Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL” or the “Company”) was incorporated in April 1998 in the state of New York, with no significant assets or liabilities and did not engage in any substantial business activities prior to the initial public offering (“Offering”) of our shares. On February 9, 1999, we exchanged 24 million shares of our Class B Common Stock (“Class B Stock”), representing all of our then issued and outstanding common stock, with Gabelli Funds, Inc. (“GFI”) and two of its subsidiaries in consideration for substantially all of the operating assets and liabilities of GFI, relating to its institutional and retail asset management, mutual fund advisory, underwriting and brokerage business (the “Reorganization”). GFI, which was renamed Gabelli Group Capital Partners, Inc. in 1999, is the majority shareholder of GBL and was renamed GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”) in 2005. During 2010, the shares of GBL owned by GGCP were transferred to GGCP Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of GGCP. In 2013, the Company changed its state of incorporation from New York to Delaware in a tax-free reorganization.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and earnings of:

GBL;

Our wholly-owned subsidiaries: Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Funds Advisor”), GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO”), G.distributors, LLC (“G.distributors”), GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited, Gabelli Arbitrage Holdings LLC, Gabelli Trading Holdings LLC, Gabelli Fixed Income, Inc. (“Fixed Income”) and its subsidiaries, GAMCO International Partners LLC, GAMCO Acquisition LLC;

·	Our majority-owned or majority-controlled subsidiaries: Gabelli Securities, Inc. (“GSI”) and its subsidiaries; and

·	Certain investment partnerships (“Investment Partnerships”) and offshore funds in which we have a direct or indirect controlling financial interest. Please see Note D included herein.

At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we owned approximately 94%, 94% and 93%, respectively, of GSI. The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of GBL and its subsidiaries as of December 31 of each year. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting year as the parent company, using consistent accounting policies. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date of acquisition, being the date on which GBL obtains control, and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases.

Use of Estimates

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

Nature of Operations

GAMCO, Funds Advisor, Gabelli Fixed Income LLC (“Fixed Income LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fixed Income and GSI are registered investment advisors under the Advisers Act of 1940. G.research, Inc. (“G.research”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GSI, and G.distributors are registered broker-dealers with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and are regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). G.research acts as an introducing broker, and all transactions for its customers are cleared through New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) member firms on a fully-disclosed basis. Accordingly, open customer transactions are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition. G.research is exposed to credit losses on these open positions in the event of nonperformance by its customers, pursuant to conditions of its clearing agreements with its clearing brokers. This exposure is reduced by the clearing brokers' policy of obtaining and maintaining adequate collateral and credit of the counterparties until the open transaction is completed. Refer to Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition section within Note A for additional discussion of GBL's business.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents primarily consist of an affiliated money market mutual fund which is highly liquid. U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase are also considered cash equivalents.

Securities Transactions

Investments in securities are accounted for as either “trading securities” or “available for sale” and are stated at fair value. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase. U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are considered investments in securities. Securities that are not readily marketable are stated at their estimated fair values in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). 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 reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income. Available for sale (“AFS”) investments are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of other comprehensive income except for losses deemed to be other than temporary which are recorded as realized losses on the consolidated statements of income. Securities transactions and any related gains and losses are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identified cost basis and are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.

Available for sale securities are evaluated for other than temporary impairments each reporting period and any impairment charges are recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income. Management reviews all available for sale securities whose cost exceeds their fair value to determine if the impairment is other than temporary. Management uses qualitative factors such as diversification of the investment, the intent to hold the investment, the amount of time that the investment has been impaired and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment is other than temporary.

Securities sold, but not yet purchased are recorded on the trade date, and are stated at fair value and represent obligations of GBL to purchase the securities at prevailing market prices. Therefore, the future satisfaction of such obligations may be for an amount greater or less than the amounts recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The ultimate gains or losses recognized are dependent upon the prices at which these securities are purchased to settle the obligations under the sales commitments. Realized gains and losses from covers of securities sold, not yet purchased transactions are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income. Securities sold, not yet purchased are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.

Consolidation

In accordance with the consolidation assessment models set forth in ASC 810-10 and 810-20, the Company consolidates all investments in partnerships and affiliates in which the Company has a controlling interest or is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. In order to make this determination, an analysis is performed to determine if the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) or a voting interest entity (“VOE”). If the entity is a VIE, further analysis, as discussed below, is performed to determine if GBL is the primary beneficiary of the entity. If the entity is not a VIE, the Company will apply the VOE model as discussed below.

Variable Interest Entities

A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) the equity investors do not have the ability to make decisions about the entities’ activities or obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity or (c) the voting rights are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity or their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity. The Company evaluates whether entities in which it has an interest are VIEs and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of any VIEs identified in its analysis. The Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary if it absorbs a majority of the VIE’s expected losses, expected residual returns, or both. If the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it consolidates that entity. If the Company is not the primary beneficiary, it accounts for its investment under the equity method.

In June 2009 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended the guidance on VIEs when it issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-17. This guidance requires that if a decision maker has a variable interest in a VIE, the decision maker is not solely acting in a fiduciary capacity and would be required to consolidate the VIE if it has both the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and economic exposure that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various sponsored partnerships and the investment manager of various sponsored offshore funds whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities (the “affiliated entities”). If the Company were to apply such guidance it would be required to consolidate most of its affiliated entities. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-10, which indefinitely deferred the effective date of the amendments to ASC 810-10 made by ASU 2009-17, for a reporting entity’s interest in certain entities. Currently, interests in entities that qualify for the deferral are evaluated by applying the VIE model in ASC 810-10 (i.e., before the amendments by ASU 2009-17), while interests in entities that do not qualify for the deferral must be evaluated under the amendments in ASU 2009-17. Because all of the entities with which the Company is involved which would have been subject to the guidance in ASU 2009-17 were determined to qualify for the FASB’s deferral of such guidance, the Company applies the guidance for VIEs that existed prior to the issuance of ASU 2009-17.

Voting Interest Entities

If the entity is not considered a VIE, it is treated as a VOE, and the Company applies the guidance in ASC 810-20 in determining whether the entity should be consolidated. Under ASC 810-20, the general partner or investment manager is deemed to control the entity and therefore must consolidate it unless the unaffiliated limited partners or shareholders (a) have the ability to remove the general partner or investment manager, without cause, (b) have the ability to dissolve the entity or (c) have substantive participating rights. If the unaffiliated limited partners or shareholders possess any of the foregoing rights, then the Company does not consolidate the entity, and either the equity or cost method of accounting is applied. If the unaffiliated limited partners or shareholders do not have any such rights, the Company consolidates the entity.

Equity Method Investments

Substantially all of GBL’s equity method investees are entities that record their underlying investments at fair value. Therefore, under the equity method of accounting, GBL’s share of the investee’s underlying net income predominantly represents fair value adjustments in the investments held by the equity method investees. GBL’s share of the investee’s underlying net income or loss is based upon the most currently available information and is recorded as “Net gain/(loss) from investments” on the consolidated statements of income. Capital contributions are recorded as an increase in investments when paid, while withdrawals and distributions are recorded as reductions of the investments when received. Depending on the terms of the investment, the Company may be restricted as to the timing and amounts of withdrawals.

See Note D. Investments in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities for more detail as to the number and types of entities consolidated as well as the impact on the consolidated statements of financial condition and consolidated statements of income.

Investments in Partnerships and Affiliates

The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various affiliated entities. The Company also has investments in unaffiliated partnerships, offshore funds and other entities (“unaffiliated entities”). Given that the Company is not a general partner or investment manager in any unaffiliated entities, it does not earn any management or incentive fees and does not have a controlling financial interest, it does not currently consolidate any unaffiliated entities.

The balance sheet caption “Investments in partnerships” includes those investments, in both affiliated and unaffiliated entities, which the Company accounts for under the equity method of accounting and certain investments in consolidated feeder funds (“CFFs”) that the Company accounts for at fair value, as described below.

For CFFs that own 100% of their offshore master funds, the Company retains the CFF’s specialized investment company accounting (i.e., the CFFs account for their investment in master funds at fair value as opposed to consolidating the accounts of the master funds).

The Company records noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities for which the Company’s ownership is less than 100%. Refer to Noncontrolling Interests section within Note A for additional disclosures.

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers

Receivables from and payables to brokers consist of amounts arising from the purchases and sales of securities as well as cash amounts held in anticipation of investment.

Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues are derived primarily from investment advisory and incentive fees, institutional research services and distribution fees.

Investment advisory and incentive fees are directly influenced by the level and mix of assets under management (“AUM”) as fees are derived from a contractually-determined percentage of AUM for each account as well as incentive fees earned on certain accounts. Advisory fees from the open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds and sub-advisory accounts are computed daily or weekly based on average net assets and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Advisory fees from Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts are generally computed quarterly based on account values as of the end of the preceding quarter, and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Management fees from investment partnerships and offshore funds are computed either monthly or quarterly, and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company derived approximately 84%, 85% and 84% of its total revenues from advisory and management fees, including incentive fees, for the periods ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These revenues vary depending upon the level of sales compared with redemptions, financial market conditions, performance and the fee structure for AUM. Revenues derived from the equity-oriented portfolios generally have higher management fee rates than fixed income portfolios.

Revenues from investment partnerships and offshore funds also generally include an incentive allocation on the absolute gain in a portfolio or a fee of 20% of the economic profit as defined in the partnership agreement. The incentive allocation or fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually, and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. There were $2.7 million and $4.0 million in incentive allocations or fees receivable as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company also receives incentive fees from certain Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, which are based upon meeting or exceeding a specific benchmark index or indices. Incentive fees refer to fees earned when the return generated for the client exceeds the benchmark and can be earned even if the return to the client is negative as long as the return exceeds the benchmark. These fees are recognized, for each respective account, at the end of the stipulated contract period which is either quarterly or annually and varies by account. Receivables due for incentive fees earned are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. There were $0.2 million and $3.4 million in incentive fees receivable as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Management fees on a majority of the closed-end preferred shares are received at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the closed-end fund for the calendar year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares. These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually. Receivables due for management fees on closed-end preferred shares are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. There were $6.3 million and $7.3 million in management fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For The GDL Fund, there is a performance fee earned as of the end of the calendar year if the total return of the fund is in excess of the 90 day T-Bill Index total return. This fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually on a calendar year basis. Receivables due on incentive fees relating to The GDL Fund are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $0.8 million and $6.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

G.research provides institutional research services and earns brokerage commission revenues and sales manager fees on a trade-date basis from securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of institutional clients and mutual funds, private wealth management clients and retail customers of affiliated companies. It has also been involved in syndicated underwriting activities that included public equity and debt offerings managed by major investment banks. Underwriting fees include underwriting revenues and syndicate profits and are accrued as earned. Underwriting fees include gains, losses, selling concessions and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising from securities offerings in which the Company acts as underwriter or agent. It provides institutional investors and investment partnerships with investment ideas on numerous industries and special situations, with a particular focus on small-cap and mid-cap companies. Commission revenue and related clearing charges are recorded on a trade-date basis and are included in commission revenue and other operating expenses, respectively, on the consolidated statements of income.

Distribution fees revenues are derived primarily from the distribution of Gabelli, GAMCO and Comstock open-end mutual funds (“Funds”) advised by a subsidiary of GBL, Funds Advisor and a subsidiary of GGCP, Teton. Effective August 1, 2011, G.distributors distributes our open-end Funds pursuant to distribution agreements with each Fund. Under each distribution agreement with an open-end Fund, G.distributors offers and sells such open-end Fund shares on a continuous basis and pays all of the costs of marketing and selling the shares, including printing and mailing prospectuses and sales literature, advertising and maintaining sales and customer service personnel and sales and services fulfillment systems, and payments to the sponsors of third party distribution programs, financial intermediaries and G.distributors’ sales personnel. G.distributors receive fees for such services pursuant to distribution plans adopted under provisions of Rule 12b-1 (“12b-1”) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Company Act”). G.distributors is the principal underwriter for funds distributed in multiple classes of shares which carry either a front-end or back-end sales charge. Prior to August 1, 2011, G.research was the distributor of the Gabelli, GAMCO and Comstock open-end Funds.

Under the distribution plans, the open-end Class AAA shares of the Funds (except The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, Gabelli Capital Asset Fund and The Gabelli ABC Fund) and the Class A shares of certain Funds pay G.distributors a distribution or service fee of 0.25% per year (except the Class A shares of the Westwood Funds which pay 0.50% per year and the Class A shares of the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund which pays 0.45% per year) on the average daily net assets of the fund. Class B and Class C shares have a 12b-1 distribution plan with a service and distribution fee totaling 1%. Class B shares were discontinued in 2014.

Distribution fees from the open-end mutual funds are computed daily based on average net assets. The amounts receivable for distribution fees are included in receivables from affiliates on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

GBL also has investment gains or losses generated from its proprietary trading activities which are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.

Distribution Costs

We incur certain promotion and distribution costs, which are expensed as incurred, principally related to the sale of shares of open-end mutual funds, shares sold in the initial public offerings of our closed-end funds, and after-market support services related to our closed-end funds. Additionally, Funds Advisor has agreed to reimburse expenses on certain funds, beyond certain expense caps. The reimbursed expenses are presented on a gross basis in distribution costs in the consolidated statements of income.

Dividends and Interest Income and Interest Expense

Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income and interest expense are accrued as earned or incurred.

Depreciation and Amortization

Fixed assets other than leasehold improvements, with net book value of $602,000 and $682,000 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives from four to seven years. Accumulated depreciation was $2.4 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Leasehold improvements, with net book value of $1.6 million and $1.9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or lease terms, whichever is shorter. The leased property under the capital lease is depreciated utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the lease, which expires on December 31, 2028. The capital lease was extended on June 11, 2013 to December 31, 2028 from December 31, 2023. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, depreciation and amortization were $683,000, $766,000 and $777,000, respectively. We estimate that depreciation and amortization will be approximately $700,000 annually over the next three years.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value and are included in either investments in securities or securities sold, not yet purchased on the consolidated statements of financial condition. From time to time, the Company will enter into hedging transactions to manage its exposure to foreign currencies and equity prices related to its proprietary investments. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had derivative transactions which resulted in net gains of $729,000, net gains of $775,000 and net losses of $207,000, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and 2013 we held derivative contracts on 3.8 million equity shares and 1.3 million equity shares, respectively, and the net fair value was $262,000 and $120,000, respectively, and are included as investments in securities on the consolidated statements of financial condition. These transactions are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and changes in fair values of these derivatives are included in net gain (loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income and included in investments in trading securities or securities sold, not yet purchased on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the cost of the acquired business over the sum of the amounts assigned to assets acquired less the liabilities assumed. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, goodwill recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition relates to two reporting units, GSI and G.distributors, and the identifiable intangible asset is an investment advisory contact for the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisition Fund. Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually on November 30^th and whenever certain triggering events are met. In assessing the recoverability of the identifiable intangible asset for 2014 and 2013, projections regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors are made to determine the fair value of the asset.

In assessing the recoverability of goodwill for our annual impairment test on November 30, 2014 and 2013, we performed a qualitative assessment of whether it was more likely than not that an impairment has occurred and concluded that a quantitative analysis was not required.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts on the consolidated financial statements using the statutory tax rates in effect for the year when the reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled, respectively. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying values of deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. For each tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation. A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Company recognizes the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions and penalties in income tax provision on the consolidated statements of income.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests that are mandatorily redeemable upon a certain date or event occurring are classified as liabilities and relates to certain shareholders of GSI who are employed by GBL, or its affiliates, who are required to sell their shares back to GSI at book value once they cease being employed by GBL, or its affiliates. Noncontrolling interests in investment partnerships and offshore funds that are redeemable at the option of the holder are classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section between liabilities and equity. All other noncontrolling interests are classified as equity and are presented within the equity section, separately from GBL’s portion of equity.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statements of income represents income attributable to certain minority stockholders of GSI as well as to certain limited partners of investment partnerships and offshore funds that are also consolidated. The income/expense attributable to the noncontrolling interests classified as liabilities is included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

All of the instruments within cash and cash equivalents, investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are measured at fair value. Certain investments in partnerships are also 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 the FASB’s guidance on fair value measurement. 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 at the reporting date. Level 1 assets include cash equivalents, government obligations, open-end mutual funds, closed-end funds and equities.
-	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, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active 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. Assets that generally are included in this category may include certain limited partnership interests in private funds and over the counter derivatives that have inputs to the valuations that can generally be corroborated by observable market data.
-	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. Assets included in this category generally include equities that trade infrequently and direct private equity investments held within consolidated partnerships.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, 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. Investments are transferred into or out of any level at their beginning period values.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from instrument to instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of instrument, whether the instrument 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.

The valuation process and policies reside with the financial reporting and accounting group which reports to the Chief Financial Officer. The Company uses the “market approach” valuation technique to value its investments in Level 3 investments. The Company’s valuation of the Level 3 investments has been based upon either i) the recent sale prices of the issuer’s equity securities or ii) the net assets, book value or cost basis of the issuer when there is no recent sales prices available.

In the absence of a closing price, an average of the bid and ask price is used. Bid prices reflect the highest price that the market is willing to pay for an asset. Ask prices represent the lowest price that the market is willing to accept for an asset.

Cash equivalents – Cash equivalents primarily consist of an affiliated money market mutual fund which is invested solely in U.S. Treasuries and valued based on the net asset value of the fund. U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase are also considered cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are valued using unadjusted quoted market prices.

Investments in securities, Investments in sponsored registered investment companies and Securities sold, not yet purchased – Investments in securities, investments in sponsored registered investment companies and securities sold, not yet purchased are generally valued based on quoted prices from an 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. Securities categorized in Level 2 investments are valued using other observable inputs. Nonpublic and infrequently traded investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because significant inputs to measure fair value are unobservable.

Investments in Partnerships – The Company’s investments include limited partner investments in consolidated feeder funds. The Company considers the net asset value of the master funds held by the consolidated feeder fund to be the best estimate of fair value. Investments in private funds that are redeemable at the measurement date or within the near term, are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We may redeem our investments in these funds monthly with 30 days’ notice.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period less unvested restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share is based on basic shares plus the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of in-the-money stock options and unvested restricted stock using the treasury stock method.

Management Fee

Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits before management fee which is paid to Mr. Gabelli or his designee for acting as CEO pursuant to his 2008 Employment Agreement so long as he is an executive of GBL and devotes the substantial majority of his working time to the business. In accordance with his 2008 Employment Agreement, he has allocated approximately $4.0 million, $2.3 million and $0.7 million of his management fee to certain other employees of the Company in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and waived $1.4 million in 2013.

Stock Based Compensation

The Company has granted restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and stock options to staff members which were recommended by the Company’s Chairman, who did not receive an RSA or option award, and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. We use a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation provided to our employees.

The estimated fair value of RSAs is determined by using the closing price of our Class A Stock on the day prior to the grant date. The total expense, which is reduced by estimated forfeitures, is recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is either (1) 30% over three years from the date of grant and 70% over five years from the date of grant or (2) 30% over three years from the date of grant and 10% each year over years four through ten from the date of grant. The forfeiture rate is determined by reviewing historical forfeiture rates for previous stock-based compensation grants and is reviewed and updated quarterly, if necessary. During the vesting period, dividends to RSA holders are held for them until the RSA vesting dates and are forfeited if the grantee is no longer employed by the Company on the vesting dates. Dividends declared on these RSAs, less estimated forfeitures, are charged to retained earnings on the declaration date. During 2012, the Board of Directors accelerated the lapsing of restrictions on all RSAs outstanding at that time.

The estimated fair value of option awards on the grant date is determined using the Black Scholes option-pricing model. This sophisticated model utilizes a number of assumptions in arriving at its results, including the estimated life of the option, the risk free interest rate at the date of grant and the volatility of the underlying common stock. There may be other factors, which are not considered in the Black Scholes model, which may have an effect on the value of the options as well. The effects of changing any of the assumptions or factors employed by the Black Scholes model may result in a significantly different valuation for the options. The total expense based on the grant date fair value, which is reduced by estimated forfeitures, is recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is 75% over three years from the date of grant and 25% over four years from date of grant. The forfeiture rate is determined by reviewing historical forfeiture rates for previous stock-based compensation grants and is reviewed and updated quarterly, if necessary.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and receivable from brokers. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents primarily in the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, which invests fully in instruments issued by the U.S. government, and has receivables from brokers with various brokers and financial institutions, where these balances can exceed the federally insured limit. The concentration of credit risk with respect to advisory fees receivable is generally limited due to the short payment terms extended to clients by the Company. In addition, the credit risk is further limited by virtue of the fact that no single advisory relationship provided over 10% of the total revenue of the Company during the years 2014, 2013, or 2012. All investments in securities are held at third party brokers or custodians.

Business Segment

The Company operates in one business segment, the investment advisory and asset management business. The Company conducts its investment advisory business principally through: GAMCO (Institutional and Private Wealth Management), Funds Advisor (Funds) and GSI (Investment Partnerships). The Company also provides institutional research through G.research, one of the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries. The distribution of our open-end funds and underwriting of those Funds was conducted through G.distributors.

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in the Accounting Standards Codification ("Codification") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the Codification. The core principle of the new ASU No. 2014-09 is for companies to recognize revenue from the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and also requires expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods and is to be retrospectively applied. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update clarifying that entities should treat performance targets that could be met after the requisite service period of a share-based payment award as performance conditions that affect vesting. Therefore, an entity would not record compensation expense (measured as of the grant date) for an award where transfer to the employee is contingent upon satisfaction of the performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met. The guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting update amending the consolidation requirements under GAAP. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is continuing to analyze the impact, if any, that this update may have on its financial statements.