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United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

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 number 000-24498
DHIL-20210930_G1.JPG

DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio   65-0190407
(State of
incorporation)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
325 John H. McConnell Blvd., Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(614) 255-3333
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par value DHIL The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock as of October 26, 2021 is 3,171,695 shares.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes:  x    No:  ¨
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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).     Yes  x    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.
 
Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer   x
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:  x
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DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.
 
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Table of Contents
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1: Consolidated Financial Statements
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
9/30/2021 12/31/2020
  (Unaudited)  
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 98,580,247  $ 98,478,202 
Investments 167,692,971  128,401,136 
Accounts receivable 33,233,682  17,805,864 
Prepaid expenses 2,661,426  2,977,759 
Income taxes receivable —  256,538 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 6,492,621  6,740,396 
Deferred taxes 8,083,072  8,437,446 
Total assets $ 316,744,019  $ 263,097,341 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 10,572,810  $ 8,002,303 
Accrued incentive compensation 28,830,744  28,400,000 
Income taxes payable 1,032,435  — 
Deferred compensation
34,883,646  33,241,952 
Total liabilities 75,319,635  69,644,255 
Redeemable noncontrolling interest 13,367,474  9,372,333 
Permanent Shareholders’ equity
Common stock, no par value: 7,000,000 shares authorized; 3,172,252 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2021 (inclusive of 202,630 unvested shares); 3,168,823 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2020 (inclusive of 183,718 unvested shares)
80,555,674  80,810,946 
Preferred stock, undesignated, 1,000,000 shares authorized and unissued
—  — 
Deferred equity compensation (17,188,383) (14,748,118)
Retained earnings 164,689,619  118,017,925 
Total permanent shareholders’ equity 228,056,910  184,080,753 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 316,744,019  $ 263,097,341 
Book value per share $ 71.89  $ 58.09 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3

Table of Contents
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
  2021 2020 2021 2020
REVENUES:
Investment advisory $ 51,848,379  $ 29,362,652  $ 130,133,909  $ 86,219,325 
Mutual fund administration, net 3,206,175  1,813,103  9,004,731  5,131,104 
Total revenue 55,054,554  31,175,755  139,138,640  91,350,429 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Compensation and related costs, excluding deferred compensation expense (benefit) 20,432,734  13,704,075  56,187,709  41,679,020 
Deferred compensation expense (benefit) 3,305  1,961,361  4,617,505  (2,368,980)
General and administrative 3,637,166  3,096,115  10,323,809  7,924,624 
Sales and marketing 1,766,943  1,581,142  5,671,825  4,185,606 
Mutual fund administration 893,417  863,463  2,717,807  2,467,732 
Total operating expenses 26,733,565  21,206,156  79,518,655  53,888,002 
NET OPERATING INCOME 28,320,989  9,969,599  59,619,985  37,462,427 
Investment income (loss), net (2,629,589) 5,052,794  8,910,951  (5,782,674)
Gain on sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts 9,000,000  —  9,000,000  — 
NET INCOME BEFORE TAXES 34,691,400  15,022,393  77,530,936  31,679,753 
Income tax expense (9,815,605) (3,881,810) (20,765,990) (9,429,059)
NET INCOME 24,875,795  11,140,583  56,764,946  22,250,694 
Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest 751,850  (575,068) (563,960) 2,045,619 
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS $ 25,627,645  $ 10,565,515  $ 56,200,986  $ 24,296,313 
Earnings per share attributable to common shareholders
Basic $ 8.03  $ 3.30  $ 17.66  $ 7.52 
Diluted $ 8.03  $ 3.30  $ 17.66  $ 7.52 
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic 3,192,535  3,200,957  3,182,065  3,231,452 
Diluted 3,192,535  3,200,957  3,182,065  3,231,452 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4

Table of Contents
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Deferred Equity
Compensation
Retained
Earnings
Total Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at June 30, 2021 3,208,022  $ 86,888,594  $ (19,229,825) $ 142,247,766  $ 209,906,535  $ 14,219,856 
Issuance of restricted stock grants 812  142,636  (142,636) —  —  — 
Amortization of restricted stock grants —  —  2,058,064  —  2,058,064  — 
Issuance of common stock related to 401(k) plan match 68  11,542  —  —  11,542  — 
Issuance of common stock related to employee stock purchase plan 485  85,195  —  —  85,195  — 
Shares withheld related to employee tax withholding (4,967) (831,029) —  —  (831,029) — 
Forfeiture of restricted stock grants (700) (126,014) 126,014  —  —  — 
Repurchase of common stock (31,468) (5,615,250) —  —  (5,615,250) — 
Cash dividends paid —  —  —  (3,185,792) (3,185,792) — 
Net income (loss) —  —  —  25,627,645  25,627,645  (751,850)
Net redemptions of consolidated funds —  —  —  —  —  (100,532)
Balance at September 30, 2021 3,172,252  $ 80,555,674  $ (17,188,383) $ 164,689,619  $ 228,056,910  $ 13,367,474 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Deferred Equity
Compensation
Retained
Earnings
Total Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at June 30, 2020 3,212,924  $ 86,189,846  $ (17,103,472) $ 131,064,892  $ 200,151,266  $ 9,571,722 
Issuance of restricted stock grants 1,884  237,987  (237,987) —  —  — 
Amortization of restricted stock grants —  —  1,447,155  —  1,447,155  — 
Issuance of common stock related to 401(k) plan match 5,323  645,349  —  —  645,349  — 
Shares withheld related to employee tax withholding (803) (91,277) —  —  (91,277) — 
Forfeiture of restricted stock grants (800) (158,718) 158,718  —  —  — 
Repurchase of common stock (53,735) (6,662,509) —  —  (6,662,509) — 
Net income —  —  —  10,565,515  10,565,515  575,068 
Net redemptions of consolidated funds —  —  —  —  —  (2,110,673)
Balance at September 30, 2020 3,164,793  $ 80,160,678  $ (15,735,586) $ 141,630,407  $ 206,055,499  $ 8,036,117 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


5

Table of Contents
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest (unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Deferred Equity
Compensation
Retained
Earnings
Total Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at December 31, 2020 3,168,823  $ 80,810,946  $ (14,748,118) $ 118,017,925  $ 184,080,753  $ 9,372,333 
Issuance of restricted stock grants 68,589  10,854,951  (10,854,951) —  —  — 
Amortization of restricted stock grants —  —  5,167,059  —  5,167,059  — 
Common stock issued as incentive compensation 3,681  529,806  —  —  529,806  — 
Issuance of common stock related to 401k plan match 364  59,542  —  —  59,542  — 
Issuance of common stock related to employee stock purchase plan 3,568  610,569  —  —  610,569  — 
Shares withheld related to employee tax withholding (9,449) (1,518,612) —  —  (1,518,612) — 
Forfeiture of restricted stock grants (19,097) (3,247,627) 3,247,627  —  —  — 
Repurchase of common stock (44,227) (7,543,901) —  —  (7,543,901) — 
Cash dividends paid —  —  —  (9,529,292) (9,529,292) — 
Net income —  —  —  56,200,986  56,200,986  563,960 
Net subscriptions of consolidated Funds —  —  —  —  —  3,431,181 
Balance at September 30, 2021 3,172,252  $ 80,555,674  $ (17,188,383) $ 164,689,619  $ 228,056,910  $ 13,367,474 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Shares
Outstanding
Common
Stock
Deferred Equity
Compensation
Retained
Earnings
Total Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at December 31, 2019 3,294,672  $ 95,853,477  $ (20,331,890) $ 117,334,094  $ 192,855,681  $ 14,178,824 
Issuance of restricted stock grants 18,749  2,048,386  (2,048,386) —  —  — 
Amortization of restricted stock grants —  —  3,793,978  —  3,793,978  — 
Common stock issued as incentive compensation 23,640  3,396,359  —  —  3,396,359  — 
Issuance of common stock related to 401k plan match 17,042  1,934,457  —  —  1,934,457  — 
Shares withheld related to employee tax withholding (16,235) (1,574,307) —  —  (1,574,307) — 
Forfeiture of restricted stock grants (15,325) (2,850,712) 2,850,712  —  —  — 
Repurchase of common stock (157,750) (18,646,982) —  —  (18,646,982) — 
Net income (loss) —  —  —  24,296,313  24,296,313  (2,045,619)
Net redemptions of consolidated Funds —  —  —  —  —  (4,097,088)
Balance at September 30, 2020 3,164,793  $ 80,160,678  $ (15,735,586) $ 141,630,407  $ 206,055,499  $ 8,036,117 



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 
  Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
  2021 2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income $ 56,764,946  $ 22,250,694 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 930,990  750,524 
Share-based compensation 5,351,120  5,728,435 
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable (15,427,818) 2,352,406 
Change in current income taxes 1,288,973  3,016,015 
Change in deferred income taxes 354,374  713,277 
Gain on sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts (9,000,000) — 
Net (gains) losses on investments (7,612,174) 7,542,988 
Net change in securities held by Consolidated Funds (23,532,392) 3,033,304 
Increase (decrease) in accrued incentive compensation 960,550  (3,983,248)
Increase (decrease) in deferred compensation 1,641,694  (1,688,130)
Other changes in assets and liabilities 3,599,730  (1,514,223)
Net cash provided by operating activities 15,319,993  38,202,042 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment (1,029,550) (1,733,656)
Purchase of Company sponsored investments (17,011,517) (12,353,841)
Proceeds from sale of Company sponsored investments 8,497,693  24,781,251 
Proceeds from sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts 9,000,000  — 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (543,374) 10,693,754 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Value of shares withheld related to employee tax withholding (1,518,612) (1,574,307)
Payment of dividends (9,529,292) — 
Net subscriptions (redemptions) received from redeemable noncontrolling interest holders 3,431,181  (4,097,088)
Repurchase of common stock (7,543,901) (18,646,982)
Proceeds received under employee stock purchase plan 486,050  — 
Net cash used in financing activities (14,674,574) (24,318,377)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Net change during the period 102,045  24,577,419 
At beginning of period 98,478,202  93,176,253 
At end of period $ 98,580,247  $ 117,753,672 
Supplemental cash flow information:
Income taxes paid $ 19,122,643  $ 5,699,767 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:
Common stock issued as incentive compensation $ 529,806  $ 3,396,359 
Charitable donation of corporate investments $ 366,555  — 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
Note 1 Business and Organization
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. (the "Company"), an Ohio corporation, derives consolidated revenue and net income from investment advisory and fund administration services.
Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. ("DHCM"), an Ohio corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and a registered investment adviser. DHCM is the investment adviser and administrator for the Diamond Hill Funds (the "Funds"), a series of open-end mutual funds. DHCM also provides investment advisory services to a private investment fund, separately managed accounts, and other mutual funds.
Note 2 Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited, condensed, consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, for Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (referred to in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements as "the Company," "management," "we," "us," and "our"), have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), with the instructions to Form 10-Q, and with Article 10 of Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition and results of operations as of the dates, and for the interim periods, presented, have been included. These unaudited, condensed, consolidated financial statements and footnotes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the "2020 Form 10-K"), as filed with the SEC.
Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results the Company may expect for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.
For further information regarding the risks to the Company's business, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2020 Form 10-K and in “Part II – Item 1A. – Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions related to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassification
Certain prior period amounts and disclosures may have been reclassified to conform to the current period's financial presentation.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the operations of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company holds certain investments in the Funds for general corporate investment purposes, to provide seed capital for newly formed strategies, or to add capital to existing strategies. The Funds are organized in a series fund structure in which there are multiple mutual funds within one trust (the "Trust"). The Trust is an open-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
The Company performs its consolidation analysis at the individual Fund level and has concluded that the Funds are voting rights entities ("VREs") because the structure of the Funds is such that the shareholders are deemed to have the power through voting rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact each Fund's economic performance. To the extent material,
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the Funds are consolidated if Company ownership, directly or indirectly, represents a majority interest (greater than 50%). The Company records redeemable noncontrolling interest in consolidated investments for which the Company's ownership is less than 100%. The Company has consolidated the Diamond Hill Large Cap Concentrated Fund, the Diamond Hill International Fund, and the Diamond Hill Global Fund (collectively, the "Consolidated Funds") as of September 30, 2021.
DHCM is the investment manager of Diamond Hill Micro Cap Fund, LP (“DHMF”), a Delaware limited partnership, and is the managing member of Diamond Hill Fund GP, LLC (the “General Partner”), which is the general partner of DHMF. DHCM is wholly owned by, and consolidated with, the Company. Further, DHCM, through its control of the General Partner, has the power to direct DHMF’s economic activities and the right to receive investment advisory fees that may be significant from DHMF. DHMF commenced operations on June 1, 2021 and its underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities.
The Company concluded DHMF was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) given that: (i) DHCM has disproportionately less voting interest than economic interest, and (ii) DHMF's limited partners have full power to remove the General Partner (which is controlled by the Company) due to the existence of substantive kick-out rights. In addition, substantially all of DHMF's activities are conducted on behalf of the General Partner, which has disproportionately few voting rights. The Company concluded it is not the primary beneficiary of DHMF as it lacks the power to control DHMF, since DHMF's limited partners have single-party kick-out rights and can unilaterally remove the General Partner without cause. DHCM’s investments in DHMF are reported as a component of the Company’s investment portfolio and valued at DHCM’s respective share of DHMF's net income or loss.
Gains and losses attributable to changes in the value of DHCM’s interests in DHMF are included in the Company’s reported investment income. The Company’s exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with DHMF is limited to the amount of its investment. DHCM is not obligated to provide, and has not provided, financial or other support to DHMF, except for its investments to date and its contractually provided investment advisory responsibilities. The Company has not provided liquidity arrangements, guarantees, or other commitments to support DHMF’s operations, and DHMF’s creditors and interest holders have no recourse to the general credit of the Company.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
Redeemable noncontrolling interest represents third-party interests in the Consolidated Funds. This interest is redeemable at the option of the investors, and therefore, is not treated as permanent equity. Redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at redemption value, which approximates the fair value each reporting period.
Segment Information
Management has determined that the Company operates in one business segment, which is providing investment management and administration services to mutual funds, separately managed accounts, sub-advised funds, and a private fund. Therefore, the Company does not present disclosures relating to operating segments in annual or interim financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits and money market mutual funds held by DHCM.
Accounts Receivable
The Company records accounts receivable when they are due and presents them on the balance sheet net of any allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are written off when they are determined to be uncollectible. Any allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on the Company’s historical losses, existing conditions in the industry, and the financial stability of the individual or entity that owes the receivable. No allowance for doubtful accounts was deemed necessary at either September 30, 2021, or December 31, 2020. Accounts receivable from the Funds were $11.2 million as of September 30, 2021, and $10.5 million as of December 31, 2020.
Investments
Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates its determination for each reporting period.
Investments in the Funds that DHCM advises, where the Company has neither control nor the ability to exercise significant influence, as well as securities held in the Consolidated Funds are measured at fair value based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as investment income (loss) in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
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Investments classified as equity method investments represent investments in which the Company owns between 20-50% of the outstanding voting interests in the entity or where it is determined that the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control over the investments. When using the equity method, the Company recognizes its respective share of the investee's net income or loss for the period, which is recorded as investment income in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, consisting of leasehold improvements, right-of-use lease assets, computer equipment, capitalized software, furniture, and fixtures are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets.
Revenue Recognition – General
The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a client. The Company earns substantially all of its revenue from DHCM investment advisory and fund administration contracts. Investment advisory and administration fees, generally calculated as a percentage of assets under management ("AUM"), are recorded as revenue as services are performed. In addition to fixed fees based on a percentage of AUM, certain client accounts also provide periodic performance-based fees.
Revenue earned during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 under contracts with clients include:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Investment advisory Mutual fund
administration, net
Total revenue
Proprietary funds $ 28,605,297  $ 3,206,175  $ 31,811,472 
Sub-advised funds and separately managed accounts (including $11.9 million of performance-based fees) 23,243,082  —  23,243,082 
$ 51,848,379  $ 3,206,175  $ 55,054,554 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Investment advisory Mutual fund
administration, net
Total revenue
Proprietary funds $ 21,435,758  $ 1,813,103  $ 23,248,861 
Sub-advised funds and separately managed accounts 7,926,894  —  7,926,894 
$ 29,362,652  $ 1,813,103  $ 31,175,755 

Revenue earned during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 under contracts with clients include:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Investment advisory Mutual fund
administration, net
Total revenue
Proprietary funds $ 85,568,472  $ 9,004,731  $ 94,573,203 
Sub-advised funds and separately managed accounts (including $11.9 million of performance-based fees) 44,565,437  —  44,565,437 
$ 130,133,909  $ 9,004,731  $ 139,138,640 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Investment advisory Mutual fund
administration, net
Total revenue
Proprietary funds $ 64,613,063  $ 5,131,104  $ 69,744,167 
Sub-advised funds and separately managed accounts 21,606,262  —  21,606,262 
$ 86,219,325  $ 5,131,104  $ 91,350,429 
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Revenue Recognition – Investment Advisory Fees
DHCM's investment advisory contracts with clients have a single performance obligation because the contracted services are not separately identifiable from other obligations in the contracts and therefore, are not distinct. All performance obligations to provide investment advisory services are satisfied over time by DHCM and the Company recognizes revenue through DHCM as time passes.
The fees DHCM receives for its services under its investment advisory contracts are based on AUM, which changes based on the value of securities held under each investment advisory contract. These fees are thereby constrained and represent variable consideration, and they are excluded from revenue until the AUM on which DHCM's client is billed is no longer subject to market fluctuations.
DHCM also provides its strategy model portfolio and related services to sponsors of model delivery programs. DHCM is paid a model delivery fee for its services by the program sponsor at a pre-determined rate based on the amount of assets in the program. Model delivery program revenues were $1.4 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $3.5 million and $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Model delivery program revenue is included in investment advisory fees in the consolidated statements of income.
Revenue Recognition – Performance-Based Fees
DHCM manages certain client accounts that pay performance-based fees. These fees are calculated based on client investment results over rolling five-year periods. The Company records performance-based fees when it is probable that a significant reversal of the revenue will not occur. The Company recorded $11.9 million of performance-based fees during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 as a significant performance-based agreement reached its first five-year measurement term on September 30, 2021. The Company did not record any performance-based fees during either of the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020. The table below shows AUM subject to performance-based fees and the amount of unearned performance-based fees that would be recognized based upon investment results as of September 30, 2021:
As of September 30, 2021
  AUM subject to performance-based fees Unearned performance-based fees
Contractual Measurement Period Ending:
Quarter Ending September 30, 2022 $ 390,974,947  $ — 
Total $ 390,974,947  $ — 
The contractual end dates highlight the time remaining until the performance-based fees are scheduled to be earned. The amount of performance-based fees that would be recognized based upon investments results as of September 30, 2021, will increase or decrease based on future client investment results through the end of the contractual period.
Revenue Recognition – Mutual Fund Administration
DHCM has an administrative and transfer agency services agreement with the Funds under which DHCM performs certain services for each Fund. These services include performance obligations, such as mutual fund administration, fund accounting, transfer agency, and other related functions. These services are performed concurrently under DHCM's agreement with the Funds, all performance obligations to provide these administrative services are satisfied over time, and the Company recognizes the related revenue as time progresses. Each Fund pays DHCM a fee for performing these services, which is calculated using an annual rate multiplied by the average daily net assets of each respective Fund share class. These fees are thereby constrained and represent variable consideration, and they are excluded from revenue until the AUM on which DHCM bills the Funds is no longer subject to market fluctuations.
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The Funds have selected and contractually engaged certain vendors to fulfill various services to benefit the Funds’ shareholders or to satisfy regulatory requirements of the Funds. These services include, among others, required shareholder mailings, federal and state registrations, and legal and audit services. In fulfilling a portion of its role under the administration agreement with the Funds, DHCM acts as agent and pays for these services on behalf of the Funds. Each vendor is independently responsible for fulfillment of the services it has been engaged to provide and negotiates its fees and terms directly with the management and board of trustees of the Funds. Each year, the Funds' board of trustees reviews the fee that each Fund pays to DHCM, and specifically considers the contractual expenses that DHCM pays on behalf of the Funds. As a result, DHCM is not involved in the delivery or pricing of these services, and bears no risk related to these services. Revenue has been recorded net of these Fund-related expenses. In addition, prior to Funds' elimination of Class C Shares, DHCM advanced the upfront commissions that were paid to brokers who sold those Class C shares. These advances were capitalized and amortized over 12 months to correspond with the repayments DHCM received from the principal underwriter to recoup this commission advancement. During the first quarter of 2021, Class C shares were liquidated with the proceeds transferring to Investor Class shares. As a result, no financing activity will be recognized in future periods.
Mutual fund administration gross and net revenue are summarized below:
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
  2021 2020 2021 2020
Mutual fund administration:
Administration revenue, gross $ 7,436,287  $ 5,571,022  $ 22,466,306  $ 16,144,295 
Fund related expense (4,230,112) (3,766,667) (13,446,649) (11,028,882)
Revenue, net of related expenses 3,206,175  1,804,355  9,019,657  5,115,413 
C-Share financing:
Broker commission advance repayments —  60,634  33,595  190,993 
Broker commission amortization —  (51,886) (48,521) (175,302)
Financing activity, net —  8,748  (14,926) 15,691 
Mutual fund administration revenue, net $ 3,206,175  $ 1,813,103  $ 9,004,731  $ 5,131,104 
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for current and deferred income taxes through an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
The Company is subject to examination by federal and applicable state and local jurisdictions for various tax periods. The Company’s income tax positions are based on research and interpretations of the income tax laws and rulings in each of the jurisdictions in which it does business. Due to the subjectivity of interpretations of laws and rulings in each jurisdiction, the differences and interplay in tax laws among those jurisdictions, and the inherent uncertainty in estimating the final resolution of complex tax audit matters, the Company’s estimates of income tax liabilities may differ from actual payments or assessments. The Company regularly assesses its positions with regard to tax exposures and records liabilities for these uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties, if any, according to the principles of Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, Income Taxes. The Company records interest and penalties within income tax expense on the income statement. See Note 8.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, which includes unvested restricted shares. See Note 9.

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Note 3 Investments
The following table summarizes the carrying value of the Company's investments as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
As of
September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020
Fair value investments:
Securities held in Consolidated Funds(a)
$ 59,329,410  $ 33,233,307 
Company sponsored investments 96,127,928  95,167,829 
Company sponsored equity method investments 12,235,633  — 
Total Investments $ 167,692,971  $ 128,401,136 
(a) Of the securities held in the Consolidated Funds as of September 30, 2021, the Company directly held $45.2 million and noncontrolling shareholders held $14.1 million. Of the securities held in the Consolidated Funds as of December 31, 2020, the Company directly held $23.6 million and noncontrolling shareholders held $9.6 million.
The components of net investment income (loss) are as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Realized gains (losses) $ 1,185,429  $ 512,265  $ 5,244,509  $ (1,231,163)
Unrealized gains (losses) (4,689,325) 4,040,917  1,572,140  (6,478,411)
Dividends 971,107  518,472  2,241,037  1,983,423 
Other (96,800) (18,860) (146,735) (56,523)
Investment income (loss), net $ (2,629,589) $ 5,052,794  $ 8,910,951  $ (5,782,674)
Company Sponsored Equity Method Investments
During the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021, the Company's only equity method investment was DHMF, and the Company's ownership percentage in DHMF was 89% as of September 30, 2021. DHMF commenced operations on June 1, 2021.
The following table includes the condensed summary financial information from the Company's equity method investments as of and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021:
As of
September 30, 2021
Total assets $ 14,189,835 
Total liabilities 423,056 
Net assets 13,766,779 
DHCM's portion of net assets $ 12,235,633 
For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021 September 30, 2021
Investment income $ 54,530  $ 60,130 
Expenses 5,486  14,343 
Net unrealized loss (473,618) (591,514)
Net loss (424,574) (545,727)
DHCM's portion of net loss $ (380,062) $ (476,872)

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Note 4 Fair Value Measurements
The Company determines the fair value of its cash equivalents and certain investments using the following broad levels listed below:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-driven valuations in which all significant inputs are observable.
Level 3 - Valuations derived from techniques in which significant inputs are unobservable. The Company does not value any investments using Level 3 inputs.
These levels are not necessarily indicative of the risk or liquidity associated with investments.
The following table summarizes investments that are recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheet using fair value measurements (excluding investments classified as equity method investments) determined based upon the differing levels as of September 30, 2021:
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Cash equivalents $ 95,578,124  $ —  $ —  $ 95,578,124 
Fair value investments:
     Securities held in Consolidated Funds(a)
$ 37,441,497  $ 21,887,913  —  $ 59,329,410 
     Company-sponsored investments $ 96,127,928  $ —  $ —  $ 96,127,928 
(a) Of the securities held in the Consolidated Funds as of September 30, 2021, the Company directly held $45.2 million and noncontrolling shareholders held $14.1 million.
Changes to fair values of the investments are recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of income as investment income (loss), net.
Note 5 Line of Credit
The Company has a committed line of credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a commercial bank that matures on December 24, 2021, which permits the Company to borrow up to $25.0 million. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.00%. The Company pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility, accruing at a rate per annum of 0.10%.
The proceeds of the Credit Agreement may be used by the Company and its subsidiaries for ongoing working capital needs, to seed new and existing investment strategies, and for other general corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, and covenants.
The Company did not borrow under the Credit Agreement for the period ended September 30, 2021, and no borrowings were outstanding as of September 30, 2021.
Note 6 Compensation Plans
Share-Based Payment Transactions
The Company issues restricted stock grants under the 2014 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan"). Restricted stock grants represent common shares issued and outstanding upon grant subject to vesting restrictions. The Company has historically issued stock grants that cliff vest after five years to all new employees upon hire and as additional grants to key employees on a periodic basis. While the Company currently plans to continue to issue five-year cliff vest grants to new employees, beginning in 2021, the Company also began making new long-term incentive awards to existing employees in the form of three-year graded vesting stock grants.
Restricted stock grants issued under the 2014 Plan are valued based upon the fair market value of the common shares on the applicable grant date. The restricted stock grants are recorded as deferred compensation in the equity section of the balance sheet on the grant date and then recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the respective grant. The Company's policy is to adjust compensation expense for forfeitures as they occur.
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The following table represents a roll-forward of outstanding restricted stock and related activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2021:
Shares Weighted-Average
Grant Date Price
per Share
Outstanding restricted stock as of December 31, 2020 183,718  $ 173.80 
Grants issued 68,589  158.26 
Grants vested (30,580) 180.22 
Grants forfeited (19,097) 170.06 
Total outstanding restricted stock as of September 30, 2021 202,630  $ 165.76 
As of September 30, 2021, 178,933 common shares remained available for grants under the 2014 Plan.
Total deferred equity compensation related to unvested restricted stock was $17.2 million as of September 30, 2021. The recognition of compensation expense related to deferred compensation over the remaining vesting periods is as follows:
Three Months 
 Remaining In
           
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Thereafter Total
$ 2,122,796  $ 7,350,636  $ 5,425,275  $ 1,917,736  $ 340,773  $ 31,167  $ 17,188,383 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company adopted the Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP") effective October 27, 2020. Under the ESPP, eligible employees may purchase shares of the Company's common stock at 85% of the fair market value on the last day of each offering period. Each offering period is approximately three months, which coincides with the Company's fiscal quarters. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, ESPP participants purchased 3,568 shares of common stock for $0.5 million and the Company recorded $0.1 million of share-based payment expense related to these purchases.
Stock Grant Transactions
The following table represents common shares issued as part of the Company's incentive compensation program during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, and 2020:
Shares Issued Grant Date Value
September 30, 2021 3,681  $ 529,806 
September 30, 2020 23,640  $ 3,396,359 
401(k) Plan
The Company sponsors a 401(k) plan in which all employees are eligible to participate. Employees may contribute a portion of their compensation subject to certain limits based on federal tax laws. The Company matches employee contributions equal to 250.0% of the first 6.0% of an employee’s compensation contributed to the plan. Since January 1, 2021, the Company has settled the 401(k) plan matching contributions in cash or common shares of the Company based on the election of the employees. Prior to January 1, 2021, the Company made all matching contributions in common shares of the Company.
Deferred Compensation Plans
The Company offers two deferred compensation plans: the Diamond Hill Fixed Term Deferred Compensation Plan and the Diamond Hill Variable Term Deferred Compensation Plan (together, the “Plans”). Under the Plans, participants may elect to voluntarily defer, for a minimum of five years, certain incentive compensation that the Company then contributes into the Plans. Participants are responsible for designating investment options for the assets they contribute, and the distribution paid to each participant reflects any gains or losses on the assets realized in connection with the Plans. Assets held in the Plans are included in the Company’s investment portfolio, and the associated obligation to participants is included in deferred compensation liability. Deferred compensation liability was $34.9 million and $33.2 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
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Note 7 Operating Lease
The Company currently leases office space of approximately 37,829 square feet at one location.
As of September 30, 2021, the carrying value of this right-of-use asset, which is included in property and equipment, was approximately $1.7 million net of deferred rent on the consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2021, the carrying value of the lease liability was approximately $2.1 million, which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes the total lease and operating expenses for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:
September 30,
2021
September 30,
2020
Three Months Ended $ 241,200  $ 241,050 
Nine Months Ended $ 691,432  $ 706,538 
The approximate future minimum lease payments under the operating lease are as follows:
Future Minimum Lease Payments
Three Months 
 Remaining In
     
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Total
$ 156,045  $ 624,179  $ 624,179  $ 624,179  $ 156,045  $ 2,184,627 
Note 8 Income Taxes
The Company has determined its interim tax provision projecting an estimated annual effective tax rate.
A reconciliation of the statutory federal tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
2021 2020
   Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate 21.0  % 21.0  %
   State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit 5.2  % 4.3  %
   Internal revenue code section 162 limitations 0.7  % 1.3  %
   Other 0.1  % 1.4  %
Unconsolidated effective income tax rate 27.0  % 28.0  %
   Impact attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest(a)
(0.2) % 1.8  %
Effective income tax rate 26.8  % 29.8  %
(a) The provision for income taxes includes the impact of the operations of the Consolidated Funds, which are not subject to federal income taxes. Accordingly, a portion of the Company’s earnings are not subject to corporate tax levels.
Absent the impact attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest, the estimated unconsolidated effective income tax rate would have been 27.0%. The Company's actual effective tax rate for fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 could be materially different from the projected rate as of September 30, 2021.
The net temporary differences incurred to date will reverse in future periods as the Company generates taxable earnings. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the net deferred tax assets recorded. The Company records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary.
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FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return, and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.  The Company recognizes tax benefits related to positions taken, or expected to be taken, on its tax returns, only if the positions are more likely than not sustainable. Once this threshold has been met, the Company’s measurement of its expected tax benefits is recognized in its financial statements. The Company did not record an accrual for tax related uncertainties or unrecognized tax positions as of September 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.
The Company did not recognize any interest and penalties during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Note 9 Earnings Per Share
The Company’s common shares outstanding consist of all shares issued and outstanding, including unvested restricted shares. Basic and diluted EPS are calculated under the two-class method. The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted EPS:
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
  2021 2020 2021 2020
Net Income $ 24,875,795  $ 11,140,583  $ 56,764,946  $ 22,250,694 
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest 751,850  (575,068) (563,960) 2,045,619 
Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 25,627,645  $ 10,565,515  $ 56,200,986  $ 24,296,313 
Weighted average number of outstanding shares - Basic 3,192,535  3,200,957  3,182,065  3,231,452 
Weighted average number of outstanding shares - Diluted 3,192,535  3,200,957  3,182,065  3,231,452 
Earnings per share attributable to common shareholders
Basic $ 8.03  $ 3.30  $ 17.66  $ 7.52 
Diluted $ 8.03  $ 3.30  $ 17.66  $ 7.52 
Note 10 Commitments and Contingencies
The Company indemnifies its directors, officers, and certain employees for certain liabilities that may arise from performance of their duties to the Company. From time to time, the Company may be involved in legal matters relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of business. There are currently no such matters pending that the Company believes could have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.
Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Company enters into agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnification obligations. Certain agreements do not contain any limits on the Company’s liability and could involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. Therefore, it is not possible to estimate the Company’s potential liability under these indemnities. Further, the Company maintains insurance policies that may provide coverage against certain of these liabilities.

Note 11 Sale of Diamond Hill's High Yield-Focused Investment Advisory Contracts
DHCM entered into an asset purchase agreement dated February 2, 2021 (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (“Brandywine Global”), a specialist investment manager of Franklin Resources, Inc. The transaction closed on July 30, 2021 ("Closing Date"), at which time, Brandywine Global acquired the investment advisory contracts of DHCM’s two high yield-focused mutual funds - the Corporate Credit Fund and the High Yield Fund (the “High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts”).
DHCM has determined the gain on this transaction in accordance with ASC 610-20, Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets. DHCM received an initial cash payment at closing of $9.0 million, which is included in gain on sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts in the Consolidated Statements of Income during the third quarter of 2021.

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DHCM may receive two additional payments of up to $13.0 million in the aggregate based on the net revenue of the the Corporate Credit Fund and the High Yield Fund on the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date. The Company has not recorded any additional gain for the two potential additional payments because this variable consideration is constrained based on movements in the financial markets and the net shareholder flows of the the Corporate Credit Fund and the High Yield Fund. Therefore, there can be no reasonable assurance that all or any of these additional payments will be received by DHCM.
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Note 12 Subsequent Events
On October 26, 2021, the Company's board of directors ("Board") approved a regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of 2021 of $1.00 per share. The Board also approved a special cash dividend of $19.00 per share. Both the fourth quarter regular dividend and the special dividend will be paid on December 10, 2021, to shareholders of record as of November 29, 2021. These dividends are expected to reduce shareholders' equity by approximately $63.4 million.
The Board also approved an increase in the regular quarterly dividend beginning in the first quarter of 2022. Subject to the Board's approval each quarter and compliance with applicable legal requirements, the Company expects to increase the regular quarterly dividend from $1.00 per share to $1.50 per share in the first quarter of 2022. Although the Company currently expects to pay the regular quarterly dividends, depending on the circumstances and the Board's judgment, the Company may not pay such dividends as described.
In addition to the regular quarterly dividends, the Board will decide whether to approve and pay an additional special dividend in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.




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ITEM 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
Throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other publicly available documents, including the documents incorporated herein by reference, the Company may make forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), relating to such matters as anticipated operating results, AUM prospects and levels, technological developments, economic trends (including interest rates and market volatility), expected transactions and similar matters. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” "may," "will," "likely," "project," “should,” “hope,” “seek,” “plan,” “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date thereof. While the Company believes that the assumptions underlying its forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, accordingly, actual results and experiences could differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that could cause such actual results or experiences to differ from results discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) any reduction in the Company's AUM; (ii) withdrawal, renegotiation, or termination of DHCM's investment advisory agreements; (iii) damage to the Company's reputation; (iv) failure to comply with investment guidelines or other contractual requirements; (v) challenges from the competition the Company faces in its business; (vi) adverse regulatory and legal developments; (vii) unfavorable changes in tax laws or limitations; (viii) interruptions in or failure to provide critical technological service by the Company or third parties; (ix) adverse civil litigation and government investigations or proceedings; (x) risk of loss on the Company's investments; (xi) lack of sufficient capital on satisfactory terms; (xii) losses or costs not covered by insurance; (xiii) impairment of goodwill or intangible assets; (xiv) a decline in the performance of our products; (xv) changes in interest rates; (xvi) changes in national and local economic and political conditions; (xvii) the continuing economic uncertainty in various parts of the world; (xviii) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions taken in connection therewith; (xix) political uncertainty caused by, among other things, political parties, economic nationalist sentiments, tensions surrounding the current socioeconomic landscape, and other risks identified from time-to-time in other public documents the Company files with the SEC.
General
The Company derives consolidated revenue and net income from investment advisory and fund administration services provided by DHCM. DHCM is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. DHCM sponsors, distributes, and provides investment advisory and related services to clients through the Funds, sub-advised mutual funds, a private investment fund, and separately managed accounts.
DHCM is a client-centric organization committed to a set of shared investment principles and core values intended to enable excellent investment outcomes for clients. By committing to valuation disciplined active portfolio management, fundamental bottom-up research, and a long-term business owner mindset, DHCM has created a suite of investment strategies designed for long-term strategic allocations from institutionally oriented investors. DHCM’s core values of curiosity, ownership, trust, and respect create an environment where investment professionals can focus on results and all teammates focus on the overall client experience. The combination of these investment principles and core values create an aligned boutique model ensuring that associates succeed when clients succeed. This alignment with clients is emphasized through: (i) personal investment by Company employees in the strategies managed, (ii) a fee philosophy focused on a fair sharing of the economics among clients, employees, and shareholders, (iii) a strict adherence to capacity discipline ensuring the ability to add value for existing clients, and (iv) compensation driven by the value created.
The Company's primary objective is to fulfill its fiduciary duty to its clients. The Company's secondary objective is to grow its intrinsic value to achieve an adequate long-term return for our shareholders.
Assets Under Management
The Company derives revenue primarily from DHCM's investment advisory and administration fees. Investment advisory and administration fees paid to DHCM are generally based on the value of the investment portfolios it manages and fluctuate with changes in the total value of its AUM. The Company, through DHCM, recognizes revenue when it satisfies its performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a client.
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The Company's revenues are highly dependent on both the value and composition of AUM. The following is a summary of the Company's AUM by product and investment objective, as well as a roll-forward of the change in AUM, for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020:
Assets Under Management
As of September 30,
(in millions, except percentages) 2021 2020 % Change
Proprietary funds $ 18,750  $ 14,761  27  %
Sub-advised funds 3,665  2,750  33  %
Separately managed accounts 6,771  4,772  42  %
Total AUM $ 29,186  $ 22,283  31  %
Assets Under Management
by Investment Strategy
As of September 30,
(in millions, except percentages) 2021 2020 % Change
Small Cap $ 595  $ 478  24  %
Small-Mid Cap 3,031  2,366  28  %
Mid Cap 1,086  858  27  %
Large Cap 19,651  12,626  56  %
Large Cap Concentrated 50  24  108  %
All Cap Select 404  365  11  %
Long-Short 2,062  1,960  %
Global/International 45  28  61  %
Micro Cap 14  —  NM
  Total Equity 26,938  18,705  44  %
Short Duration Securitized Bond 1,494  1,023  46  %
Core Fixed Income 764  434  76  %
Long Duration Treasury 50  70  (29) %
Corporate Credit(a)
—  1,571  NM
High Yield(a)
—  546  NM
  Total Fixed Income 2,308  3,644  (37) %
  Total Equity and Fixed Income 29,246  22,349  31  %
  (Less: Investments in affiliated funds)(b)
(60) (66) (9) %
Total AUM $ 29,186  $ 22,283  31  %
(a) The Diamond Hill Corporate Credit and High Yield investment advisory contracts were sold to Brandywine Global effective July 30, 2021.
(b) Certain of the Funds own shares of the Diamond Hill Short Duration Securitized Bond Fund. The Company reduces the total AUM by these investments held in this affiliated fund.













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  Change in Assets
Under Management
  For the Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
(in millions) 2021 2020
AUM at beginning of the period $ 32,360  $ 20,645 
Net cash inflows (outflows)
proprietary funds 155  56 
sub-advised funds —  71 
separately managed accounts 65  (29)
220  98 
Sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts (3,456) — 
Net market appreciation and income 62  1,540 
Increase (decrease) during the period (3,174) 1,638 
AUM at end of the period $ 29,186  $ 22,283 
Average AUM during the period $ 30,659  $ 22,038 
  Change in Assets
Under Management
  For the Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(in millions) 2021 2020
AUM at beginning of the period $ 26,411  $ 23,399 
Net cash inflows (outflows)
proprietary funds 2,142 
sub-advised funds (57) 762 
separately managed accounts 279  (191)
2,364  580 
Sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts (3,456) — 
Net market appreciation (depreciation) and income 3,867  (1,696)
Increase (decrease) during the period 2,775  (1,116)
AUM at end of the period $ 29,186  $ 22,283 
Average AUM during the period $ 30,305  $ 21,056 


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Net Cash Inflows (Outflows) Further Breakdown
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions) 2021 2020
Net cash inflows (outflows)
Equity $ (18) $ (348)
Fixed Income 238  446 
$ 220  $ 98 
Net Cash Inflows (Outflows) Further Breakdown
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions) 2021 2020
Net cash inflows (outflows)
Equity $ 1,182  $ (540)
Fixed Income 1,182  1,120 
$ 2,364  $ 580 
AUM decreased $3.2 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2021, due primarily to the sale of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts (see note 11 in the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), partially offset by appreciation and net inflows of our strategies during the period. Flows into our strategies during the three months ended September 30, 2021, totaled $0.2 billion.
AUM increased $2.8 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, due primarily to appreciation in the financial markets and net inflows into our strategies during the period. The increase was partially offset by the sale of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts. Both our equity and fixed income strategies experienced net inflows during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Flows in our equity strategies were largely driven by our Large Cap strategy, which experienced net inflows of $2.2 billion. These net inflows were partially offset by net outflows from our other equity strategies totaling approximately $1.0 billion. The Company's fixed income strategies had net positive flows of $1.2 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, with each individual fixed income strategy other than Long Duration Treasury having net positive flows.
Effective March 31, 2021, the Company closed its Large Cap strategy to most new investors. In February 2021, the Company began offering its Large Cap Concentrated strategy as a new open-end mutual fund in the Funds lineup. On June 1, 2021, DHMF commenced operations.
Model Delivery Programs
DHCM provides strategy-specific model portfolios to sponsors of model delivery programs. DHCM does not have discretionary investment authority over individual client accounts in model delivery programs, and therefore, these assets are not included in the Company's AUM. DHCM provides updated model portfolios to the program sponsors on a periodic basis. DHCM is paid for its services by the program sponsor at a pre-determined rate based on assets in the program. Model delivery program assets were $1.9 billion as of September 30, 2021, and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2020.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The following is a table and discussion of the Company's consolidated results of operations.
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages) 2021 2020 % Change 2021 2020 % Change
Total revenue $ 55,055  $ 31,176  77% $ 139,139  $ 91,350  52%
Net operating income $ 28,321  $ 9,970  184% 59,620  37,462  59%
Net operating income, as adjusted(a)
$ 28,324  $ 11,931  137% 64,238  35,093  83%
Investment income (loss), net (2,630) 5,053  NM 8,911  (5,783) NM
Gain on sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts 9,000  —  NM 9,000  —  NM
Income tax expense 9,816  3,882  153% 20,766  9,429  120%
Net income attributable to common shareholders 25,628  10,566  143% 56,201  24,296  131%
Earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (diluted) $ 8.03  $ 3.30  143% $ 17.66  $ 7.52  135%
Operating profit margin 51  % 32  % 43  % 41  %
Operating profit margin, as adjusted(a)
51  % 38  % 46  % 38  %
(a) Net operating income, as adjusted, and operating profit margin, as adjusted, are non-GAAP performance measurements. See the "Use of Supplemental Data as Non-GAAP Performance Measure" section within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Summary Discussion of Consolidated Results of Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2021, compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2021, increased $23.9 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to a 39% increase in average AUM, as well as $11.9 million in performance-based fees earned in 2021. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the average advisory fee rate (excluding performance-based fees) from 0.53% to 0.52% quarter-over-quarter. We recognized no performance-based fees during the three months ended September 30, 2020.
Operating profit margin was 51% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, and 32% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Operating profit margin, as adjusted, was 51% for the three months ended September 30, 2021, and 38% for the same period in 2020. Operating profit margin, as adjusted, excludes deferred compensation expense (benefit) from operating income because it is offset by an equal amount in investment income below net operating income on the income statement and thus has no effect on net income attributable to the Company. The Company believes this non-GAAP measure helps the reader to understand its core operating results and increases comparability period-to-period. See "Use of Supplemental Data as Non-GAAP Performance Measure" section within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The Company expects that its operating margin will fluctuate from period to period based on various factors, including revenues, investment results, employee performance, staffing levels, gains and losses on investments held in deferred compensation plans, and the development of investment strategies, products, or channels.
The Company had $2.6 million in investment losses due to market depreciation for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared with investment income of $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020.
The Company recorded a gain of $9.0 million related to the sale of our High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts during the third quarter 2021. DHCM may receive two additional payments of up to $13.0 million in the aggregate based on the net revenue of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts on the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date, but there can be no assurance these additional payments will be earned.
Income tax expense increased $5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to an increase in DHCM's income before taxes, and an increase in the Company's effective tax rate from 25.8% to 28.3% period-over-period, primarily due to the additional state and local taxes incurred based on the performance-fees recorded during the period.
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The Company generated net income attributable to common shareholders of $25.6 million ($8.03 per diluted share) for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared with net income attributable to common shareholders of $10.6 million ($3.30 per diluted share) for the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to increased revenues and the gain on the sale of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts.
Revenue
Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages) 2021 2020 % Change
Investment advisory $ 51,848  $ 29,363  77  %
Mutual fund administration, net 3,207  1,813  77  %
Total $ 55,055  $ 31,176  77  %
Investment Advisory Fees. Investment advisory fees increased $22.5 million, or 77%, from the three months ended September 30, 2020, to the three months ended September 30, 2021. Investment advisory fees are calculated as a percentage of the market value of client accounts at contractual fee rates, which vary by investment product. The increase in investment advisory fees was due to an increase of 39% in average AUM, and $11.9 million of performance-based fees recognized during three months ended September 30, 2021 as a significant performance-based agreement reached its first five-year measurement term on September 30, 2021. We recognized no performance-based fees during the three months ended September 30, 2020. The average advisory fee rate excluding performance-based fees for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and the three months ended September 30, 2020 were 0.52% and 0.53%, respectively.
Mutual Fund Administration Fees. Mutual fund administration fees increased $1.4 million, or 77%, from the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended September 30, 2021. Mutual fund administration fees include administration fees received from the Funds, which are calculated as a percentage of the Funds' average AUM. This increase was primarily due to a 38% increase in the Funds' average AUM from the three months ended September 30, 2020, to the three months ended September 30, 2021, and a reduction in administration fees paid on behalf of the Funds as a percentage of average Fund AUM.

Expenses
Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages) 2021 2020 % Change
Compensation and related costs, excluding deferred compensation expense $ 20,433  $ 13,704  49  %
Deferred compensation expense 1,961  (100) %
General and administrative 3,637  3,096  17  %
Sales and marketing 1,767  1,581  12  %
Mutual fund administration 894  864  %
Total $ 26,734  $ 21,206  26  %
Compensation and Related Costs, Excluding Deferred Compensation Expense. Employee compensation and benefits increased by $6.7 million, or 49%, from the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021. This increase was due to increases in accrued incentive compensation of $5.2 million, in salary and related benefits of $0.9 million, and in restricted stock expense of $0.6 million. Incentive compensation expense can fluctuate significantly period-over-period as the Company evaluates investment performance, individual performance, Company performance and other factors.
Deferred Compensation Expense. Deferred compensation expense was not significant for the three months ended September 30, 2021. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 the Company recorded expense of $2.0 million due to market appreciation on our deferred compensation plan investments.
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The gain on deferred compensation plan investments increases deferred compensation expense and is included in operating income. Deferred compensation expense is offset by an equal amount in investment income below net operating income on the consolidated statements of income, and thus has no impact on net income attributable to the Company.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 17%, from the three months ended September 30, 2020, to the three months ended September 30, 2021. This increase was due primarily due to increases of approximately $0.3 million in consulting fees, $0.1 million in depreciation expense related to distribution technology software, and $0.1 million in other general administrative expenses.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $0.2 million from the three months ended September 30, 2020, to the three months ended September 30, 2021. The increase was due to $0.2 million in increased spending related to marketing technology.
Mutual Fund Administration. Mutual fund administration expense increased 3%, from the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021. Mutual fund administration expenses consist of both variable and fixed expenses. The small increase was due to an increase in variable expenses as a result of the increase in the average Fund AUM period-over-period.
Summary Discussion of Consolidated Results of Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021, compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased $47.8 million, compared to revenue for the same period in 2020, primarily due to an increase in average AUM of 44% period-over-period, and $11.9 million in performance-based fees earned in 2021. We recognized no performance-based fees during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in the average advisory fee rate (excluding performance-based fees) from 0.55% to 0.52%.
Operating profit margin was 43% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 41% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Operating profit margin, as adjusted, was 46% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 38% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Operating profit margin, as adjusted, excludes deferred compensation expense (benefit) from operating income because it is offset by an equal amount in investment income below net operating income on the income statement and thus has no effect on net income attributable to the Company. The Company believes this non-GAAP measure helps the reader to understand its core operating results and increases comparability period-to-period. See "Use of Supplemental Data as Non-GAAP Performance Measure" section within this report.
The Company expects that its operating margin will fluctuate from period to period based on various factors, including revenues, investment results, employee performance, staffing levels, gains and losses on investments held in deferred compensation plans, and the development of investment strategies, products, or channels.
The Company recognized $8.9 million in investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with investment losses of $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The change year-over-year was primarily due to the negative impact that COVID-19 had on the financial markets in March 2020, and the subsequent market rebound.
The Company recorded a gain of $9.0 million related to the sale of our High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts during the third quarter 2021. DHCM may receive two additional payments of up to $13.0 million in the aggregate based on the net revenue of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts on the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date, but there can be no assurance these additional payments will be earned.
Income tax expense increased $11.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase in income tax expense was primarily due to the increase in the Company's income before taxes, which was partially offset by a decrease in the Company's effective tax rate from 29.8% to 26.8%, primarily due to the impact of redeemable noncontrolling interest period-over-period. The provision for income taxes includes the effect of the operations of the Consolidated Funds that are not subject to federal income taxes. Accordingly, a portion of the Company's earnings are not subject to corporate tax.
The Company generated net income attributable to common shareholders of $56.2 million ($17.66 per diluted share) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared with net income attributable to common shareholders of $24.3 million ($7.52 per diluted share) for the same period in 2020. The increase in net income and earnings per diluted share was primarily driven by the increase in revenue, the gain on sale of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts, and an increase in investment income during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
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Revenue
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages) 2021 2020 % Change
Investment advisory $ 130,134  $ 86,219  51  %
Mutual fund administration, net 9,005  5,131  76  %
Total $ 139,139  $ 91,350  52  %
Investment Advisory Fees. Investment advisory fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased $43.9 million, or 51%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Investment advisory fees are calculated as a percentage of the market value of client accounts at contractual fee rates, which vary by investment product. The increase in investment advisory fees was primarily due to an increase in average AUM of 44% and $11.9 million of performance-based fees earned during the period as a significant performance-based agreement reached its first five-year measurement term on September 30, 2021. The Company recognized no performance-based fees during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in the average advisory fee rate (excluding performance-based fees) from 0.55% to 0.52% period-over-period. The decrease in average advisory fee rate was driven by an increase in the mix of assets held in lower fee rate strategies during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.
Mutual Fund Administration Fees. Mutual fund administration fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased $3.9 million, or 76%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Mutual fund administration fees include administration fees received from the Funds, which are calculated as a percentage of the Funds' average AUM. The increase was primarily due to the 43% increase in the Funds' average AUM for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and a reduction in administration fees paid on behalf of the Funds as a percentage of average Fund AUM.
Expenses
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages) 2021 2020 % Change
Compensation and related costs, excluding deferred compensation expense (benefit) $ 56,188  $ 41,679  35  %
Deferred compensation expense (benefit) 4,618  (2,369) NM
General and administrative 10,324  7,925  30  %
Sales and marketing 5,672  4,186  35  %
Mutual fund administration 2,717  2,467  10  %
Total $ 79,519  $ 53,888  48  %
Compensation and Related Costs, Excluding Deferred Compensation Expense (Benefit). Employee compensation and benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased by $14.5 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was due to increases in accrued incentive compensation of $10.2 million, in salary and related benefits of $3.1 million, and in restricted stock expense of $1.2 million. Incentive compensation expense can fluctuate significantly period-over-period as the Company evaluates investment performance, individual performance, Company performance and other factors.
Deferred Compensation Expense (Benefit). Deferred compensation expense was $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to a benefit of $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The expense in the current period was primarily due to market appreciation on deferred compensation plan investments, while the benefit in the prior period was primarily due to the negative impact COVID-19 had on the financial markets in March 2020.
The gain (loss) on deferred compensation plan investments increases (decreases) deferred compensation expense (benefit) and is included in operating income. Deferred compensation expense (benefit) is offset by an equal amount in investment income below net operating income on the consolidated statements of income, and thus, has no impact on net income attributable to the Company.
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General and Administrative. General and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased by $2.4 million, or 30%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to a non-recurring $1.1 million refund related to Ohio commercial activity tax, which was received in the first quarter of 2020 and reduced general and administrative expense. The Ohio commercial activity tax is a gross receipts tax, and therefore, is not included in income taxes. Other increases in 2021 include $0.5 million of proxy solicitation fees related to the sale of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts (see note 11 in the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), $0.3 million in consulting expense, $0.3 million in IT staffing, hardware and software expense and $0.2 million in depreciation expense.
Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 increased by $1.5 million, or 35%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase was primarily due to increases of $0.8 million related to the Company's distribution technology platform, and the related external data costs, and additional payments of $0.7 million made to third-party intermediaries related to the sale of our mutual funds on their platforms.
Mutual Fund Administration. Mutual fund administration expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, increased by $0.3 million, or 10%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Mutual fund administration expenses consist of both variable and fixed expenses. The increase was primarily due to an increase in variable expenses as a result of the increase in the average Fund AUM period-over-period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
The Company's current financial condition is liquid, with a significant amount of its assets comprised of cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, and other current assets. The Company's main source of liquidity is cash flows from operating activities, which are generated from investment advisory and mutual fund administration fees. Cash and cash equivalents, investments held directly by DHCM, accounts receivable, and other current assets represented $251.8 million and $205.1 million of total assets as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company believes that these sources of liquidity, as well as its continuing cash flows from operating activities, will be sufficient to meet its current and future operating needs for the next 12 months.
Uses of Liquidity
In line with the Company's primary objective to fulfill its fiduciary duty to clients and its secondary objective to achieve an adequate long-term return for shareholders, it anticipates that its main uses of cash will be for operating expenses and seed capital to fund new and existing investment strategies. The Company's board of directors and management regularly review various factors to determine whether it has capital in excess of that required for its business, and the appropriate uses of any such excess capital.
On February 27, 2020, the Company's board of directors approved a stock repurchase program (the "2020 Repurchase Program") authorizing management to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Company's common stock. Under the 2020 Repurchase Program, the Company repurchased $7.5 million of its common shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2021. As of September 30, 2021, $27.8 million remains available for repurchase under the 2020 Repurchase Program. The authority to repurchase shares: (1) may be exercised from time to time as market conditions warrant, (2) is subject to regulatory constraints, and (3) will expire two years from the date of board approval or upon the earlier repurchase in full of the authorized amount of shares. The timing, amount, and other terms and conditions of any repurchases will be determined by Company management in its discretion based on a variety of factors, including the market price of such shares, corporate considerations, general market and economic conditions, and applicable legal requirements.
The Company's board of directors has approved the institution of a regular quarterly dividend, which it began paying in the first quarter of 2021. A summary of cash dividends paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 is presented below:
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Dividend Declaration Date Date Paid Dividend Amount (in millions)
First quarter - $1.00 per share February 25, 2021 March 19, 2021 $ 3.1 
Second quarter - $1.00 per share April 26, 2021 June 18, 2021 3.2 
Third quarter - $1.00 per share July 28, 2021 September 24, 2021 3.2 
Total $ 9.5 
On October 26, 2021, the Board approved a regular quarterly dividend for the fourth quarter of 2021 of $1.00 per share. The Board also approved a special cash dividend of $19.00 per share. Both the fourth quarter regular dividend and the special dividend will be paid on December 10, 2021, to shareholders of record as of November 29, 2021. These dividends are expected to reduce shareholders' equity by approximately $63.4 million.
The Board also approved an increase in the regular quarterly dividend beginning in the first quarter of 2022. Subject to the Board's approval each quarter and compliance with applicable legal requirements, the Company expects to increase the Company's regular quarterly dividend from $1.00 per share to $1.50 per share in the first quarter of 2022.
In addition to the regular quarterly dividends, the Board will decide whether to approve and pay an additional special dividend in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Although the Company currently expects to pay regular quarterly dividends, depending on the circumstances and the board of directors’ judgment, the Company may not pay such dividends as described.

Working Capital
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had working capital of approximately $213.5 million, compared to $168.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Working capital includes cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments, and other current assets of DHCM, net of accounts payable and accrued expenses, accrued incentive compensation, deferred compensation and other current liabilities of DHCM.
Below is a summary of securities owned by the Company as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
As of
September 30, 2021 December 31, 2020
Corporate Investments:
Diamond Hill Core Bond Fund $ 46,759,964  $ 47,204,636 
Diamond Hill Long-Short Fund 19,067,822  16,945,863 
Diamond Hill Large Cap Concentrated Fund 10,829,980  — 
Diamond Hill Global Fund 11,854,260  11,269,719 
Diamond Hill Micro Cap Fund, LP 9,603,387  — 
Diamond Hill International Fund 20,591,978  10,156,320 
Total Corporate Investments 118,707,391  85,576,538 
Deferred Compensation Plan Investments in the Funds and DHMF 34,883,646  33,241,952 
Total investments held by DHCM 153,591,037  118,818,490 
Investments in Consolidated Funds held by noncontrolling interests 14,101,934  9,582,646 
Total Investment Portfolio $ 167,692,971  $ 128,401,136 
Cash Flow Analysis
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
The Company’s cash flows from operating activities are calculated by adjusting net income to reflect other significant operating sources and uses of cash, certain significant non-cash items (such as share-based compensation), and timing differences in the cash settlement of operating assets and liabilities. The Company expects that cash flows provided by operating activities will continue to serve as its primary source of working capital in the near future.
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For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $15.3 million. Cash inflows from operating activities were primarily driven by net income of $56.8 million, the add back of share-based compensation of $5.4 million, depreciation of $0.9 million, and a $1.0 million increase in the incentive compensation accrual. These inflows were partially offset by the adjustment to net income of $9.0 million for the gain on sale of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts, securities purchased by the Consolidated Funds of $23.5 million, and the cash impact of timing differences in the settlement of other assets and liabilities of $16.3 million. Absent the cash used in operations by the Consolidated Funds, cash flows provided by operations were $38.3 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $38.2 million. Cash inflows provided by operating activities were primarily driven by net income of $22.3 million, the add back of share-based compensation of $5.7 million, depreciation of $0.8 million, and the cash impact of timing differences in the settlement of assets and liabilities of $13.4 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in accrued incentive compensation of $4.0 million due to the payment of incentive compensation in the first quarter of 2020. Absent the cash used by the Consolidated Funds to purchase securities into their investment portfolios, cash flows provided by operations were $35.9 million.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
The Company’s cash flows from investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures and purchases and redemptions in our investment portfolio.
Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Cash flows used in investing activities were primarily driven by corporate investment purchases of $17.0 million and property and equipment purchases of $1.0 million. These outflows were partially offset by proceeds from the redemption of investments totaling $8.5 million and $9.0 million of proceeds received from the sale of the High Yield-Focused Advisory Contracts.
Cash flows provided by investing activities totaled $10.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Cash flows provided by investing activities were primarily driven by proceeds from the redemption of investments totaling $24.8 million, partially offset by investment purchases of $12.4 million, and property and equipment (capitalized software) purchases of $1.7 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
The Company’s cash flows from financing activities consist primarily of the repurchase of its common stock, shares withheld related to employee tax withholding, dividends paid on its common stock, and distributions to, or contributions from, redeemable noncontrolling interest holders.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net cash used in financing activities totaled $14.7 million, consisting of the payment of quarterly dividends totaling $9.5 million, repurchases of the Company’s common stock of $7.5 million, and the value of shares withheld related to employee tax withholding of $1.5 million. These cash outflows were partially offset by net subscriptions received in the Consolidated Funds from redeemable noncontrolling interest holders of $3.4 million and proceeds received under the ESPP of $0.5 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net cash used in financing activities totaled $24.3 million, consisting of repurchases of the Company’s common stock of $18.6 million, net redemptions in the Consolidated Funds from redeemable noncontrolling interest holders of $4.1 million, and the value of shares withheld related to employee tax withholding of $1.6 million.

Supplemental Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
The Company's consolidated balance sheets reflect the investments and other assets and liabilities of the Consolidated Funds, as well as redeemable noncontrolling interest for the portion of the Consolidated Funds that are held by third-party investors. Although the Company can redeem its net interest in the Consolidated Funds at any time, the Company cannot directly access or sell the assets held by the Consolidated Funds to obtain cash for general operations. Additionally, the assets of the Consolidated Funds are not available to our general creditors.

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The following table summarizes the condensed cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, that are attributable to the Company and to the Consolidated Funds, and the related eliminations required in preparing the consolidated statements.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Cash flow attributable to Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. Cash flow attributable to Consolidated Funds Eliminations As reported on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Cash flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss) $ 56,200,986  $ 2,563,711  $ (1,999,751) $ 56,764,946 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation 930,990  —  —  930,990 
Share-based compensation 5,351,120  —  —  5,351,120 
Gain on sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts (9,000,000) —  —  (9,000,000)
Net (gains)/losses on investments (7,048,214) (2,563,711) 1,999,751  (7,612,174)
Net change in securities held by Consolidated Funds —  (23,532,392) —  (23,532,392)
Other changes in assets and liabilities (8,106,644) 524,147  —  (7,582,497)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 38,328,238  (23,008,245) —  15,319,993 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (20,120,438) —  19,577,064  (543,374)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (18,105,755) 23,008,245  (19,577,064) (14,674,574)
Net change during the period 102,045  —  —  102,045 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 98,478,202  —  —  98,478,202 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 98,580,247  $ —  $ —  $ 98,580,247 
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Use of Supplemental Data as Non-GAAP Performance Measure
As supplemental information, the Company is providing performance measures that are based on methodologies other than GAAP (“non-GAAP”). The Company believes that the non-GAAP measures below are useful measures of its core business activities, are important metrics in estimating the value of an asset management business, and may enable more appropriate comparisons to its peers. These non-GAAP measures should not be used as a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and may be calculated differently by other companies. The following schedule reconciles GAAP measures to non-GAAP measures for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
  Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages and per share data) 2021 2020 2021 2020
Total revenue $ 55,055  $ 31,176  $ 139,139  $ 91,350 
Net operating income, GAAP basis $ 28,321  $ 9,970  $ 59,620  $ 37,462 
Non-GAAP adjustment:
Gains (losses) on deferred compensation plan investments, net(1)
1,961  4,618  (2,369)
Net operating income, as adjusted, non-GAAP basis(2)
28,324  11,931  64,238  35,093 
Non-GAAP adjustment:
Tax provision on net operating income, as adjusted, non-GAAP basis(3)
(7,844) (3,206) (17,332) (9,811)
Net operating income, as adjusted, after tax, non-GAAP basis(4)
$ 20,480  $ 8,725  $ 46,906  $ 25,282 
Net operating income, as adjusted after tax per diluted share, non-GAAP basis(5)
$ 6.41  $ 2.73  $ 14.74  $ 7.82 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding, GAAP basis 3,193  3,201  3,182  3,231 
Operating profit margin, GAAP basis 51  % 32  % 43  % 41  %
Operating profit margin, as adjusted, non-GAAP basis(6)
51  % 38  % 46  % 38  %
(1) Gains (losses) on deferred compensation plan investments, net: The gain (loss) on deferred compensation plan investments, which increases (decreases) deferred compensation expense included in operating income, is removed from operating income in the calculation because it is offset by an equal amount in investment income (loss) below net operating income on the income statement, and thus, has no impact on net income attributable to the Company.
(2) Net operating income, as adjusted: This non-GAAP measure represents the Company’s net operating income adjusted to exclude the impact on compensation expense of gains and losses on investments in the deferred compensation plan.
(3) Tax provision on net operating income, as adjusted: This non-GAAP measure represents the tax provision, excluding the impact of investment related activity, and the gain on sale of high yield-focused advisory contracts, and is calculated by applying the unconsolidated effective tax rate to net operating income, as adjusted.
(4) Net operating income, as adjusted, after tax: This non-GAAP measure deducts from the net operating income, as adjusted, the tax provision on net operating income, as adjusted.
(5) Net operating income, as adjusted after tax per diluted share: This non-GAAP measure was calculated by dividing the net operating income, as adjusted after tax, by diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
(6) Operating profit margin, as adjusted: This non-GAAP measure was calculated by dividing the net operating income, as adjusted, by total revenue.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company does not have any obligation under a guarantee contract, a retained or contingent interest in assets, or any similar arrangement that serves as credit, liquidity, or market risk support for such assets, or any other obligation, including a contingent obligation, under a contract that would be accounted for as a derivative instrument or arising out of a variable interest.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
For a summary of the critical accounting policies important to understanding the condensed consolidated financial statements, please see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the 2020 Form 10-K.


ITEM 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
For information regarding the Company’s exposure to certain market risks, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in the 2020 Form 10-K. Except as described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s market risk exposures since our December 31, 2020 year end.

ITEM 4: Controls and Procedures
Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. The Company continues to monitor and assess the impact, if any, that the COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic impacts could have on the design and operating effectiveness of our internal controls.

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1: Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company is party to ordinary, routine litigation that is incidental to its business. There are currently no such matters pending that the Company believes could have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 1A: Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the Company's risk factors from the information disclosed in Item 1A of the 2020 Form 10-K.

ITEM 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
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During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company did not sell any shares of its common stock that were not registered under the Securities Act. The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s repurchases of its common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2021:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased for Employee Tax Withholdings(a)
Total Number
of Shares 
Purchased
as part of Publicly
Announced Programs(b)
Average Price
Paid Per Share Purchased Under the Programs
Aggregate Purchase Price of Shares
 Purchased
Under the Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of the Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program(b)
July 1, 2021 through
July 31, 2021
4,967  —  —  —  $ 33,447,025 
August 1, 2021 through
August 31, 2021
—  17,096  $ 177.99  $ 3,042,863  $ 30,404,162 
September 1, 2021 through
September 30, 2021
—  14,372  $ 178.99  $ 2,572,387  $ 27,831,775 
Total 4,967  31,468  $ 178.44  $ 5,615,250 
(a)The Company regularly withholds shares for tax payments due upon the vesting of employee restricted stock. During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, the Company purchased 4,967 shares of common stock for employee tax withholding at an average price paid per share of $167.31.
(b)On February 27, 2020, the Company announced the 2020 Repurchase Program, pursuant to which our board of directors authorized management to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock in the open market and in private transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws. The 2020 Repurchase Program will expire in February 2022, or upon the earlier completion of all authorized purchases under such program.
The Company has entered into a Rule 10b5-1 repurchase plan. This plan is intended to qualify for the safe harbor under Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act.  A Rule 10b5-1 plan allows a company to purchase its stock at times when it would not ordinarily be in the market because of its trading policies or the possession of material nonpublic information. Because repurchases under the 10b5-1 plan are subject to specified parameters and certain price, timing, and volume restraints specified in the plan, there is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares that will be repurchased or that there will be any repurchases at all pursuant to the plan. Purchases may be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. Purchases in the open market will be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act.
Through September 30, 2021, the Company has repurchased 173,616 shares of the Company's common stock under the 2020 Repurchase Program at a total cost of $22.2 million.

ITEM 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

ITEM 4: Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

ITEM 5: Other Information
On October 26, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Heather E. Brilliant, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President (the “Agreement”). The Agreement, among other changes, modifies the terms of Ms. Brilliant’s compensation to be consistent with the Company’s current compensation practices. The Agreement will expire on December 31, 2026, but will automatically renew for one-year periods unless the Company or Ms. Brilliant provides advance notice that it will not be renewed. The Agreement supersedes and replaces the employment agreement entered into between the Company and Ms. Brilliant dated July 5, 2019.
Ms. Brilliant will receive an annual base salary of $400,000 and will be eligible to receive both annual cash and equity bonuses. She will also receive reimbursement for certain travel and other expenses and will receive insurance and fringe benefits at the levels available to all the Company’s employees. As long as she remains employed with the Company, Ms. Brilliant will be eligible to receive (i) an annual incentive award with a target fair market value equal to $1,750,000, with a minimum annual
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incentive award of at least $600,000 (“Incentive Award”), and (ii) an annual equity bonus with a target fair market value equal to $600,000 for the period from the Effective Date through October 1, 2024 (“Initial Equity Award”), and $1,200,000 thereafter (“LTI Award”). The Incentive Awards and LTI Awards will be determined based upon Ms. Brilliant’s satisfaction of certain performance criteria established by the Board and eligibility requirements under the Company’s Equity and Cash Incentive Plan. The Incentive Awards will also be subject to the Company’s performance during the relevant calendar year. Any such Incentive Award may be paid in cash or Company stock, or a combination thereof, provided that at least 40% of any Incentive Award must be paid in cash.
In the event of Ms. Brilliant’s death, subject to certain restrictions, she or her estate will be eligible to receive (i) her accrued but unpaid base salary, reimbursement of expenses, other benefits to which she would be entitled through the termination date and any Incentive Award for a completed year that has not yet been paid (“Accrued Obligations”), and (ii) any Initial Equity Award and any LTI Award for a completed year that has been granted, but is unvested, will vest in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan and award agreement. In the event of Ms. Brilliant’s permanent disability (as defined in the Agreement), she will be entitled to receive the Accrued Obligations.
If Ms. Brilliant’s employment is terminated without cause (as defined in the Agreement) or if she resigns with good reason (as defined in the Agreement), she will be eligible to receive (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) a single lump sum payment of her annual base salary, (iii) a pro-rated single lump sum payment based upon the amount of the Incentive Award made to Ms. Brilliant for the calendar year preceding termination of employment; and (iv) a single lump sum payment equal to the fair market value of the portion of any LTI Award that would have vested for the calendar year in which the termination occurs. If Ms. Brilliant is terminated for cause or resigns without good reason, she will be eligible to receive only her accrued but unpaid base salary, reimbursement of expenses and other benefits to which she would be entitled through the termination date.
In addition, in the event that a change in control (as defined in the Agreement) occurs and, within six months prior or 24 months following such change in control Ms. Brilliant's employment is terminated by the Company or its successor without cause or Ms. Brilliant resigns with good reason, then Ms. Brilliant will receive (i) the Accrued Obligations, (ii) a single lump sum payment of the greater of her then annual base salary or her base salary paid to her in the most recently completed calendar year, (iii) a single lump sum payment equal to the Incentive Award made to Ms. Brilliant for the calendar year preceding termination of employment, (iv) a pro-rated single lump sum payment equal to the target annual Incentive Award for the calendar year in which the termination of employment occurs, (v) full vesting of any previously granted LTI Award, to the extent not previously vested due to the change in control transaction, and (vi) full vesting of the Initial Equity Award to the extent not previously vested due to the change in control transaction.
The Agreement also contains customary non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality and non-disparagement covenants, both during, and for a period following termination of, Ms. Brilliant’s employment with the Company.
The foregoing description of the Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 6: Exhibits
3.1   
3.2
3.3   
10.1
31.1   
31.2   
32.1   
101.INS    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    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101).
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DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
DIAMOND HILL INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.
 
Date Title Signature
October 26, 2021 Chief Executive Officer and President /s/ Heather E. Brilliant
Heather E. Brilliant
October 26, 2021 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer /s/ Thomas E. Line
Thomas E. Line
37

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT FOR
HEATHER E. BRILLIANT

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of the 26th day of October 2021, by and between Diamond Hill Capital Management, Inc. (“DHCM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. (“DHIG”, and together with DHCM, the “Employer”) and Heather E. Brilliant (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Employer and Executive entered into an employment agreement dated July 5, 2019, whereby Employer and Executive agreed to the terms of the Executive’s employment with Employer (“Initial Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the term of employment under the Initial Agreement was to commence as soon as was permitted by the Executive’s restrictions with her previous employer but no later than November 1, 2019, and to end on December 31, 2024 (“Initial Term”);

WHEREAS, the Employer made significant changes to its compensation practices subsequent to the date of the Initial Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Employer and Executive each desire to enter into this Agreement to modify the terms of the Executive’s compensation consistent with such practices and to extend the Initial Term to end on December 31, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the Employer views it as being in the best interest of its employees, clients, and shareholders to enter into this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are agreed to by the parties, the Employer and the Executive hereby mutually agree as follows:

1.    Term of Employment. The Executive shall be employed by the Employer for a period beginning as of the date hereof (the “Effective Date”), and ending on December 31, 2026 (“Five- Year Term”), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that beginning on December 31, 2026 and each anniversary thereof, the term of employment under this Agreement shall automatically renew and be extended for an additional one-year period, unless the Employer or the Executive provides the other party not less than 120 days prior written notice that the term shall not be so extended (the Five-Year Term plus any extension thereof, the “Term”).

2.    Position and Duties.

(a)    During the Term, the Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Employer at the Employer’s principal offices in Columbus, Ohio. In such capacity, the Executive shall have all the authorities and duties commensurate with such positions that are customary for a corporation of the Employer’s size and nature, and such other duties consistent with such positions that are customary for a corporation of the Employer’s size and nature, and such other duties consistent with such positions as shall be reasonably determined
1


from time to time by the DHIG Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Executive shall report directly to the Board. The Executive shall hold such other positions at Affiliates of the Employer as are consistent with her positions with the Employer, and as may from time to time be reasonably requested of her by the Board.

For purposes of this Agreement, an “Affiliate” shall mean any corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association, or organization which is, directly or indirectly, controlled by, or under common control with, the Employer.

(b)    During the Term, the Executive will continue to serve as a member of the Board pursuant to the rules applicable to all such Board members.

(c)    Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, the Executive will devote all of her skills and her full business time and attention to her duties hereunder and in furtherance of the business and interests of the Employer and its Affiliates and, during the Term, will not directly or indirectly render any services of a business, commercial or professional nature to any person or organization without the prior written consent of the Board; provided, however, that the Executive will not be precluded from participation in community, civic, charitable, or similar activities that do not unreasonably interfere with her responsibilities hereunder, subject to the prior written consent of the Board, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(d)    Upon termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason, the Executive shall cease to hold any Board position or other position as an officer or director (or any other similar position) of Employer or any Affiliate and shall resign from all positions as an officer or director (or any other similar position) in all corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies or other entities for which the Executive is serving, at the Employer’s request, as an officer or director (or in such other similar position).

3.    Compensation.

(a)    Base Salary. During the Term, the Executive will receive an annual base salary of
$400,000. The Board will review the Executive’s base salary annually and, in its discretion, may recommend increases, but not decreases, to the amount of such base salary based upon procedures of the Employer that determine adjustments for other executives of the Employer. The initial annual base salary, together with any increases, shall be the Executive’s annual base salary (“Base Salary”). The Base Salary will be payable in accordance with the Employer’s regular payroll payment practices.

(b)    Annual Incentive Award. Each calendar year during the Term, the Executive will be eligible for an incentive award with an annual target fair market value equal to $1,750,000, subject to the sole discretion of the Board (“Incentive Award”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in each calendar year, the Executive shall be entitled to receive a minimum Incentive Award of at least $600,000. The Board in its discretion may determine whether to pay any such Incentive Award in cash, vested shares of Employer stock, or any combination thereof, except that at least 40% of any Incentive Award must be paid in cash. Receipt of any such annual Incentive Award shall be determined, based upon: (i) the Executive’s satisfaction of goals and objectives
2


established by the Board in consultation with the Executive for the relevant calendar year, (ii) the Employer’s performance during the relevant calendar year, and (iii) the Executive meeting employee eligibility requirements under the Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. Equity and Cash Incentive Plan (“Plan”).

Any payments or stock issuance to be made pursuant to this Section 3(b) will be made to the Executive no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year for which such Incentive Award is payable and shall be subject to the Employer’s Compensation Recoupment and Restitution Policy. The Employer may prorate any such Incentive Award where appropriate.

(c)    Annual Long-Term Incentive Equity Award. Each calendar year during the Term the Executive will be eligible for a long-term incentive equity award with an annual target fair market value equal to: (i) $600,000 for each calendar year prior to the full vesting of the initial five-year cliff-vested award of restricted stock granted to Executive under the Initial Agreement (the “Initial Equity Award”), and (ii) $1,200,000 for each calendar year following the full vesting of the Initial Equity Award, subject to the sole discretion of the Board (“LTI Award”). Receipt of such annual LTI Award shall be determined, based upon the Executive’s satisfaction of goals and objectives established by the Board in consultation with the Executive for the relevant calendar year, and shall be governed by the terms of the Plan. Any stock grant to be made in connection with an LTI Award pursuant to this Section 3(c) will be made to the Executive no later than April 1st of the calendar year following the calendar year for which such LTI Award is awarded and shall vest annually over the next three-year period on a pro-rata basis.

(d)    Additional Compensation Plan Awards. The Executive will be eligible to participate in other compensation plans and receive any applicable awards thereunder, which are made available by the Employer to other senior executives, at levels commensurate with the Executive’s position and performance, on terms and conditions no less favorable than those provided to other senior executives generally.

4.    Fringe Benefits and Expenses.

(a)    Fringe Benefits. During the Term, the Employer will provide the Executive with all health and life insurance coverages, disability programs, tax-qualified retirement plans, equity compensation programs, paid holidays, paid vacation, perquisites, and such other fringe benefits of employment as the Employer may provide from time to time to actively employed senior executives of the Employer. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Employer may discontinue or terminate at any time any employee benefit plan, policy or program described in this Section 4(a), now existing, or hereafter adopted, to the extent permitted by the terms of such plan, policy, or program and will not be required to compensate the Executive for such discontinuance or termination.

(b)    Expenses. During the Term, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel, industry, entertainment, out-of-pocket, and miscellaneous expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of the Executive’s duties and other business activities under this Agreement in accordance with the existing policies and procedures of the Employer pertaining to reimbursement of such expenses to senior executives. In addition, within
3


30 days following the date of this Agreement, the Employer shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by her in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement up to a maximum amount of $10,000.

(c)    Paid Vacation. During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to six (6) weeks paid vacation each year. Vacation time will not accrue or be paid out upon termination of this Agreement or the Executive’s termination of employment with the Employer.

5.    Termination of Employment. For purposes of this Agreement, any reference to the Executive’s “termination of employment” (or any form thereof) shall mean the Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and Treasury Regulation §1.409A-1(h).

(a)    Death of Executive. The Term and the Executive’s employment will terminate upon the Executive’s death and the Executive’s beneficiary (as designated by the Executive in writing with the Employer prior to the Executive’s death) will be entitled to the following payments and benefits:

(i)    Any Base Salary that is accrued but unpaid and any business expenses that are unreimbursed, in each case, as of the date of termination of employment;

(ii)    Any rights and benefits (if any) provided under plans and programs of the Employer, determined in accordance with the applicable terms and provisions of such plans and programs;

(iii)    Any annual Incentive Award for a completed year that has not yet been paid as of the date of the Executive’s death; and

(iv)    Any LTI Award and/or Initial Equity Award for a completed year that has been granted but not yet vested shall vest in accordance with the terms of the Plan and, if applicable, the relevant award agreement.

The payments described in Sections 5(a)(i), (ii), and (iii) are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”. In the absence of a beneficiary designation by the Executive, or, if the Executive’s designated beneficiary does not survive her, payments and benefits described in this Section 5(a) will be paid to the Executive’s estate. Any payments due under Section 5(a)(i) and Section 5(a)(iii) shall be made within 30 days after the date of the Executive’s termination of employment.

(b)    Disability. The Term, and the Executive’s employment, may be terminated by the Employer upon 60 days written notice from the Employer following the determination, as set forth immediately below, that the Executive suffers from a Permanent Disability. For purposes of this Agreement, “Permanent Disability” means a physical or mental impairment that renders the Executive incapable of performing the essential functions of the Executive’s job, on a full-time basis, even taking into account reasonable accommodation required by law, qualifying the Executive for benefits under the Employer’s long-term disability plan.
During any period that the Executive fails to perform the Executive’s duties hereunder as a result of a Permanent Disability (“Disability Period”), the Executive will
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continue to receive the Executive’s Base Salary at the rate then in effect for such period until the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 5(b); provided, however, that payments of Base Salary so made to the Executive will be reduced by the sum of the amounts, if any, that were payable to the Executive at or before the time of any such salary payment under any disability benefit plan or plans of the Employer and that were not previously applied to reduce any payment of Base Salary. In the event that the Employer elects to terminate the Executive’s employment due to Permanent Disability, the Executive will be entitled to payment, within 30 days following termination of employment, of the Accrued Obligations.

(c)    Termination of Employment for Cause. The Employer may terminate the Term and the Executive’s employment upon written notice at any time for “Cause”.

(i)    For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means the Executive has (A) caused the Employer or any of its Affiliates, other than pursuant to the advice of the Employer’s legal counsel, to violate a law which, in the opinion of the Employer’s legal counsel, is reasonable grounds for civil penalties in excess of $250,000 or criminal penalties against the Employer, an Affiliate or the Board; (B) engaged in conduct which constitutes a material violation of the established written policies or procedures of the Employer regarding the conduct of its employees, including policies regarding sexual harassment of employees and use of illegal drugs or substances in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Employer; (C) committed fraud, or acted with willful misconduct or gross negligence, in carrying out her duties under this Agreement; (D) been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude or a violation of federal or state securities or investment advisor laws; or (E) committed a material breach of any material covenant or obligation, or failed to undertake in good faith any material covenant, provision or undertaking set forth in this Agreement.

(ii)    In the event that the Employer terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause, the Executive will be entitled to payment of the Accrued Obligations set forth in Sections 5(a)(i) and (ii).

(d)    Termination Without Cause. The Employer may terminate the Term and the Executive’s employment for any reason upon 60 days prior written notice to the Executive. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer for any reason other than the reasons set forth in subsections (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 5, subject to Board approval, the Executive will be entitled to the following payments and benefits:

(i)    Payment of the Accrued Obligations;

(ii)    A single lump sum payment equal to the Executive’s Base Salary in effect at termination of employment;

(iii)    A single lump sum payment equal to the annual Incentive Award received by Executive for the calendar year preceding termination of employment, which amount
shall be prorated for the number of days during such calendar year preceding the termination of employment; and

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(iv)    A single lump sum payment equal to the fair market value of the portion of any LTI Award that would have vested for the calendar year in which termination of employment occurs.

In the event that Executive is terminated without Cause pursuant to this Section 5(d), but Executive and Employer agree to state publicly that Executive voluntarily resigned (either for (i) Other than Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(e) below, or (ii) for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(f) below), Executive shall be entitled to receive all amounts set forth above in this Section 5(d) instead of the amounts set forth in either 5(e) or 5(f) below.

(e)    Voluntary Termination by Executive Other Than for Good Reason. The Executive may resign and terminate the Term and the Executive’s employment with the Employer other than for Good Reason upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to the Employer. In the event that the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment voluntarily pursuant to this Section 5(e), the Executive will be entitled to payment of the Accrued Obligations set forth in Sections 5(a)(i) and (ii).

(f)    Good Reason Termination. The Executive may resign and terminate the Term and the Executive’s employment with the Employer for Good Reason if: (i) the Executive gives written notice of the Good Reason event to the Employer within 90 days after the Executive first learns of the event constituting Good Reason, (ii) the Good Reason event remains uncured for 30 days after notice of the event is given, and (iii) the Executive gives 30 days prior written notice of her resignation within 30 days after expiration of such cure period.

For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive will have “Good Reason” to terminate the Executive’s employment with the Employer if any of the following events occur without the Executive’s consent (provided the Employer does not fully cure the effect of such event within 30 days following its receipt of written notice of such event from the Executive):

(i)    A material reduction of the Executive’ Base Salary;

(ii)    The Employer requires the Executive to relocate her principal place of employment to a location more than 50 miles from her principal place of employment before such relocation;

(iii)    The Employer assigns duties to the Executive that are materially inconsistent in any respect with the Executive’s position (including, without limitation, her status, office, and title), authority, duties, or responsibilities, or takes any other action that results in a material diminution in the Executive’s position, authority, duties, or responsibilities;

(iv)    The Employer changes the Executive’s reporting structure within the organization so that she no longer reports directly to the Board; or
(v)    The Employer materially breaches any material covenant, or obligation set forth in this Agreement or any other written agreement, plan, or arrangement.

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In the event that the Executive terminates the Term and the Executive’s employment with the Employer for Good Reason pursuant to this Section 5(f), the Executive will be entitled to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 5(d) hereof, as if her employment had been terminated by the Employer without Cause.

(g)    Expiration of Term of Agreement. If the Term expires and the Employer and the Executive have not mutually agreed in writing to extend the Term, the Executive’s employment will terminate at the end of the Term and the Executive will be entitled to payment of the Accrued Obligations.

6.    Change In Control.

(a)    Occurrence of Change in Control Event. In the event that a Change in Control occurs and, within six (6) months prior or 24 months following such Change in Control, the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Employer or its successor without Cause as described in Section 5(c) or is terminated for Good Reason by the Executive as described in Section 5(f), then, in lieu of any payment that might be provided under Section 5 of this Agreement, the Executive will be entitled to the following payments and benefits from the Employer or its successors:

(i)    Payment of the Accrued Obligations;

(ii)    A single lump sum payment equal to the greater of: (A) the Executive’s annual Base Salary in effect at termination of employment; or (B) the Base Salary paid or payable to the Executive with respect to the most recently completed calendar year of the Employer;

(iii)    A single lump sum payment equal to the annual Incentive Award made to the Executive for the calendar year preceding termination of employment;

(iv)    A single lump-sum payment equal to the Executive’s target annual Incentive Award for the calendar year in which termination of employment occurs, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is 365 minus the number of days remaining in the calendar year after the date of termination of employment and the denominator of which is 365;

(v)    Full vesting of any previously granted LTI Award, to the extent not previously vested in a Change in Control transaction; and

(vi)    Full vesting of the Initial Equity Award, to the extent not previously vested in a Change in Control transaction.

Any payments due under this Section 6(a) shall be made within 60 days after the date of the Executive’s termination of employment.
(b)    Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

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(i)    Any transaction or series of transactions, whereby any “person” is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as those terms are each used in Section 13 and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of securities of DHIG representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of DHIG’s then outstanding securities; provided, that for purposes of this paragraph, the term “person” will exclude: (A) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of DHIG or an Affiliate, and (B) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of DHIG in substantially the same proportions as their ownership in DHIG;

(ii)    Any merger, consolidation, other corporate reorganization, or liquidation of DHIG in which DHIG is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity or pursuant to which its common shares would be converted into cash, securities, or other property, other than: (A) a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, (B) a reincorporation of DHIG in a different jurisdiction, or (C) any other transaction in which there is no substantial change in the stockholders of DHIG;

(iii)    Any merger or consolidation of DHIG with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the continuing or surviving entity’s securities outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation, or other reorganization is owned by persons who were not stockholders of DHIG immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, or other reorganization;

(iv)    The sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of DHIG in one transaction or a series of transactions; or

(v)    A change or series of related or unrelated changes in the composition of the Board, during any twenty-four (24) month period beginning on the Effective Date, as a result of which fewer than fifty percent (50%) of the incumbent directors are directors who either: (A) had been directors of DHIG on the later of the Effective Date or the date twenty- four (24) months prior to the date of the event that may constitute a Change in Control (the “Original Directors”), or (B) were elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the aggregate of the Original Directors who were still in office at the time of the election or nomination and the directors whose election or nomination was previously so approved.

(c)    Excess Parachute Payments and Other Limitations on Payment.

(i)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any payments or benefits paid or payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or any other plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Employer or an Affiliate would constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, then the Executive shall receive the greater of: (A) one dollar ($1.00) less than the amount which would cause
the payments and benefits to constitute a “parachute payment”, or (B) the amount of such payments and benefits, after taking into account all federal, state and local taxes, including the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code payable by the
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Executive on such payments and benefits, if such amount would be greater than the amount specified in Section 6(c)(i)(A), after taking into account all federal, state and local taxes payable by the Executive on such payments and benefits. Any reduction to any payment made pursuant to this Section 6(c)(i) shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

(ii)    If any payments otherwise payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement are prohibited or limited by any statute, regulation, order, consent decree, or similar limitation in effect at the time the payments would otherwise be paid (a “Limiting Rule”), the Employer: (A) shall pay the maximum amount that may be paid after applying the Limiting Rule; and (B) shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of the appropriate agency or body to pay any amounts that cannot be paid due to the application of the Limiting Rule. The Executive agrees that the Employer shall not have breached its obligations under this Agreement if it is not able to pay all or some portion of any payment due to the Executive as a result of the application of a Limiting Rule.

7.    Release. As a condition to receiving any payments, other than payment of the Accrued Obligations, pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive agrees to release the Employer and all of its Affiliates, employees and directors from any and all claims that the Executive may have against the Employer and all of its Affiliates, employees and directors up to and including the date the Executive signs a Waiver and Release of Claims (“Release”), in a conforming form of release provided by the Employer that does not impose any additional restrictions on the Executive that are more restrictive than those provided under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Executive acknowledges that the Executive is not entitled to receive, and will not receive, any severance payments pursuant to this Agreement (excluding payments related to Accrued Obligations) unless and until the Executive provides the Employer with said Release prior to the first date that such severance payment is to be made or is to commence. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that the date for which a severance payment constituting “nonqualified deferred compensation” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) could be in one calendar year or a subsequent calendar year, such severance payments shall not be made until the subsequent calendar year.

8.    Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement will prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any incentive, fringe benefit, deferred compensation, or other plan or program provided by the Employer and for which the Executive may qualify, nor will anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any other agreements with the Employer. Amounts that are vested benefits or that the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan or program of the Employer at or after the date of termination of employment, will be payable in accordance with such plan or program.

9.    Covenants.

(a)    Non-Competition. Executive agrees that, during the Term, including any extension thereof, and for a period of one year thereafter following the Executive’s termination ofemployment, the Executive shall not, without the express written consent of the Employer, directly or indirectly, either for the Executive or for or with any other person, partnership,
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corporation or company, own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for, permit the Executive’s name to be used or in any other manner engage in any activity that is in material and direct competition with any material investment strategy conducted by the Employer or an Affiliate at the time of the Executive’s termination of employment.

For purposes of this Agreement, the term “participate” includes any direct or indirect interest in any enterprise, whether as an officer, director, employee, consultant, partner, investor, sole proprietor, agent, member, representative, independent contractor, executive, franchisor, franchisee, creditor, owner or otherwise; provided, however, that the foregoing investment limitations shall not include passive ownership of less than 1% of the stock of a publicly held corporation whose stock is traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, so long as the Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation.

(b)    Non-Solicitation. The Executive agrees that, during the Term, including any extension thereof, and for a period of one year thereafter following the Executive’s termination of employment, the Executive shall not, without the express written consent of the Employer:

(i)    Call upon or solicit, either for the Executive or for any other person or firm that engages in material and direct competition with any material investment strategy conducted by the Employer or an Affiliate, any customer with whom the Employer or any Affiliate directly conducts business during the Term; or interfere with any relationship, contractual or otherwise, between the Employer or any Affiliate and any customer with whom the Employer or any Affiliate directly conducts business during the Term; or

(ii)    Induce any person who is at the date of the Executive’s termination of employment an employee, officer or agent of the Employer or any Affiliate to terminate said relationship.

(c)    Confidential Information. The Executive will hold in a fiduciary capacity, for the benefit of the Employer and its current and future Affiliates, all trade secrets (as defined in Ohio Revised Code section 1331.61), secret or confidential information, knowledge, and data relating to the Employer and any current or future Affiliate, that shall have been obtained by the Executive in connection the Executive’s employment with the Employer and that is not public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or the Executive’s representatives in violation of this Agreement) (collectively, “Confidential Information”). During the Term and after termination of the Executive’s employment with the Employer, the Executive will not, without the prior written consent of the Employer, communicate or divulge any Confidential Information to anyone other than the Employer or those designated by it, unless such communication is: (i) required pursuant to a compulsory proceeding in which the Executive’s failure to provide such Confidential Information would subject the Executive to criminal or civil sanctions and then only to the extent that the Executive provides prior notice to the Employer prior to disclosure, or (ii) permitted by the last sentence of Section 9(d).

(d)    Non-Disparagement. The parties agree that during the Term and following Executive’s termination of employment, neither the Executive nor the Employer shall make any
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public statements which disparage the other party, including without limitation, any director, officer, or employee of the Employer or an Affiliate. Nothing in this Agreement or elsewhere is intended to prohibit either party from: (i) making truthful statements (A) when required by order of a court, governmental body, or regulatory body having appropriate jurisdiction or (B) when requested by a governmental or quasi-governmental agency or body, or when disclosure is protected by law; or (ii) making disclosures in the course of any proceeding described in Section 16, or in confidence to an attorney or other professional advisor for the purpose of securing professional advice.

(e)    Enforcement of Restrictive Covenants.

(i)    In the event of a breach by the Executive of any covenant set forth in Section 9(a) or (b), the term of such covenant will be extended by the period of the duration of such breach and such covenant will survive any termination of this Agreement but only for the limited period of such extension.

(ii)    The restrictions on competition, solicitation, the release of Confidential Information and non-disparagement provided herein shall be in addition to any similar restrictions contained in any other agreement between the Employer and the Executive and may be enforced by the Employer and/or any successor thereto, by an action to recover payments made under this Agreement, an action for injunction, and/or an action for damages. The provisions of Sections 9(a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Agreement constitute an essential element of this Agreement, without which the Employer would not have entered into this Agreement. Notwithstanding any other remedy available to the Employer at law or at equity, the parties hereto agree that the Employer or any successor thereto, will have the right, at any and all times, to seek injunctive relief in order to enforce the terms and conditions of Sections 9(a), (b), (c) and/or (d).

(iii)    If the scope of any restriction contained in Section 9(a), (b) or (c) of this Agreement is too broad to permit enforcement of such restriction to its fullest extent, then such restriction will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and the Executive hereby consents and agrees that such scope may be judicially modified accordingly in any proceeding brought to enforce such restriction.

(f)    Return of Property. The Executive agrees that, upon the Executive’s termination of employment, the Executive shall promptly return to Employer any keys, credit cards, passes, confidential documents or material, or other property belonging to the Employer, and the Executive shall also return all writings, files, records, correspondence, notebooks, notes and other documents and things (including any copies thereof) containing Confidential Information or relating to the business or proposed business of the Employer or any Affiliate or containing any Confidential Information relating to the Employer of any Affiliate, except any personal diaries, calendars, rolodexes, personal notes or correspondence and copies of documents evidencing the Executive’s personal rights and obligations. The Executive is also permitted to disclose her post employment restrictions, in confidence, to any subsequent or prospective employer.

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(g)    Cooperation. The Executive agrees that during the Term and following the Executive’s termination of employment, the Executive shall be reasonably available to testify
truthfully on behalf of the Employer or any Affiliate in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, and to assist the Employer, or any Affiliate, in all reasonable respects in any such action, suit, or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board, or their representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to Employer, or any Affiliate, as requested; provided, however that the same does not materially interfere with the Executive’s then-current professional activities. The Executive shall be reimbursed for her out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in providing such cooperation, even if she is no longer employed by the Employer at the time of such cooperation.

10.    No Mitigation. The Executive is not required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit described in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor will the amount of any payment or benefit hereunder be reduced by any compensation that the Executive earns in any capacity after termination of employment or by reason of the Executive’s receipt of or right to receive any retirement or other benefits after termination of employment.

11.    Indemnification. The Executive shall be indemnified (and advanced expenses) by the Employer to the fullest extent permitted in the case of officers under the Employer’s Articles of Incorporation or Code of Regulations, to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law. The Executive will be covered at all times during the Term under the Employer’s Director and Officer Liability Insurance (“DOL Insurance”) and, after the Term ends for whatever reason, the Employer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to continue its DOL Insurance for the Executive under substantially similar terms and in substantially similar amounts as in existence prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment. The DOL Insurance shall be maintained for at least six (6) years from termination of employment and without limiting the foregoing, the Executive shall not be excluded from coverage under such DOL Insurance during such period.

12.    Representations of Executive. The Executive hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties will survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, that: (a) Executive is not a party to or otherwise subject to any other plan, agreement or arrangement that would prohibit Executive from performing the duties described herein; and (b) Executive has taken all other steps as may be required by law or by any applicable regulatory body, for Executive to perform the duties described herein.

13.    Assignment and Survivorship of Benefits. The rights and obligations of the Employer under this Agreement will inure to the benefit of, and will be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Employer. If the Employer shall at any time be merged or consolidated into, or with, any other company, or if substantially all of the assets of the Employer are transferred to another company, the provisions of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the company resulting from such merger or consolidation or to which such assets have been transferred, and this provision will apply in the event of any subsequent merger, consolidation, or transfer.

14.    Notices. Any notice given to either party to this Agreement will be in writing, and will be deemed to have been given when delivered personally or sent by certified mail, postage prepaid,
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return receipt requested, duly addressed to the party concerned, at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such party may subsequently give notice of:

If to the Employer:
Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. Attention: Chairman, Board of Directors 325 John H. McConnell Blvd.
Suite 200
Columbus, Ohio 43215

If to the Executive:
Heather E. Brilliant
At the last address on file with the Employer

15.    Taxes. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all payments and benefits required to be made or provided hereunder by the Employer to the Executive will be subject to withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Employer may reasonably determine that it should withhold pursuant to any applicable law or regulations.

16.    Arbitration Enforcement of Rights. Any controversy or claim arising out of, or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, except with respect to Section 9, will be settled by arbitration in Columbus, Ohio in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator or arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Each party will bear its own costs of arbitration, except that the Employer shall bear the cost of the arbitrator.

17.    Governing Law; Captions; Severance. This Agreement will be construed in accordance with, and pursuant to, the laws of the State of Ohio, excluding any conflicts of laws principles. The captions of this Agreement will not be part of the provisions hereof and will have no force or effect. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Section 17, the failure of either party to insist in any instance on the strict performance of any provision of this Agreement or to exercise any right hereunder will not constitute a waiver of such provision or right in any other instance. No waiver of the applicability of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in a writing that expressly incorporates the provision being waived and it is executed by the party against whom it is sought to be enforced.

18.    Supersedes Prior Agreements; Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement supersedes the Initial Agreement and any other prior agreements between the parties, whether written or oral, and any such prior agreements are cancelled as at the date of this Agreement but without prejudice to any rights which have already accrued to either of the parties. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended only by mutual written agreement executed by the parties that incorporates the provision(s) being amended. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and signatures delivered by facsimile (including, without limitation, by portable document format) shall be effective for all purposes.
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19.    Six-Month Distribution Delay for Specified Employees. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that the Executive is a “specified employee” (as defined in
Section 409A of the Code) of the Employer or any of its Affiliates, as determined pursuant to the Employer’s policy for identifying specified employees, on the date of the Executive’s termination of employment and the Executive is entitled to a payment and/or a benefit under this Agreement that is required to be delayed pursuant to Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then such payment or benefit, as applicable, shall not be paid or provided (or begin to be paid or provided) until the first day of the seventh month following the date of the Executive’s termination of employment (or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death). The first payment that can be made to the Executive following such period shall include the cumulative amount of any payments or benefits that could not be paid or provided during such period due to the application of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code.

20.    Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement is intended, and shall be construed and interpreted, to comply with Section 409A of the Code and the parties agree to amend any provision (or part thereof) to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code (or any exemption thereunder) without diminution of the economic benefits of such provision. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each individual payment payable under the Agreement shall be deemed to be a “separate payment” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Any amounts payable solely on account of an involuntary termination shall be excludible from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, either as separation pay or as short-term deferrals, to the maximum possible extent.

21.    Remedies Cumulative. No remedy conferred upon a party by this Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to any other remedy given under this Agreement or current or future law or in equity. The failure of either party to insist in any instance on the strict performance of any provision of this Agreement or to exercise any right hereunder will not constitute a waiver of such provision or right in any other instance.

22.    Opportunity to Review. The Executive represents that the Executive has been provided with an opportunity to review the terms of this Agreement with legal counsel.

23.    No Presumption. The parties agree that this Agreement is the product of negotiations between parties representing by legal counsel and that the presumption of interpreting ambiguities against the drafter of this Agreement shall not apply.


[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]





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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date first written above.

DIAMOND HILL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

By:    /s/ Thomas E. Line
Name:    Thomas E. Line
Title:    Chief Financial Officer



HEATHER E. BRILLIANT


By:    /s/ Heather E. Brilliant
Date:    October 26, 2021

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CERTIFICATION FOR QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
I, Heather E. Brilliant, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Diamond Hill Investment Group, 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(s) 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(s) 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 the 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 information; 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.
Date: October 26, 2021 /s/ Heather E. Brilliant
Heather E. Brilliant
Chief Executive Officer



CERTIFICATION FOR QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
I, Thomas E. Line, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Diamond Hill Investment Group, 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(s) 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(s) 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 the 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 information; 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.
Date: October 26, 2021 /s/ Thomas E. Line
Thomas E. Line
Chief Financial Officer


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Diamond Hill Investment Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Heather E. Brilliant, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Thomas E. Line, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(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/ Heather E. Brilliant
Print Name: Heather E. Brilliant
Title: Chief Executive Officer
Date: October 26, 2021
/s/ Thomas E. Line
Print Name: Thomas E. Line
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: October 26, 2021