax expense line in the consolidated statement of income rather than to additional paid-in capital within the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the Company reduced previously recorded tax benefits relating to RSA expense by $0.7$0.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, on RSAs that vested.  There were no RSA vestings for the three months ended March 31, 2017.


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For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, and September 30, 2016, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $2.1$0.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $7.2 million and $3.3$0.7 million, respectively. The three month amount for 2017 includes the $1.8 million2018 is entirely 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.

ActualAs of March 31, 2018, there are no RSAs outstanding, and projected stock-basedtherefore there is no unrecognized stock compensation expense for RSA shares for the years ended December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2024 is as follows (in thousands):

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

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

Stock Repurchase Program
 
In March 1999, GAMCO's Board of Directors established the Stock Repurchase Program to grant management the authority to repurchase shares of our Class A Common Stock.  On May 3, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized an incremental 500,000 shares to be added to the current buyback authorization. On August 3, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized an incremental 425,352 shares to be added to the current buy back authorization. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016,March 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 131,480119,334 shares and 223,811 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $29.42 and $31.50, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, the Company repurchased 290,300 shares and 266,846 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $29.71 and $31.41, respectively.$27.71.  From the inception of the program through September 30, 2017, 10,191,640March 31, 2018, 10,505,200 shares have been repurchased at an average price of $43.90$43.45 per share.  At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the total shares available under the program to be repurchased in the future were 868,520.554,960.


18

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 early May 2015.2018.  As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, $500 million is available on the shelf.

H. Related Party Transactions

In connection  The Company filed a new shelf registration statement with the issuance of the Convertible NoteSEC 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.April 2018.


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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 onin the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. 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, as2019. 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 onin the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017.  The advisory contracts for the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. are both next up for renewal in August 2018. The Company assesses the recoverability of this intangible asset at least annually, or more often should events warrant. There were no indicators of impairment for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 or March 31, 2017, or September 30, 2016, and as such there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded.

J. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief. For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures.  However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations or cash flows at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.

K. Related Party Transactions

On February 23, 2018, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company elected to waive all of his compensation that he would have otherwise been entitled to for the period of March 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the waiver reduced compensation by $4.9 million and management fee by $1.7 million.  No projection can be reasonably provided as to the amount of compensation foregone by the waiver for April 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 as the entirety of the CEO’s compensation is variably based.

L. Subsequent Events

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

On October 3, 2017,4, 2018, the Company paid an additional $20prepaid $10 million of principal relating toof the AC 4% PIK Note, thereby reducingagainst the principal amount outstanding to $50 million, all of which is due on November 30, 2020.2020 reducing the principal outstanding to $30 million.

On November 7, 2017,April 4, 2018, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized the granting of 270,500 RSAs.  The RSAs will vest 30% after the third anniversary date and 70% after the fifth anniversary date.

On April 23, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 effective.  The shelf registration statement, which replaces the shelf registration statement from 2015, provides the Company with the ability to issue $500 million of debt or equity securities and expires in three years.

On May 8, 2018, the Board of Directors declared its regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share to all of its shareholders, payable on January 10,July 2, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 27, 2017.June 18, 2018.


19

On May 8, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $0.20 per share charitable contribution under our existing Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution program.  Registered holders of record as of June 30, 2018 will be eligible to participate.  Since the inception of the program, GAMCO has donated $17 million to over 150 different charities on behalf of its shareholders.

From OctoberApril 1, 20172018 to November 7, 2017,May 9, 2018, the Company repurchased 31,10068,010 shares at $29.11$25.39 per share.

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

Overview
 
GAMCO, through the Gabelli brand, well known for its Private Market Value (PMV) with a CatalystTM investment approach, is a widely-recognized provider of investment advisory services to open-end funds, closed-end funds, Exchange Traded Managed Funds (“ETMFs”), and institutional and private wealth management investors principally in the United States.  Through G.distributors, LLC (“G.distributors”), we provide open-end fund and ETMF 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.styles including value, growth, non-market correlated, and convertible securities.  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 greatestan 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 and ETMFs is conducted through G.distributors, our broker-dealer subsidiary.

Assets under management (“AUM”) were $43.1$40.9 billion as of September 30, 2017, an increaseMarch 31, 2018, a slippage of $1.8$0.8 billion, or 4.3%2.0% from the March 31, 2017 AUM of $41.7 billion and a decrease of $2.2 billion, or 5.1%, from June 30,December 31, 2017 of $41.3 billion and an increase of $3.5 billion, or 8.9% from the September 30, 2016 AUM of $39.6$43.1 billion.  The thirdfirst quarter 20172018 activity consisted of net cash outflows of $213$1.1 billion, $951 million $1.8 billion of market appreciationdepreciation and recurring distributions, net of reinvestments, from open-end and closed-end funds of $140$121 million.  Average total AUM was $42.3$42.5 billion in the 20172018 quarter versus $39.9$40.9 billion in the prior year period, an increase of 6.0%3.9%.

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).two closed-end funds.  As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, assets under management with incentive based fees were $3.0$2.7 billion, $0.2 billion higherless than the $2.8$2.9 billion on June 30, 2017 and $0.6 billion higher than the $2.4 billion on September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. 
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The Company reported Assets Under Management as follows (in millions):

Table I: Fund Flows - 3rd1st Quarter 20172018

           Fund    
     Market     distributions,    
  June 30,  appreciation/  Net cash  net of  September 30, 
  2017  (depreciation)  flows  reinvestments  2017 
Equities:               
Open-end Funds $13,574  $517  $(305) $(24) $13,762 
Closed-end Funds  7,359   249   176   (116)  7,668 
Institutional & PWM - direct  13,437   613   (157)  -   13,893 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory  5,048   368   (70)  -   5,346 
SICAV (a)  421   10   73   -   504 
Total Equities  39,839   1,757   (283)  (140)  41,173 
Fixed Income:                    
Money-Market Fund  1,813   4   73   -   1,890 
Institutional & PWM  29   -   (3)  -   26 
Total Fixed Income  1,842   4   70   -   1,916 
Total Assets Under Management $41,681  $1,761  $(213) $(140) $43,089 
(a) Adjusted to include Merger Arbitrage of $371 million at June 30, 2017.
           Fund    
     Market     distributions,    
  December 31,  appreciation/  Net cash  net of  March 31, 
  2017  (depreciation)  flows  reinvestments  2018 
Equities:               
Open-end Funds $13,747  $(308) $(466) $(9) $12,964 
Closed-end Funds  8,053   (184)  11   (112)  7,768 
Institutional & PWM - direct  13,420   (304)  (724)  -   12,392 
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory  5,432   (158)  (23)  -   5,251 
SICAV  510   (4)  21   -   527 
Total Equities  41,162   (958)  (1,181)  (121)  38,902 
Fixed Income:                    
100% U.S. Treasury Fund  1,870   7   45   -   1,922 
Institutional & PWM  31   -   (1)  -   30 
Total Fixed Income  1,901   7   44   -   1,952 
Total Assets Under Management $43,063  $(951) $(1,137) $(121) $40,854 

Table II: Fund Flows - Year to date September 2017

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

Table III: Assets Under Management by Quarter

          % Change From           % Change From 
 September 30,  June 30,  September 30,  June 30,  September 30,  March 31,  December 31,  March 31,  December 31,  March 31, 
 2017  2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017  2017  2017  2017 
Equities:                              
Open-end Funds $13,762  $13,574  $13,799   1.4%  (0.3%) $12,964  $13,747  $13,708   (5.7%)  (5.4%)
Closed-end Funds  7,669   7,359   7,178   4.2   6.8   7,768   8,053   7,315   (3.5)  6.2 
Institutional & PWM - direct  13,893   13,437   13,245   3.4   4.9   12,392   13,420   13,492   (7.7)  (8.2)
Institutional & PWM - sub-advisory  5,346   5,048   3,542   5.9   50.9   5,251   5,432   5,019   (3.3)  4.6 
SICAV (a)  504   50   42   908.0   1,100.0   527   510   375   3.3   40.5 
Total Equities  41,174   39,468   37,806   4.3   8.9   38,902   41,162   39,909   (5.5)  (2.5)
Fixed Income:                                        
Money-Market Fund  1,890   1,813   1,738   4.2   8.7 
100% U.S. Treasury Fund  1,922   1,870   1,752   2.8   9.7 
Institutional & PWM  26   29   37   (10.3)  (29.7)  30   31   34   (3.2)  (11.8)
Total Fixed Income  1,916   1,842   1,775   4.0   7.9   1,952   1,901   1,786   2.7   9.3 
Total Assets Under Management $43,090  $41,310  $39,581   4.3%  8.9% $40,854  $43,063  $41,695   (5.1)  (2.0)
Institutional & PWM - direct includes $280$212 million, $300$261 million and $286$292 million of Money Market Fund AUM at September 30, 2017, June 30,March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, respectively.
(a) Adjusted to include Merger Arbitrage assets of $371 million and $225$326 million at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, respectively.


March 31, 2017.
22

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

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

Notwithstanding its ability to settle these agreements in stock, GAMCO currently intends to make cash payments to Mr. Gabelli on the respective vesting dates.  While the agreements did not change Mr. Gabelli’s compensation, GAAP reporting for his compensation did change due to the ratable vesting.

The DCCAs defer the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation expense by amortizing it over each DCCA’s respective vesting period.  The Chief Executive Officer is not entitled to receive the compensation until the end of the vesting period, so generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) specify this treatment of the expense.  The 2016 DCCA is expensed ratably over 4 years, the First Half 2017 DCCA is expensed ratably over 18 months, and the Fourth Quarter DCCA will be expensed ratably over 18 months beginning October 1, 2017.months.

Because the GAAP reporting of the DCCAs granted to the CEO tracks vesting, compensation expense and management fee expense in the year of grant is lower than compensation expense and management fee expense in future periods to the extent that future periods contain the vesting of the prior year’s DCCA compensation on top of the normal compensation for the current year period which has not been deferred.  In 2016, the full amount of the compensation was deferred, and expense was recorded for the 25% vesting in that year.  In the first six months of 2017, the ratable vesting continued for the 2016 compensation, and the new First Half 2017 DCCA grant resulted in compensation for the first six months of 2017 being deferred and expense being recorded for 33% vesting in that period.  The CEO'sCEO’s third quarter compensation was not deferred so 100% of the CEO’s compensation for that period was recorded together with the ratable portions of the vestings of the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA.  So there is a compounding effect in future periods when there are both current period compensation that has not been deferred and prior period compensation that is being ratably vested.

Accordingly, this vesting schedule resulted in a $19.1 million and a $26.8$5.2 million increase in compensation expense in the thirdfirst quarter 2017 and first nine months of 2017, respectively,2018 versus the comparable 2016 periods’2017 period’s amounts as well as a $4.0 million and $6.4$3.9 million increase in management fee expense in the thirdfirst quarter 2017 and first nine months 2017, respectively,2018 as compared to the 2016 periods’2017 period’s amounts.

The following tables show the non-cash amortization and EPS impact of the DCCAs by quarter.  The amortization amount of future periods assumes that the stock price of GBL is unchanged from March 31, 2018.

Non-cash amortization by quarter:  EPS impact by quarter: 
  2017  2018  2019  2020    2017  2018  2019  2020 
  (amounts in thousands)         
Q1  $(8,126) $979  $5,788  $-  Q1  $0.16  $(0.03) $(0.14) $- 
Q2   (7,389)  10,936   3,592   -  Q2   0.15   (0.28)  (0.08)  - 
Q3   9,805   5,788   3,592   -  Q3   (0.20)  (0.15)  (0.08)  - 
Q4   (1,857)  5,788   3,592   -  Q4   0.04   (0.15)  (0.08)  - 
Year  $(7,567) $23,491  $16,564  $-  Year  $0.15  $(0.61) $(0.38) $- 
 
The GAAP based balance sheets are also impacted; the compensation payable at September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 only includes the vested portion of the compensation subject to the DCCAs.  At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, the amount of unrecognized compensation was $57.2$39.1 million.

The following tables show a reconciliation of our results for the thirdfirst quarters of 2018 and first nine months of 2017, and 2016, and our balance sheet at September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 between the GAAP basis and a non-GAAP adjusted basis as if all of the 2016 DCCA, and the First Half 2017 DCCA, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA expense were recognized in 2016, 2017 and 2017,2018, respectively, without regard to the vesting schedule.  We believe the non-GAAP financial measures below provide relevant and meaningful information to investors about our core operating results.  These measures have been established in order to increase transparency for the purpose of evaluating our core business, for comparing results with prior period results, and to enable more appropriate comparisons with industry peers.  However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be calculated differently by other companies.  The following schedules reconcile U.S. GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP measures for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 as well as at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.
23


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

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017  Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 
    Impact of           Impact of  Impact of       
 Reported  First Half  Impact of     Reported  Fourth Quarter  First Half  Impact of    
 GAAP  2017 DCCA  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP  GAAP  2017 DCCA  2017 DCCA  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
Revenues                           
Investment advisory and incentive fees $228,942  $-  $-  $228,942  $77,348  $-  $-  $-  $77,348 
Distribution fees and other income  32,916   -   -   32,916   10,149   -   -   -   10,149 
Total revenues  261,858   -   -   261,858   87,497   -   -   -   87,497 
Expenses                                    
Compensation  97,634   14,390   (9,174)  102,850   25,950   (1,391)  213   3,016   27,788 
Management fee  9,455   2,666   (2,172)  9,949   4,634   (419)  (1,368)  (1,030)  1,817 
Distribution costs  33,373   -   -   33,373   10,204   -   -   -   10,204 
Other operating expenses  15,900   -   -   15,900   5,453   -   -   -   5,453 
Total expenses  156,362   17,056   (11,346)  162,072   46,241   (1,810)  (1,155)  1,986   45,262 
                                    
Operating income  105,496   (17,056)  11,346   99,786   41,256   1,810   1,155   (1,986)  42,235 
Other income (expense)                                    
Net gain (loss) from investments  2,867   -   -   2,867   (5,347)  -   -   -   (5,347)
Interest and dividend income  1,765   -   -   1,765   492   -   -   -   492 
Interest expense  (8,269)  -   -   (8,269)  (1,200)  -   -   -   (1,200)
Shareholder-designated contribution  (3,857)  -   -   (3,857)
Total other expense, net  (7,494)  -   -   (7,494)  (6,055)  -   -   -   (6,055)
Income before income taxes  98,002   (17,056)  11,346   92,292   35,201   1,810   1,155   (1,986)  36,180 
Income tax provision  33,688   (6,594)  4,350   31,444   7,940   453   289   (497)  8,185 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $64,314  $(10,462) $6,996  $60,848  $27,261  $1,357  $866  $(1,489) $27,995 
                                    
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders                                    
per share:                                    
Basic $2.22  $(0.36) $0.24  $2.10  $0.94  $0.05  $0.03  $(0.05) $0.97 
Diluted $2.14  $(0.34) $0.22  $2.02  $0.94  $0.05  $0.03  $(0.05) $0.97 


  Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 
     Impact of       
  Reported  First Half  Impact of    
  GAAP  2017 DCCA  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
Revenues            
Investment advisory and incentive fees $74,989  $-  $-  $74,989 
Distribution fees and other income  10,928   -   -   10,928 
Total revenues  85,917   -   -   85,917 
Expenses                
Compensation  25,278   9,540   (2,499)  32,319 
Management fee  2,164   1,865   (780)  3,249 
Distribution costs  10,913   -   -   10,913 
Other operating expenses  5,119   -   -   5,119 
Total expenses  43,474   11,405   (3,279)  51,600 
                 
Operating income  42,443   (11,405)  3,279   34,317 
Other income (expense)                
Net gain from investments  40   -   -   40 
Interest and dividend income  469   -   -   469 
Interest expense  (2,832)  -   -   (2,832)
Total other expense, net  (2,323)  -   -   (2,323)
Income before income taxes  40,120   (11,405)  3,279   31,994 
Income tax provision  15,300   (4,349)  1,250   12,201 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $24,820  $(7,056) $2,029  $19,793 
                 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders                
per share:                
Basic $0.86  $(0.24 $0.07  $0.68 
Diluted $0.82  $(0.23 $0.07  $0.66 

24

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

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
          
  Reported  Impact of    
  GAAP  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
Revenues         
  Investment advisory and incentive fees $219,594  $-  $219,594 
  Distribution fees and other income  33,456   -   33,456 
Total revenues  253,050   -   253,050 
Expenses            
  Compensation  62,130   32,016   94,146 
  Management fee  3,376   6,926   10,302 
  Distribution costs  32,786   -   32,786 
  Other operating expenses  14,993   -   14,993 
Total expenses  113,285   38,942   152,227 
             
Operating income  139,765   (38,942)  100,823 
Other income (expense)            
  Net gain from investments  518   -   518 
  Interest and dividend income  1,104   -   1,104 
  Interest expense  (9,729)  -   (9,729)
Total other expense, net  (8,107)  -   (8,107)
Income before income taxes  131,658   (38,942)  92,716 
Income tax provision  47,229   (14,811)  32,418 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $84,429  $(24,131) $60,298 
             
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders            
  per share:            
Basic $2.89  $(0.83) $2.06 
Diluted $2.85  $(0.81) $2.04 
  March 31, 2018 
     Impact of  Impact of       
  Reported  Fourth Quarter  First Half  Impact of    
  GAAP  2017 DCCA  2017 DCCA  2016 DCCA  Non-GAAP 
ASSETS               
Cash and cash equivalents $27,383  $-  $-  $-  $27,383 
Investments in securities  31,407   -   -   -   31,407 
Receivable from brokers  1,876   -   -   -   1,876 
Investment advisory fees receivable  27,150   -   -   -   27,150 
Receivable from affiliates  4,794   -   -   -   4,794 
Income tax receivable  12,878   2,196   1,287   6,286   22,647 
Other assets  11,505   -   -   -   11,505 
Total assets $116,993  $2,196  $1,287  $6,286  $126,762 
                     
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                    
Payable to brokers  164   -   -   -   164 
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities  7,491   -   -   -   7,491 
Capital lease obligation  4,908   -   -   -   4,908 
Compensation payable  84,333   8,784   5,148   25,145   123,410 
Payable to affiliates  864   -   -   -   864 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  27,706   -   -   -   27,706 
Sub-total  125,466   8,784   5,148   25,145   164,543 
                     
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020)  40,000   -   -   -   40,000 
5.875% Senior notes (due June 1, 2021)  24,150   -   -   -   24,150 
Total liabilities  189,616   8,784   5,148   25,145   228,693 
                     
Equity                    
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity                    
Class A Common Stock  14   -   -   -   14 
Class B Common Stock  19   -   -   -   19 
Additional paid-in capital  12,759   -   -   -   12,759 
Retained earnings (deficit)  194,732   (6,588)  (3,861)  (18,859)  165,424 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  (145)  -   -   -   (145)
Treasury stock, at cost  (280,002)  -   -   -   (280,002)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)  (72,623)  (6,588)  (3,861)  (18,859)  (101,931)
Total liabilities and equity $116,993  $2,196  $1,287  $6,286  $126,762 
 
25



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

26


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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017

(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)      
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Revenues            
Investment advisory and incentive fees $77,328  $75,952  $77,348  $74,989 
Distribution fees and other income  11,013   11,769   10,149   10,928 
Total revenues  88,341   87,721   87,497   85,917 
Expenses                
Compensation  42,919   21,233   25,950   25,278 
Management fee  4,935   1,163   4,634   2,164 
Distribution costs  11,665   11,568   10,204   10,913 
Other operating expenses  5,429   5,681   5,453   5,119 
Total expenses  64,948   39,645   46,241   43,474 
Operating income  23,393   48,076   41,256   42,443 
Other income (expense)                
Net gain from trading securities  2,841   55 
Net gain (loss) from investments  (5,347)  40 
Interest and dividend income  745   371   492   469 
Interest expense  (2,688)  (3,155)  (1,200)  (2,832)
Shareholder-designated contribution  (3,857)  - 
Total other expense, net  (2,959)  (2,729)  (6,055)  (2,323)
Income before income taxes  20,434   45,347   35,201   40,120 
Income tax provision  3,834   14,486   7,940   15,300 
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders $16,600  $30,861  $27,261  $24,820 
                
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:                
Basic $0.57  $1.06  $0.94  $0.86 
                
Diluted $0.55  $1.03  $0.94  $0.82 

Overview

Net income for the quarter was $16.6$27.3 million, or $0.55$0.94 per fully diluted share, versus $30.9$24.8 million, or $1.03$0.82 per fully diluted share, in the prior year’s quarter.  There were several distinct items in both quarters thatThe quarter to quarter comparison was impacted results.  During the third quarter of 2017, we recorded an additional $1.7 million of stockby higher revenues partially offset by higher variable compensation and higher other expense, net of tax, $0.6 million of launch costs, net of tax, for a closed-end fund, $2.2 million of charitable contributions, net of tax, and an additional $6.1 million of expense, net of tax, for the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA.  The 2017 quarter also included the recognition of $2.6 million in gains on securities donated, net of tax, and a $3.4 million income tax accrual reversal.  The 2016 third quarter included $8.2 million less in expense, net of tax, relating to the 2016 DCCA, an income tax reversal of $2.6 million and $0.3 million of expense, net of tax, from the launch of a closed-end fund.  Absent these distinct items, net income for 2017 was $21.2 million versus $20.4 million in 2016.net.

Revenues
 
Investment advisory and incentive fees for the thirdfirst quarter 20172018 were $77.3 million, 1.7%3.1% higher than the 20162017 comparative figure of $76.0$75.0 million.  Open-end fund revenues increased by 0.6%1.2% to $33.8$32.9 million from $33.6$32.5 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2016.2017.  Our closed-end fund revenues increased 5.2%11.0% to $16.2$17.1 million in the thirdfirst quarter 20172018 from $15.4 million in 2016 due to a 5.3% increase in non-performance fee based average AUM.2017.  Institutional and private wealth management account revenues, excluding incentive fees, which are generally based on beginning of quarter AUM, felldeclined $0.2 million to $26.0 million from $26.2 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2016.2017.  There were no incentive fees earned during the thirdfirst quarters of 20172018 or 2016.2017.  We recognize incentive fees only when the earning period for them is complete.  Revenues relating to the SICAV were $1.3 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20172018 versus $0.8$0.9 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2016.2017.
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Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $11.0$10.1 million for the thirdfirst quarter 2017,2018, a decrease of $0.8 million or 6.8%7.3% from $11.8$10.9 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 $42.9$26.0 million or 102.4%2.8% higher than prior year compensation costs of $21.2$25.3 million.  This is primarily due to the accounting for the vesting of the DCCAs.

Because the GAAP reportingThe amortization 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$5.2 million increase inyear over year, mostly offset by the CEO waiver which reduced first quarter of 2018 compensation in third quarter 2017 versus third quarter 2016.expense by $4.9 million.

The remainder of the quarter over quarter increase was comprised of a $1.1$0.1 million increase in variable compensation related to the increased levels of AUM, a $0.6$0.8 million increase in fixed compensation, and a $0.9$0.5 million net increasedecrease in stock compensation expense, inclusive of the $1.8 million incurred in the third quarter of 2017 for the acceleration of the GBL RSAs.expense.

Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, increased to $4.9$4.6 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20172018 from $1.2$2.2 million in the 20162017 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$3.9 million increase in management fee expense in the thirdfirst quarter 20172018 as compared with the thirdfirst quarter 2016.2017.  The CEO waiver reduced management fee expense by $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2018, while the remaining $0.3 decline$0.2 increase in the year-over-year comparison is due to the declineincrease in pre-tax income on which the management fee is based.

Distribution costs were $11.7$10.2 million, an increasea decrease of $0.1$0.7 million or 0.9%6.4% from $11.6$10.9 million in the prior year’s period.

Other operating expenses were $5.4$5.5 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2017, a decrease2018, an increase of $0.3$0.4 million, or 5.3%7.8%, from $5.7$5.1 million in the thirdfirst 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.2017.

Operating income for the thirdfirst quarter of 20172018 was $23.4$41.3 million, a decrease of $24.7$1.1 million, or 51.4%2.6%, from the $48.1$42.4 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2016.2017.  Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 26.5%47.2% in the 20172018 quarter as compared to 54.8%49.4% in the 20162017 quarter.

Other expense
 
Total other expense, net was an expense of $3.0$6.1 million for the thirdfirst quarter 20172018 versus an expense of $2.7$2.3 million in the prior year’s quarter.  Net losses from investments were $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2018 versus gains from tradingof $40,000 in the first quarter of 2017.  The losses in the first quarter of 2018 include $5.4 million for securities which were carried as AFS securities (with gains and losses through other comprehensive income) prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018.  Interest and dividend income was $0.5 million in both the first quarter 2018 and 2017.  Interest expense was $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2018 versus $2.8 million in the thirdfirst 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,March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 were 22.6% and September 30, 2016 were 18.8% and 31.9%38.1%, respectively.  The decline in 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 accrualsis almost exclusively due to the conclusion of a state audit.lower Federal tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which lowered our Federal tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018.

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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 $1.3 million to $78.6 million from $77.3 million in the first nine months of 2016.  There were no incentive fees earned during the first nine months of 2017 or 2016.  We recognize incentive fees only when the earning period for them is complete.  Revenues relating to the SICAV were $3.2 million in the nine months ended September 2017 versus $1.9 million in the nine months ended September 2016.
Open-end fund distribution fees and other income were $32.9 million for the first nine months of 2017, a decrease of $0.6 million or 1.8% from $33.5 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower average AUM in open-end equity funds that generate distribution fees.

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

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

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

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

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

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


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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

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

Summary cash flow data is as follows:

 Nine months ended  Three months ended 
 September 30,  March 31, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
Cash flows provided by / (used in) operations : (in thousands) 
Cash flows provided by/(used in) continuing operations : (in thousands) 
Operating activities $65,229  $105,212  $53,020  $62,778 
Investing activities  (3,611)  185 
Financing activities  (40,318)  (85,292)  (43,360)  (14,358)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents from operations  21,300   20,105 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations  9,660   48,420 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents  (15)  28   (98)  (2)
Net increase  21,285   20,133   9,562   48,418 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  39,812   13,719   17,821   39,812 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $61,097  $33,852  $27,383  $88,230 

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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 that was declared effective in 2015 which, among other things,April 2018, replacing the shelf that was set to expire in May 2018.  The shelf 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 2018,2021, at which time it may be renewed.

On February 23, 2018, the Company announced that its CEO elected to waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from March 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.  As a result of this waiver, there was $6.6 million of compensation waived by the CEO for the first quarter of 2018.

At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had total unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $61.0$27.4 million, an increase of $21.2$9.6 million from December 31, 20162017 primarily due to the Company’s operating activities described below.  We also held $0.1 million of cash equivalents and $59.9 million of investments in securities in an escrow account for the benefit of the Convertible Note holder.  Total debt outstanding at September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 was $204$64.2 million, consisting of $70$40 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 forin the next few years.near future.
 
For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, cash provided by operating activities was $65.2$53.0 million, a decrease of $40.0$9.8 million from cash provided in the prior year period of $105.2$62.8 million.  Cash was provided through a decrease in investments in securities of $5.4 million, a decrease in deferred income taxes of $2.3 million, a decrease in income tax receivable and deferred tax assets of $6.2 million, an increase in net income of $2.4 million, an increase in compensation payable of $33.5$1.5 million, and $1.0 million from other sources.  Reducing cash was a decrease in investment advisory fees receivable of $13.7 million, an increase in income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities of $9.4$15.5 million, a decrease in payable to brokers of $10.2 million, an increase in investment advisory fees receivable of $3.9$2.4 million, and a decrease of $0.5 million in stock based compensation expense, an increaseexpense.  Cash used in payable to brokersfinancing activities in the first three months of $3.12018 was $43.4 million, an increaseincluding $3.3 million paid for the purchase of treasury stock, and $0.6 million paid in payable to affiliatesdividends, $15.0 million for the repayment of $1.6the 1.6% AC Note, $10.0 million for the partial repurchase of the 4% PIK Note, $5 million for margin loan borrowings and $1.7$19.5 million from other sources.  Reducingfor margin loan payments.  There was no cash was an increase in investments in trade securities of $60.2 million, a decrease in net income of $20.1 million, an increase in income tax receivable and deferred tax assets of $11.7 million, an increase in deferred income taxes of $5.3 million, a decrease to accrued expenses and other liabilities of $8.0 million and an increase in receivable from brokers of $1.6 million.  Cashprovided by or used in investing activities for the first three months of 2018.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, cash provided by operating activities was $3.6$62.8 million.  Cash used in financing activities in the first ninethree months of 2017 was $40.3 million, including $8.6 million paid for the purchase of treasury stock, and $1.7 million paid in dividends and $30.0 million for the partial repayment for the 4% PIK Note.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016,$14.4 million.  There was no cash provided by operating activities was $105.2 million. Cash provided byor used in investing activities related to proceeds from sales of available for sale securities was $0.2 million in the first ninethree months of 2016.  Cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2016 was $85.3 million.2017.

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

We have one broker-dealer, G.distributors, which is subject to certain net capital requirements.  G.distributors computes it net capital under the alternative method permitted, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The requirement was $250,000 for the broker-dealer at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.  At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, G.distributors had net capital, as defined, of approximately $3.8$2.6 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $3.5$2.4 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%95% 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.

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Equity Price Risk
 
The Company earns substantially all of its revenue as advisory and distribution fees from affiliated open-end and closed-end funds and Institutional and Private Wealth Management assets.  Such fees represent a percentage of AUM, and the majority of these assets are in equity investments.  Accordingly, since revenues are proportionate to the value of those investments, a substantial increase or decrease in equity markets overall will have a corresponding effect on the Company's revenues.

With respect to our proprietary investment activities, investments in securities of $101.4$31.4 million, $37.3$36.8 million and $32.9$33.2 million at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, respectively, included investments in common stocks of $41.3$31.3 million, $37.2$36.7 million and $32.9$33.1 million, respectively, and investments in closed-end funds of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0,$0.1 million, respectively.  Of the $41.3$31.3 million, $37.2$36.7 million and $32.9$33.1 million, invested in common stocks at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, respectively, $41.3$31.3 million, $37.1$36.6 million and $32.9$33.1 million, respectively, was related to our investment in Westwood Holdings Group Inc.  Securities sold, not yet purchased are financial instruments purchased under agreements to resell and financial instruments sold under agreement to repurchase.  These financial instruments are stated at fair value and are subject to market risks resulting from changes in price and volatility.  At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, December 31, 20162017 and September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, there were no securities sold, not yet purchased.

The following table provides a sensitivity analysis for our investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016.2017.  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 September 30, 2017:      
At March 31, 2018      
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value $101,425  $91,282  $111,567  $31,407  $28,266  $34,548 
At December 31, 2016:            
At December 31, 2017            
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value $37,285  $33,557  $41,014  $36,790  $33,111  $40,470 

Interest Rate Risk
 
Our exposure to interest rate risk results, principally, from our investment of excess cash in a sponsored money market fund that holds U.S. Government securities.  These investments are primarily short term in nature, and the carrying value of these investments generally approximates fair value.  Based on September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalent balance of $61.1$27.4 million, a 1% increase in interest rates would increase our interest income by $0.6$0.3 million annually.  Given that our current return on these cash equivalent investments in this low interest rate environment is approximately 0.98% annually an analysis ofwhile a 1% decrease is not meaningful.would reduce our interest income by $0.3 million annually

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 20162017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 7, 20178, 2018 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 September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, we had equity investments of $101.4$31.4 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 securities investment portfolio is at fair value and will move in line with the equity markets.  The tradingequity securities investment portfolio changes are recorded as net gain (loss) 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.income.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.  Disclosure controls and procedures as defined under the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in SEC rules and regulations.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Co-Chief Accounting Officers (“CAOs”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Our CEO and CAOs participated in this evaluation and concluded that, as of the date of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as defined by Rule 13a-15(f) that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Forward-Looking Information
 
Our disclosure and analysis in this report contain some forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements because they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. They also appear in any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance of our products, expenses, the outcome of any legal proceedings, and financial results.  Although we believe that we are basing our expectations and beliefs on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of what we currently know about our business and operations, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from what we expect or believe. Some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations or beliefs include, without limitation: the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets; a decline in the performance of our products; a general downturn in the economy; changes in government policy or regulation; changes in our ability to attract or retain key employees; and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations. We also direct your attention to any more specific discussions of risk contained in our Form 10-Q and other public filings.  We are providing these statements as permitted by the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We do not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements if we subsequently learn that we are unlikely to achieve our expectations or if we receive any additional information relating to the subject matters of our forward-looking statements.

Part II:  Other Information

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings.  These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief.  For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable.  Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures.  However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations or cash flows at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2018.



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

The following table provides information with respect to the repurchase of Class A Common Stock of GAMCO during the three months ended September 30, 2017:March 31, 2018:

       (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     
       (c) Total Number of  (d) Maximum 
  (a) Total (b) Average  Shares Repurchased as  Number of Shares 
  Number of Price Paid Per  Part of Publicly  That May Yet Be 
  Shares Share, net of  Announced Plans  Purchased Under 
Period Repurchased Commissions  or Programs  the Plans or Programs 
1/01/18 - 1/31/18  51,111  $29.74   51,111   623,183 
2/01/18 - 2/28/18  -   -   -   623,183 
3/01/18 - 3/31/18  68,223   26.19   68,223   554,960 
Totals  119,334  $27.71   119,334     

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


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

 31.1 31.1

 31.2
Certification of co-CAOco-PFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
   
 31.3
Certification of co-CAOco-PFO 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-CAOsco-PFOs pursuant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.

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


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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 AccountingCo-Principal Financial OfficerTitle: Co-Chief AccountingCo-Principal Financial Officer
  
Date: November 7, 2017May 9, 2018Date: November 7, 2017May 9, 2018

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