10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___ to ___

Commission File No. 001-14761

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware	13-4007862
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
191 Mason Street, Greenwich, CT 06830 One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580	(203) 629-2726
(Address of principle executive offices)(Zip Code)	Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value	GBL	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes ☒  No

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

Large accelerated filer	Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer	Smaller reporting company ☒	Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.

Class		Outstanding at October 31, 2020
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value	(Including 1,014,450  restricted stock awards)	8,432,028
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value		19,024,117

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	Page
Item 1.	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)	7
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	29
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	30
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION *
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	31
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 5.	Other Information	31
Item 6.	Exhibits	31
	Signature	32

* Items other than those listed above have been omitted because they are not applicable.

2

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

UNAUDITED

(in thousands, except per share data)

	September 30,			December 31,
	2020			2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,282		$	86,136
Investments in debt securities, at amortized cost		104,960			6,547
Investments in equity securities, at fair value		15,071			27,726
Receivable from brokers		5,688			989
Investment advisory fees receivable		18,994			36,093
Receivable from affiliates		3,402			3,940
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets		3,176			3,765
Deferred tax asset and income tax receivable		10,608			16,389
Other assets		8,978			8,301
Total assets	$	191,159		$	189,886
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Income taxes payable	$	360		$	757
Lease liability obligations		5,355			5,431
Compensation payable		32,094			64,279
Payable to affiliates		294			3,982
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		37,117			36,529
Sub-total		75,220			110,978
5.875% Senior Notes (net of issuance costs of $16 and $34, respectively) (due June 1, 2021) (Note 7)		24,209			24,191
Total liabilities		99,429			135,169
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding		-			-
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 16,561,726 and 16,202,726 shares issued, respectively; 8,461,110 and 8,356,290 shares outstanding, respectively		14			14
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 25,000,000 shares and 100,000,000 shares authorized, respectively; 24,000,000 shares issued; 19,024,117  outstanding		19			19
Additional paid-in capital		20,104			17,033
Retained earnings		399,835			362,515
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(227	)		(204	)
Treasury stock, at cost (8,100,616 and 7,846,436 shares, respectively)		(328,015	)		(324,660	)
Total stockholders’ equity		91,730			54,717
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	191,159		$	189,886

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

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,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Revenues:
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$	54,894		$	67,015		$	168,637		$	200,893
Distribution fees and other income		6,358			8,330			19,741			25,195
Total revenues		61,252			75,345			188,378			226,088
Expenses:
Compensation		17,722			29,800			72,488			90,363
Management fee		-			2,144			3,725			8,302
Distribution costs		6,994			8,271			21,258			25,546
Other operating expenses		4,694			5,562			14,982			16,936
Total expenses		29,410			45,777			112,453			141,147
Operating income		31,842			29,568			75,925			84,941
Non-operating income / (loss)
Loss from investments, net		(3,133	)		(6,529	)		(13,061	)		(3,160	)
Interest and dividend income		41			811			700			2,250
Interest expense		(691	)		(652	)		(1,985	)		(1,962	)
Shareholder-designated contribution		(5,436	)		(4,500	)		(5,436	)		(4,500	)
Total non-operating loss		(9,219	)		(10,870	)		(19,782	)		(7,372	)
Income before income taxes		22,623			18,698			56,143			77,569
Provision for income taxes		6,188			5,072			17,173			20,034
Net income	$	16,435		$	13,626		$	38,970		$	57,535
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.62		$	0.50		$	1.46		$	2.08
Diluted	$	0.62		$	0.50		$	1.46		$	2.08
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		26,531			26,987			26,615			27,612
Diluted		26,613			27,093			26,679			27,676

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

UNAUDITED

(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2020		2019			2020			2019
Net income	$	16,435	$	13,626		$	38,970		$	57,535
Other comprehensive income / (loss):
Foreign currency translation gain / (loss)		42		(28	)		(23	)		(31	)
Total comprehensive income	$	16,477	$	13,598		$	38,947		$	57,504

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

UNAUDITED

(in thousands, except per share data)

								Accumulated
			Additional					Other
	Common		Paid-in		Retained			Comprehensive			Treasury
	Stock		Capital		Earnings			Income			Stock			Total
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	33	$	17,033	$	362,515		$	(204	)	$	(324,660	)	$	54,717
Net income		-		-		11,245			-			-			11,245
Foreign currency translation		-		-		-			(61	)		-			(61	)
Dividends declared ($0.02 per share)		-		-		(552	)		-			-			(552	)
Stock based compensation expense		-		941		-			-			-			941
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-		-			-			(946	)		(946	)
Balance at March 31, 2020	$	33	$	17,974	$	373,208		$	(265	)	$	(325,606	)	$	65,344
Net income		-		-		11,290			-			-			11,290
Foreign currency translation		-		-		-			(4	)		-			(4	)
Dividends declared ($0.02 per share)		-		-		(551	)		-			-			(551	)
Stock based compensation expense		-		1,137		-			-			-			1,137
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-		-			-			(772	)		(772	)
Balance at June 30, 2020	$	33	$	19,111	$	383,947		$	(269	)	$	(326,378	)	$	76,444
Net income		-		-		16,435			-			-			16,435
Foreign currency translation		-		-		-			42			-			42
Dividends declared ($0.02 per share)		-		-		(547	)		-			-			(547	)
Stock based compensation expense		-		993		-			-			-			993
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-		-			-			(1,637	)		(1,637	)
Balance at September 30, 2020	$	33	$	20,104	$	399,835		$	(227	)	$	(328,015	)	$	91,730

								Accumulated
			Additional					Other
	Common		Paid-in		Retained			Comprehensive			Treasury
	Stock		Capital		Earnings			Income			Stock			Total
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	33	$	14,192	$	282,928		$	(240	)	$	(287,303	)	$	9,610
Net income		-		-		19,892			-			-			19,892
Adoption of ASU 2016-02		-		-		(106	)		-			-			(106	)
Foreign currency translation		-		-		-			20			-			20
Dividends declared ($0.02 per share)		-		-		(575	)		-			-			(575	)
Stock based compensation expense		-		577		-			-			-			577
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-		-			-			(2,547	)		(2,547	)
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	33	$	14,769	$	302,139		$	(220	)	$	(289,850	)	$	26,871
Net income		-		-		24,017			-			-			24,017
Foreign currency translation		-		-		-			(23	)		-			(23	)
Dividends declared ($0.02 per share)		-		-		(551	)		-			-			(551	)
Stock based compensation expense		-		578		-			-			-			578
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-		-			-			(28,274	)		(28,274	)
Balance at June 30, 2019	$	33	$	15,347	$	325,605		$	(243	)	$	(318,124	)	$	22,618
Net income		-		-		13,626			-			-			13,626
Foreign currency translation		-		-		-			(28	)		-			(28	)
Dividends declared ($0.02 per share)		-		-		(551	)		-			-			(551	)
Stock based compensation expense		-		843		-			-			-			843
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-		-			-			(3,790	)		(3,790	)
Balance at September 30, 2019	$	33	$	16,190	$	338,680		$	(271	)	$	(321,914	)	$	32,718

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED

(in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2020			2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	38,970		$	57,535
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		694			958
Accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums		53			3
Stock based compensation expense		3,071			1,998
Deferred income taxes		7,621			(3,085	)
Foreign currency translation gain / (loss)		(23	)		(31	)
Cost basis of donated securities		-			2,601
Unrealized loss on securities		8,329			5,947
Net realized loss on securities		1,482			6
Impairment charge on intangible asset		589			-
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Investments in securities		2,802			(2,276	)
Receivable from brokers		(4,699	)		(1,151	)
Investment advisory fees receivable		17,099			1,903
Receivable from affiliates		535			387
Income taxes receivable		(1,840	)		(2,304	)
Other assets		(1,360	)		(1,265	)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Payable to brokers		-			(110	)
Income taxes payable		(395	)		3,012
Compensation payable		(32,183	)		19,436
Payable to affiliates		(3,688	)		(661	)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		617			3,845
Total adjustments		(1,296	)		29,213
Net cash provided by operating activities		37,674			86,748
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of securities		(105,598	)		(5,078	)
Proceeds from sales and repayments of securities		7,157			252
Return of capital on securities		18			12
Net cash used in investing activities		(98,423	)		(4,814	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid		(1,595	)		(2,221	)
Purchase of treasury stock		(3,355	)		(34,611	)
Repayment of principal portion of lease liability		(160	)		(132	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(5,110	)		(36,964	)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		5			7
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(65,854	)		44,977
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		86,136			41,202
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	20,282		$	86,179
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	1,597		$	1,551
Cash paid for taxes	$	12,373		$	20,000

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company accrued dividends on restricted stock awards of $55 and $27, respectively.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2020

(Unaudited)

Organization and Description of Business

Unless indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “GAMCO Investors, Inc.,” “GAMCO,” “the Company,” “the Firm,” and “GBL” or similar terms are to GAMCO Investors, Inc., its predecessors, and its subsidiaries.

GAMCO (New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”): GBL), a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is known for its research-driven approach to equity investing. GAMCO conducts its investment advisory business principally through two subsidiaries: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO Asset”) (approximately 1,500 institutional and private wealth separate accounts (“Institutional and PWM”), principally in the U.S.) and Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli Funds”) (24 open-end funds, one société d’investissement à capital variable (“SICAV”), and 16 closed-end funds). GAMCO serves a broad client base including institutions, intermediaries, offshore investors, private wealth, and direct retail investors. The distribution of mutual funds is conducted through G.distributors, LLC (“G.distributors”), the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary.

GAMCO offers a wide range of solutions across Value and Growth Equity, ESG-SRI, Convertibles, sector-focused strategies including Gold and Utilities, Merger Arbitrage, and Fixed Income. In 1977, GAMCO launched its flagship All Cap Value strategy, Gabelli Value, and in 1986 launched its mutual fund business. In addition to its Value strategies, for over 30 years the firm has managed solutions in Growth Equity, Convertibles, SRI, and Merger Arbitrage.

1.  Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for the fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of GAMCO for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Gabelli Funds, GAMCO Asset, Distributors Holdings, Inc., G.distributors, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited, Gabelli Fixed Income, Inc., Gabelli Fixed Income L.L.C., GAMCO International Partners LLC, GAMCO Acquisition LLC, and Nevada NJ Lat, LLC. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Developments

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP for the accounting for leases with terms longer than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from these leases in the consolidated statement of financial position. It requires these leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and offsetting lease liability obligations. The guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and the Company adopted this guidance on that date. The Company has elected the transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which does not require restatement of comparative periods, but instead requires a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings at the January 1, 2019 adoption date. The Company has performed the analysis on the transition to this guidance and, as a result, recorded a $106 thousand reduction to retained earnings, a $650 thousand increase to other assets, and a $756 thousand increase to lease liability obligations.

8

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Accounting for Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Currently, U.S. GAAP requires an “incurred loss” methodology that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. Under ASU 2016-13, the allowance for credit losses must be deducted from the amortized cost of the financial asset to present the net amount expected to be collected. The consolidated statement of income will reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates (ASU 2019-10), which deferred the effective date of this guidance for smaller reporting companies for three years. This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 and requires a modified retrospective transition method, which will result in a cumulative-effect adjustment in retained earnings upon adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which simplifies the process used to test for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, and instead any goodwill impairment will be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, which deferred the effective date of this guidance for smaller reporting companies for three years. This guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 using a prospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

2.  Revenue Recognition

The discussion below includes all material revenue streams that are within the scope of ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). In all cases for all revenue streams discussed below, the revenue generated is from a single transaction price and there is no need to allocate the amounts across more than a single revenue stream. The customer for all revenues derived from mutual and closed-end funds (collectively, the “Funds”) described in detail below has been determined to be each Fund itself and not the ultimate underlying investor in each Fund.

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

The Company’s analysis of the timing of revenue recognition for each revenue stream is based upon an analysis of the current terms of each contract.  Performance obligations could, however, change from time to time if and when existing contracts are modified or new contracts are entered into.  These changes could potentially affect the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, the determination of the transaction price, and the allocation of the price to performance obligations.  In the case of the revenue streams discussed below, the performance obligation is satisfied either at a point in time or over time.  For incentive fee revenues, the performance obligation (advising a client portfolio) is satisfied over time, while the recognition of revenues effectively occurs at the end of the measurement period as defined within the contract, as such amounts are subject to reduction to zero on the date where the measurement period ends even if the performance benchmarks were exceeded during the intervening period.  The judgments outlined below, where the determination as to these factors is discussed in detail, are continually reviewed and monitored by the Company when new contracts or contract modifications occur.  Transaction price is in all instances formulaic and not subject to significant (or any) judgment at the current time.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is subject to judgment.

Advisory Fee Revenues

Advisory fees for Funds, sub-advisory accounts, and the SICAV are earned based on predetermined percentages of the average net assets of the individual Funds and are recognized as revenues as the related services are performed. Fees for mutual Funds, one non-U.S. closed-end Fund, sub-advisory accounts, and the SICAV are computed on a daily basis based on average daily net AUM. Fees for U.S. closed-end Funds are computed on average weekly net AUM and fees for one non-U.S. closed-end Fund are computed on a daily basis based on daily market value. These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days.  The revenue recognition occurs ratably as the performance obligation (advising the Fund) is met continuously over time. There is a risk of non-payment and, therefore, an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date. There were no such impairment losses for the periods presented.

9

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

Performance Correlated and Conditional Revenues

Investment advisory fees are earned on a portion of some closed-end Funds’ preferred shares at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the respective closed-end Fund for the year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares. These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period, which coincides with the calendar year.  These fees would also be earned and the contract period ended at any interim point in time that the respective preferred shares are redeemed.  These fees are received in cash after the end of each annual measurement period, within 30 days.

The Company earns an incentive fee from two closed-end Funds. For The GDL Fund (GDL), there is an incentive fee, which is earned and recognized as of the end of each calendar year and varies to the extent the total return of the Fund is in excess of the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Index total return.  For the Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc (GMP), there is an incentive fee, which is earned and recognized as of the end of each annual measurement period, June 30^th, and varies to the extent the total return of the Fund is in excess of twice the rate of return of the 13-week Treasury Bills over the performance period.

The Company earns a performance fee from a SICAV sub-fund, the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV.  This fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period, which coincides with the calendar year.  The fee would also be earned and the measurement period ended at any interim point in time that a client redeemed their respective shares.  This fee is received in cash after the end of the measurement period, within 30 days.

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

In all cases of the incentive fees and performance fees, because of the variable nature of the consideration, revenue recognition is delayed until it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur, which is generally when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved (for example, the measurement period has concluded and the hurdle rate has been exceeded).  There is a risk of non-payment and, therefore, an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date.  There were no such impairment losses for the periods presented.

Distribution Fees and Other Income

Distribution fees and other income primarily includes distribution fee revenue earned in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Company Act of 1940, as amended, along with sales charges and underwriting fees associated with the sale of the class A shares of mutual funds. Distribution fees are computed based on average daily net assets of certain classes of each Fund and are accrued during the period in which they are earned.  These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days.  In evaluating the appropriate timing of the recognition of these fees, the Company applied the guidance on up-front fees to determine whether such fees are related to the transfer of a promised service (a distinct performance obligation). The Company’s conclusion is that the service being provided by G.distributors to the customer in exchange for the fee is for the initial distribution of certain classes of the mutual funds and is completed at the time of each respective sale. Any fixed amounts are recognized on the trade date and variable amounts are recognized to the extent it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur once the uncertainty is resolved. For variable amounts, as the uncertainty is dependent on the value of the shares at future points in time as well as the length of time the investor remains in the fund, both of which are highly susceptible to factors outside the Company’s influence, the Company does not believe that it can overcome this constraint until the market value of the Fund and the investor activities are known, which are generally monthly. Sales charges and underwriting fees associated with the sale of certain classes of the mutual funds are recognized on the trade date of the sale of the respective shares. There is a risk of non-payment and, therefore, an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date. There were no such impairment losses for the periods presented.

10

Revenue Disaggregated

The following table presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated by investment vehicle (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Investment advisory and incentive fees:
Mutual Funds	$	22,163	$	26,263	$	66,084	$	80,215
Closed-end Funds		16,218		16,475		47,232		48,555
Sub-advisory accounts		521		843		1,770		2,677
Institutional & PWM		14,771		21,500		49,319		64,421
SICAV		1,159		1,485		3,827		4,218
Performance-based		62		449		405		807
Distribution fees and other income		6,358		8,330		19,741		25,195
Total revenues	$	61,252	$	75,345	$	188,378	$	226,088

3.  Investment in Securities

Investments in equity securities at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in equity securities:
Common stocks	$	40,012	$	13,645	$	41,226	$	26,463
Mutual Funds		756		960		755		752
Closed-end Funds		497		466		494		511
Total investments in equity securities	$	41,265	$	15,071	$	42,475	$	27,726

Investments in equity securities, including the Company’s investments in common stocks and the Funds, are stated at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses reported in each respective period’s earnings.

Investments in debt securities at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrecognized Holding Gains		Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in debt securities:
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	104,960	$	13	$	-	$	104,973
Total investments in debt securities	$	104,960	$	13	$	-	$	104,973

	December 31, 2019
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrecognized Holding Gains		Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in debt securities:
Foreign government obligations	$	6,547	$	-	$	-	$	6,547
Total investments in debt securities	$	6,547	$	-	$	-	$	6,547

Held-to-maturity investments are stated at amortized cost with any foreign currency remeasurement included in unrealized gains or losses in each respective period’s earnings. The maturity dates of all of the Company’s investments in debt securities are less than one year.

11

4. Fair Value

All of the instruments within cash and cash equivalents and investments in securities are measured at fair value, except for those investments designated as held-to-maturity. The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), guidance on fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy and their applicability to the Company are described below:

-   Level 1 - the valuation methodology utilizes quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reporting date.  Level 1 assets include cash equivalents, government obligations, mutual funds, closed-end funds, and listed equities.  

-   Level 2 - the valuation methodology utilizes 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.  

-   Level 3 - the valuation methodology utilizes unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020

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, 2020
Cash equivalents	$	19,919	$	-	$	-	$	19,919
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		13,645		-		-		13,645
Mutual Funds		960		-		-		960
Closed-end Funds		466		-		-		466
Total investments in securities		15,071		-		-		15,071
Total assets at fair value	$	34,990	$	-	$	-	$	34,990

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019

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 December 31, 2019
Cash equivalents	$	85,823	$	-	$	-	$	85,823
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		26,463		-		-		26,463
Mutual funds		511		-		-		511
Closed-end funds		752		-		-		752
Total investments in securities		27,726		-		-		27,726
Total assets at fair value	$	113,549	$	-	$	-	$	113,549

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.

12

Financial assets disclosed but not carried at fair value

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s investments in debt securities disclosed but not carried at fair value, including those foreign government obligations investments designated as held-to-maturity which are carried at amortized cost remeasured in U.S. dollars, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 1		Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 1
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	104,960	$	104,973	$	-	$	-
Foreign government obligations		-		-		6,547		6,547
Total	$	104,960	$	104,973	$	6,547	$	6,547

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Senior Notes were recorded at face value, net of amortized issuance costs, as follows (in thousands) on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 2		Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 2
Senior notes	$	24,209	$	24,658	$	24,191	$	24,815
Total	$	24,209	$	24,658	$	24,191	$	24,815

The carrying value of other financial assets and liabilities approximates their fair value based on the short-term nature of these items.

5. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was 27.4% and 27.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was 30.6% and 25.8%, respectively. The ETR for the first nine months of 2020 was higher by 4.8%, primarily as a result of higher non-deductibility of certain expenses as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

6. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method by dividing net income by the total weighted average shares of common stock outstanding and restricted stock awards.  The computations of basic and diluted net income per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Basic:
Net income	$	16,435	$	13,626	$	38,970	$	57,535
Weighted average shares outstanding		26,531		26,987		26,615		27,612
Basic net income per share	$	0.62	$	0.50	$	1.46	$	2.08
Diluted:
Net income	$	16,435	$	13,626	$	38,970	$	57,535
Weighted average shares outstanding		26,531		26,987		26,615		27,612
Restricted stock awards		82		106		64		64
Total		26,613		27,093		26,679		27,676
Diluted net income per share	$	0.62	$	0.50	$	1.46	$	2.08

13

7. Debt

Senior Notes

On May 31, 2011, the Company issued 10-year, $100 million senior notes (“Senior Notes”).  The Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2021 and bear interest at 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year and commenced on December 1, 2011.

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the debt was recorded at its face value, net of issuance costs, of $24.2 million.

8. Stockholders’ Equity

Shares outstanding were 27.5 million and 27.4 million on September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Voting Rights

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

Authorized shares

On June 5, 2020, shareholders approved the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the total number of authorized shares of Class B Stock from 100,000,000 shares to 25,000,000 shares.

Stock Award and Incentive Plan

The Company maintains a stock award and incentive plan approved by the shareholders (the “Plan”), which is designed to provide incentives which will attract and retain individuals key to the success of GBL through direct or indirect ownership of our common stock. A maximum of 7.5 million shares of Class A Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Plan by a committee of GBL’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) responsible for administering the Plan (“Compensation Committee”). Benefits under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents, and other stock or cash based awards. Under the Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), each of which entitles the grantee to one share of Class A Stock subject to restrictions, and either incentive or nonqualified stock options, with a term not to exceed ten years from the grant date and at an exercise price that the Compensation Committee may determine, which were recommended by the Company’s Chairman who did not receive any awards.

On June 30, 2019, 264,900 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $19.17 per RSA.  On March 5, 2020, 392,700 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $14.31 per RSA.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 1,019,950 and 660,950, respectively, of these RSAs outstanding with weighted average grant prices per RSA of $19.52 and $22.67, respectively, and 10,000 stock options outstanding with an exercise price of $25.55.

For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized stock-based non-cash compensation expense of $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized stock-based non-cash compensation expense of $3.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

The total compensation costs related to non-vested awards to teammates, excluding the CEO who received none, not yet recognized was approximately $11.3 million as of September 30, 2020.

On April 1, 2019, the deferred cash compensation agreement (“DCCA”) with the CEO covering compensation from the fourth quarter of 2017 vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment in the amount of $11.0 million was made to the CEO.  This payment was reduced by $4.5 million resulting from the DCCA being indexed to the GBL stock price and utilizing the lesser of the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) on the vesting date ($20.7916) versus the VWAP over the fourth quarter of 2017 ($29.1875). On January 2, 2020, the DCCA with the CEO covering compensation from 2016 vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment in the amount of $43.7 million was made to the CEO. This payment was reduced by $32.3 million resulting from the DCCA being indexed to the GBL stock price and utilizing the lesser of the VWAP on the vesting date ($18.8812) versus the VWAP over 2016 ($32.8187).

14

Stock Repurchase Program

In March 1999, the Board of Directors established a stock repurchase program (the “Stock Repurchase Program”) to grant management the authority to repurchase shares of Class A Stock. In May 2019, the Board of Directors increased the buyback authorization by 1,212,759 shares of Class A Stock. On March 18, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized an increase to purchase $30 million of its outstanding Class A Stock, which resulted in a modification in the form of the authorization from previously being stated in shares to being stated in dollars. On August 4, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase of 3,000,000 shares of its outstanding Class A Stock, which replaced any outstanding share repurchase authorizations.

On April 16, 2019 and September 16, 2019, GAMCO repurchased 1.2 million and 70 thousand shares, respectively, of Class A Stock at $21.00 and $20.07 per share, respectively, in private transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, outside of the private transaction, the Company repurchased 133,383 and 123,743 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $12.26 and $19.26, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, outside of the private transactions, the Company repurchased 254,180 and 397,499 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $13.19 and $19.46, respectively. At September 30, 2020, the total shares available under the Stock Repurchase Program to be repurchased in the future were 2,916,775. The Stock Repurchase Program is not subject to an expiration date.

On March 11, 2020, GAMCO commenced an offer to purchase up to $30 million in aggregate purchase price of its Class A Stock, pursuant to which holders of shares were invited to tender some or all of their shares at a price within the range of $15.00 to $17.00 per share, which would have enabled GAMCO to purchase for cash up to 2,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock (such offer, the “Offer”). The Offer which was due to expire on April 8, 2020, was terminated on March 18, 2020 as a result of the suspension of trading and market index conditions of the Offer not having been satisfied. As a result of this termination, no shares were purchased in the Offer and all shares previously tendered and not withdrawn were promptly returned to tendering holders.

Dividends

During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company declared dividends of $0.02 per share to shareholders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company declared dividends of $0.06 per share to shareholders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock.

Shelf Registration

In April 2018, the SEC declared effective the Company’s “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 giving the Company the flexibility to sell any combination of senior and subordinate debt securities, convertible debt securities, and equity securities (including common and preferred securities) up to a total amount of $500 million. The shelf is available through April 2021, at which time it may be renewed.

9. 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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there was goodwill of $0.2 million maintained on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition related to G.distributors.

As a result of becoming the advisor to the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund (the “Enterprise Fund”) and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.3 million at September 30, 2020 and $1.9 million at December 31, 2019.  The investment advisory agreement for the Enterprise Fund is next up for renewal in February 2021.  As a result of becoming the advisor to the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (the “Bancroft Fund”) and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (the “Ellsworth Fund”) and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.6 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The investment advisory agreements for the Bancroft Fund and the Ellsworth Fund are next up for renewal in August 2021. Each of these investment advisory agreements are subject to annual renewal by the respective fund’s board of directors, which the Company expects to be renewed, and the Company does not expect to incur additional expense as a result, which is consistent with other investment advisory agreements entered into by the Company.

15

The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets at least annually, or more often should events warrant. In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) surfaced in China and has since spread quickly to numerous countries, including the United States. On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was identified as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. In response to its spread, governmental authorities have imposed restrictions on travel and congregation and the temporary closure of many non-essential businesses in affected jurisdictions, including, beginning in March 2020, in the United States. The pandemic and resulting economic dislocations have had adverse consequences for the portfolios of the Funds, including the Enterprise Fund, Bancroft Fund, and Ellsworth Fund. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as a result of the dislocations in the financial markets resulting from COVID-19, impairment analyses were performed which resulted in $0 and $589 thousand impairment charges, respectively, to the identifiable intangible asset related to the Enterprise Fund included within other operating expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. There was no impairment charge recorded to the identifiable intangible asset related to the Bancroft Fund or Ellsworth Fund. There were no indicators of impairment for the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2019 and, as such, there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded for such periods.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions, or other relief. For such matters, if any, the consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures. However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations, or cash flows at September 30, 2020.

Leases

On December 5, 1997, the Company 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 June 11, 2013, the Company modified and extended its lease with M4E, LLC, the Company’s landlord at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY.  The lease term was extended to December 31, 2028 and the base rental remained at $18 per square foot, or $1.1 million, for 2014.  For each subsequent year through December 31, 2028, the base rental is 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.

This lease has been accounted for as a finance lease under FASB ASC Topic 842 (and prior to 2019, as a capital lease under FASB ASC Topic 840, Leases) as it transfers substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership to the Company.  The Company has recorded the leased property as an asset and a lease obligation for the present value of the obligation of the leased property.  The leased property is amortized on a straight-line basis from the date of the most recent extension to the end of the lease. The lease obligation is amortized over the same term using the interest method of accounting.  Finance lease improvements are amortized from the date of expenditure through the end of the lease term or the useful life, whichever is shorter, on a straight-line basis.  The lease provides that all operating expenses relating to the property (such as property taxes, utilities, and maintenance) are to be paid by the lessee, GAMCO.  These are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.  Accumulated amortization on the leased property at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was approximately $5.4 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

The Company also rents office space under operating leases, which expire at various dates through May 31, 2024.

16

The following table summarizes the Company’s leases for the periods presented (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Finance lease cost - interest expense	$	264		$	268		$	800		$	810
Finance lease cost - amortization of right-of-use asset		66			67			200			200
Operating lease cost		104			172			284			551
Sublease income		(46	)		(121	)		(138	)		(364	)
Total lease cost	$	388		$	386		$	1,146		$	1,197
Other information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from finance lease	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-
Operating cash flows from operating leases		87			177			240			602
Financing cash flows from finance lease		56			46			160			132
Total cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$	143		$	223		$	400		$	734
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	324		$	1,431
Weighted average remaining lease term—finance lease (years)		8.3			9.3			8.3			9.3
Weighted average remaining lease term—operating leases (years)		2.2			2.8			2.2			2.8
Weighted average discount rate—finance lease		19.1	%		19.1	%		19.1	%		19.1	%
Weighted average discount rate—operating leases		5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%

The finance lease right-of-use asset, net of amortization, at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and the operating right-of-use assets, net of amortization, were $0.9 million and $0.8, respectively, and these right-of-use assets were included within other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The following table summarizes the maturities of lease liabilities at September 30, 2020 (in thousands):

Year ending December 31,	Finance Leases			Operating Leases			Total Leases
2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020)	$	319		$	103		$	422
2021		1,080			346			1,426
2022		1,080			279			1,359
2023		1,080			184			1,264
2024		1,080			61			1,141
Thereafter		4,320			-			4,320
Total lease payments	$	8,959		$	973		$	9,932
Less imputed interest		(4,509	)		(73	)		(4,582	)
Total lease liabilities	$	4,450		$	900		$	5,350

The finance lease contains an escalation clause tied to the change in the New York Metropolitan Area Consumer Price Index, which may cause the future minimum payments to exceed the amounts shown above.  Future minimum lease payments have not been reduced by related minimum future sublease rentals of approximately $0.7 million due over the next four years, which are due from affiliated entities.  Future minimum lease payments have also not been reduced by future sublease payments of approximately $15 thousand per month from Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) pursuant to AC’s lease agreement that expired on March 31, 2019, which was extended on the same terms and conditions on a month-to-month basis commencing on April 1, 2019.

11. Shareholder-Designated Contributions

During 2013, the Company established a Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution program. Under the program, each shareholder is eligible to designate a charity to which the Company would make a donation based upon the actual number of shares registered in the shareholder’s name. Shares held in nominee or street name are not eligible to participate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded a charge of $5.4 million and $4.5 million, respectively, or $0.25 and $0.20, respectively, per share, which were included in shareholder-designated contributions on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

17

12. Related Party Transactions

On December 26, 2018, the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019. On August 27, 2019, the CEO elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from September 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019. On June 30, 2020, the CEO of the Company elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from July 1, 2020 to November 10, 2020, allowing the Company to cover teammate healthcare costs for July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the waivers reduced compensation by $8.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, and management fee by $1.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the waivers reduced compensation by $8.5 million and $15.8 million, respectively, and management fee by $1.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

13. Regulatory Requirements

The Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary, G.distributors, is subject to certain net capital requirements. G.distributors computes its net capital under the alternative method permitted, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The requirement was $250,000 for the broker-dealer at September 30, 2020. At September 30, 2020, G.distributors had net capital, as defined, of approximately $2.6 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $2.3 million. Net capital requirements for the Company’s affiliated broker-dealer may increase in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable to broker-dealers to the extent G.distributors engages in other business activities.

14. Subsequent Events

From October 1, 2020 to November 6, 2020, the Company repurchased 29,008 shares at $12.62 per share.

On November 6, 2020, the Board of Directors declared its regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share to all of the Company’s shareholders, payable on December 29, 2020 to shareholders of record on December 15, 2020.

18

ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Unless indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “GAMCO Investors, Inc.,” “GAMCO,” “the Company,” “the Firm,” “GBL,” “we,” “us,” and “our” or similar terms are to GAMCO Investors, Inc., its predecessors, and its subsidiaries.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Our disclosure and analysis in this Form 10-Q contains 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,” “will,” “should,” “may,” 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 may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations include risks associated with the duration and scope of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic resulting in volatile market conditions, a decline in the securities markets that adversely affect our assets under management, negative performance of our products, the failure to perform as required under our investment management agreements, a general downturn in the economy that negatively impacts our operations, and the ongoing impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act with respect to tax rates and the non-deductibility of certain portions of named executive officer compensation. We are providing these statements as permitted by the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We also direct your attention to any more specific discussions of risk contained in our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and other public filings. 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.

OVERVIEW

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to those described in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q “Risk Factors.” Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements due to factors discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

GAMCO (New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”): GBL), a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is known for its research-driven approach to equity investing. GAMCO conducts its investment advisory business principally through two subsidiaries: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO Asset”) (approximately 1,500 institutional and private wealth separate accounts (“Institutional and PWM”), principally in the U.S.) and Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli Funds”) (24 open-end funds, one société d’investissement à capital variable (“SICAV”), and 16 closed-end funds). GAMCO serves a broad client base including institutions, intermediaries, offshore investors, private wealth, and direct retail investors. The distribution of mutual funds is conducted through G.distributors, LLC (“G.distributors”), the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary.

GAMCO offers a wide range of solutions across Value and Growth Equity, ESG-SRI, Convertibles, sector-focused strategies including Gold and Utilities, Merger Arbitrage, and Fixed Income. In 1977, GAMCO launched its flagship All Cap Value strategy, Gabelli Value, and in 1986 launched its mutual fund business. In addition to its Value strategies, for over 30 years the firm has managed solutions in Growth Equity, Convertibles, SRI, and Merger Arbitrage.

As of September 30, 2020, we had $29.7 billion of assets under management (“AUM”).

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) surfaced in China and has since spread quickly to numerous countries, including the United States. On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was identified as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. In response to its spread, governmental authorities have imposed restrictions on travel and congregation and the temporary closure of many non-essential businesses in affected jurisdictions, including, beginning in March 2020, in the United States. As world leaders focused on the unprecedented human and economic challenges of COVID-19, global equity markets plunged as the coronavirus pandemic spread. In March, the unfolding events led to the worst month for stocks since 2008 and the worst first quarter since 1937. In the second and third quarters, as a result of unprecedented fiscal and monetary stimulus and the fast tracking of potential COVID-19 vaccines, the markets have rebounded strongly. The pandemic and resulting economic dislocations have had adverse consequences on our AUM, resulting in decreased revenues, partially offset by decreased variable operating and compensation expenses. As a result of this pandemic, the majority of our employees (“teammates”) are working remotely. However, there has been no material impact of remote work arrangements on our operations, including our financial reporting systems, internal control over financial reporting, and disclosure controls and procedures, and there has been no material challenge in implementing our business continuity plan.

19

Past and Future - Giving Back to Society

Generating returns for our stakeholders is not the sole gauge we use in measuring our success. Since the inception of GAMCO’s shareholder-designated charitable contribution (“SDCC”) program in 2013, shareholders have designated contributions of over $31 million to over 280 501(c)(3) initiatives. Most recently, the SDCC approved by our Board of Directors in August 2020 will provide an estimated $5.4 million to shareholder designated 501(c)(3) organizations. This program underscores our commitment to managing socially responsible portfolios since 1987, which has evolved to include integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into the analysis of companies and the structuring of portfolios.

Since our initial public offering (“IPO”) in February 1999, approximately $62 million has been donated to charities by us, including the current year’s SDCC.

Assets Under Management

AUM was $29.7 billion as of September 30, 2020, a decrease of $6.0 billion, or 16.8%, from the September 30, 2019 AUM of $35.7 billion. The third quarter 2020 activity consisted of $1.6 billion of market appreciation, net cash outflows of $1.1 billion, and recurring distributions, net of reinvestments, from the mutual and closed-end funds (the “Funds”) of $133 million. Average total AUM was $30.3 billion in the third quarter of 2020 versus $36.0 billion in the third quarter of 2019, a decrease of 15.8%.

We earn incentive fees for certain client assets, assets attributable to certain preferred issues for our closed-end Funds, our GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL), the Gabelli Merger Plus⁺ Trust Plc (LSE: GMP), and the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage Fund. As of September 30, 2020, assets with incentive based fees were $1.0 billion, 44.4% below the $1.8 billion on September 30, 2019. The majority of these assets have calendar year-end measurement periods; therefore, our incentive fees are primarily recognized in the fourth quarter when the uncertainty is removed at the end of the annual measurement period. 

Roll-forward of AUM (in millions)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Equities:
Mutual Funds
Beginning of period assets	$	8,651		$	11,016		$	10,481		$	10,589
Market appreciation (depreciation)		527			31			(446	)		1,514
Net flows		(313	)		(461	)		(1,154	)		(1,500	)
Fund distributions, net of reinvestment		(10	)		(18	)		(26	)		(35	)
End of period assets	$	8,855		$	10,568		$	8,855		$	10,568
Closed-end Funds
Beginning of period assets	$	6,859		$	7,646		$	8,005		$	6,959
Market appreciation (depreciation)		423			(36	)		(295	)		854
Net flows		(142	)		(4	)		(303	)		51
Fund distributions, net of reinvestment		(123	)		(130	)		(390	)		(388	)
End of period assets	$	7,017		$	7,476		$	7,017		$	7,476
Institutional & PWM
Beginning of period assets	$	10,455		$	15,332		$	14,565		$	14,078
Market appreciation (depreciation)		632			(240	)		(1,811	)		1,950
Net flows		(548	)		(933	)		(2,215	)		(1,869	)
End of period assets (a)	$	10,539		$	14,159		$	10,539		$	14,159

(a) Includes $196 million and $237 million of 100% U.S. Treasury Fund AUM at September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

20

Roll-forward of AUM (in millions) (continued)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
SICAV
Beginning of period assets	$	451		$	538		$	594		$	507
Market appreciation (depreciation)		27			(17	)		7			(5	)
Net flows		(41	)		29			(164	)		48
End of period assets	$	437		$	550		$	437		$	550
Total Equities
Beginning of period assets	$	26,416		$	34,532		$	33,645		$	32,133
Market appreciation (depreciation)		1,609			(262	)		(2,545	)		4,313
Net flows		(1,044	)		(1,369	)		(3,836	)		(3,270	)
Fund distributions, net of reinvestment		(133	)		(148	)		(416	)		(423	)
End of period assets	$	26,848		$	32,753		$	26,848		$	32,753
Fixed Income:
100% U.S. Treasury fund
Beginning of period assets	$	2,921		$	2,375		$	2,810		$	2,195
Market appreciation (depreciation)		-			14			14			42
Net flows		(99	)		532			(2	)		684
End of period assets	$	2,822		$	2,921		$	2,822		$	2,921
Institutional & PWM
Beginning of period assets	$	19		$	17		$	20		$	26
Market appreciation (depreciation)		-			1			-			(1	)
Net flows		3			-			2			(7	)
End of period assets	$	22		$	18		$	22		$	18
Total Fixed Income
Beginning of period assets	$	2,940		$	2,392		$	2,830		$	2,221
Market appreciation (depreciation)		-			15			14			41
Net flows		(96	)		532			-			677
End of period assets	$	2,844		$	2,939		$	2,844		$	2,939
Total AUM
Beginning of period assets	$	29,356		$	36,924		$	36,475		$	34,354
Market appreciation (depreciation)		1,609			(247	)		(2,531	)		4,354
Net flows		(1,140	)		(837	)		(3,836	)		(2,593	)
Fund distributions, net of reinvestment		(133	)		(148	)		(416	)		(423	)
End of period assets	$	29,692		$	35,692		$	29,692		$	35,692

Our AUM by style at September 30, 2020 (in millions) was comprised of the following:

	Funds		Institutional & PWM		SICAV		Total
Value	$	8,771	$	9,828	$	12	$	18,611
100% U.S. Treasury fund		2,822		-		-		2,822
Utilities		2,303		-		-		2,303
Growth		1,106		329		-		1,435
Gold		1,333		63		-		1,396
Convertibles		577		72		425		1,074
Other		1,782		269		-		2,051
Total	$	18,694	$	10,561	$	437	$	29,692

21

With the global spread of Coronavirus, investors have sought havens in Gold and opportunities in Growth and Global Growth strategies. Year-to-date through September 30, 2020, The Gabelli Growth Fund, with assets in excess of $900 million, achieved returns of 26.0% versus the Russell 1000 Growth index return of 24.3%; The Gabelli Global Growth Fund, with assets in excess of $160 million, achieved returns of 22.9% versus the MSCI All Country World Index returns of 1.4%; The Gabelli Gold Fund, with assets nearing $470 million, achieved returns of 35.7% versus the Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index returns of 34.7%; The Teton Convertible Securities Fund, sub-advised by GAMCO, achieved returns of 9.1% versus S&P 500 returns of 5.6%. Please refer to www.gabelli.com for full disclosures on the Funds and their performance. The performance of The Gabelli Growth Fund, The Gabelli Global Growth Fund, The Gabelli Gold Fund, and the Teton Convertible Securities Fund and relevant indexes for the 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year periods ended September 30, 2020 were the following:

	1 Year	5 Years	10 Years	Benchmark
Gabelli Growth Fund (AAA)	37.12%	20.07%	16.07%	Russell 1000 Growth Index
Gabelli Global Growth Fund (AAA)	32.72%	16.62%	13.16%	MSCI AC World Index
Gabelli Gold Fund (AAA)	53.57%	22.31%	-0.92%	Phil. Gold and Silver
Teton Convertible Securities Fund (AAA)	15.80%	11.89%	9.94%	S&P 500
Russell 1000 Growth Index	37.53%	20.10%	17.25%
S&P 500 Index	15.15%	14.15%	13.74%
MSCI AC World Index	10.44%	10.30%	8.55%
Philadelphia Gold and Silver Index	63.00%	26.27%	-2.01%

Gabelli Funds, LLC is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (NYSE: GBL).

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus, which contains more complete information about this and other matters, should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, please call 800 GABELLI or visit www.gabelli.com.

Returns represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so, upon redemption, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. To obtain the most recent month end performance information and a prospectus, please call 800-GABELLI or visit www.gabelli.com.

22

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Investment advisory and incentive fees, which are based on the amount and composition of AUM in our Funds and Institutional and PWM accounts, and distribution fees represent our largest source of revenues. In addition to the general level and trends of the stock market, growth in revenues depends on good investment performance, which influences the value of existing AUM as well as contributes to higher investment and lower redemption rates and facilitates the ability to attract additional investors while maintaining current fee levels. Growth in AUM is also dependent on being able to access various distribution channels, which is usually based on several factors, including performance and service. A majority of our cash inflows to mutual fund products have come through third party distribution programs, including no-transaction fee programs. We have also been engaged to act as a sub-advisor for other much larger financial services companies with much larger sales distribution organizations. These sub-advisory clients are subject to business combinations that may result in the termination of the relationship. The loss of a sub-advisory relationship could have a significant impact on our financial results in the future.

Advisory fees from the Funds and sub-advisory accounts are computed daily or weekly based on average net assets. Advisory fees from Institutional and PWM clients are generally computed quarterly based on account values as of the end of the preceding quarter. These revenues are based on AUM, which is highly correlated to the stock market and can vary in direct proportion to movements in the stock market and the level of sales compared with redemptions, financial market conditions, and the fee structure for AUM. Revenues derived from the equity-oriented portfolios generally have higher advisory fee rates than fixed income portfolios.

We also may receive incentive fees from Institutional and PWM clients, which are based upon meeting or exceeding a specific benchmark index or indices. These fees are recognized at the end of the stipulated contract period, which may be quarterly or annually, for the respective account. Advisory fees on assets attributable to certain of the closed-end preferred shares are earned at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the closed-end fund for the calendar year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares. These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period.

Distribution fees and other income primarily include distribution fee revenue earned in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, along with sales charges and underwriting fees associated with the sale of the mutual funds plus other revenues. Distribution fees fluctuate based on the level of AUM and the amount and type of mutual funds sold directly by G.distributors or through various distribution channels.

Compensation costs include variable and fixed compensation and related expenses paid to officers, portfolio managers, sales, trading, research, and all other teammates. Variable compensation paid to sales teammates and portfolio management generally represents 40% of revenues and is the largest component of total compensation costs. Distribution costs include marketing, product distribution, and promotion costs. The management fee is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits, which is paid to Mr. Mario J. Gabelli (“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. Other operating expenses include general and administrative operating costs.

Non-operating income/(loss) includes loss from investments, net (which includes both realized and unrealized gains and losses from securities), interest and dividend income, and interest expense. The loss from investments, net is derived from our proprietary investment portfolio consisting of various public investments.

23

The following table (in thousands, except per share data) and discussion of our results of operations are based upon data derived from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income contained in our condensed consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with those statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$	54,894		$	67,015		$	168,637		$	200,893
Distribution fees and other income		6,358			8,330			19,741			25,195
Total revenues		61,252			75,345			188,378			226,088
Expenses
Compensation		17,722			29,800			72,488			90,363
Management fee		-			2,144			3,725			8,302
Distribution costs		6,994			8,271			21,258			25,546
Other operating expenses		4,694			5,562			14,982			16,936
Total expenses		29,410			45,777			112,453			141,147
Operating income		31,842			29,568			75,925			84,941
Non-operating income / (loss)
Gain / (loss) from investments, net		(3,133	)		(6,529	)		(13,061	)		(3,160	)
Interest and dividend income		41			811			700			2,250
Interest expense		(691	)		(652	)		(1,985	)		(1,962	)
Shareholder-designated contribution		(5,436	)		(4,500	)		(5,436	)		(4,500	)
Total non-operating income / (loss)		(9,219	)		(10,870	)		(19,782	)		(7,372	)
Income before income taxes		22,623			18,698			56,143			77,569
Provision for income taxes		6,188			5,072			17,173			20,034
Net income	$	16,435		$	13,626		$	38,970		$	57,535
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.62		$	0.50		$	1.46		$	2.08
Diluted	$	0.62		$	0.50		$	1.46		$	2.08

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

Overview

Net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $16.4 million, or $0.62 per fully diluted share, versus $13.6 million, or $0.50 per fully diluted share, in the third quarter of 2019. The quarter-to-quarter comparison was impacted by lower revenues, offset by lower variable compensation and lower non-operating loss.

Revenues

Investment advisory and incentive fees for the third quarter of 2020 were $54.9 million, 18.1% lower than the 2019 comparative figure of $67.0 million due to lower average AUM. Mutual Fund revenues for the third quarter of 2020 decreased by 16.6% to $22.6 million from $27.1 million in the third quarter of 2019. Our closed-end Fund revenues decreased 1.8% to $16.2 million in the third quarter 2020 from $16.5 million in the third quarter of 2019. Institutional and PWM account revenues, which are generally based on beginning of quarter AUM, decreased by 31.2% to $14.8 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $21.5 million in the third quarter of 2019. Revenues relating to the SICAV decreased $0.3 million to $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2020, from $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2019. There were incentive fees of $0.1 million for the three months ending September 30, 2020 and $0.4 million for the three months ending September 30, 2019.

24

Mutual Fund distribution fees and other income were $6.4 million for the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of $1.9 million or 22.9% from $8.3 million in the third quarter of 2019 primarily due to lower average AUM in equity mutual Funds that generate distribution fees.

Expenses

Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $17.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, or 40.6% lower than prior year comparative compensation costs of $29.8 million. The CEO waiver of his compensation reduced compensation by $8.5 million and $3.6 million for the three months ending September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The remainder of the quarter over quarter decrease was comprised of a $4.8 million decrease in variable compensation expense offset by a $0.2 million increase in stock compensation expense. The amortization of the deferred cash compensation agreements (“DCCAs”) resulted in a $2.6 million decrease in compensation costs year over year.

Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, decreased to $0 in the third quarter of 2020 from $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2019. For the third quarter of 2020 and 2019, management fee expense was reduced by $1.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively, as part of the CEO waiver.

Distribution costs were $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 15.7%, from $8.3 million in the third quarter of 2019.

Other operating expenses were $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 16.1%, from $5.6 million in the third quarter of 2019.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2020 was $31.8 million, an increase of $2.2 million, or 7.4%, from the $29.6 million in the third quarter of 2019. Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 52.0% in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to 39.2% in the third quarter of 2019.

Non-operating income / (loss)

Total non-operating loss was $9.2 million for the third quarter of 2020 versus a loss of $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2019. Investment losses were $3.1 million in the third quarter of 2020 versus losses of $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2019. Interest and dividend income decreased to $41.0 thousand in the third quarter of 2020 from $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. Interest expense was $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 and 2019.  Accruals related to the SDCC programs were $5.4 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2019.

The effective tax rates (“ETR”) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were 27.4% and 27.1%, respectively.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared To Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Overview

Net income for the first nine months of 2020 was $39.0 million, or $1.46 per fully diluted share, versus $57.5 million, or $2.08 per fully diluted share, in the first nine months of 2019. The period-to-period comparison was impacted by lower revenues and higher non-operating loss, partially offset by lower variable compensation.

Revenues

Investment advisory and incentive fees for the first nine months of 2020 were $168.6 million, 16.1% lower than the 2019 comparative figure of $200.9 million due to lower average AUM. Mutual fund revenues for the first nine months of 2020 decreased by 18.1% to $67.9 million from $82.9 million in the first nine months of 2019. Our closed-end Fund revenues decreased 2.9% to $47.2 million in the first nine months of 2020 from $48.6 million in the first nine months of 2019. Institutional and PWM account revenues, which are generally based on beginning of quarter AUM, decreased by 23.4% to $49.3 million in the first nine months of 2020 from $64.4 million in the first nine months of 2019. Revenues relating to the SICAV decreased 9.5% to $3.8 million in the first nine months of 2020 from $4.2 million in the first nine months of 2019. There were incentive fees of $0.4 million for nine months ending September 30, 2020 versus $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

25

Mutual fund distribution fees and other income were $19.7 million for the first nine months of 2020, a decrease of $5.5 million or 21.8% from $25.2 million in the first nine months of 2019 primarily due to lower average AUM in equity mutual funds that generate distribution fees.

Expenses

Compensation costs, which are largely variable, were $72.5 million in the first nine months of 2020, or 19.8% lower than prior year comparative compensation costs of $90.4 million. The Chief Executive Officer’s (“CEO”) waiver of his compensation reduced compensation by $8.5 million in the first nine months of 2020 and $15.8 million for the first nine months of 2019. The amortization of the DCCAs resulted in a $14.5 million decrease in compensation costs year over year. The remainder of the year over year change was comprised of a $12.4 million decrease in variable compensation expense, a $1.1 million increase in stock compensation expense, and a $0.6 million increase in fixed compensation.

Management fee expense, which is wholly variable and based on pretax income, decreased to $3.7 million in first nine months of 2020 from $8.3 million in the first nine months of 2019. The DCCAs affected management fee expense, a component of the CEO’s DCCAs, in a fashion similar to the compensation expense, which resulted in a $4.6 million decrease in management fee expense in the first nine months of 2020 as compared with the first nine months of 2019. For the first nine months of 2020 and 2019, management fee expense was reduced by $1.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, as part of the CEO waiver.

Distribution costs were $21.3 million in the first nine months of 2020, a decrease of $4.2 million, or 16.5%, from $25.5 million in the first nine months of 2019.

Other operating expenses were $15.0 million in the first nine months of 2020, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 11.2%, from $16.9 million in the first nine months of 2019. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as a result of the dislocations in the financial markets resulting from COVID-19, impairment analyses were performed which resulted in a $589 thousand impairment charge to the identifiable intangible asset related to the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund.

Operating income for the first nine months of 2020 was $75.9 million, a decrease of $9.0 million, or 10.6%, from the $84.9 million in the first nine months of 2019. Operating income, as a percentage of revenues, was 40.3% in first nine months of 2020 as compared to 37.6% in the first nine months of 2019.

Non-operating income / (loss)

Total non-operating loss was $19.8 million for the first nine months of 2020 versus a loss of $7.4 million in the first nine months of 2019. Investment losses were $13.1 million in the first nine months of 2020 versus losses of $3.2 million in the first nine months of 2019. Interest and dividend income decreased to $0.7 million in the first nine months of 2020 from $2.3 million in the first nine months of 2019. Interest expense was $2.0 million in the first nine months of 2020 versus $2.0 million in the first nine months of 2019. Accruals related to the SDCC programs were $5.4 million in the first nine months of 2020 and $4.5 million in the first nine months of 2019.

The ETR for the first nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were 30.6% and 25.8%, respectively. The ETR for the first nine months of 2020 was higher by 4.8%, primarily as a result of higher non-deductibility of certain expenses as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Non-GAAP information and reconciliation

Operating income before management fee is used by management for purposes of evaluating its business operations. We believe this measure is useful in illustrating the operating results of the Company as management fee is based on pre-tax income before management fee, which includes non-operating items including loss from investments, net from our proprietary investment portfolio, interest and dividend income, interest expense, and shareholder-designated contribution. We believe that an investor would find this useful in analyzing our business operations without the impact of the non-operating items such as trading and investment portfolios, interest and dividend income, interest expense, or shareholder-designated contribution.

26

Reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Revenues, U.S. GAAP basis	$	61,252		$	75,345		$	188,378		$	226,088
Operating income, U.S. GAAP basis		31,842			29,568			75,925			84,941
Add back: management fee expense		-			2,144			3,725			8,302
Operating income before management fee	$	31,842		$	31,712		$	79,650		$	93,243
Operating margin		52.0	%		39.2	%		40.3	%		37.6	%
Operating margin before management fee		52.0	%		42.1	%		42.3	%		41.2	%

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The Company deferred, through DCCAs, the cash compensation of the CEO relating to all of 2016 (“2016 DCCA”) and the fourth quarter of 2017 (“Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA”) to provide the Company with flexibility to pay down debt and enhance our ability to execute lift-outs, make acquisitions, and seed new products. We have made substantial progress toward this objective, having reduced our debt since the November 2015 spin-off of Associated Capital Group, Inc., resulting in Standard & Poor’s February 2020 reaffirmation of our investment grade rating of BBB- and stable outlook.

The DCCAs deferred the CEO’s compensation expense by amortizing it over each DCCA’s respective vesting period. The CEO was not entitled to receive the compensation until the end of each respective vesting period, so U.S. GAAP specifies that the expense be amortized over the vesting period. The 2016 DCCA was expensed ratably over 4 years and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA was expensed ratably over 18 months. In addition to the ratable vesting, the expense was marked to market at each reporting period as the DCCA expense was indexed to GBL’s stock price.

Notwithstanding its ability to settle these agreements in stock, GAMCO made a cash payment to the CEO on each respective vesting date. While the agreements did not change the original calculation of the CEO’s compensation, our reporting under U.S. GAAP for his compensation did change due to the ratable vesting and the indexing to the GBL stock price. The original value of the DCCAs was based on the compensation earned in the period divided by the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the GBL stock price for the period (“Original VWAP”) to calculate the number of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted. Upon vesting, each DCCA was paid out based on the lesser of the VWAP of GBL’s stock price on the vesting date (“Vesting Date VWAP”) and the Original VWAP multiplied by the number of RSUs. The table below shows a summary of the DCCAs (in millions, except RSUs and VWAPs):

	Number of RSUs		Original VWAP		Vesting Date VWAP		Vesting Date	Deferred Cash Compensation		Impact of Indexing to GBL Stock Price			Vesting Date Cash Payment
2016 DCCA		2,314,695	$	32.8187	$	18.8812	1/2/2020	$	76.0	$	(32.3	)	$	43.7
Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA		530,662		29.1875		20.7916	4/1/2019		15.5		(4.5	)		11.0

On April 1, 2019, the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment in the amount of $11.0 million was made to the CEO. This payment was reduced by $4.5 million resulting from the DCCA RSUs being indexed to GBL’s stock price and utilizing the lesser of the Vesting Date VWAP ($20.7916) versus the Original VWAP over the fourth quarter of 2017 ($29.1875). On January 2, 2020, the 2016 DCCA vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment of $43.7 million was made to the CEO. This payment was reduced by $32.3 million resulting from the DCCA RSUs being indexed to GBL’s stock price and utilizing the lesser of the Vesting Date VWAP ($18.8812) versus the Original VWAP over 2016 ($32.8187).

27

The following tables show the amortization and earnings per share (“EPS”) impact, inclusive of the indexing to the GBL stock price, of the DCCAs by quarter (in thousands, except per share data):

Amortization by quarter (increase / (decrease)):							EPS impact by quarter:
		2020			2019				2020		2019
	Q1	$	(1,409	)	$	12,615		Q1	$	0.03	$	(0.33	)
	Q2		-			427		Q2		-		(0.01	)
	Q3		-			3,598		Q3		-		(0.09	)
	Q4		-			2,689		Q4		-		(0.09	)
Year		$	(1,409	)	$	19,329	Year		$	0.03	$	(0.52	)

The following table (in thousands, except per share data) shows a reconciliation of our results for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 between the U.S. GAAP basis and a non-GAAP adjusted basis (“as adjusted”) as if all of the 2016 DCCA was recognized in 2016 and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA expense was recognized in 2017 without regard to the vesting schedule. We believe the non-GAAP financial measures below provide relevant and meaningful information to investors about our core operating results. These measures have been established in order to increase transparency for the purpose of evaluating our core business, for comparing results with prior period results, and to enable more appropriate comparisons with industry peers. However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be calculated differently by other companies.

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2020		2019			2020			2019
Net income, U.S. GAAP basis	$	16,435	$	13,626		$	38,970		$	57,535
Impact of 2016 DCCA on expenses and taxes:
Compensation costs		-		2,568			(1,409	)		9,994
Management fee expense		-		1,030			-			3,090
Provision for income taxes		-		(864	)		338			(3,140	)
Total impact of 2016 DCCA		-		2,734			(1,071	)		9,944
Impact of Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA on expenses and taxes:
Compensation costs		-		-			-			3,138
Management fee expense		-		-			-			419
Provision for income taxes		-		-			-			(853	)
Total impact of Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA		-		-			-			2,704
Total impact of DCCAs on expense and taxes		-		2,734			(1,071	)		12,648
Net income, as adjusted	$	16,435	$	16,360		$	37,899		$	70,183
Per share (basic):
Net income, U.S. GAAP basis	$	0.62	$	0.50		$	1.46		$	2.08
Impact of DCCAs		-		0.10			(0.04	)		0.46
Net income, as adjusted	$	0.62	$	0.60		$	1.42		$	2.54
Per fully diluted share:
Net income, U.S. GAAP basis	$	0.62	$	0.50		$	1.46		$	2.08
Impact of DCCAs		-		0.10			(0.04	)		0.46
Net income, as adjusted	$	0.62	$	0.60		$	1.42		$	2.54

28

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our principal assets are highly liquid in nature and consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and securities held for investment purposes. Cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of a 100% U.S. Treasury money market fund managed by GAMCO (The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund).

Summary cash flow data for the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 was as follows (in thousands):

	Nine months ended
	September 30,
	2020			2019
Cash flows provided by/(used in) activities :
Operating activities	$	37,674		$	86,748
Investing activities		(98,423	)		(4,814	)
Financing activities		(5,110	)		(36,964	)
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from activities		(65,859	)		44,970
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		5			7
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(65,854	)		44,977
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		86,136			41,202
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	20,282		$	86,179

Cash and liquidity requirements have historically been met through cash generated by operating income and our borrowing capacity. We filed a “shelf” registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that was declared effective in April 2018. The shelf provides us opportunistic flexibility to sell any combination of senior and subordinate debt securities, convertible debt securities, equity securities (including common and preferred stock), and other securities up to a total amount of $500 million. The shelf is available through April 2021, at which time it may be renewed.

On December 26, 2018, the Company announced that the CEO elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019. On August 27, 2019, the CEO elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from September 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019. On July 1, 2020, the Company announced that the CEO elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from July 1, 2020 to November 10, 2020. As a result of these waivers, there was $9.9 million and $18.1 million of compensation and management fee waived by the CEO for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. On January 2, 2020, the 2016 DCCA vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment in the amount of $43.7 million was made to the CEO.

As of September 30, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $20.3 million, a decrease of $65.9 million from December 31, 2019, primarily due to the Company’s investing activities, partially offset by the Company’s operating activities, described below. Total debt outstanding at September 30, 2020 was $24.2 million, which consisted of senior notes due 2021.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $37.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $86.7 million provided by operating activities in the prior year’s comparative period. Cash flows from operating activities primarily consisted of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items and changes in assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of 2020 was $98.4 million, including $105.6 million in purchases of securities held for investment purposes partially offset by $7.2 million in proceeds from sales of securities held for investment purposes, as compared to $4.8 million used in the prior year’s comparative period.

Net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of 2020 was $5.1 million, including $3.4 million paid for the purchase of treasury stock, $1.6 million paid in dividends, and $0.2 million paid on the principal portion of lease liabilities, as compared to $36.9 million used in the prior year’s comparative period.

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

Under the terms of the lease of our Rye, New York office, we are obligated to make minimum total payments of $9.3 million through December 2028.

29

We continue to maintain an investment grade rating of BBB- with Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services. We believe that our ability to maintain our investment grade rating will provide greater access to the capital markets, enhance liquidity, and lower overall borrowing costs. Our rating is Ba1 with Moody’s Investors Services.

We have one broker-dealer subsidiary, G.distributors, which is subject to certain net capital requirements. G.distributors computes its net capital under the alternative method permitted, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The requirement was $250,000 for the broker-dealer at September 30, 2020. At September 30, 2020, G.distributors had net capital, as defined, of approximately $2.6 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $2.3 million. Net capital requirements for our affiliated broker-dealer may increase in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable to broker-dealers to the extent G.distributors engages in other business activities.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) enacted in December 2017 contains provisions that affect the deductibility of named executive officer (“NEO”) compensation. Specifically, the Act eliminates the performance based compensation exception for NEO compensation deductibility, limiting the amount of deductible NEO compensation to $1 million annually per NEO.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. See Note 1 in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in GAMCO’s 2019 annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2020 for details on Critical Accounting Policies.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the normal course of its business, GAMCO is exposed to the risk of loss due to fluctuations in the securities market and general economy. Management is responsible for identifying, assessing, and managing market and other risks. 

Our exposure to pricing risk in equity securities is directly related to our role as a financial intermediary and advisor for AUM in our affiliated Funds and Institutional and PWM accounts, as well as our proprietary investment and trading activities. At September 30, 2020, we had equity investments of $15.1 million. We may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management. The equity securities investment portfolio is at fair value and may move in line with the equity markets. The equity securities investment portfolio changes are recorded as loss from investments, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Market Risk

Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in equity prices and interest rates. Since approximately 90% of our AUM is equities, our financial results are subject to equity market risk, as revenues from our investment management services are sensitive to stock market dynamics. In addition, returns from our proprietary investment portfolios are exposed to interest rate and equity market risk.

The Company’s Chief Investment Officer oversees the proprietary investment portfolios and allocations of proprietary capital among the various strategies. The Chief Investment Officer and the Company’s Board of Directors review the proprietary investment portfolios throughout the year. Additionally, the Company monitors its proprietary investment portfolios to ensure that they are in compliance with the Company’s guidelines.

Equity Price Risk

The Company earns substantially all of its revenue as advisory and incentive fees and distribution fees from affiliated Funds and Institutional and PWM assets. Such fees represent a percentage of AUM, and the majority of these assets are in equity investments. Accordingly, since revenues are proportionate to the value of those investments, a substantial increase or decrease in equity markets overall may have a corresponding effect on the Company’s revenues.

30

Related to our proprietary investment activities, we had investments in equity securities of $15.1 million at September 30, 2020, which included investments in common stocks of $13.6 million, investments in mutual funds of $1.0 million, and investments in closed-end Funds of $0.5 million, and at December 31, 2019, we had investments in securities of $27.7 million, which included investments in common stocks of $26.5 million, investments in mutual funds of $0.7 million, and investments in closed-end Funds of $0.5 million. Of the $13.6 million and $26.5 million invested in common stocks at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, $6.2 million and $16.4 million, respectively, was related to our investment in Westwood Holdings Group Inc. (NYSE: WHG).

The following table provides a sensitivity analysis for our investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in thousands). The sensitivity analysis assumes a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these investments:

(unaudited)	Fair Value		Fair Value assuming 10% decrease in equity prices		Fair Value assuming 10% increase in equity prices
At September 30, 2020:
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value	$	15,071	$	13,565	$	16,579
At December 31, 2019:
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value	$	27,726	$	24,953	$	30,499

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to interest rate risk results, principally, from our investment of excess cash in a sponsored money market fund that holds U.S. government securities. These investments are primarily short term in nature, and the carrying value of these investments generally approximates fair value. Based on the September 30, 2020 cash and cash equivalents balance of $20.3 million, a 1% increase in interest rates would increase our interest income by $0.2 million annually. Given the current low interest rate environment, an analysis of a 1% decrease is not meaningful.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2020. Disclosure controls and procedures as defined under the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), are designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in SEC rules and regulations. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Principal Financial Officer (“PFO”), to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our CEO and PFO participated in this evaluation and concluded that, as of the date of September 30, 2020, 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.

PART II:  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions, or other relief. For any such matters, the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item I of this Form 10-Q include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and, if material, makes the necessary disclosures. However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations, or cash flows at September 30, 2020. See also Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item I of this Form 10-Q.

31

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, except as disclosed in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020. For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, see the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on March 6, 2020 and in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on May 8, 2020, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at sec.gov and the Company’s website at gabelli.com.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides information regarding purchases of Class A Stock made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended September 30, 2020:

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)		Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs		Maximum Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
7/01/20 - 7/31/20		38,422	$	12.28		38,422		n/a	$	$28,755,393
8/01/20 - 8/31/20		59,910		12.48		59,910		2,951,826		n/a
9/01/20 - 9/30/20		35,051		11.87		35,051		2,916,775		n/a
Totals		133,383	$	12.26		133,383

(1) On trade date basis.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

31.1	Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2	Certification of PFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32.1	Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of PFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

32

SIGNATURE

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

Name: Kieran Caterina

Title:   Principal Financial Officer

Date: November 6, 2020

33

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certifications

I, Mario J. Gabelli, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of GAMCO Investors, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

By:	/s/ Mario J. Gabelli
	Mario J. Gabelli
	Chief Executive Officer
Date:	November 6, 2020

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certifications

I, Kieran Caterina, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of GAMCO Investors, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

By:	/s/ Kieran Caterina
	Kieran Caterina
	Principal Financial Officer
Date:	November 6, 2020

EX-32.1

Exhibit 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

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), Mario J. Gabelli, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

(1)           The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)           The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/       Mario J. Gabelli

Name: Mario J. Gabelli

Title:   Chief Executive Officer

Date:   November 6, 2020

This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of §18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of PFO Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), Kieran Caterina, as Principal Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

(1)           The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)           The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/       Kieran Caterina
Name:	Kieran Caterina
Title:	Principal Financial Officer
Date:	November 6, 2020

This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of §18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 31, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET AL
Entity Central Index Key	0001060349
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-14761
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-4007862
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Corporate Center
Entity Address, City or Town	Rye
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10580
City Area Code	203
Local Phone Number	629-2726
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	GBL
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Class A [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		8,432,028
Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,024,117

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION UNAUDITED - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,282	$ 86,136
Investments in debt securities, at amortized cost	104,960	6,547
Investments in equity securities, at fair value	15,071	27,726
Receivable from brokers	5,688	989
Investment advisory fees receivable	18,994	36,093
Receivable from affiliates	3,402	3,940
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets	3,176	3,765
Deferred tax asset and income tax receivable	10,608	16,389
Other assets	8,978	8,301
Total assets	191,159	189,886
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Income taxes payable	360	757
Lease liability obligations	5,355	5,431
Compensation payable	32,094	64,279
Payable to affiliates	294	3,982
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	37,117	36,529
Sub-total	75,220	110,978
5.875% Senior Notes (net of issuance costs of $16 and $34, respectively) (due June 1, 2021) (Note G)	24,209	24,191
Total liabilities	99,429	135,169
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	20,104	17,033
Retained earnings	399,835	362,515
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(227)	(204)
Treasury stock, at cost (8,100,616 and 7,846,436 shares, respectively)	(328,015)	(324,660)
Total stockholders' equity	91,730	54,717
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	191,159	189,886
Class A [Member]
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock	14	14
Class B [Member]
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock	$ 19	$ 19

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION UNAUDITED (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common Stock, outstanding (in shares)	27,500,000	27,400,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	8,100,616	7,846,436
Class A [Member]
Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, issued (in shares)	16,561,726	16,202,726
Common Stock, outstanding (in shares)	8,461,110	8,356,290
Class B [Member]
Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	25,000,000	100,000,000
Common Stock, issued (in shares)	24,000,000	24,000,000
Common Stock, outstanding (in shares)	19,024,117	19,024,117
5.875% Senior Notes [Member]
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.875%	5.875%
Debt issuance costs	$ 16	$ 34
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jun. 01, 2021

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME UNAUDITED - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 61,252	$ 75,345	$ 188,378	$ 226,088
Expenses:
Compensation	17,722	29,800	72,488	90,363
Management fee	0	2,144	3,725	8,302
Distribution costs	6,994	8,271	21,258	25,546
Other operating expenses	4,694	5,562	14,982	16,936
Total expenses	29,410	45,777	112,453	141,147
Operating income	31,842	29,568	75,925	84,941
Non-operating income / (loss)
Loss from investments, net	(3,133)	(6,529)	(13,061)	(3,160)
Interest and dividend income	41	811	700	2,250
Interest expense	(691)	(652)	(1,985)	(1,962)
Shareholder-designated contribution	(5,436)	(4,500)	(5,436)	(4,500)
Total non-operating loss	(9,219)	(10,870)	(19,782)	(7,372)
Income before income taxes	22,623	18,698	56,143	77,569
Provision for income taxes	6,188	5,072	17,173	20,034
Net income	$ 16,435	$ 13,626	$ 38,970	$ 57,535
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.50	$ 1.46	$ 2.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62	$ 0.50	$ 1.46	$ 2.08
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	26,531	26,987	26,615	27,612
Diluted (in shares)	26,613	27,093	26,679	27,676
Investment Advisory and Incentive Fees [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 54,894	$ 67,015	$ 168,637	$ 200,893
Distribution Fees and Other Income [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 6,358	$ 8,330	$ 19,741	$ 25,195

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME UNAUDITED - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME UNAUDITED [Abstract]
Net income	$ 16,435	$ 13,626	$ 38,970	$ 57,535
Other comprehensive income / (loss):
Foreign currency translation gain / (loss)	42	(28)	(23)	(31)
Total comprehensive income	$ 16,477	$ 13,598	$ 38,947	$ 57,504

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY UNAUDITED - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 33		$ 14,192		$ 282,928		$ (240)		$ (287,303)		$ 9,610
Balance (ASU 2016-02 [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 0		$ 0		$ (106)		$ 0		$ 0		$ (106)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	0		0		19,892		0		0		19,892
Foreign currency translation	0		0		0		20		0		20
Dividends declared	0		0		(575)		0		0		(575)
Stock based compensation expense	0		577		0		0		0		577
Purchase of treasury stock	0		0		0		0		(2,547)		(2,547)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	33		14,769		302,139		(220)		(289,850)		26,871
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	33		14,192		282,928		(240)		(287,303)		9,610
Balance (ASU 2016-02 [Member]) at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 0		$ 0		$ (106)		$ 0		$ 0		$ (106)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income											57,535
Foreign currency translation											(31)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	33		16,190		338,680		(271)		(321,914)		32,718
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	33		14,769		302,139		(220)		(289,850)		26,871
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	0		0		24,017		0		0		24,017
Foreign currency translation	0		0		0		(23)		0		(23)
Dividends declared	0		0		(551)		0		0		(551)
Stock based compensation expense	0		578		0		0		0		578
Purchase of treasury stock	0		0		0		0		(28,274)		(28,274)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	33		15,347		325,605		(243)		(318,124)		22,618
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	0		0		13,626		0		0		13,626
Foreign currency translation	0		0		0		(28)		0		(28)
Dividends declared	0		0		(551)		0		0		(551)
Stock based compensation expense	0		843		0		0		0		843
Purchase of treasury stock	0		0		0		0		(3,790)		(3,790)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	33		16,190		338,680		(271)		(321,914)		32,718
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	33		17,033		362,515		(204)		(324,660)		54,717
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	0		0		11,245		0		0		11,245
Foreign currency translation	0		0		0		(61)		0		(61)
Dividends declared	0		0		(552)		0		0		(552)
Stock based compensation expense	0		941		0		0		0		941
Purchase of treasury stock	0		0		0		0		(946)		(946)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	33		17,974		373,208		(265)		(325,606)		65,344
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	33		17,033		362,515		(204)		(324,660)		54,717
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income											38,970
Foreign currency translation											(23)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	33		20,104		399,835		(227)		(328,015)		91,730
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	33		17,974		373,208		(265)		(325,606)		65,344
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	0		0		11,290		0		0		11,290
Foreign currency translation	0		0		0		(4)		0		(4)
Dividends declared	0		0		(551)		0		0		(551)
Stock based compensation expense	0		1,137		0		0		0		1,137
Purchase of treasury stock	0		0		0		0		(772)		(772)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	33		19,111		383,947		(269)		(326,378)		76,444
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	0		0		16,435		0		0		16,435
Foreign currency translation	0		0		0		42		0		42
Dividends declared	0		0		(547)		0		0		(547)
Stock based compensation expense	0		993		0		0		0		993
Purchase of treasury stock	0		0		0		0		(1,637)		(1,637)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 33		$ 20,104		$ 399,835		$ (227)		$ (328,015)		$ 91,730

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY UNAUDITED (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS UNAUDITED - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 38,970	$ 57,535
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	694	958
Accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums	53	3
Stock based compensation expense	3,071	1,998
Deferred income taxes	7,621	(3,085)
Foreign currency translation gain / (loss)	(23)	(31)
Cost basis of donated securities	0	2,601
Unrealized loss on securities	8,329	5,947
Net realized loss on securities	1,482	6
Impairment charge on intangible asset	589	0
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Investments in securities	2,802	(2,276)
Receivable from brokers	(4,699)	(1,151)
Investment advisory fees receivable	17,099	1,903
Receivable from affiliates	535	387
Income taxes receivable	(1,840)	(2,304)
Other assets	(1,360)	(1,265)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Payable to brokers	0	(110)
Income taxes payable	(395)	3,012
Compensation payable	(32,183)	19,436
Payable to affiliates	(3,688)	(661)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	617	3,845
Total adjustments	(1,296)	29,213
Net cash provided by operating activities	37,674	86,748
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of securities	(105,598)	(5,078)
Proceeds from sales and repayments of securities	7,157	252
Return of capital on securities	18	12
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities	(98,423)	(4,814)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(1,595)	(2,221)
Purchase of treasury stock	(3,355)	(34,611)
Repayment of principal portion of lease liability	(160)	(132)
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,110)	(36,964)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	5	7
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(65,854)	44,977
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	86,136	41,202
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	20,282	86,179
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	1,597	1,551
Cash paid for taxes	$ 12,373	$ 20,000

XML

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS UNAUDITED (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Non-cash activity:
Accrued restricted stock award dividends	$ 55	$ 27

XML

Organization and Description of Business

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Organization and Description of Business [Abstract]

Organization and Description of Business

Organization and Description of Business

Unless indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to “GAMCO Investors, Inc.,” “GAMCO,” “the Company,” “the Firm,” and “GBL” or similar terms are to GAMCO Investors, Inc., its predecessors, and its subsidiaries.

GAMCO (New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”): GBL), a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is known for its research-driven approach to equity investing. GAMCO conducts its investment advisory business principally through two subsidiaries: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO Asset”) (approximately 1,500 institutional and private wealth separate accounts (“Institutional and PWM”), principally in the U.S.) and Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli Funds”) (24 open-end funds, one société d’investissement à capital variable (“SICAV”), and 16 closed-end funds). GAMCO serves a broad client base including institutions, intermediaries, offshore investors, private wealth, and direct retail investors. The distribution of mutual funds is conducted through G.distributors, LLC (“G.distributors”), the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary.

GAMCO offers a wide range of solutions across Value and Growth Equity, ESG-SRI, Convertibles, sector-focused strategies including Gold and Utilities, Merger Arbitrage, and Fixed Income. In 1977, GAMCO launched its flagship All Cap Value strategy, Gabelli Value, and in 1986 launched its mutual fund business. In addition to its Value strategies, for over 30 years the firm has managed solutions in Growth Equity, Convertibles, SRI, and Merger Arbitrage.

XML

Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

1.  Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for the fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of GAMCO for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Gabelli Funds, GAMCO Asset, Distributors Holdings, Inc., G.distributors, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited, Gabelli Fixed Income, Inc., Gabelli Fixed Income L.L.C., GAMCO International Partners LLC, GAMCO Acquisition LLC, and Nevada NJ Lat, LLC. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Developments

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP for the accounting for leases with terms longer than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from these leases in the consolidated statement of financial position. It requires these leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and offsetting lease liability obligations. The guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and the Company adopted this guidance on that date. The Company has elected the transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which does not require restatement of comparative periods, but instead requires a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings at the January 1, 2019 adoption date. The Company has performed the analysis on the transition to this guidance and, as a result, recorded a $106 thousand reduction to retained earnings, a $650 thousand increase to other assets, and a $756 thousand increase to lease liability obligations.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Accounting for Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Currently, U.S. GAAP requires an “incurred loss” methodology that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. Under ASU 2016-13, the allowance for credit losses must be deducted from the amortized cost of the financial asset to present the net amount expected to be collected. The consolidated statement of income will reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates (ASU 2019-10), which deferred the effective date of this guidance for smaller reporting companies for three years. This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 and requires a modified retrospective transition method, which will result in a cumulative-effect adjustment in retained earnings upon adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which simplifies the process used to test for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, and instead any goodwill impairment will be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, which deferred the effective date of this guidance for smaller reporting companies for three years. This guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 using a prospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

XML

Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

2.  Revenue Recognition

The discussion below includes all material revenue streams that are within the scope of ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). In all cases for all revenue streams discussed below, the revenue generated is from a single transaction price and there is no need to allocate the amounts across more than a single revenue stream. The customer for all revenues derived from mutual and closed-end funds (collectively, the “Funds”) described in detail below has been determined to be each Fund itself and not the ultimate underlying investor in each Fund.

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

The Company’s analysis of the timing of revenue recognition for each revenue stream is based upon an analysis of the current terms of each contract.  Performance obligations could, however, change from time to time if and when existing contracts are modified or new contracts are entered into.  These changes could potentially affect the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, the determination of the transaction price, and the allocation of the price to performance obligations.  In the case of the revenue streams discussed below, the performance obligation is satisfied either at a point in time or over time.  For incentive fee revenues, the performance obligation (advising a client portfolio) is satisfied over time, while the recognition of revenues effectively occurs at the end of the measurement period as defined within the contract, as such amounts are subject to reduction to zero on the date where the measurement period ends even if the performance benchmarks were exceeded during the intervening period.  The judgments outlined below, where the determination as to these factors is discussed in detail, are continually reviewed and monitored by the Company when new contracts or contract modifications occur.  Transaction price is in all instances formulaic and not subject to significant (or any) judgment at the current time.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is subject to judgment.

Advisory Fee Revenues

Advisory fees for Funds, sub-advisory accounts, and the SICAV are earned based on predetermined percentages of the average net assets of the individual Funds and are recognized as revenues as the related services are performed. Fees for mutual Funds, one non-U.S. closed-end Fund, sub-advisory accounts, and the SICAV are computed on a daily basis based on average daily net AUM. Fees for U.S. closed-end Funds are computed on average weekly net AUM and fees for one non-U.S. closed-end Fund are computed on a daily basis based on daily market value. These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days.  The revenue recognition occurs ratably as the performance obligation (advising the Fund) is met continuously over time. There is a risk of non-payment and, therefore, an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date. There were no such impairment losses for the periods presented.

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

Performance Correlated and Conditional Revenues

Investment advisory fees are earned on a portion of some closed-end Funds’ preferred shares at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the respective closed-end Fund for the year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares. These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period, which coincides with the calendar year.  These fees would also be earned and the contract period ended at any interim point in time that the respective preferred shares are redeemed.  These fees are received in cash after the end of each annual measurement period, within 30 days.

The Company earns an incentive fee from two closed-end Funds. For The GDL Fund (GDL), there is an incentive fee, which is earned and recognized as of the end of each calendar year and varies to the extent the total return of the Fund is in excess of the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3-month U.S. Treasury Bill Index total return.  For the Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust Plc (GMP), there is an incentive fee, which is earned and recognized as of the end of each annual measurement period, June 30^th, and varies to the extent the total return of the Fund is in excess of twice the rate of return of the 13-week Treasury Bills over the performance period.

The Company earns a performance fee from a SICAV sub-fund, the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV.  This fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period, which coincides with the calendar year.  The fee would also be earned and the measurement period ended at any interim point in time that a client redeemed their respective shares.  This fee is received in cash after the end of the measurement period, within 30 days.

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

In all cases of the incentive fees and performance fees, because of the variable nature of the consideration, revenue recognition is delayed until it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur, which is generally when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved (for example, the measurement period has concluded and the hurdle rate has been exceeded).  There is a risk of non-payment and, therefore, an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date.  There were no such impairment losses for the periods presented.

Distribution Fees and Other Income

Distribution fees and other income primarily includes distribution fee revenue earned in accordance with Rule 12b-1 of the Company Act of 1940, as amended, along with sales charges and underwriting fees associated with the sale of the class A shares of mutual funds. Distribution fees are computed based on average daily net assets of certain classes of each Fund and are accrued during the period in which they are earned.  These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days.  In evaluating the appropriate timing of the recognition of these fees, the Company applied the guidance on up-front fees to determine whether such fees are related to the transfer of a promised service (a distinct performance obligation). The Company’s conclusion is that the service being provided by G.distributors to the customer in exchange for the fee is for the initial distribution of certain classes of the mutual funds and is completed at the time of each respective sale. Any fixed amounts are recognized on the trade date and variable amounts are recognized to the extent it is probable that a significant revenue reversal will not occur once the uncertainty is resolved. For variable amounts, as the uncertainty is dependent on the value of the shares at future points in time as well as the length of time the investor remains in the fund, both of which are highly susceptible to factors outside the Company’s influence, the Company does not believe that it can overcome this constraint until the market value of the Fund and the investor activities are known, which are generally monthly. Sales charges and underwriting fees associated with the sale of certain classes of the mutual funds are recognized on the trade date of the sale of the respective shares. There is a risk of non-payment and, therefore, an impairment loss on these receivables is possible at each reporting date. There were no such impairment losses for the periods presented.

Revenue Disaggregated

The following table presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated by investment vehicle (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Investment advisory and incentive fees:
Mutual Funds	$	22,163	$	26,263	$	66,084	$	80,215
Closed-end Funds		16,218		16,475		47,232		48,555
Sub-advisory accounts		521		843		1,770		2,677
Institutional & PWM		14,771		21,500		49,319		64,421
SICAV		1,159		1,485		3,827		4,218
Performance-based		62		449		405		807
Distribution fees and other income		6,358		8,330		19,741		25,195
Total revenues	$	61,252	$	75,345	$	188,378	$	226,088

XML

Investment in Securities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Investment in Securities [Abstract]

Investment in Securities

3.  Investment in Securities

Investments in equity securities at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in equity securities:
Common stocks	$	40,012	$	13,645	$	41,226	$	26,463
Mutual Funds		756		960		755		752
Closed-end Funds		497		466		494		511
Total investments in equity securities	$	41,265	$	15,071	$	42,475	$	27,726

Investments in equity securities, including the Company’s investments in common stocks and the Funds, are stated at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses reported in each respective period’s earnings.

Investments in debt securities at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrecognized Holding Gains		Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in debt securities:
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	104,960	$	13	$	-	$	104,973
Total investments in debt securities	$	104,960	$	13	$	-	$	104,973

	December 31, 2019
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrecognized Holding Gains		Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in debt securities:
Foreign government obligations	$	6,547	$	-	$	-	$	6,547
Total investments in debt securities	$	6,547	$	-	$	-	$	6,547

Held-to-maturity investments are stated at amortized cost with any foreign currency remeasurement included in unrealized gains or losses in each respective period’s earnings. The maturity dates of all of the Company’s investments in debt securities are less than one year.

XML

Fair Value

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value [Abstract]

Fair Value

4. Fair Value

All of the instruments within cash and cash equivalents and investments in securities are measured at fair value, except for those investments designated as held-to-maturity. The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), guidance on fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy and their applicability to the Company are described below:

-   Level 1 - the valuation methodology utilizes quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reporting date.  Level 1 assets include cash equivalents, government obligations, mutual funds, closed-end funds, and listed equities.  

-   Level 2 - the valuation methodology utilizes 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.  

-   Level 3 - the valuation methodology utilizes unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020

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, 2020
Cash equivalents	$	19,919	$	-	$	-	$	19,919
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		13,645		-		-		13,645
Mutual Funds		960		-		-		960
Closed-end Funds		466		-		-		466
Total investments in securities		15,071		-		-		15,071
Total assets at fair value	$	34,990	$	-	$	-	$	34,990

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019

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 December 31, 2019
Cash equivalents	$	85,823	$	-	$	-	$	85,823
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		26,463		-		-		26,463
Mutual funds		511		-		-		511
Closed-end funds		752		-		-		752
Total investments in securities		27,726		-		-		27,726
Total assets at fair value	$	113,549	$	-	$	-	$	113,549

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.

Financial assets disclosed but not carried at fair value

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s investments in debt securities disclosed but not carried at fair value, including those foreign government obligations investments designated as held-to-maturity which are carried at amortized cost remeasured in U.S. dollars, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 1		Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 1
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	104,960	$	104,973	$	-	$	-
Foreign government obligations		-		-		6,547		6,547
Total	$	104,960	$	104,973	$	6,547	$	6,547

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Senior Notes were recorded at face value, net of amortized issuance costs, as follows (in thousands) on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 2		Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 2
Senior notes	$	24,209	$	24,658	$	24,191	$	24,815
Total	$	24,209	$	24,658	$	24,191	$	24,815

The carrying value of other financial assets and liabilities approximates their fair value based on the short-term nature of these items.

XML

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

5. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was 27.4% and 27.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was 30.6% and 25.8%, respectively. The ETR for the first nine months of 2020 was higher by 4.8%, primarily as a result of higher non-deductibility of certain expenses as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

XML

Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

6. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method by dividing net income by the total weighted average shares of common stock outstanding and restricted stock awards.  The computations of basic and diluted net income per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Basic:
Net income	$	16,435	$	13,626	$	38,970	$	57,535
Weighted average shares outstanding		26,531		26,987		26,615		27,612
Basic net income per share	$	0.62	$	0.50	$	1.46	$	2.08
Diluted:
Net income	$	16,435	$	13,626	$	38,970	$	57,535
Weighted average shares outstanding		26,531		26,987		26,615		27,612
Restricted stock awards		82		106		64		64
Total		26,613		27,093		26,679		27,676
Diluted net income per share	$	0.62	$	0.50	$	1.46	$	2.08

XML

Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

7. Debt

Senior Notes

On May 31, 2011, the Company issued 10-year, $100 million senior notes (“Senior Notes”).  The Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2021 and bear interest at 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year and commenced on December 1, 2011.

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the debt was recorded at its face value, net of issuance costs, of $24.2 million.

XML

Stockholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

8. Stockholders’ Equity

Shares outstanding were 27.5 million and 27.4 million on September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Voting Rights

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

Authorized shares

On June 5, 2020, shareholders approved the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to decrease the total number of authorized shares of Class B Stock from 100,000,000 shares to 25,000,000 shares.

Stock Award and Incentive Plan

The Company maintains a stock award and incentive plan approved by the shareholders (the “Plan”), which is designed to provide incentives which will attract and retain individuals key to the success of GBL through direct or indirect ownership of our common stock. A maximum of 7.5 million shares of Class A Stock have been reserved for issuance under the Plan by a committee of GBL’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) responsible for administering the Plan (“Compensation Committee”). Benefits under the Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock awards, dividend equivalents, and other stock or cash based awards. Under the Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), each of which entitles the grantee to one share of Class A Stock subject to restrictions, and either incentive or nonqualified stock options, with a term not to exceed ten years from the grant date and at an exercise price that the Compensation Committee may determine, which were recommended by the Company’s Chairman who did not receive any awards.

On June 30, 2019, 264,900 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $19.17 per RSA.  On March 5, 2020, 392,700 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $14.31 per RSA.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were 1,019,950 and 660,950, respectively, of these RSAs outstanding with weighted average grant prices per RSA of $19.52 and $22.67, respectively, and 10,000 stock options outstanding with an exercise price of $25.55.

For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized stock-based non-cash compensation expense of $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized stock-based non-cash compensation expense of $3.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

The total compensation costs related to non-vested awards to teammates, excluding the CEO who received none, not yet recognized was approximately $11.3 million as of September 30, 2020.

On April 1, 2019, the deferred cash compensation agreement (“DCCA”) with the CEO covering compensation from the fourth quarter of 2017 vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment in the amount of $11.0 million was made to the CEO.  This payment was reduced by $4.5 million resulting from the DCCA being indexed to the GBL stock price and utilizing the lesser of the volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) on the vesting date ($20.7916) versus the VWAP over the fourth quarter of 2017 ($29.1875). On January 2, 2020, the DCCA with the CEO covering compensation from 2016 vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment in the amount of $43.7 million was made to the CEO. This payment was reduced by $32.3 million resulting from the DCCA being indexed to the GBL stock price and utilizing the lesser of the VWAP on the vesting date ($18.8812) versus the VWAP over 2016 ($32.8187).

Stock Repurchase Program

In March 1999, the Board of Directors established a stock repurchase program (the “Stock Repurchase Program”) to grant management the authority to repurchase shares of Class A Stock. In May 2019, the Board of Directors increased the buyback authorization by 1,212,759 shares of Class A Stock. On March 18, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized an increase to purchase $30 million of its outstanding Class A Stock, which resulted in a modification in the form of the authorization from previously being stated in shares to being stated in dollars. On August 4, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase of 3,000,000 shares of its outstanding Class A Stock, which replaced any outstanding share repurchase authorizations.

On April 16, 2019 and September 16, 2019, GAMCO repurchased 1.2 million and 70 thousand shares, respectively, of Class A Stock at $21.00 and $20.07 per share, respectively, in private transactions. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, outside of the private transaction, the Company repurchased 133,383 and 123,743 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $12.26 and $19.26, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, outside of the private transactions, the Company repurchased 254,180 and 397,499 shares, respectively, at an average price per share of $13.19 and $19.46, respectively. At September 30, 2020, the total shares available under the Stock Repurchase Program to be repurchased in the future were 2,916,775. The Stock Repurchase Program is not subject to an expiration date.

On March 11, 2020, GAMCO commenced an offer to purchase up to $30 million in aggregate purchase price of its Class A Stock, pursuant to which holders of shares were invited to tender some or all of their shares at a price within the range of $15.00 to $17.00 per share, which would have enabled GAMCO to purchase for cash up to 2,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock (such offer, the “Offer”). The Offer which was due to expire on April 8, 2020, was terminated on March 18, 2020 as a result of the suspension of trading and market index conditions of the Offer not having been satisfied. As a result of this termination, no shares were purchased in the Offer and all shares previously tendered and not withdrawn were promptly returned to tendering holders.

Dividends

During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company declared dividends of $0.02 per share to shareholders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company declared dividends of $0.06 per share to shareholders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock.

Shelf Registration

In April 2018, the SEC declared effective the Company’s “shelf” registration statement on Form S-3 giving the Company the flexibility to sell any combination of senior and subordinate debt securities, convertible debt securities, and equity securities (including common and preferred securities) up to a total amount of $500 million. The shelf is available through April 2021, at which time it may be renewed.

XML

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

9. 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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there was goodwill of $0.2 million maintained on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition related to G.distributors.

As a result of becoming the advisor to the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund (the “Enterprise Fund”) and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.3 million at September 30, 2020 and $1.9 million at December 31, 2019.  The investment advisory agreement for the Enterprise Fund is next up for renewal in February 2021.  As a result of becoming the advisor to the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (the “Bancroft Fund”) and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (the “Ellsworth Fund”) and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.6 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The investment advisory agreements for the Bancroft Fund and the Ellsworth Fund are next up for renewal in August 2021. Each of these investment advisory agreements are subject to annual renewal by the respective fund’s board of directors, which the Company expects to be renewed, and the Company does not expect to incur additional expense as a result, which is consistent with other investment advisory agreements entered into by the Company.

The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets at least annually, or more often should events warrant. In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) surfaced in China and has since spread quickly to numerous countries, including the United States. On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was identified as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. In response to its spread, governmental authorities have imposed restrictions on travel and congregation and the temporary closure of many non-essential businesses in affected jurisdictions, including, beginning in March 2020, in the United States. The pandemic and resulting economic dislocations have had adverse consequences for the portfolios of the Funds, including the Enterprise Fund, Bancroft Fund, and Ellsworth Fund. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as a result of the dislocations in the financial markets resulting from COVID-19, impairment analyses were performed which resulted in $0 and $589 thousand impairment charges, respectively, to the identifiable intangible asset related to the Enterprise Fund included within other operating expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. There was no impairment charge recorded to the identifiable intangible asset related to the Bancroft Fund or Ellsworth Fund. There were no indicators of impairment for the three months or nine months ended September 30, 2019 and, as such, there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded for such periods.

XML

Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

10. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions, or other relief. For such matters, if any, the consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and will, if material, make the necessary disclosures. However, management believes such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not material to the Company’s financial condition, operations, or cash flows at September 30, 2020.

Leases

On December 5, 1997, the Company 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 June 11, 2013, the Company modified and extended its lease with M4E, LLC, the Company’s landlord at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY.  The lease term was extended to December 31, 2028 and the base rental remained at $18 per square foot, or $1.1 million, for 2014.  For each subsequent year through December 31, 2028, the base rental is 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.

This lease has been accounted for as a finance lease under FASB ASC Topic 842 (and prior to 2019, as a capital lease under FASB ASC Topic 840, Leases) as it transfers substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership to the Company.  The Company has recorded the leased property as an asset and a lease obligation for the present value of the obligation of the leased property.  The leased property is amortized on a straight-line basis from the date of the most recent extension to the end of the lease. The lease obligation is amortized over the same term using the interest method of accounting.  Finance lease improvements are amortized from the date of expenditure through the end of the lease term or the useful life, whichever is shorter, on a straight-line basis.  The lease provides that all operating expenses relating to the property (such as property taxes, utilities, and maintenance) are to be paid by the lessee, GAMCO.  These are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.  Accumulated amortization on the leased property at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was approximately $5.4 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

The Company also rents office space under operating leases, which expire at various dates through May 31, 2024.

The following table summarizes the Company’s leases for the periods presented (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Finance lease cost - interest expense	$	264		$	268		$	800		$	810
Finance lease cost - amortization of right-of-use asset		66			67			200			200
Operating lease cost		104			172			284			551
Sublease income		(46	)		(121	)		(138	)		(364	)
Total lease cost	$	388		$	386		$	1,146		$	1,197
Other information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from finance lease	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-
Operating cash flows from operating leases		87			177			240			602
Financing cash flows from finance lease		56			46			160			132
Total cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$	143		$	223		$	400		$	734
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	324		$	1,431
Weighted average remaining lease term—finance lease (years)		8.3			9.3			8.3			9.3
Weighted average remaining lease term—operating leases (years)		2.2			2.8			2.2			2.8
Weighted average discount rate—finance lease		19.1	%		19.1	%		19.1	%		19.1	%
Weighted average discount rate—operating leases		5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%

The finance lease right-of-use asset, net of amortization, at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and the operating right-of-use assets, net of amortization, were $0.9 million and $0.8, respectively, and these right-of-use assets were included within other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The following table summarizes the maturities of lease liabilities at September 30, 2020 (in thousands):

Year ending December 31,	Finance Leases			Operating Leases			Total Leases
2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020)	$	319		$	103		$	422
2021		1,080			346			1,426
2022		1,080			279			1,359
2023		1,080			184			1,264
2024		1,080			61			1,141
Thereafter		4,320			-			4,320
Total lease payments	$	8,959		$	973		$	9,932
Less imputed interest		(4,509	)		(73	)		(4,582	)
Total lease liabilities	$	4,450		$	900		$	5,350

The finance lease contains an escalation clause tied to the change in the New York Metropolitan Area Consumer Price Index, which may cause the future minimum payments to exceed the amounts shown above.  Future minimum lease payments have not been reduced by related minimum future sublease rentals of approximately $0.7 million due over the next four years, which are due from affiliated entities.  Future minimum lease payments have also not been reduced by future sublease payments of approximately $15 thousand per month from Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) pursuant to AC’s lease agreement that expired on March 31, 2019, which was extended on the same terms and conditions on a month-to-month basis commencing on April 1, 2019.

XML

Shareholder-Designated Contributions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Shareholder-Designated Contributions [Abstract]

Shareholder-Designated Contributions

11. Shareholder-Designated Contributions

During 2013, the Company established a Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution program. Under the program, each shareholder is eligible to designate a charity to which the Company would make a donation based upon the actual number of shares registered in the shareholder’s name. Shares held in nominee or street name are not eligible to participate. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded a charge of $5.4 million and $4.5 million, respectively, or $0.25 and $0.20, respectively, per share, which were included in shareholder-designated contributions on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

XML

Related Party Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

12. Related Party Transactions

On December 26, 2018, the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019. On August 27, 2019, the CEO elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from September 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019. On June 30, 2020, the CEO of the Company elected to irrevocably waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from July 1, 2020 to November 10, 2020, allowing the Company to cover teammate healthcare costs for July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the waivers reduced compensation by $8.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, and management fee by $1.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the waivers reduced compensation by $8.5 million and $15.8 million, respectively, and management fee by $1.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

XML

Regulatory Requirements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Regulatory Requirements [Abstract]

Regulatory Requirements

13. Regulatory Requirements

The Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary, G.distributors, is subject to certain net capital requirements. G.distributors computes its net capital under the alternative method permitted, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The requirement was $250,000 for the broker-dealer at September 30, 2020. At September 30, 2020, G.distributors had net capital, as defined, of approximately $2.6 million, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $2.3 million. Net capital requirements for the Company’s affiliated broker-dealer may increase in accordance with the rules and regulations applicable to broker-dealers to the extent G.distributors engages in other business activities.

XML

Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

14. Subsequent Events

From October 1, 2020 to November 6, 2020, the Company repurchased 29,008 shares at $12.62 per share.

On November 6, 2020, the Board of Directors declared its regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share to all of the Company’s shareholders, payable on December 29, 2020 to shareholders of record on December 15, 2020.

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for the fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of GAMCO for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Gabelli Funds, GAMCO Asset, Distributors Holdings, Inc., G.distributors, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited, Gabelli Fixed Income, Inc., Gabelli Fixed Income L.L.C., GAMCO International Partners LLC, GAMCO Acquisition LLC, and Nevada NJ Lat, LLC. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Developments

Recent Accounting Developments

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP for the accounting for leases with terms longer than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from these leases in the consolidated statement of financial position. It requires these leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and offsetting lease liability obligations. The guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and the Company adopted this guidance on that date. The Company has elected the transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which does not require restatement of comparative periods, but instead requires a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings at the January 1, 2019 adoption date. The Company has performed the analysis on the transition to this guidance and, as a result, recorded a $106 thousand reduction to retained earnings, a $650 thousand increase to other assets, and a $756 thousand increase to lease liability obligations.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Accounting for Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Currently, U.S. GAAP requires an “incurred loss” methodology that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. Under ASU 2016-13, the allowance for credit losses must be deducted from the amortized cost of the financial asset to present the net amount expected to be collected. The consolidated statement of income will reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates (ASU 2019-10), which deferred the effective date of this guidance for smaller reporting companies for three years. This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 and requires a modified retrospective transition method, which will result in a cumulative-effect adjustment in retained earnings upon adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which simplifies the process used to test for goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill, and instead any goodwill impairment will be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, which deferred the effective date of this guidance for smaller reporting companies for three years. This guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 using a prospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

XML

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Revenue Disaggregated

The following table presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated by investment vehicle (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Investment advisory and incentive fees:
Mutual Funds	$	22,163	$	26,263	$	66,084	$	80,215
Closed-end Funds		16,218		16,475		47,232		48,555
Sub-advisory accounts		521		843		1,770		2,677
Institutional & PWM		14,771		21,500		49,319		64,421
SICAV		1,159		1,485		3,827		4,218
Performance-based		62		449		405		807
Distribution fees and other income		6,358		8,330		19,741		25,195
Total revenues	$	61,252	$	75,345	$	188,378	$	226,088

XML

Investment in Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Investment in Securities [Abstract]

Investments in Equity Securities

Investments in equity securities at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in equity securities:
Common stocks	$	40,012	$	13,645	$	41,226	$	26,463
Mutual Funds		756		960		755		752
Closed-end Funds		497		466		494		511
Total investments in equity securities	$	41,265	$	15,071	$	42,475	$	27,726

Investments in Debt Securities

Investments in debt securities at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrecognized Holding Gains		Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in debt securities:
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	104,960	$	13	$	-	$	104,973
Total investments in debt securities	$	104,960	$	13	$	-	$	104,973

	December 31, 2019
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrecognized Holding Gains		Gross Unrecognized Holding Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Investments in debt securities:
Foreign government obligations	$	6,547	$	-	$	-	$	6,547
Total investments in debt securities	$	6,547	$	-	$	-	$	6,547

XML

Fair Value (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Fair Value [Abstract]

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2020

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, 2020
Cash equivalents	$	19,919	$	-	$	-	$	19,919
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		13,645		-		-		13,645
Mutual Funds		960		-		-		960
Closed-end Funds		466		-		-		466
Total investments in securities		15,071		-		-		15,071
Total assets at fair value	$	34,990	$	-	$	-	$	34,990

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019

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 December 31, 2019
Cash equivalents	$	85,823	$	-	$	-	$	85,823
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		26,463		-		-		26,463
Mutual funds		511		-		-		511
Closed-end funds		752		-		-		752
Total investments in securities		27,726		-		-		27,726
Total assets at fair value	$	113,549	$	-	$	-	$	113,549

Financial Assets and Liabilities Disclosed But Not Carried at Fair Value

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s investments in debt securities disclosed but not carried at fair value, including those foreign government obligations investments designated as held-to-maturity which are carried at amortized cost remeasured in U.S. dollars, as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 1		Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 1
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	104,960	$	104,973	$	-	$	-
Foreign government obligations		-		-		6,547		6,547
Total	$	104,960	$	104,973	$	6,547	$	6,547

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Senior Notes were recorded at face value, net of amortized issuance costs, as follows (in thousands) on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 2		Carrying Value		Fair Value Level 2
Senior notes	$	24,209	$	24,658	$	24,191	$	24,815
Total	$	24,209	$	24,658	$	24,191	$	24,815

XML

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computations of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury stock method by dividing net income by the total weighted average shares of common stock outstanding and restricted stock awards.  The computations of basic and diluted net income per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Basic:
Net income	$	16,435	$	13,626	$	38,970	$	57,535
Weighted average shares outstanding		26,531		26,987		26,615		27,612
Basic net income per share	$	0.62	$	0.50	$	1.46	$	2.08
Diluted:
Net income	$	16,435	$	13,626	$	38,970	$	57,535
Weighted average shares outstanding		26,531		26,987		26,615		27,612
Restricted stock awards		82		106		64		64
Total		26,613		27,093		26,679		27,676
Diluted net income per share	$	0.62	$	0.50	$	1.46	$	2.08

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Summary of Leases

The following table summarizes the Company’s leases for the periods presented (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate):

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Finance lease cost - interest expense	$	264		$	268		$	800		$	810
Finance lease cost - amortization of right-of-use asset		66			67			200			200
Operating lease cost		104			172			284			551
Sublease income		(46	)		(121	)		(138	)		(364	)
Total lease cost	$	388		$	386		$	1,146		$	1,197
Other information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from finance lease	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-
Operating cash flows from operating leases		87			177			240			602
Financing cash flows from finance lease		56			46			160			132
Total cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	$	143		$	223		$	400		$	734
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	324		$	1,431
Weighted average remaining lease term—finance lease (years)		8.3			9.3			8.3			9.3
Weighted average remaining lease term—operating leases (years)		2.2			2.8			2.2			2.8
Weighted average discount rate—finance lease		19.1	%		19.1	%		19.1	%		19.1	%
Weighted average discount rate—operating leases		5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%		5.0	%

Maturities of Lease Liabilities

The following table summarizes the maturities of lease liabilities at September 30, 2020 (in thousands):

Year ending December 31,	Finance Leases			Operating Leases			Total Leases
2020 (excluding the nine months ended September 30, 2020)	$	319		$	103		$	422
2021		1,080			346			1,426
2022		1,080			279			1,359
2023		1,080			184			1,264
2024		1,080			61			1,141
Thereafter		4,320			-			4,320
Total lease payments	$	8,959		$	973		$	9,932
Less imputed interest		(4,509	)		(73	)		(4,582	)
Total lease liabilities	$	4,450		$	900		$	5,350

XML

Organization and Description of Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2020 Fund Investor
Organization and Description of Business [Abstract]
Number of open-end funds	24
Number of closed-end funds	16
Number of open-end investment funds	1
Number of institutional investors | Investor	1,500

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncement [Abstract]
Impact of ASU adoption on retained earnings		$ 399,835		$ 362,515
Increase to other assets		$ 1,360	$ 1,265
ASU 2016-02 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncement [Abstract]
Increase to other assets	$ 650
Increase to lease liability obligations	756
ASU 2016-02 [Member] | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncement [Abstract]
Impact of ASU adoption on retained earnings	$ (106)

XML

Revenue Recognition (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) Fund	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 61,252	$ 75,345	$ 188,378	$ 226,088
Performance-based [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue			$ 0
Closed-end Funds [Member] | Performance-based [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			30 days
Number of funds | Fund			2
Advisory Fees [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	54,894	67,015	$ 168,637	200,893
Advisory Fees [Member] | Performance-based [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	62	449	$ 405	807
Advisory Fees [Member] | Conditional [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			60 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	22,163	26,263	$ 66,084	80,215
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Closed-end Funds [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	16,218	16,475	$ 47,232	48,555
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Closed-end Funds [Member] | Performance-based [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Sub-advisory Accounts [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	521	843	$ 1,770	2,677
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Institutional & PWM [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	14,771	21,500	$ 49,319	64,421
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			60 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Institutional & PWM [Member] | Performance-based [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			60 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | SICAVs [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	1,159	1,485	$ 3,827	4,218
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | SICAVs [Member] | Performance-based [Member] | Non-US Closed-end Fund [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of funds | Fund			1
Distribution Fees and Other Income [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 6,358	$ 8,330	$ 19,741	$ 25,195
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced			30 days

XML

Investment in Securities, Investment in Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Investments in Equity Securities [Abstract]
Cost	$ 41,265	$ 42,475
Estimated Fair Value	15,071	27,726
Common Stock [Member]
Investments in Equity Securities [Abstract]
Cost	40,012	41,226
Estimated Fair Value	13,645	26,463
Mutual Funds [Member]
Investments in Equity Securities [Abstract]
Cost	756	755
Estimated Fair Value	960	752
Closed-end Funds [Member]
Investments in Equity Securities [Abstract]
Cost	497	494
Estimated Fair Value	$ 466	$ 511

XML

Investment in Securities, Investment in Debt Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Investments in Debt Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	$ 104,960	$ 6,547
Gross unrealized holding gains	13	0
Gross unrealized holding losses	0	0
Estimated fair value	104,973	6,547
U.S. Treasury Bills [Member]
Investments in Debt Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	104,960
Gross unrealized holding gains	13
Gross unrealized holding losses	0
Estimated fair value	$ 104,973
Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Investments in Debt Securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost		6,547
Gross unrealized holding gains		0
Gross unrealized holding losses		0
Estimated fair value		$ 6,547

XML

Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	$ 15,071	$ 27,726
Common Stocks [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	13,645	26,463
Mutual Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	960	752
Closed-end Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	466	511
Recurring Basis [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	19,919	85,823
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	15,071	27,726
Total assets at fair value	34,990	113,549
Recurring Basis [Member] | Common Stocks [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	13,645	26,463
Recurring Basis [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	960	511
Recurring Basis [Member] | Closed-end Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	466	752
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	19,919	85,823
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	15,071	27,726
Total assets at fair value	34,990	113,549
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common Stocks [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	13,645	26,463
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	960	511
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Closed-end Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	466	752
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	0	0
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common Stocks [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Closed-end Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	0	0
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common Stocks [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Closed-end Funds [Member]
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Investments in securities	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Fair Value, Financial Assets and Liabilities Disclosed But Not Carried at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	May 31, 2011
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Investments in debt securities, at amortized cost	$ 104,960	$ 6,547
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt instruments [Abstract]
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.875%	5.875%	5.875%
U.S. Treasury Bills [Member]
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Investments in debt securities, at amortized cost	$ 104,960
Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Investments in debt securities, at amortized cost		$ 6,547
Carrying Value [Member]
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Total	104,960	6,547
Debt instruments [Abstract]
Total	24,209	24,191
Carrying Value [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt instruments [Abstract]
Senior notes	24,209	24,191
Carrying Value [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills [Member]
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Debt securities held-to-maturity	104,960	0
Carrying Value [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Debt securities held-to-maturity	0	6,547
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Total	104,973	6,547
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills [Member]
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Debt securities held-to-maturity	104,973	0
Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member]
Investments in debt securities [Abstract]
Debt securities held-to-maturity	0	6,547
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Debt instruments [Abstract]
Total	24,658	24,815
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Debt instruments [Abstract]
Senior notes	$ 24,658	$ 24,815

XML

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Effective tax rate [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	27.40%	27.10%	30.60%	25.80%
Change in effective income tax rate over prior period due to non-deductibility of certain expenses as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act			4.80%

XML

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Basic [Abstract]
Net income	$ 16,435	$ 11,290	$ 11,245	$ 13,626	$ 24,017	$ 19,892	$ 38,970	$ 57,535
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	26,531			26,987			26,615	27,612
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62			$ 0.50			$ 1.46	$ 2.08
Diluted [Abstract]
Net income	$ 16,435	$ 11,290	$ 11,245	$ 13,626	$ 24,017	$ 19,892	$ 38,970	$ 57,535
Weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	26,531			26,987			26,615	27,612
Restricted stock awards (in shares)	82			106			64	64
Total (in shares)	26,613			27,093			26,679	27,676
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62			$ 0.50			$ 1.46	$ 2.08

XML

Debt (Details) - 5.875% Senior Notes [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	May 31, 2011
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, term	10 years
Face value of debt	$ 24.2	$ 24.2	$ 100.0
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.875%	5.875%	5.875%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jun. 01, 2021

XML

Stockholders' Equity, Shares Outstanding (Details) - shares shares in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shares outstanding (in shares)	27.5	27.4

XML

Stockholders' Equity, Voting Rights, Stock Award and Incentive Plan (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands					3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 05, 2020 $ / shares shares	Jan. 02, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2019 $ / shares shares	Apr. 01, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) VoteperShare $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 $ / shares	Jun. 05, 2020 shares	Jun. 04, 2020 shares	Dec. 31, 2019 $ / shares shares
Actual and projected stock based compensation expense for RSA shares and options [Abstract]
Actual stock based compensation expense | $					$ 1,000	$ 800		$ 3,071	$ 1,998
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Aggregate Disclosures [Abstract]
Compensation cost related to non-vested options not yet recognized | $					$ 11,300			$ 11,300
Deferred Compensation Arrangements [Abstract]
Payments for compensation agreement | $		$ 43,700		$ 11,000
Reduction of RSU expense due to cap and waiver of receipt of deferred compensation expense | $		$ 32,300		$ 4,500
Deferred compensation agreement, share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 18.8812		$ 20.7916			$ 29.1875			$ 32.8187
Stock Options [Member]
Stock Award and Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Stock option outstanding (in shares)					10,000			10,000
Stock option outstanding, exercise price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 25.55			$ 25.55
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Stock Award and Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Term of nonqualified stock options								10 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Stock Award and Incentive Plan [Abstract]
RSAs granted (in shares)	392,700		264,900
Grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 14.31		$ 19.17
RSA shares outstanding (in shares)					1,019,950			1,019,950					660,950
Average weighted grant price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares					$ 19.52			$ 19.52					$ 22.67
Class A [Member]
Voting Rights [Abstract]
Number of votes per share | VoteperShare								1
Authorized Shares [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized (in shares)					100,000,000			100,000,000					100,000,000
Class A [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Stock Award and Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Number of shares reserved for issuance under each plan (in shares)					7,500,000			7,500,000
Class B [Member]
Voting Rights [Abstract]
Number of votes per share | VoteperShare								10
Authorized Shares [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized (in shares)					25,000,000			25,000,000			25,000,000	100,000,000	100,000,000

XML

Stockholders' Equity, Stock Repurchase Program, Dividends and Shelf Registration (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions				3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Mar. 11, 2020	Sep. 16, 2019	Apr. 16, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Aug. 04, 2020	Mar. 18, 2020	May 31, 2019	Apr. 23, 2018
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Incremental Class A shares authorized to buyback (in shares)														1,212,759
Dividends [Abstract]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)				$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02
Shelf Registration [Abstract]
Maximum amount of debt and equity to be issued under shelf registration															$ 500
Class A Stock [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Incremental Class A shares authorized to buyback (in shares)												3,000,000
Dividends [Abstract]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)				$ 0.02			$ 0.02			$ 0.06	$ 0.06
Class A Stock [Member] | Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Stock repurchase authorized, amount													$ 30
Shares repurchased (in shares)		70,000	1,200,000	133,383			123,743			254,180	397,499
Average price per share of repurchased shares (in dollars per share)		$ 20.07	$ 21.00	$ 12.26			$ 19.26			$ 13.19	$ 19.46
Aggregate purchase price	$ 30
Aggregate number of shares offered to be purchased (in shares)	2,000,000			2,916,775						2,916,775
Class A Stock [Member] | Stock Repurchase Program [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Average price per share of repurchased shares (in dollars per share)	$ 15.00
Class A Stock [Member] | Stock Repurchase Program [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Average price per share of repurchased shares (in dollars per share)	$ 17.00
Class B Stock [Member]
Dividends [Abstract]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)				$ 0.02			$ 0.02			$ 0.06	$ 0.06

XML

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 200	$ 200		$ 200
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Impairment on intangible assets		589	$ 0
Enterprise Fund [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Impairment on intangible assets	0	589
Bancroft Fund [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Impairment on intangible assets		0
Ellsworth Fund [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Impairment on intangible assets		0
Investment Advisory Contract [Member] | Enterprise Fund [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Identifiable intangible asset	1,300	1,300		1,900
Investment Advisory Contract [Member] | Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. [Member]
Intangible assets, net [Abstract]
Identifiable intangible asset	$ 1,600	$ 1,600		$ 1,600

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) $ / ft²	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) $ / ft²	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Lease term	15 years		15 years
Base rent per square foot (in dollars per square foot) | $ / ft²	18		18
Base rental			$ 1,100
Accumulated amortization on the leased property	$ 5,400		5,400		$ 5,200
Lease Cost [Abstract]
Finance lease cost - interest expense	264	$ 268	800	$ 810
Finance lease cost - amortization of right-of-use asset	66	67	200	200
Operating lease cost	104	172	284	551
Sublease income	(46)	(121)	(138)	(364)
Total lease cost	388	386	1,146	1,197
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from finance lease	0	0	0	0
Operating cash flows from operating leases	87	177	240	602
Financing cash flows from finance lease	56	46	160	132
Total cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities	143	223	400	734
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 324	$ 1,431
Weighted average remaining lease term-finance lease	8 years 3 months 18 days	9 years 3 months 18 days	8 years 3 months 18 days	9 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average remaining lease term-operating leases	2 years 2 months 12 days	2 years 9 months 18 days	2 years 2 months 12 days	2 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted average discount rate-finance lease	19.10%	19.10%	19.10%	19.10%
Weighted average discount rate-operating leases	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Finance lease right-of-use asset, net of amortization	$ 1,700		$ 1,700		1,900
Operating right-of-use assets, net of amortization	900		900		$ 800
Finance Leases [Abstract]
2020 (excluding the nine months ended June 30, 2020)	319		319
2021	1,080		1,080
2022	1,080		1,080
2023	1,080		1,080
2024	1,080		1,080
Thereafter	4,320		4,320
Total lease payments	8,959		8,959
Less imputed interest	(4,509)		(4,509)
Total lease payments	4,450		4,450
Operating Leases [Abstract]
2020 (excluding the six months ended June 30, 2020)	103		103
2021	346		346
2022	279		279
2023	184		184
2024	61		61
Thereafter	0		0
Total lease payments	973		973
Less imputed interest	(73)		(73)
Total lease liabilities	900		900
Total Leases [Abstract]
2020 (excluding the six months ended June 30, 2020)	422		422
2021	1,426		1,426
2022	1,359		1,359
2023	1,264		1,264
2024	1,141		1,141
Thereafter	4,320		4,320
Total lease payments	9,932		9,932
Less imputed interest	(4,582)		(4,582)
Total lease liabilities	5,350		5,350
Minimum future sublease rental, due from affiliated entities	700		$ 700
Period of minimum future sublease rental, due from affiliated entities			4 years
Future sublease payments from AC per month	$ 15		$ 15

XML

Shareholder-Designated Contributions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Shareholder-Designated Contributions [Abstract]
Expense related to shareholder-designated charitable contribution program	$ 5.4	$ 4.5	$ 5.4	$ 4.5
Shareholder-designated contribution, diluted per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25	$ 0.20	$ 0.25	$ 0.20

XML

Related Party Transactions (Details) - Chief Executive Officer [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Related party expenses [Abstract]
Compensation	$ (8.5)	$ (3.6)	$ (8.5)	$ (15.8)
Management fee	$ (1.4)	$ (0.6)	$ (1.4)	$ (2.3)

XML

Regulatory Requirements (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Regulatory Requirements [Abstract]
Minimum capital requirement	$ 250,000
Percentage of minimum capital requirement	2.00%
Net capital	$ 2,600,000
Net capital exceeding regulatory requirements	$ 2,300,000

XML

Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Nov. 06, 2020	Nov. 06, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Aug. 04, 2020	May 31, 2019
Dividends [Abstract]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)			$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02	$ 0.02
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)												1,212,759
Class A [Member]
Dividends [Abstract]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)			$ 0.02			$ 0.02			$ 0.06	$ 0.06
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)											3,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Stock Repurchase [Abstract]
Stock repurchased (in shares)		29,008
Stock repurchased per share (in dollars per share)		$ 12.62
Subsequent Event [Member] | Quarterly Dividend Declared in Q3 2020 [Member]
Dividends [Abstract]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02
Dividends declared date	Nov. 06, 2020
Dividends payable date	Dec. 29, 2020
Dividends record date	Dec. 15, 2020