SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008
or
[ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ___ to ___
Commission File No. 1-106
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. | ||||||
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) | ||||||
New York | 13-4007862 | |||||
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||
One Corporate Center, Rye, NY | 10580-1422 | |||||
(Address of principle executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||
(914) 921-5100 | ||||||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes | x | No | o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", and "smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): | |||
Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer x | ||
Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
Yes | o | No | x |
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.
Class | Outstanding at October 31, 2008 | ||
Class A Common Stock, .001 par value | 7,334,683 | ||
Class B Common Stock, .001 par value | 20,550,006 |
1
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, 2008 and 2007 | |||||
- Nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 | |||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition: | |||||
- September 30, 2008 | |||||
- December 31, 2007 (audited) | |||||
- September 30, 2007 | |||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income: | |||||
- Three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 | |||||
- Nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 | |||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: | |||||
- Nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 | |||||
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | |||||
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | ||||
(Including Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk) | |||||
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | ||||
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | ||||
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION | ||||
Item 2. | Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | ||||
Item 6. | Exhibits | ||||
SIGNATURES | |||||
2
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME |
UNAUDITED |
(In thousands, except per share data) |
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||||
Investment advisory and incentive fees | $ | 52,297 | $ | 58,392 | $ | 164,269 | $ | 172,606 | ||||||||
Commission revenue | 4,098 | 3,494 | 11,018 | 11,550 | ||||||||||||
Distribution fees and other income | 6,585 | 6,583 | 19,665 | 19,196 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 62,980 | 68,469 | 194,952 | 203,352 | ||||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Compensation | 26,148 | 29,064 | 82,758 | 87,343 | ||||||||||||
Management fee | 1,740 | 3,541 | 6,307 | 10,391 | ||||||||||||
Distribution costs | 6,743 | 6,099 | 19,946 | 22,146 | ||||||||||||
Other operating expenses | 7,076 | 2,665 | 20,204 | 18,693 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses | 41,707 | 41,369 | 129,215 | 138,573 | ||||||||||||
Operating income | 21,273 | 27,100 | 65,737 | 64,779 | ||||||||||||
Other (expense) income | ||||||||||||||||
Net (loss) gain from investments | (4,786 | ) | 514 | (13,165 | ) | 17,277 | ||||||||||
Interest and dividend income | 1,340 | 6,810 | 10,310 | 20,978 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | (2,139 | ) | (2,828 | ) | (6,405 | ) | (9,537 | ) | ||||||||
Total other (expense) income, net | (5,585 | ) | 4,496 | (9,260 | ) | 28,718 | ||||||||||
Income before income taxes and minority interest | 15,688 | 31,596 | 56,477 | 93,497 | ||||||||||||
Income tax provision | 3,837 | 13,340 | 19,882 | 37,403 | ||||||||||||
Minority interest | (134 | ) | (81 | ) | (335 | ) | 596 | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 11,985 | $ | 18,337 | $ | 36,930 | $ | 55,498 | ||||||||
Net income per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.97 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.64 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.95 | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 27,602 | 28,106 | 27,930 | 28,164 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 28,400 | 29,099 | 28,746 | 29,148 | ||||||||||||
Dividends declared: | $ | 1.03 | $ | 1.03 | $ | 1.09 | $ | 1.09 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes. |
3
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION | ||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | September 30, | ||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2007 | ||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $0, $0, and $443 | $ | 165,098 | $ | 168,319 | $ | 195,893 | ||||||
Investments in securities, including restricted securities of $0, $0, and $52,117 | 379,072 | 394,977 | 386,190 | |||||||||
Investments in partnerships and affiliates | 73,234 | 100,031 | 97,988 | |||||||||
Receivable from brokers | 37,929 | 40,145 | 36,677 | |||||||||
Investment advisory fees receivable | 16,392 | 33,701 | 18,591 | |||||||||
Other assets | 23,086 | 20,407 | 17,432 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 694,811 | $ | 757,580 | $ | 752,771 | ||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||||||
Payable to brokers | $ | 2,492 | $ | 7,562 | $ | 6,844 | ||||||
Income taxes payable, net (A) | 3,071 | 17,539 | 21,251 | |||||||||
Accrued compensation | 28,253 | 25,362 | 43,613 | |||||||||
Capital lease obligation | 5,300 | 2,525 | 2,593 | |||||||||
Securities sold, not yet purchased | 6,620 | 2,229 | 10,914 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 16,607 | 38,810 | 32,820 | |||||||||
Total operating liabilities | 62,343 | 94,027 | 118,035 | |||||||||
Long term liabilities | ||||||||||||
5.5% Senior notes (due May 15, 2013) | 100,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 | |||||||||
6% Convertible note (due August 14, 2011) (B) | 39,746 | 49,608 | 49,584 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 202,089 | 243,635 | 267,619 | |||||||||
Minority interest | 10,994 | 12,630 | 9,497 | |||||||||
Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||||||
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 | ||||||||||||
shares authorized; 12,850,162, 12,574,995, 12,173,423 | ||||||||||||
issued, respectively; 7,395,483, 7,819,741, and 7,438,369 outstanding, respectively | 12 | 12 | 12 | |||||||||
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 | ||||||||||||
shares authorized; 24,000,000 shares issued, 20,550,006, 20,626,644, 20,645,816 shares outstanding, respectively | 21 | 21 | 21 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 244,674 | 230,483 | 230,068 | |||||||||
Retained earnings | 451,635 | 445,121 | 421,800 | |||||||||
Accumulated comprehensive income | 14,515 | 20,815 | 17,799 | |||||||||
Treasury stock, at cost (5,454,679, 4,755,254, and 4,735,054 shares, respectively) | (229,129 | ) | (195,137 | ) | (194,045 | ) | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 481,728 | 501,315 | 475,655 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 694,811 | $ | 757,580 | $ | 752,771 | ||||||
See accompanying notes. | ||||||||||||
(A) At Spetember 30, 2008, Income taxes payable, net included income tax assets of $4,388. | ||||||||||||
(B) $50 million face value outstanding on December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007. $40 million outstanding on September 30, 2008. | ||||||||||||
4
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
UNAUDITED |
(In thousands) |
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity – beginning of period | $ | 510,929 | $ | 490,793 | $ | 501,315 | $ | 451,576 | |||||||
Cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN 48 at January 1, 2007 | - | - | - | (822 | ) | ||||||||||
Comprehensive income: | |||||||||||||||
Net income | 11,985 | 18,337 | 36,930 | 55,498 | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (53 | ) | 14 | (54 | ) | 27 | |||||||||
Net unrealized (loss)/gain on securities available for sale | (2,876 | ) | (2,108 | ) | (6,246 | ) | 7,244 | ||||||||
Total comprehensive income | 9,056 | 16,243 | 30,630 | 62,769 | |||||||||||
Dividends declared | (28,716 | ) | (28,977 | ) | (30,416 | ) | (30,668 | ) | |||||||
Stock based compensation expense | 1,237 | 23 | 3,639 | 68 | |||||||||||
Conversion of 6% convertible note | (77 | ) | - | 9,923 | - | ||||||||||
Exercise of stock options including tax benefit | 65 | 35 | 629 | 301 | |||||||||||
Purchase of treasury stock | (10,766 | ) | (2,462 | ) | (33,992 | ) | (7,569 | ) | |||||||
Stockholders’ equity – end of period | $ | 481,728 | $ | 475,655 | $ | 481,728 | $ | 475,655 | |||||||
See accompanying notes. |
5
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
UNAUDITED |
(In thousands) |
Nine Months Ended | |||||||||
September 30, | |||||||||
2008 | 2007 | ||||||||
Operating activities | |||||||||
Net income | $ | 36,930 | $ | 55,498 | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||
Equity in net losses (gains) from partnerships and affiliates | 6,164 | (5,600 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 747 | 739 | |||||||
Stock based compensation expense | 3,639 | 68 | |||||||
Deferred income tax | (2,503 | ) | 5,858 | ||||||
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options | 2 | 62 | |||||||
Foreign currency loss / (gain) | (54 | ) | 27 | ||||||
Other-than-temporary loss on available for sale securities | 713 | 3 | |||||||
Impairment of goodwill | - | 56 | |||||||
Acquisition of intangible asset | (3,370 | ) | - | ||||||
Market value of donated securities | 507 | 273 | |||||||
Minority interest in net (loss) income of consolidated subsidiaries | (165 | ) | 610 | ||||||
Realized gains on sales of available for sale securities | (4,041 | ) | (657 | ) | |||||
Realized gains on sales of trading investments in securities, net | (3,273 | ) | (16,676 | ) | |||||
Change in unrealized value of trading investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased, net | 13,823 | 4,453 | |||||||
Realized gains on covers of securities sold, not yet purchased, net | (1,068 | ) | (409 | ) | |||||
Amortization on discount on debt | 138 | 80 | |||||||
(Increase) decrease in operating assets: | |||||||||
Purchases of trading investments in securities | (445,246 | ) | (1,022,506 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sales of trading investments in securities | 433,710 | 1,152,329 | |||||||
Cost of covers on securities sold, not yet purchased | (24,530 | ) | (97,552 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sales of securities sold, not yet purchased | 29,927 | 112,031 | |||||||
Investments in partnerships and affiliates | (182 | ) | (17,998 | ) | |||||
Distributions from partnerships and affiliates | 20,932 | 15,719 | |||||||
Receivable from brokers | 61 | 20,320 | |||||||
Investment advisory fees receivable | 17,422 | 12,529 | |||||||
Other receivables from affiliates | 3,303 | 5,193 | |||||||
Other assets | (436 | ) | 1,594 | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: | |||||||||
Payable to brokers | (4,980 | ) | (28,022 | ) | |||||
Income taxes payable | (6,617 | ) | (2,907 | ) | |||||
Compensation payable | 4,232 | 12,192 | |||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | (22,306 | ) | (7,892 | ) | |||||
Effects of consolidation of investment partnerships and offshore funds consolidated under FIN 46R and EITF 04-5: | |||||||||
Realized gains on sales of investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased, net | (10 | ) | (722 | ) | |||||
Change in unrealized value of investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased, net | 946 | 547 | |||||||
Equity in net losses (gains) from partnerships and affiliates | 1,206 | (835 | ) | ||||||
Purchases of trading investments in securities | (13,290 | ) | (41,400 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sales of trading investments in securities | 11,609 | 45,995 | |||||||
Investments in partnerships and affiliates | (242 | ) | (2,000 | ) | |||||
Cost of covers on securities sold, not yet purchased | (11 | ) | (651 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sales of securities sold, not yet purchased | 42 | 477 | |||||||
Distributions from partnerships and affiliates | 531 | 5,589 | |||||||
Increase in investment advisory fees receivable | (113 | ) | (26 | ) | |||||
Decrease (increase) in receivable from brokers | 2,155 | (3,315 | ) | ||||||
Decrease (increase) in other assets | 39 | (138 | ) | ||||||
Decrease in payable to brokers | (90 | ) | (1,480 | ) | |||||
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities | (68 | ) | 237 | ||||||
(Loss) gain related to investment partnerships and offshore funds consolidated under FIN 46R and EITF 04-5, net | (2,017 | ) | 839 | ||||||
Total adjustments | 17,236 | 147,034 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 54,166 | 202,532 |
6
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued) |
UNAUDITED |
(In thousands) |
Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
September 30, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||
Purchases of available for sale securities | $ | (1,022 | ) | $ | (25,942 | ) | ||
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities | 8,451 | 2,642 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 7,429 | (23,300 | ) | |||||
Financing activities | ||||||||
Retirement of 5.22% senior notes | - | (82,308 | ) | |||||
Contributions related to investment partnerships and offshore funds consolidated under FIN 46R and EITF 04-5, net | (346 | ) | (645 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 630 | 238 | ||||||
Dividends paid | (30,417 | ) | (30,668 | ) | ||||
Subsidiary dividends to minority shareholders | (593 | ) | (531 | ) | ||||
Purchase of treasury stock | (33,992 | ) | (7,569 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (64,718 | ) | (121,483 | ) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (3,123 | ) | 57,749 | |||||
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | (98 | ) | 31 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 168,319 | 138,113 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 165,098 | $ | 195,893 | ||||
Non-cash activity: | ||||||||
- On January 22, 2008, Cascade Investment, L.L.C. elected to convert $10 million of its $50 million convertible note paying interest of 6% into 188,679 GAMCO Investors, Inc. Class A Common shares. | ||||||||
- On September 15, 2008, GAMCO Investors, Inc. modified and extended its lease with M4E, LLC, the Company’s landlord at 401 Theodore Fremd Ave, Rye, NY. The lease term was extended to December 31, 2023. This resulted in an increase to the capital lease obligation and corresponding asset of $3.0 million each. | ||||||||
See accompanying notes.
7
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2008
(Unaudited)
A. Basis of Presentation
Unless we have indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “GAMCO Investors, Inc.,” “GAMCO,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” or similar terms are to GAMCO Investors, Inc., its predecessors and its subsidiaries.
The unaudited interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of GAMCO included herein have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring and non-recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows of GAMCO for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GAMCO and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
These 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, 2007 from which the accompanying condensed consolidated Financial Statements were derived.
Certain items previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s condensed consolidated financial statement presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Changes in Accounting Policy
GAMCO has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“Statement 157”). The statement provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The statement provides guidance to companies about the extent of which to measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. The statement applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The statement does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. The statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this statement on January 1, 2008. Although the impact of adopting Statement 157 is immaterial to the Company’s financial statements, Statement 157 required additional disclosures within the footnotes to the financial statements. Please refer to Note E for further details.
B. Recent Accounting Developments
In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51" ("Statement 160") to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity with minority interests provides in its consolidated financial statements. Statement 160 changes the way the consolidated income statement is presented. It requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. Statement 160 requires expanded disclosures in the consolidated financial statements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent’s owners and the interests of the noncontrolling owners of a subsidiary. Statement 160 does not change the provisions of “Consolidated Financial Statements” ("ARB 51") related to consolidation purpose or consolidation policy or the requirement that a parent consolidate all entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. Statement 160 does, however, amend certain of ARB 51’s consolidation procedures to make them consistent with the requirements of FASB Statement 141(R) "Business Combinations". It also amends ARB 51 to provide definitions for certain terms and to clarify some terminology. Statement 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The Company plans to adopt this statement on January 1, 2009. Statement 160 will impact the Company's financial statements presentation and disclosure of minority interest.
In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("Statement 161") to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Statement 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The Company plans to adopt Statement 161 on January 1, 2009. Statement 161 will impact only the Company's disclosure of derivative instruments.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 142-3, "Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets" ("Statement 142-3") which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 , "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". Statement 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company plans to adopt this statement on January 1, 2009. Statement 142-3 is applicable to the Company; however, the effect of its adoption is not expected to be material.
C. Investment in Securities
Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Investments in United States Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are classified as investments in securities and with those maturities of three months or less at time of purchase are classified as cash and cash equivalents. A substantial portion of investments in securities are held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements and therefore are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of deferred taxes, reported in current period earnings. Available for sale (“AFS”) investments are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of management fee and taxes, reported as a component of stockholders’ equity except for losses deemed to be other than temporary which are recorded as realized losses in the condensed consolidated statements of income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, there was an impairment of $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in AFS securities. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, there was no impairment in AFS securities.
8
The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“FAS”) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended" (“Statement No. 133”). Statement No. 133 requires that an entity recognize all derivatives, as defined, as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The Company uses swaps and treasury futures to manage its exposure to market and credit risks from changes in certain equity prices, interest rates, and volatility and does not hold or issue swaps and treasury futures for speculative or trading purposes. These swaps and treasury futures are not designated as hedges, and changes in fair values of these derivatives are included in net gain (loss) from investments in the condensed consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the notional value of swaps and treasury futures was $0.3 million and $4.4 million, respectively. There were no swaps or treasury futures included in investments in securities in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at September 30, 2007. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the effect of derivative transactions was immaterial to the Company's condensed consolidated statements of income.
At September 30, 2008, December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007, the market value of investments available for sale was $116.9 million, $134.5 million and $137.2 million, respectively. Decreases in unrealized gains in market value, net of management fee and taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 of $2.9 million and $2.1 million have been included in stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Changes in unrealized (losses) gains in market value, net of management fee and taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 of ($6.2) million and $7.2 million, have been included in stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale were approximately $7.8 million and $0.4 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale were approximately $8.5 million and $2.6 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $3.6 and $4.0 million, respectively; there were no gross losses on the sale of investments available for sale. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $0.2 and $0.7 million, respectively; there were no gross losses on the sale of investments available for sale.
D. Investments in Partnerships and Affiliates
The provisions of FASB Interpretation No. ("FIN") 46R, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities", and EITF 04-5, "Investor's Accounting for an Investment in a Limited Partnership When the Investor is the Sole General Partner and the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights", require consolidation of several of our investment partnerships and offshore funds managed by our subsidiaries into our condensed consolidated financial statements.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the consolidation of these entities had no impact on net income but did result in (a) the elimination of revenues and expenses which are now intercompany transactions; (b) the recording of all the partnerships’ operating expenses of these entities including those pertaining to third-party interests; (c) the recording of all other income of these entities including those pertaining to third-party interests; (d) recording of income tax expense of these entities including those pertaining to third party interests; and (e) the recording of minority interest which offsets the net amount of any of the partnerships’ revenues, operating expenses, other income and income taxes recorded in these respective line items which pertain to third-party interest in these entities. While this had no impact on net income, the consolidation of these entities did affect the classification of income between operating and other income. Cash and cash equivalents, investments in securities and receivable from brokers held by investment partnerships and offshore funds consolidated under FIN 46R and EITF 04-5 of $4.3 million, $5.2 million and $2.6 million as of September 30, 2008, December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2007, respectively, are also restricted from use for general operating purposes.
E. Fair Value
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. All of the instruments within investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are measured at fair value.
The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with Statement 157. The levels of the fair value hierarchy and their applicability to the Company are described below:
- | Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
- | Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly-quoted intervals. |
- | Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. |
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, per Statement 157, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from product to product and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of product, whether the product is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized as Level 3.
Many of our securities have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the marketplace. Bid prices reflect the highest price that the Company and others are willing to pay for an asset. Ask prices represent the lowest price that the Company and others are willing to accept for an asset.
Cash and cash equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents are valued using quoted market prices. Valuation adjustments are not applied. Accordingly, cash and cash equivalents are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased - Investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are generally valued based on quoted prices from the exchange. To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Listed derivatives that are actively traded and are valued based on quoted prices from an exchange are also categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Investments in United States Treasury Bills and Notes, which are valued at amortized cost, included in Level 1 were $70.3 million as of September 30, 2008. Listed derivatives that are not actively traded are valued using the same approaches as those applied to over the counter derivatives, and they are generally categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Nonpublic and infrequently traded investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because significant inputs to measure fair value are unobservable.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2008 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, 2008 (in thousands)
Assets | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Balance as of September 30, 2008 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 165,098 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 165,098 | ||||||||
Investments in securities: | ||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale | 116,865 | - | - | 116,865 | ||||||||||||
Trading | 260,607 | 18 | 1,582 | 262,207 | ||||||||||||
Total investments in securities | 377,472 | 18 | 1,582 | 379,072 | ||||||||||||
Total financial instruments owned | $ | 542,570 | $ | 18 | $ | 1,582 | $ | 544,170 | ||||||||
Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Securities sold, not yet purchased | $ | 6,620 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 6,620 |
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The following table presents additional information about assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value.
Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the three months ended September 30, 2008 (in thousands)
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses) in Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset | Beginning Balance | Trading | Investments | Total Unrealized Gains or (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income | Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses) | Purchases and Sales, net | Net Transfers In and/or (Out) of Level 3 | Ending Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial instruments owned: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments in securities - trading | $ | 2,012 | $ | (100 | ) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (100 | ) | $ | (205 | ) | $ | (125 | ) | $ | 1,582 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,012 | $ | (100 | ) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (100 | ) | $ | (205 | ) | $ | (125 | ) | $ | 1,582 |
Unrealized Level 3 losses included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was approximately $0.1 million for those Level 3 securities held at September 30, 2008.
Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 (in thousands)
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses) in Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset | Beginning Balance | Trading | Investments | Total Unrealized Gains or (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income | Total Realized and Unrealized Gains or (Losses) | Purchases and Sales, net | Net Transfers In and/or (Out) of Level 3 | Ending Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial instruments owned: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments in securities - trading | $ | 1,423 | $ | (637 | ) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (637 | ) | $ | 530 | $ | 266 | $ | 1,582 | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,423 | $ | (637 | ) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (637 | ) | $ | 530 | $ | 266 | $ | 1,582 |
Unrealized Level 3 losses included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was approximately $0.6 million for those Level 3 securities held at September 30, 2008.
In February 2007, the FASB issued FAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("Statement 159"), which provides a fair value option election that allows companies to irrevocably elect fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial assets and liabilities, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings as they occur. Statement 159 permits the fair value option election on an instrument by instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument.
At this time, the Company has not to date and does not intend to elect fair value treatment for any other financial asset or financial liability.
F. Debt
On February 17, 2007, the $82.3 million of 5.22% Senior Notes matured. The Company paid the principal plus accrued interest. This debt was originally issued in connection with GAMCO's sale of mandatory convertible securities in February 2002 and was remarketed in November 2004.
On January 18, 2008, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") declared effective a registration statement on Form S-3 for the registration for resale by Cascade Investment, L.L.C. ("Cascade") of an aggregate of 943,396 shares of GAMCO's Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the 2011 Note of the Company issued to Cascade on August 14, 2001. On January 22, 2008, Cascade elected to convert $10 million of the 6% Note into 188,679 GAMCO shares. Cascade requested that the remaining $40 million face value of notes be segregated into eight notes each with a face value of $5 million each.
G. Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 24.5% and 35.2%, respectively, as compared to the prior year ’s effective rates of 42.2% and 40.0%, respectively. The current period decreases are due to a $2.0 million reduction in the Company's income tax reserves.
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H. Earnings Per Share
The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 | Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 | ||||||||||||
Basic: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 11,985 | $ | 18,337 | $ | 36,930 | $ | 55,498 | ||||||||
Average shares outstanding | 27,602 | 28,106 | 27,930 | 28,164 | ||||||||||||
Basic net income per share | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.65 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.97 | ||||||||
Diluted: | ||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 11,985 | $ | 18,337 | $ | 36,930 | $ | 55,498 | ||||||||
Add interest expense on convertible note, net of management fee and taxes | 343 | 429 | 1,052 | 1,286 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 12,328 | $ | 18,766 | $ | 37,982 | $ | 56,784 | ||||||||
Average shares outstanding | 27,602 | 28,106 | 27,930 | 28,164 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive stock options | 43 | 50 | 43 | 41 | ||||||||||||
Assumed conversion of convertible note | 755 | 943 | 773 | 943 | ||||||||||||
Total | 28,400 | 29,099 | 28,746 | 29,148 | ||||||||||||
Diluted net income per share | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.64 | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.95 |
I. Stockholders’ Equity
Shares outstanding on September 30, 2008 were 27.9 million, 28.2 million on June 30, 2008, and 28.1 million shares on September 30, 2007.
On August 5, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders, payable on September 16, 2008 to shareholders of record on September 2, 2008 and a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders, payable on September 30, 2008 to shareholders of record on September 16, 2008.
Voting Rights
The holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock have identical rights except that (i) holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders in general, and (ii) holders of Class A Common Stock are not eligible to vote on matters relating exclusively to Class B Common Stock and vice versa.
Stock Award and Incentive Plan
Effective January 1, 2003, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("Statement 123") in accordance with the transition and disclosure provisions under the recently issued FAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.”. We adopted Statement 123(R) on January 1, 2005. In light of our modified prospective adoption of the fair value recognition provisions of Statement 123 (R) for all grants of employee stock options, the adoption of Statement 123(R) did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
As of September 30, 2008, there are 374,700 RSA shares outstanding that were issued at an average grant price of $62.38. All grants of the RSAs were recommended by the Company's Chairman, who did not receive an RSA award, and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. This expense will be recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is 30% over three years from the date of grant and 70% over five years from the date of grant. During the vesting period, dividends to RSA holders are held for them until the RSA vesting dates and are forfeited if the grantee is no longer employed by the Company on the vesting dates. Dividends declared on these RSAs are charged to retained earnings on the declaration date.
For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1,237,000 and $23,000, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $3,639,000 and $68,000, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for RSAs outstanding at September 30, 2008, for the years ended December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2013 is as follows ($ in thousands):
2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q1 | $ | 21 | $ | 1,198 | $ | 1,250 | $ | 1,239 | $ | 745 | $ | 718 | $ | 32 | |||||||||||||||||
Q2 | 24 | 1,204 | 1,246 | 1,236 | 742 | 717 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q3 | 24 | 1,237 | 1,244 | 1,235 | 725 | 717 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q4 | 414 | 1,252 | 1,243 | 1,072 | 718 | 488 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Full Year | $ | 483 | $ | 4,891 | $ | 4,983 | $ | 4,782 | $ | 2,930 | $ | 2,640 | $ | 74 |
The total compensation costs related to non-vested awards and options not yet recognized is approximately $16,661,000, of which $1,252,000 will be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2008. Proceeds from the exercise of 2,000 and 1,000 stock options were $58,000 and $29,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, resulting in a tax benefit to GAMCO of $7,000 and $5,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Proceeds from the exercise of 17,550 and 9,150 stock options were $630,000 and $238,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, resulting in a tax benefit to GAMCO of $2,000 and $62,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company reversed a previously recognized tax benefit of $50,000 relating to some expired stock options.
Stock Repurchase Program
In March 1999, GAMCO's Board of Directors established the Stock Repurchase Program to grant the authority to repurchase shares of our Class A Common Stock. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company repurchased approximately 247,000 and 699,000 shares, respectively, at an average investment of $43.60 and $48.58, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased approximately 52,000 and 166,000 Class A common shares, respectively, at an average investment of $47.31 and $45.53, respectively. From the inception of the program through September 30, 2008, approximately 5,555,000 shares have been repurchased at an average investment of $40.84 per share. At September 30, 2008, the total shares available under the program to be repurchased was approximately 1,062,000.
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J. Capital Lease
On December 5, 1997, we entered into a fifteen-year lease, expiring on April 30, 2013, of office space from an entity controlled by members of the Chairman's family. On September 15, 2008, the Company modified and extended its lease with M4E, LLC, the Company’s landlord at 401 Theodore Fremd Ave, Rye, NY. The lease term was extended to December 31, 2023, and the base rental was established at $18 per square foot, or $1,080,000, for 2009, an increase from $14.83 per square foot for 2008. From January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2023, the base rental will be determined by the change in the consumer price index for the New York Metropolitan Area for November of the immediate prior year with the base period as November 2008 for the New York Metropolitan Area. As a result of the lease term's extension, the present value of net obligations increased by approximately $3.0 million.
Future minimum lease payments for this capitalized lease at September 30, 2008 are as follows:
(In thousands) | |||||
Remainder of 2008 | $ | 219 | |||
2009 | 1,080 | ||||
2010 | 1,080 | ||||
2011 | 1,080 | ||||
2012 | 1,080 | ||||
2013 | 1,080 | ||||
Thereafter | 10,800 | ||||
Total minimum obligations | 16,419 | ||||
Interest | 11,119 | ||||
Present value of net obligations | $ | 5,300 |
Future minimum lease payments have not been reduced by related minimum future sublease rentals of approximately $1,775,000, which are due from an affiliated entity.
K. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
In accordance with FAS 142 “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” we assess the recoverability of goodwill and other intangible assets at least annually, or more often should events warrant, using a present value cash flow method. There was no impairment charge recorded for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2008. There was an impairment charge of $56,000 recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as a result of the voluntary deregistration of an inactive broker dealer subsidiary. At September 30, 2008, $3.5 million of goodwill is reflected on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition related to our 92%-owned subsidiary, Gabelli Securities, Inc.
On March 10, 2008, the Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund's (the "Fund") Board of Directors, subsequent to obtaining shareholder approval, approved the assignment of the advisory contract to Gabelli Funds, LLC (the "Adviser") as the investment adviser to the Fund. GAMCO Asset Management, Inc. had been the sub-adviser to the Fund. On July 8, 2008, the Fund was renamed the Gabelli Enterprise Merger and Acquisitions Fund. The liability of the Company for the assignment of the advisory contract is calculated based upon assets under management ("AUM") on the six-month anniversary date subject to certain minimums. As a result of becoming the adviser to the rebranded Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset within other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition of approximately $3.3 million at September 30, 2008. The investment advisory agreement is subject to annual renewal by the Fund's Board of Directors, and the Company does not expect to incur additional expense as a result, which is consistent with other investment advisory agreements entered into by GAMCO. The Company does not anticipate canceling the investment advisory agreement before the end of the current fiscal year.
L. Other Matters
We indemnify the clearing brokers for our affiliated broker-dealer for losses they may sustain from the customer accounts that trade on margin introduced by our broker-dealer subsidiary. At September 30, 2008, the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification (i.e. unsecured margin debits) was immaterial. The Company also has entered into arrangements with various other third parties many of which provide for indemnification of the third parties against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of our obligations under the agreements. The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements, and we believe the likelihood of a claim being made is remote. Utilizing the methodology in the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”, our estimate of the value of such agreements is de minimis, and therefore an accrual has not been made in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
M. Subsequent Events
From October 1, 2008 through November 6, 2008, we repurchased 65,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock, under the Stock Repurchase Program, at an average investment of $30.04 per share.
On October 2, 2008, the Company issued and sold $60,000,000 principal amount of a convertible promissory note due 2018 (the "Note") to Cascade, pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"). The Note bears interest at a rate of 6.5% per annum and is convertible into shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock at an initial conversion price of $70 per share. The Company is required to repurchase the Note at the request of the holder on specified dates and after certain circumstances involving a Change of Control or Fundamental Change and is subject to an escrow agreement (each as defined in the Note). Cascade is the holder of several convertible promissory notes due August 14, 2011 ("2011 Notes") which collectively have an aggregate principal amount of $40 million. The Company granted Cascade certain demand registration rights and piggyback registration rights with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the 2011 Notes, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2001, between the Company and Cascade. On October 2, 2008, in connection the issuance and sale of the Note, the Company entered into a First Amendment to the Registration Rights Agreement (the "First Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement"), granting Cascade similar rights with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note. The proceeds from the sale of the Note are being held in an escrow account established pursuant to an Escrow Agreement by and among the Company, Cascade and JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Escrow Agent (the "Escrow Agreement"). The Escrow Agreement provides for the release to the Company of a pro rata portion of the escrowed funds upon conversion of the Note, based upon the principal amount of the Note that is converted into Class A Common Stock. Cascade has the right to claim the escrowed funds upon a payment default by the Company under the Note.
On October 31, 2008, the Company filed an information statement with the SEC for the spin-off of Teton Advisors, Inc. (“Teton”), an investment advisory subsidiary. The Company anticipates completing the spin-off late in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company’s shareholders are expected to receive approximately 14 shares for each 1,000 GBL shares they hold.
On November 7, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $0.90 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders, payable on December 23, 2008 to shareholders of record on December 9, 2008 and a quarterly dividend of $0.03 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders, payable on December 30, 2008 to shareholders of record on December 16, 2008.
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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 mutual funds, institutional and high net worth investors, and investment partnerships, principally in the United States. Through Gabelli & Company, Inc., we provide institutional research and brokerage services to institutional clients and investment partnerships and mutual fund distribution. We generally manage assets on a discretionary basis and invest in a variety of U.S. and international securities through various investment styles. Our revenues are based primarily on the firm’s levels of assets under management and fees associated with our various investment products.
Since 1977, we have been identified with and have enhanced the “value” style approach to investing. Our investment objective is to earn a superior risk-adjusted return for our clients over the long-term through our proprietary fundamental research. In addition to our value portfolios, we offer our clients a broad array of investment strategies that include global, growth, international and convertible products. We also offer a series of investment partnership (performance fee-based) vehicles that provide a series of long-short investment opportunities in market and sector specific opportunities, including offerings of non-market correlated investments in merger arbitrage, as well as fixed income strategies.
Our revenues are highly correlated to the level of assets under management and fees associated with our various investment products, rather than our own corporate assets. Assets under management, which are directly influenced by the level and changes of the overall equity markets, can also fluctuate through acquisitions, the creation of new products, the addition of new accounts or the loss of existing accounts. Since various equity products have different fees, changes in our business mix may also affect revenues. At times, the performance of our equity products may differ markedly from popular market indices, and this can also impact our revenues. General stock market trends will have the greatest impact on our level of assets under management and hence, revenues.
At the close of the third quarter, global equity markets reflected a general lack of liquidity, concerns relating to the worldwide financial system, and a looming recession. The further erosion of equity markets at the beginning of the fourth quarter impacts the value of our client portfolios as well as investment in our proprietary funds and will translate directly into our fourth quarter results.
We conduct our investment advisory business principally through: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (Separate Accounts), Gabelli Funds, LLC (Mutual Funds) and Gabelli Securities, Inc. (Investment Partnerships). We also act as an underwriter, are a distributor of our open-end mutual funds and provide institutional research through Gabelli & Company, Inc., our broker-dealer subsidiary.
Assets Under Management (AUM) were $25.6 billion as of September 30, 2008, 9.7% lower than June 30, 2008 AUM of $28.3 billion and 19.1% below September 30, 2007 AUM of $31.6 billion. Equity AUM were $24.6 billion on September 30, 2008, 9.6% less than June 30, 2008 equity assets of $27.2 billion and 19.6% below the $30.6 billion on September 30, 2007.
- | Our open-end equity fund AUM were $8.4 billion on September 30, 2008, 11.2% less than $9.5 million on June 30, 2008 and 14.6% below $9.9 million on September 30, 2007. The reclassification of the Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund from institutional sub-advisory to mutual fund advisory in March 2008 partially softened the decline in mutual funds AUM from the prior year level. |
- | Our closed-end equity funds had AUM of $4.9 billion on September 30, 2008, down 14.6% from $5.7 billion on June 30, 2008 and 24.4% under the $6.4 billion on September 30, 2007. |
- | Our institutional and private wealth management business ended the quarter with $10.9 billion in separately managed accounts, 5.8% below June 30, 2008 of $11.6 billion and 20.6% lower than the $13.8 billion on September 30, 2007. On a pro-forma basis, AUM were 16.1% lower than the adjusted $13.0 million AUM on September 30, 2007. |
- | Our Investment Partnerships AUM were $340 million on September 30, 2008 versus $354 million on June 30, 2008 and $491 million on September 30, 2007. |
- | Fixed income AUM declined 12.4% to $1.0 billion on September 30, 2008, versus the $1.2 billion on June 30, 2008 and 3.8% below September 30, 2007 AUM. |
- | We receive incentive fees for certain institutional client assets, preferred issues for our closed-end funds, common shares of the Gabelli Global Deal Fund (NYSE: GDL) and investment partnership assets. As of September 30, 2008, incentive and fulcrum fee assets were $3.1 billion, down 2.3% from the $3.2 billion on June 30, 2008 and 15.4% below the $3.7 billion on September 30, 2007. |
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The Company reported Assets Under Management as follows:
Table I: | ||||||||||||
Mutual Funds: | September 30, 2008 | September 30, 2007 | % Inc.(Dec.) | Adj. % Inc. (Dec.) (a) | ||||||||
Open-end | $ | 8,421 | $ | 9,866 | (14.6 | ) | (20.6 | ) | ||||
Closed-end | 4,869 | 6,443 | (24.4 | ) | (24.4 | ) | ||||||
Fixed Income | 1,015 | 1,048 | (3.1 | ) | (3.1 | ) | ||||||
Total Mutual Funds | 14,305 | 17,357 | (17.6 | ) | (20.9 | ) | ||||||
Institutional & PWM: | ||||||||||||
Equities: direct | 8,964 | 11,266 | (20.6 | ) | (20.6 | ) | ||||||
Equities: sub-advisory | 1,964 | 2,494 | (21.3 | ) | 11.8 | |||||||
Fixed Income | 19 | 27 | (29.6 | ) | (29.6 | ) | ||||||
Total Institutional & PWM | 10,947 | 13,787 | (20.6 | ) | (16.1 | ) | ||||||
Investment Partnerships | 340 | 491 | (30.8 | ) | (30.8 | ) | ||||||
Total Assets Under Management | $ | 25,592 | $ | 31,635 | (19.1 | ) | (19.1 | ) | ||||
Equities | $ | 24,558 | $ | 30,560 | (19.6 | ) | (19.6 | ) | ||||
Fixed Income | 1,034 | 1,075 | (3.8 | ) | (3.8 | ) | ||||||
Total Assets Under Management | $ | 25,592 | $ | 31,635 | (19.1 | ) | (19.1 | ) |
Table II: | Assets Under Management By Quarter (millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
% Increase/(decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mutual Funds: | 9/08 | 6/08 | 3/08 | 12/07 | 9/07 | 12/07 | (a) | 6/08 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Open-end | $ | 8,421 | $ | 9,486 | $ | 9,459 | $ | 9,774 | $ | 9,866 | (19.4 | ) | (11.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Closed-end | 4,869 | 5,704 | 5,762 | 6,341 | 6,443 | (23.2 | ) | (14.6 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed income | 1,015 | 1,164 | 1,445 | 1,122 | 1,048 | (9.5 | ) | (12.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Mutual Funds | 14,305 | 16,354 | 16,666 | 17,237 | 17,357 | (17.0 | ) | (12.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Institutional & PWM: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equities: direct | 8,964 | 9,564 | 9,746 | 10,708 | 11,266 | (16.3 | ) | (6.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equities: sub-advisory | 1,964 | 2,043 | 1,887 | 2,584 | 2,494 | 2.8 | (3.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Income | 19 | 17 | 2 | 24 | 27 | (20.8 | ) | 11.8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Institutional & PWM | 10,947 | 11,624 | 11,635 | 13,316 | 13,787 | (17.8 | ) | (5.8 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Partnerships | 340 | 354 | 396 | 460 | 491 | (26.1 | ) | (4.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Assets Under Management | $ | 25,592 | $ | 28,332 | $ | 28,697 | $ | 31,013 | $ | 31,635 | (17.5 | ) | (9.7 | ) |
Table III: | |||||||||||||||
June 30, 2008 | Net Cash Flows | Market Appreciation / (Depreciation) | September 30, 2008 | ||||||||||||
Mutual Funds: | |||||||||||||||
Equities | $ | 15,190 | $ | (141 | ) | $ | (1,759 | ) | $ | 13,290 | |||||
Fixed Income | 1,164 | (154 | ) | 5 | 1,015 | ||||||||||
Total Mutual Funds | 16,354 | (295 | ) | (1,754 | ) | 14,305 | |||||||||
Institutional & PWM: | |||||||||||||||
Equities: direct | 9,564 | 72 | (672 | ) | 8,964 | ||||||||||
Equities: sub-advisory | 2,043 | 36 | (115 | ) | 1,964 | ||||||||||
Fixed Income | 17 | 3 | (1 | ) | 19 | ||||||||||
Total Institutional & PWM | 11,624 | 111 | (788 | ) | 10,947 | ||||||||||
Investment Partnerships | 354 | (9 | ) | (5 | ) | 340 | |||||||||
Total Assets Under Management | $ | 28,332 | $ | (193 | ) | $ | (2,547 | ) | $ | 25,592 |
(a) The percentage is calculated as if the Enterprise Mergers & Acquisitions Fund were reclassified to open-end equity for the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2007 from institutional sub-advisory.
14
Regulatory
In September 2008, Gabelli Funds, LLC ("Gabelli Funds") signed an offer of settlement with the Commission to resolve a previously disclosed matter concerning compliance with Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 19a-1 thereunder by two closed-end funds managed by Gabelli Funds. These provisions require registered investment companies to provide written statements to shareholders when a distribution is made in the nature of a dividend from a source other than net investment income. While the two funds sent annual statements and provided other materials containing this information, the funds did not send the notices required by Rule 19a-1 to shareholders with any of the distributions that were made for 2002 and 2003. Gabelli Funds believes that the funds have been in compliance with Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 since the beginning of 2004. In the offer of settlement, in which Gabelli Funds neither admits nor denies the findings of the Commission, Gabelli Funds offered to pay a civil monetary penalty of $450,000 and to cease and desist from violations of Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1. This offer of settlement is subject to approval by the Commission.
The investment management industry is likely to continue facing a high level of regulatory scrutiny and become subject to additional rules designed to increase disclosure, tighten controls and reduce potential conflicts of interest. In addition, the Commission has substantially increased its use of focused inquiries in which it requests information from a number of fund complexes regarding particular practices or provisions of the securities laws. We participate in some of these inquiries in the normal course of our business. Changes in laws, regulations and administrative practices by regulatory authorities, and the associated compliance costs, have increased our cost structure and could in the future have a material impact.
15
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 to this report.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Investment advisory and incentive fees | $ | 52,297 | $ | 58,392 | ||||
Commission revenue | 4,098 | 3,494 | ||||||
Distribution fees and other income | 6,585 | 6,583 | ||||||
Total revenues | 62,980 | 68,469 | ||||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Compensation and related costs | 26,148 | 29,064 | ||||||
Management fee | 1,740 | 3,541 | ||||||
Distribution costs | 6,743 | 6,099 | ||||||
Other operating expenses | 7,076 | 2,665 | ||||||
Total expenses | 41,707 | 41,369 | ||||||
Operating income | 21,273 | 27,100 | ||||||
Other income | ||||||||
Net gain from investments | (4,786 | ) | 514 | |||||
Interest and dividend income | 1,340 | 6,810 | ||||||
Interest expense | (2,139 | ) | (2,828 | ) | ||||
Total other income, net | (5,585 | ) | 4,496 | |||||
Income before taxes and minority interest | 15,688 | 31,596 | ||||||
Income tax provision | 3,837 | 13,340 | ||||||
Minority interest | (134 | ) | (81 | ) | ||||
Net income | $ | 11,985 | $ | 18,337 | ||||
Net income per share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.65 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.64 | ||||
Reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 11,985 | $ | 18,337 | ||||
Interest Expense | 2,139 | 2,828 | ||||||
Income tax provision and minority interest | 3,703 | 13,259 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 263 | 217 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (a) | $ | 18,090 | $ | 34,641 | ||||
(a) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and minority interest. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States nor should it be considered as an indicator of our overall financial performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of performance as we believe it gives investors a more complete understanding of our operating results before the impact of financing activities as a tool for determining the private market value of an enterprise. |
Total revenues were $63.0 million in the third quarter of 2008, 8.0% below the $68.5 million reported in the third quarter of 2007. Operating income was $21.3 million, an decrease of $5.8 million or 21.5% from the $27.1 million in the third quarter of 2007. Total other income/expense, net of interest expense, was an expense of $5.6 million for the third quarter 2008 versus income of $4.5 million in the prior year’s quarter. In the short-run, our results remain sensitive to changes in the equity market. Net income for the quarter was $12.0 million or $0.43 per fully diluted share versus $18.3 million or $0.64 per fully diluted share in the prior year’s quarter.
Investment advisory fees for the third quarter 2008 were $52.3 million, 10.4% below the 2007 comparative figure of $58.4 million. Open-end mutual fund revenues declined by 3.6% to $23.3 million from $24.1 million in third quarter 2007 primarily due to lower average AUM. Our closed-end fund revenues fell 17.4% to $10.5 million in the third quarter 2008 from $12.8 million in 2007 primarily due to decreased average AUM. Institutional and high net worth separate accounts revenues, whose revenues are based upon prior quarter-end AUM, decreased 15.2% to $17.8 million from $21.0 million in third quarter 2007. The lower revenues were in part due to the reclassification of the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund from institutional subadvisory to open-end fund revenues. Investment Partnership revenues were $0.7 million, an increase of $0.2 million or 30.2% from $0.5 million in 2007. This increase was primarily due to reversal of incentive fees in the prior year's quarter.
Commission revenues from our institutional research affiliate, Gabelli & Company, Inc., were $4.1 million in the third quarter 2008, up 17.3% from the prior year.
Mutual fund distribution fees and other income were $6.6 million for the third quarter 2008, remaining even with the prior year.
Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $26.1 million or 10.0% lower than the $29.1 million recorded in the prior year period. This decrease was driven by lower AUM in our Institutional and Private Wealth Management business at June 30, 2008 and lower average AUM in our mutual fund business. The third quarter of 2008 includes $1.2 million of compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards ("RSAs") granted in late 2007.
Management fee expense, which is completely variable and based on pretax income, declined to $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $3.5 million in the 2007 period.
Distribution costs were $6.7 million, an increase of 10.6% from $6.1 million in the prior year’s period.
Other operating expenses increased by $4.4 million to $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2008 from the prior year third quarter of $2.7 million, which included the receipt of a portion of insurance claims for legal fees and expenses. The Company received $3.8 million during the September 2007 quarter for claims submitted in prior quarters.
Total expenses, excluding the management fee, were $40.0 million in the third quarter of 2008, a 5.7% increase from total expenses of $37.8 million in the third quarter of 2007.
Operating income for the third quarter of 2008 was lower than in the third quarter of 2007 largely due to the amortization of RSAs in 2008 and the insurance reimbursement of legal bills in the third quarter of 2007 both described above.
Total other income/expense (net of interest expense) was $5.6 million of expense for the third quarter 2008 versus other income (net of interest expense) of $4.5 million in the prior year’s quarter. $5.3 million of this decline is from the effect of mark to market decline in equity instruments. Interest income was lower by $2.1 million and dividend income was lower by $3.4 million. Interest expense fell to $2.1 million for third quarter 2008 from $2.8 million for the prior year quarter.
The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was 24.5% as compared to the prior year period’s effective rate of 42.2%. The current period decrease is primarily due to a reduction in the income tax reserves.
16
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 to this report.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared To Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
(Unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Investment advisory and incentive fees | $ | 164,269 | $ | 172,606 | ||||
Commission revenue | 11,018 | 11,550 | ||||||
Distribution fees and other income | 19,665 | 19,196 | ||||||
Total revenues | 194,952 | 203,352 | ||||||
Expenses | ||||||||
Compensation and related costs | 82,758 | 87,343 | ||||||
Management fee | 6,307 | 10,391 | ||||||
Distribution costs | 19,946 | 22,146 | ||||||
Other operating expenses | 20,204 | 18,693 | ||||||
Total expenses | 129,215 | 138,573 | ||||||
Operating income | 65,737 | 64,779 | ||||||
Other income (expense) | ||||||||
Net gain (loss) from investments | (13,165 | ) | 17,277 | |||||
Interest and dividend income | 10,310 | 20,978 | ||||||
Interest expense | (6,405 | ) | (9,537 | ) | ||||
Total other income (expense), net | (9,260 | ) | 28,718 | |||||
Income before taxes and minority interest | 56,477 | 93,497 | ||||||
Income tax provision | 19,882 | 37,403 | ||||||
Minority interest | (335 | ) | 596 | |||||
Net income | $ | 36,930 | $ | 55,498 | ||||
Net income per share: | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.97 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 1.32 | $ | 1.95 | ||||
Reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA: | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 36,930 | $ | 55,498 | ||||
Interest Expense | 6,405 | 9,537 | ||||||
Income tax provision and minority interest | 19,547 | 37,999 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 747 | 739 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (a) | $ | 63,629 | $ | 103,773 | ||||
(a) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and minority interest. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States nor should it be considered as an indicator of our overall financial performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of performance as we believe it gives investors a more complete understanding of our operating results before the impact of financing activities as a tool for determining the private market value of an enterprise. |
Total revenues were $195.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, down $8.4 million or 4.1% from total revenues of $203.4 million in the prior year’s period. Operating income was $65.7 million, an increase of $0.9 million or 1.5% from $64.8 million in 2007. Total other (loss) income, net of interest expense, was ($9.3 million) compared to $28.7 million in 2007. Net income for the period was $36.9 million or $1.32 per fully diluted share versus $55.5 million or $1.95 per fully diluted share in the prior year’s period.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, investment advisory fees were $164.3 million, a decrease of $8.3 million or 4.8% compared to the revenues in 2007. Open-end mutual fund revenues increased 4.3% to $71.8 million from $68.8 million in 2007 as a result of higher average AUM. Our closed-end fund revenues fell 9.4% to $33.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from $37.4 million in 2007 due to declining average AUM. Institutional and high net worth separate account revenues declined 10.3% to $56.4 million from $62.8 million reported in 2007 due to lower average AUM and reduced performance-based fees. Investment Partnership revenues were $2.2 million versus $3.5 million in 2007. This decline was due to both decreased incentive fees and AUM.
Commission revenues from our institutional research business, Gabelli & Company, Inc., were $11.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, down 4.6% from $11.5 million in the prior year’s comparable period.
Mutual fund distribution fees and other income were $19.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, an increase of $0.5 million, or 2.4%, from $19.2 million from the 2007 period.
Compensation and related costs, which are largely variable, were $82.8 million or 5.2% lower than the $87.3 million recorded in the prior year period. The $4.5 million decrease is primarily attributable to lower variable compensation. Included in compensation expenses for the third quarter of 2008 was $3.6 million of amortization of RSAs granted in late 2007.
Management fee expense, which is completely variable and based on pretax income, was $6.3 million versus $10.4 million in 2007.
Distribution costs were $19.9 million, a decrease of 9.9% from $22.1 million in the prior year’s period. Included in the prior year period's distribution costs were $5.8 million in launch costs for the Gabelli Global Deal Fund (NYSE: GDL).
Other operating expenses increased by $1.5 million to $20.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from the prior year period of $18.7 million.
Total expenses, excluding the management fee, were $122.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, a $5.3 million or 4.1% decrease from total expenses of $128.2 million in the 2007 period. Included within the nine months ended September 30, 2007 are $5.8 million in launch costs for the Gabelli Global Deal Fund (NYSE: GDL). In the third quarter of 2007, GAMCO received $3.8 million of legal expense insurance claims submitted in prior quarters.
Total other income (expense), net of interest expense, was expense of ($9.3 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 versus income of $28.7 million in the prior year’s comparable period. $30.4 million of this decline is from the effect of mark to market decline in equity instruments, interest income was lower by $6.3 million and dividend income was lower by $4.4 million. Interest expense fell to $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from $9.5 million for the 2007 period.
The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 35.2% as compared to the prior year period’s effective rate of 40.0%. The current period decrease is primarily due to a reduction in the income tax reserves.
Minority interest income was $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, versus expense of $0.6 million in the comparable 2007 period.
17
Our principal assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, securities held for investment purposes and investments in mutual funds, and investment partnerships and offshore funds, both proprietary and external. Cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of United States treasury securities with maturities of less than three months and money market funds managed by GAMCO. Short-term investments are comprised primarily of United States treasury securities with maturities between three months and one year. Although the investment partnerships and offshore funds are for the most part illiquid, the underlying investments of such partnerships or funds are for the most part liquid, and the valuations of these products reflect that underlying liquidity.
Summary cash flow data is as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Cash flows (used in) provided by: | (in thousands) | |||||||
Operating activities | $ | 54,166 | $ | 202,532 | ||||
Investing activities | 7,429 | (23,300 | ) | |||||
Financing activities | (64,718 | ) | (121,483 | ) | ||||
(Decrease) Increase | (3,123 | ) | 57,749 | |||||
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | (98 | ) | 31 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 168,319 | 138,113 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 165,098 | $ | 195,893 |
Cash requirements and liquidity needs have historically been met through cash generated by operating activities and through our borrowing capacity. We have received investment grade ratings from both Moody’s Investors Services and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services. These investment grade ratings expand our ability to attract both public and private capital. Our shelf registrations provide 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 $520 million.
At September 30, 2008, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $165.1 million, a decrease of $3.1 million from December 31, 2007. Cash and cash equivalents and investments in securities held by investment partnerships and offshore funds consolidated under FIN 46R and EITF 04-5 are also restricted from use for general operating purposes. Total debt outstanding at September 30, 2008 was $140.0 million, consisting of the $40 million 6% convertible note and $100 million of 5.5% non-callable senior notes due May 15, 2013. In February 2007, the Company retired the $82.3 million in 5.22% Senior Notes due February 17, 2007 plus accrued interest from its cash and cash equivalents and investments. This debt was originally issued in connection with GAMCO's sale of mandatory convertible securities in February 2002 and was remarketed in November 2004. On January 22, 2008, Cascade Investment, L.L.C. elected to convert $10 million of the convertible note into 188,697 GAMCO shares.
On October 2, 2008, the Company issued and sold $60,000,000 principal amount of a convertible promissory note due 2018 (the "Note") to Cascade, pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"). The Note bears interest at a rate of 6.5% per annum and is convertible into shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock at an initial conversion price of $70 per share. The Company is required to repurchase the Note at the request of the holder on specified dates and after certain circumstances involving a change of control or fundamental change and is subject to an escrow agreement (each as defined in the Note). The escrow arrangement may be converted to an irrevocable letter of credit when economically feasible.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, cash provided by operating activities was $54.2 million principally resulting from $36.9 million in net income, proceeds from sales of investments in securities of $433.7 million, a $29.9 million in proceeds from sales of securities sold, not yet purchased, $20.9 million in distributions from partnerships and affiliates, and a $17.4 million decrease in investment advisory fee receivable. This was partially offset by $445.2 million in purchases of investments in securities, cost of covers on securities sold, not yet purchased of $24.5 million, $19.0 million decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities and a $9.1 million decrease in current and deferred income taxes payable.
Cash provided by investing activities, related to purchases and proceeds from sales of available for sale securities, was $7.4 million in the first nine months of 2008.
Cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2008 was $64.7 million. The decrease in cash was primarily due to the $34.0 million repurchase of our class A common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program and the $30.4 million in dividends paid.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, cash provided by operating activities was $202.5 million principally resulting from $55.5 million in net income, proceeds from sales of investments in securities of $1.2 billion, proceeds from sales of securities sold, not yet purchased of $112.0 million, a $20.3 million decrease in receivable from brokers, $15.7 million in distributions from partnerships and affiliates, a $12.5 million decrease in investment advisory fee receivable, and a $3.8 million increase in current and deferred income taxes payable. This was partially offset by $1.0 billion in purchases of investments in securities, cost of covers on securities sold, not yet purchased of $97.6 million, a $28.0 million decrease in payable to brokers, and $18.0 million in purchases of investments in partnerships and affiliates.
Cash used in investing activities, related to purchases and proceeds from sales of available for sale securities, was $23.3 million in the first nine months of 2007.
Cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2007 was $121.5 million. The decrease in cash was primarily due to the $82.3 million retirement of senior notes and $38.2 million in dividends paid and the repurchase of our class A common stock under the Stock Repurchase Program.
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.
As a registered broker-dealer, Gabelli & Company, Inc. is subject to certain net capital requirements in accordance with Commission rules. Gabelli & Company's net capital has historically exceeded these minimum net capital requirements. Gabelli & Company computes its net capital under the alternative method permitted by the Commission, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debt items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The requirement was $250,000 at September 30, 2008. At September 30, 2008, Gabelli & Company had net capital, as defined, of approximately $18.5 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $18.2 million. Gabelli & Company’s net capital, as defined, may be reduced when Gabelli & Company is involved in firm commitment underwriting activities. This did not occur as of or for the three months ended September 30, 2008.
Market Risk
Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in equity prices and interest rates. Since over 95% of our AUM are equities, our financial results are subject to equity-market risk as revenues from our money management services are sensitive to stock market dynamics. In addition, returns from our proprietary investment portfolio are exposed to interest rate and equity market risk.
The Company earns substantially all of its revenue as advisory fees from our Mutual Fund, Institutional and Private Wealth Management, and Investment Partnership assets. Such fees represent a percentage of assets under management and the majority of these assets are in equity investments. Accordingly, since revenues are proportionate to the value of those investments, a substantial increase or decrease in equity markets overall will have a corresponding effect on the Company's revenues.
With respect to our proprietary investment activities, included in investments in securities of $379.1 million at September 30, 2008 were investments in United States Treasury Bills and Notes of $70.3 million, mutual funds, largely invested in equity products, of $125.0 million, a selection of common and preferred stocks totaling $183.0 million, and other investments of approximately $0.8 million. Investments in mutual funds generally lower market risk through the diversification of financial instruments within their portfolio. In addition, we may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management. Of the approximately $183.0 million invested in common and preferred stocks at September 30, 2008, $50.4 million was related to our investment in Westwood Holdings Group Inc., and $70.1 million was invested in risk arbitrage opportunities in connection with mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, tender offers or other similar transactions. Securities sold, not yet purchased are 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, 2008 and 2007, the market value of securities sold, not yet purchased was $6.6 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Investments in partnerships and affiliates totaled $73.2 million at September 30, 2008, the majority of which consisted of investment partnerships and offshore funds which invest in risk arbitrage opportunities. These transactions generally involve announced deals with agreed upon terms and conditions, including pricing, which typically involve less market risk than common stocks held in a trading portfolio. The principal risk associated with risk arbitrage transactions is the inability of the companies involved to complete the transaction.
GAMCO’s exposure to interest rate risk results, principally, from its investment of excess cash in U.S. Government securities. These investments are primarily short term in nature, and the carrying value of these investments generally approximates market value.
18
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. All of the instruments within investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are measured at fair value.
The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with Statement 157. The levels of the fair value hierarchy and their applicability to the Company are described below:
- | Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
- | Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly-quoted intervals. |
- | Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. |
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, per Statement 157, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
Recent Accounting Developments
In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51" ("Statement 160") to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity with minority interests provides in its consolidated financial statements. Statement 160 changes the way the consolidated income statement is presented. It requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the consolidated statement of income, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest. Statement 160 requires expanded disclosures in the consolidated financial statements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent’s owners and the interests of the noncontrolling owners of a subsidiary. Statement 160 does not change the provisions of “Consolidated Financial Statements” ("ARB 51") related to consolidation purpose or consolidation policy or the requirement that a parent consolidate all entities in which it has a controlling financial interest. Statement 160 does, however, amend certain of ARB 51’s consolidation procedures to make them consistent with the requirements of FASB Statement 141(R) "Business Combinations". It also amends ARB 51 to provide definitions for certain terms and to clarify some terminology. Statement 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The Company plans to adopt this statement on January 1, 2009. Statement 160 will impact the Company's financial statements presentation and disclosure of minority interest.
In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("Statement 161") to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Statement 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The Company plans to adopt Statement 161 on January 1, 2009. Statement 161 will only impact the Company's disclosure of derivative instruments.
In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 142-3, "Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets" ("Statement 142-3") which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142 , "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". Statement 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company plans to adopt this statement on January 1, 2009. Statement 142-3 is applicable to the Company however, the effect of its adoption is not expected to be material.
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.
At September 30, 2008, GAMCO was exposed to interest-rate risk as a result of holding investments in money market funds ($163.0 million) and United Stated Treasury Bills ($70.3 million). Management considered a hypothetical one percent fluctuation in interest rates and determined that the impact of such a fluctuation on these investments would have a $2.3 million effect on GAMCO’s condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Our exposure to pricing risk in equity securities is directly related to our role as financial intermediary and advisor for AUM in our Mutual Funds, Separate Accounts, and Investment Partnerships as well as our proprietary investment and trading activities. At September 30, 2008, we had equity investments, including mutual funds largely invested in equity products, of $308.0 million. Investments in mutual funds, $125.0 million, usually generate lower market risk through the diversification of financial instruments within their portfolios. In addition, we may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management. We also hold investments in partnerships and affiliates which invest primarily in equity securities and which are subject to changes in equity prices. Investments in partnerships and affiliates totaled $73.2 million, of which $13.6 million were invested in partnerships and affiliates which invest in event-driven merger arbitrage strategies. These strategies are primarily dependent upon deal closure rather than the overall market environment.
The following table provides a sensitivity analysis for our investments in equity securities and partnerships and affiliates which invest primarily in equity securities, excluding arbitrage products for which the principal exposure is to deal closure and not overall market conditions, as of September 30, 2008. The sensitivity analysis assumes a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these investments (in millions):
Fair Value | Fair Value assuming 10% decrease in equity prices | Fair Value assuming 10% increase in equity prices | ||||||||||
At September 30, 2008: | ||||||||||||
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value | $ | 349.0 | $ | 314.1 | $ | 383.9 |
The $349.0 million fair value sensitivity would, in turn, yield an increase or decrease to equity of $34.9 million, net of management fee and tax, split between net income and comprehensive income. Specifically, this would impact net income for the proportion of our investments exposed to market risk which are classified as trading investments (approximately 66.5% at September 30, 2008) and would impact comprehensive income, within stockholders' equity, for the proportion of these which are classified as securities available for sale (approximately 33.5% at September 30, 2008).
19
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2008. Disclosure controls and procedures as defined under the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rule and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), and Co-Principal Accounting Officers (“PAOs”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our CEO, CFO, and PAOs participated in this evaluation and concluded that, as of the date of their evaluation, 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.
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Part II: Other Information
Item 2. | Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
The following table provides information with respect to the repurchase of Class A Common Stock of GAMCO during the three months ended September 30, 2008: |
Period | (a) Total Number of Shares Repurchased | (b) Average Price Paid Per Share, net of Commissions | (c) Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | (d) Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |||||||
7/01/08 – 7/31/08 | 227,100 | $43.30 | 227,100 | 681,636 | |||||||
8/01/08 – 8/31/08 | 17,200 | $47.04 | 17,200 | 1,064,436 | |||||||
9/01/08 – 9/30/08 | 2,500 | $47.14 | 2,500 | 1,061,936 | |||||||
Totals | 246,800 | 246,800 | |||||||||
In August 2008, the board of directors approved an increase of 400,000 shares of GBL available to be repurchased under our stock repurchase program. Our stock repurchase programs are not subject to expiration dates. |
Item 6. | (a) Exhibits |
31.1 | -- | Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). |
31.2 | -- | Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). |
32.1 | -- | Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.2 | -- | Certification of CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
(Registrant)
By:/s/ Kieran Caterina | By:/s/ Diane M. LaPointe |
Name: Kieran Caterina | Name: Diane M. LaPointe |
Title: Co-Principal Accounting Officer | Title: Co-Principal Accounting Officer |
Date: November 7, 2008 | Date: November 7, 2008 |
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