QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 21, 2015

File No. 001-37387


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Amendment No. 4
to

FORM 10

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Associated Capital Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State of incorporation or
organization)
  47-3965991
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

One Corporate Center
Rye, New York

(Address of principal executive office)

 

10580
(Zip code)

(914) 921-5135
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

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


Title of Each Class Registered

Class A Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share
  Name of Each Exchange on Which Such Class will be Registered
The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  o   Accelerated filer  o   Non-accelerated filer  o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company  ý

   



ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND
ITEMS OF FORM 10

        Our information statement is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10. For your convenience, we have provided below a cross-reference sheet identifying where the items required by Form 10 can be found in the information statement. The sections of the information statement listed under the heading "Location in Information Statement" are incorporated into this Form 10 by reference.

Item No.
  Item Caption   Location in Information Statement
Item 1.   Business.   See "Business" and "Where You Can Find More Information"

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors.

 

See "Risk Factors"

Item 2.

 

Financial Information.

 

See "Selected Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"

Item 3.

 

Properties.

 

See "Business—Real Estate Properties"

Item 4.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

 

See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management"

Item 5.

 

Directors and Executive Officers.

 

See "Management"

Item 6.

 

Executive Compensation.

 

See "Management" and "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Spin-off"

Item 7.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions" and "Management—Transactions with Related Persons"

Item 8.

 

Legal Proceedings.

 

See "Business—Legal Proceedings"

Item 9.

 

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

See "The Spin-off—Trading Markets for the ACG Common Stock" and "Dividend Policy"

Item 10.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

 

Not Applicable

Item 11.

 

Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.

 

See "Description of Capital Stock"

Item 12.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

See "Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers"

Item 13.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

See "Combined Consolidated Financial Statements" beginning on page F-1 of the information statement

Item 14.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

 

Not Applicable

Item 15.

 

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

 

a)

 

Financial Statements.

 

See "Combined Consolidated Financial Statements" beginning on page F-1 of the information statement

b)

 

Exhibits.

 

 

 

 

The Exhibit Index appearing after the signature page to this Form 10 is incorporated herein by reference.

2



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 21, 2015

    ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ KIERAN CATERINA

Kieran Caterina
Chief Financial Officer

3



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.   Exhibit Description
  2.1   Form of Separation and Distribution Agreement by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

4.1

 

Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate of Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

10.1

 

Form of Service Mark and Name License Agreement by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

10.2

 

Form of Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

10.3

 

Form of Employment Agreement by and between Mario J. Gabelli and Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

10.4


Promissory note in the principal amount of $15,000,000, dated March 15, 2004, by and between Gabelli Securities, Inc. and GAMCO Investors, Inc.

 

10.5


Promissory note in the principal amount of $16,000,000, dated August 17, 2010, by and between Gabelli Securities, Inc. and GAMCO Investors, Inc.

 

10.6

 

Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between Associated Capital Group, Inc. and Mario J. Gabelli

 

10.7

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement to be entered into between Associated Capital Group, Inc. and its directors and certain of its officers

 

10.8

 

Form of promissory note in the amount of $250,000,000, issued by GAMCO Investors, Inc. to Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

10.9

 

Form of promissory note in the amount of $                , issued by Gabelli Securities, Inc. to GAMCO Investors,  Inc.

 

10.10

 

Form of Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement by and between Associated Capital Group, Inc. and GAMCO Investors, Inc.

 

10.11

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc. 2015 Stock Award and Incentive Plan

 

21.1

 

Subsidiaries of Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

99.1

 

Information Statement of Associated Capital Group, Inc., preliminary and subject to completion, dated October 21, 2015

Previously filed

4




QuickLinks

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET BETWEEN INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ITEMS OF FORM 10
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 2.1

 

SEPARATION AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This Separation and Distribution Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of the       day of November, 2015, between GAMCO Investors, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (“ GAMCO ”) and Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and, as of the date of this Agreement, a wholly owned subsidiary of GAMCO (“ ACG ”).  As used herein, GAMCO on the one hand, and ACG, on the other hand, are sometimes referred to individually as a “ Party ”, or together, as “ Parties ”.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of GAMCO (the “ GAMCO Board ”) has determined that it is appropriate and advisable to separate and transfer certain assets of GAMCO and its subsidiaries so that such assets will be owned by ACG (the “ Separation ”);

 

WHEREAS, following the Separation, the GAMCO Board has determined that it is appropriate and advisable for the ACG class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ ACG Class A Stock ”), and the ACG class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ ACG Class B Stock ” and, together with the ACG Class A Stock, the “ ACG Common Stock ”), that GAMCO owns to be distributed to holders of GAMCO class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ GAMCO Class A Stock ”) and GAMCO class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ GAMCO Class B Stock ” and, together with the GAMCO Class A Stock, the “ GAMCO Common Stock ”), respectively (the “ Distribution ”);

 

WHEREAS, GAMCO and ACG intend that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be generally tax-free under Section 355 and/or Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS, to effect the Separation, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, GAMCO will contribute to ACG certain of GAMCO’s subsidiaries that comprise GAMCO’s alternative investment management business, its institutional research services business and will also transfer to ACG the ACG Group Assets (as defined below) (collectively, the “ Contribution ”); and

 

WHEREAS, each of GAMCO and ACG have determined that it is advisable to set forth the principal transactions required to effect the Separation and the Distribution and to provide for other agreements that will govern certain matters regarding the Separation and the Distribution.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged by GAMCO and ACG, GAMCO and ACG agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions; General Interpretative Principles

 

1.1                  Definitions .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

ACG ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

ACG Assets ” shall mean all assets of ACG at the time of the Distribution.

 

ACG Businesses ” shall mean the business and operations conducted by the ACG Group as of the Distribution Time, as more fully described in the Information Statement.

 

ACG Class A Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

ACG Class B Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 



 

ACG Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

ACG Group ” shall mean ACG and each of the entities set forth on Schedule 1.1(b), and any other entities that may become Subsidiaries of ACG.

 

ACG Group Assets ” shall mean only the following Assets of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries:

 

(i)                    all of the outstanding capital stock of GSI other than the 6.1% of GSI not owned by ACG immediately following the Distribution;

 

(ii)                 all of the Assets included on the ACG Pro Forma Balance Sheet or any subledger thereto that are owned by either Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Time;

 

(iii)              all of the Assets of either Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Time acquired or created after the date of the ACG Pro Forma Balance Sheet that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in the Assets being included as Assets on a pro forma combined balance sheet of ACG and the notes or subledgers thereto as of the Distribution Time (were the balance sheet, notes and subledgers to be prepared as of that time) on a basis consistent with the determination of the Assets included on the ACG Pro Forma Balance Sheet or any subledger thereto;

 

(iv)             all of the Assets expressly transferred to ACG or any member of the ACG Group under this Agreement, the Conveyance and Assumption Instruments and the Service Mark and Name License Agreement; and

 

(v)                except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or one or more Ancillary Agreements, all other Assets that are held by a member of the ACG Group and used primarily by or in connection with the ACG Business on or prior to the Distribution Date.

 

ACG Group Liabilities ” shall mean all of the following Liabilities of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries:

 

(i)                    all Liabilities included on the ACG Pro Forma Balance Sheet or any subledger thereto that remain outstanding as of the Distribution Time;

 

(ii)           all other Liabilities that are incurred or accrued by either Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries after the date of the ACG Pro Forma Balance Sheet and remain outstanding as of the Distribution Time that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in the Liabilities being included as Liabilities on a pro forma combined balance sheet of ACG and the notes or subledgers thereto as of the Distribution Time (were the balance sheet, notes or subledgers to be prepared as of that time) on a basis consistent with the determination of the Liabilities included on the ACG Pro Forma Balance Sheet or any subledger thereto;

 

(iii)        all Liabilities expressly delegated or allocated to, or assumed by, ACG or any member of the ACG Group under this Agreement, any Conveyance and Assumption Instruments or any Ancillary Agreement; and

 

(iv)       except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all Liabilities arising out of the operation of the ACG Business, whether prior to, on or after the Distribution Date.

 

ACG Indemnifiable Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

 

ACG Pro Forma Balance Sheet ” shall mean the Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Balance Sheet, including the notes thereto, as of June 30, 2015 as presented in the Information Statement mailed to the Record Holders before the Distribution Date.

 

2



 

Action ” shall mean any demand, claim, action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, litigation, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration tribunal or authority.

 

Administrative Agreement ” shall mean the Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement, dated of even date herewith, between GAMCO and ACG.

 

Affiliate ” of any Person shall mean another Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such first Person; provided , however, that for the purposes of this Agreement from and after the Distribution, no member of the GAMCO Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the ACG Group, and no member of the ACG Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of any member of the GAMCO Group.

 

Ancillary Agreements ” shall mean those agreements listed on Schedule 1.1(a) .

 

Assets ” shall mean all rights, properties or assets, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, of any kind, nature and description, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and wheresoever situated and whether or not carried or reflected, or required to be carried or reflected, on the books of any Person.

 

Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Consents ” shall mean any consents, waivers or approvals from, or notification requirements to, any third parties, including Governmental Approvals.

 

Conveyance and Assumption Instruments ” shall mean, collectively, the deeds, bills of sale, Asset transfer agreements, endorsements, assignments, assumptions (including Liability assumption agreements), leases, subleases, affidavits and other instruments of sale, conveyance, contribution, distribution, lease, transfer and assignment between GAMCO or, where applicable, any member of the GAMCO Group, on the one hand, and ACG or, where applicable, any member of the ACG Group, on the other hand, as may be necessary or advisable under the laws of the relevant jurisdictions to effect the Separation and the Contribution.

 

Distribution ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Distribution Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

Distribution Date ” shall mean the date on which the Distribution occurs.

 

Distribution Taxes ” shall mean any tax, fee, assessment, charge or levy made by a Governmental Authority in connection with, arising from or attributable to the Distribution and the transactions necessary to effect the Distribution.

 

Distribution Time ” shall mean 11:59 p.m. New York City time on the Distribution Date or such other time designated by the GAMCO Board as the time at which the Distribution is to be effective on the Distribution Date.

 

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Form 10 ” shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 of ACG with respect to the registration under the Exchange Act of the ACG Class A Stock, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

GAMCO Assets ” shall mean all Assets of GAMCO and its Subsidiaries (other than ACG Assets) at the time of the Distribution.

 

GAMCO Board ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

3



 

GAMCO Business ” shall mean all business and operations of the GAMCO Group other than the ACG Business.

 

GAMCO Class A Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

GAMCO Class B Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

GAMCO Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

GAMCO Group ” shall mean GAMCO and its Subsidiaries, other than the ACG Group.

 

GAMCO Group Assets ” shall mean all Assets of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, other than the ACG Group Assets.

 

GAMCO Group Liabilities ” shall mean all Liabilities of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, other than the ACG Group Liabilities.

 

GAMCO Indemnifiable Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

 

GAMCO Note” a $250 million, five-year, 4.0% note issued by GAMCO to ACG, the original principal amount of which will be paid off by GAMCO ratably over five years, or sooner at GAMCO’s option, with interest payable in cash or, subject to certain exceptions, in kind, at GAMCO’s option.

 

Governmental Authority ” shall mean any federal, state or local court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory or administrative authority.

 

Group ” shall mean the ACG Group or the GAMCO Group, as applicable.

 

GSI shall mean Gabelli Securities, Inc., which, prior to the Distribution, is a 93.9% owned subsidiary of GAMCO.

 

GSI Note ” a note issued by GSI to GAMCO in the amount of $150,000,000, with an interest rate of 4.0%, and payable on demand.

 

Indemnifiable Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

 

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.

 

Indemnitee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.

 

Information ” of a Party shall mean any and all information that such Party or any of its Representatives, whether furnished orally or in writing or by any other means or gathered by inspection and regardless of whether the same is specifically marked or designated as “confidential” or “proprietary,” together with any and all notes, memoranda, analyses, compilations, studies or other documents (whether in hard copy or electronic media) prepared by the receiving Party or any of its Representatives which contain or otherwise reflect such information, together with any and all copies, extracts or other reproductions of any of the same; provided , however, that for the purposes hereof, all information relating to the GAMCO Group and the GAMCO Businesses in the possession of any member of the ACG Group at the time of the Distribution shall be deemed to have been furnished by the GAMCO Group and all information relating to the ACG Group and the ACG Businesses in the possession of any member of the GAMCO Group at the time of the Distribution shall be deemed to have been furnished by the ACG Group; and further provided that the term “Information” does not include information that:

 

(i)              is or becomes generally available to the public through no wrongful act of the receiving Party or its Representatives;

 

4



 

(ii)                 is or becomes available to the receiving Party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the providing Party or its Representatives, provided that such source is not known by the receiving Party to be subject to a confidentiality agreement with the providing Party; or

 

(iii)        has been independently acquired or developed by the receiving Party without violation of any of the obligations of the receiving Party or its Representatives under this Agreement.

 

Information Statement ” shall mean the information statement and any related documentation to be distributed to holders of GAMCO Common Stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

Internal Transactions ” shall mean, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3:

 

(i)              subsequent to the Record Date and prior to the Distribution Date, the issuance by GAMCO of  shares of GAMCO Class A Stock held in GAMCO’s treasury with a value of $150,000,000 to GSI in exchange for the GSI Note; and

 

(ii)           the issuance of the GAMCO Note to ACG.

 

Liabilities ” shall mean any and all debts, liabilities, commitments and obligations, whether fixed, contingent or absolute, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or not accrued, known or unknown, whenever or however arising and whether or not the same would be required by generally accepted accounting principles to be reflected in financial statements or disclosed in the notes thereto.

 

Party ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Person ” shall mean any natural person, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, association or entity of any kind.

 

Record Date ” shall mean the record date for the Distribution determined by the GAMCO Board for the Distribution.

 

Record Holders ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

Representatives ” of a Party shall mean such Party’s officers, directors, employees, accountants, counsel, investment bankers, financial advisors, consultants and other representatives.

 

SEC ” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Service Mark and Name License Agreement ” shall mean the Service Mark and Name License Agreement, of even date herewith, by and between GAMCO and ACG.

 

Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which (i) such Person or any other Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner or (ii) at least 50% of the securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization or at least 50% of the value of the outstanding equity is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

 

Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement ” shall mean the Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement, dated of even date herewith, by and between GAMCO and ACG.

 

5



 

Third-Party Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a)

 

Transferee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

Transferor ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

 

1.2                  General Interpretive Principles . (a) Words in the singular will include the plural and vice versa , and words of one gender will include the other gender, in each case, as the context requires, (b) the word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement will mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified, (c) any reference to any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law or code will be deemed to also refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context otherwise requires and (d) any reference to any agreement will be deemed to mean the agreement as it may be amended from time to time.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Recapitalization and Separation

 

2.1                  Recapitalization of ACG .  Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3, GAMCO and ACG will cause the following to occur after the Record Date and before the Distribution Time:

 

(a)                      the Internal Transactions will be completed;

 

(b)                      in partial exchange for the transfer of Assets contemplated by Section 2.2, ACG will issue to GAMCO a number of shares of ACG Common Stock (the “ Recapitalization ”) such that the number of shares of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock issued and outstanding immediately before the Distribution Time will equal the number of shares of GAMCO Class A Stock and GAMCO Class B Stock, respectively, issued and outstanding as of the Record Date, which ACG Common Stock owned by GAMCO will constitute all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of ACG; and

 

2.2                  Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Liabilities .

 

(a)                      Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3, at or shortly before the Distribution Time, GAMCO will transfer, and will cause the other members of the GAMCO Group to transfer, to ACG and the other members of the ACG Group, and ACG and the other members of the ACG Group will receive and accept from GAMCO and the other members of the GAMCO Group, all of GAMCO’s and the members of the GAMCO Group’s respective right, title and interest in the ACG Group Assets.

 

(b)                      Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.3, at or shortly before the Distribution Time, ACG and the members of the ACG Group, as applicable, will assume, or have responsibility for, the ACG Group Liabilities.  Except as otherwise agreed by the Parties, after the Distribution Time, ACG will defend Actions that constitute ACG Group Liabilities and GAMCO will defend Actions that constitute GAMCO Group Liabilities.  From and after the Distribution Time, ACG and GAMCO will be responsible for full payment and performance of all ACG Group Liabilities and GAMCO Group Liabilities, respectively, regardless of when or where these Liabilities arose or arise, or whether the facts on which they are based occurred before, on or after the date of this Agreement, regardless of where or against whom these Liabilities are asserted or determined or whether asserted or determined before, on or after the date of this Agreement.

 

(c)                       To the extent that any transfer or assumption of an Asset or a Liability required under this Section 2.2 is not made as of the Distribution Time (any such Asset or Liability, a “ Delayed Transfer Asset ” or a “ Delayed Transfer Liability ”):

 

(i)                          GAMCO and ACG will, and will cause the members of the GAMCO Group and the ACG Group, respectively, to use commercially reasonable efforts and cooperate to effect the transfer or assumption of the Asset or the Liability as promptly as practicable following the Distribution Time; and

 

6



 

(ii)                       GAMCO will, with respect to any Delayed Transfer Asset, use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to ACG the benefit of any Delayed Transfer Asset. GAMCO will, with respect to any Delayed Transfer Liability, retain the Delayed Transfer Liability for the account of ACG.

 

In each case GAMCO and ACG will act in a manner to place each Party, insofar as is reasonably possible, in the same position as would have existed had the Delayed Transfer Asset or Delayed Transfer Liability been transferred or assumed at or before the Distribution Time if so contemplated in this Agreement. Except as required by applicable law, the Parties will treat, for tax purposes, any Asset or Liability transferred pursuant to this Section 2.2(c) as having been transferred to the relevant Transferee immediately before the Distribution Time.  To the extent that either Party is provided the use or benefit of any Asset of the other Group or has any Liability of the other Group held for its account under this Section 2.2(c), the Party receiving the benefit of the Asset or on whose behalf the Liability is held will, to the extent permitted by Law, perform, for the benefit of the other Party and any third Person, the obligations of the other Party thereunder or in connection therewith, or as may be directed by the other Party.

 

(d)                      If after the Distribution Date any Party (or any member of the Party’s respective Group) receives or continues to possess any Asset (other than a Delayed Transfer Asset) that should have been transferred to the other Party (or any member of the Party’s respective Group) under this Agreement, the Party (or the member of the Party’s respective Group) will promptly transfer, or cause to be transferred, the Asset to the other Party (or the member of the Party’s respective Group). Before any transfer under this Section 2.2(d) the Person holding the Asset will hold the Asset in trust for the other Person. The Parties agree to treat, for tax purposes to the extent permitted by applicable law, any Asset transferred pursuant to this Section 2.2(d) as having been transferred to the relevant Transferee immediately before the Distribution Time or at such other time as the Parties agree.

 

(e)                       Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations under this Section 2.2 shall expire on the second anniversary of the Distribution Time.

 

2.3                  Agreements with Respect to the Transfer of Assets . With respect to each Asset transferred by one Party, or a member of that Party’s Group (the “ Transferor ”), to the other Party, or a member of the other Party’s Group (the “ Transferee ”), under this Agreement, the Transferor effective as of the transfer date will execute and deliver to the Transferee all Conveyance and Assumption Instruments as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the transfer or to confirm the fact of the transfer to third parties or to the public on the public records.

 

2.4                  Amendments to ACG Corporate Documents .  GAMCO will take, and will cause ACG to take, all actions necessary such that, as of the Distribution Time, ACG’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will substantially conform to those attached hereto as Exhibit A and Exhibit B .

 

2.5                  Further Assurances .

 

(a)                      In addition to the actions specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement, each Party will use its commercially reasonable efforts at and after the Distribution Time to take, or cause to be taken, all reasonable actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and agreements to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

 

(b)                      Each Party will cooperate with the other Party, and without any further consideration, to execute and deliver, or use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments, including instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer, and to make all filings with, and to obtain all consents, approvals or authorizations of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument (including any Consents), and to take all other actions as the Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to the contrary, no member of either Group will be required to make any payment, incur or become subject to any Liability, agree to any restriction, surrender any right or Asset or otherwise enter into any agreement,

 

7



 

or be required to permit to occur any event, that would be material, in relation to the Consent sought, in order to obtain any such Consent.

 

2.6                  No Representations or Warranties .  Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement:

 

(a)                      no member of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group is making any representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever, express or implied, to any Party or any member of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group in any way with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the business, Assets, condition or prospects (financial or otherwise) of, or any other matter involving, any GAMCO Group Assets, any GAMCO Group Liabilities, the GAMCO Business, any ACG Group Assets, any ACG Group Liabilities or the ACG Business;

 

(b)                      each Party and each member of each Group will take all of the Assets and Liabilities transferred to or assumed by it under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement on an “as is, where is” basis, and all implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a specific purpose or otherwise are expressly disclaimed; and

 

(c)                       none of GAMCO, ACG or any member of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group or any other Person makes any representation or warranty with respect to the Internal Transactions, the Separation, the Distribution or the entering into of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE III
Plan of Reorganization Transactions

 

3.1                  Delivery to Distribution Agent .  GAMCO will deliver to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as distribution agent (the “ Distribution Agent ”), for the benefit of holders of record of GAMCO Common Stock at the close of business on the Record Date (the “ Record Holders ”) a stock certificate representing (or authorize the related book-entry transfer of) all outstanding shares of ACG Common Stock and will order the Distribution Agent to effect the Distribution in the manner set forth in Section 3.2

 

3.2                  Mechanics of the Distribution .

 

(a)                      GAMCO will direct the Distribution Agent to, as promptly as practicable following the Distribution Time, distribute to each Record Holder a number of shares of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock equal to the number of shares of GAMCO Class A Stock and GAMCO Class B Stock, respectively, held by such Record Holder on the Record Date. All of the shares of ACG Common Stock so issued will be fully paid and non-assessable.  The Distribution will be effective as of the Distribution Time.

 

(b)                      GAMCO will direct the Distribution Agent to determine, as soon as is practicable after the Distribution Date, the number of fractional shares, if any, of ACG Common Stock allocable to each Record Holder entitled to receive ACG Common Stock in the Distribution and to promptly aggregate all the fractional shares and sell the whole shares obtained thereby, in open market transactions or otherwise, at the then-prevailing trading prices, and to cause to be distributed to each Record Holder, in lieu of any fractional share, each Record Holder’s ratable share of the proceeds of the sale, after making appropriate deductions of the amounts required to be withheld for federal income tax purposes and after deducting an amount equal to all brokerage charges, commissions and transfer taxes attributed to the sale.

 

3.3                  Conditions Precedent to the Distribution .  Neither the Distribution nor the related transactions set forth in this Agreement or in any of the Ancillary Agreements will become effective unless the following conditions have been satisfied, at or before the Distribution Time:

 

(a)                      the Form 10 shall be effective under the Exchange Act, with no stop order in effect with respect thereto;

 

(b)                      the Information Statement has been mailed to GAMCO’s stockholders;

 

8



 

(c)                       the actions and filings, if any, necessary under securities and blue sky laws of the states of the United States and any comparable laws under any foreign jurisdictions have been taken and become effective;

 

(d)                      the approval for listing of the ACG Class A Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, has been obtained;

 

(e)                       GAMCO shall have received an opinion from its tax counsel regarding the tax-free status of the Distribution;

 

(f)                        no order, injunction, decree or regulation issued by any court or agency of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Distribution will be in effect and no other event outside GAMCO’s control will have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of the Distribution; and

 

(g)                       no event or development has occurred or exists that in the good faith judgment of the GAMCO Board, in its sole discretion, makes the Distribution inadvisable.

 

ARTICLE IV
Payment of Liabilities

 

4.1                  Payment of Liabilities .  Subject to ARTICLE VI of this Agreement, from and after the Distribution Time, (i) ACG shall indemnify GAMCO and its respective Representatives with respect to any claims relating to ACG Businesses, the ACG Group, or ACG Liabilities and (ii) GAMCO shall indemnify ACG and its Representatives with respect to any claims relating to GAMCO Assets, GAMCO Businesses, GAMCO Group, or GAMCO Liabilities.

 

ARTICLE V
Other Agreements

 

5.1                  Use of Names .  ACG shall have all rights in and use of the following names: Associated Capital Group, Inc.; Gabelli & Partners, LLC; G.research, LLC; Gabelli Convertible Holdings, LLC;and Gabelli Direct, Inc.

 

5.2                  Books and Records .  Prior to or as promptly as practicable after the Distribution and from time to time thereafter as requested by ACG, GAMCO shall deliver or cause to be delivered to ACG all corporate books and records of the ACG Group in the possession of GAMCO and the relevant portions (or copies thereof) of all corporate books and records of GAMCO or any member of the GAMCO Group relating directly and primarily to the ACG Group Assets, the ACG Group, the ACG Businesses, or the ACG Group Liabilities, including, in each case, all agreements, litigation files, government filings and tax records and files.  From and after the Distribution, all such books, records and copies shall be the property of ACG.  GAMCO may retain copies of all such corporate books and records, subject to the provisions of Section 5.5 below.

 

5.3                  Access to Information .  Upon reasonable notice, each Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to afford to Representatives of the other Party reasonable access, during normal business hours throughout the period prior to and following the Distribution, to all of its properties, books, contracts, commitments, and records (including, but not limited to, tax returns) relating to the other Party, its business or its Liabilities and, during such period, each Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to the other Party (i) access to each report, schedule and other document filed or received by it or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities laws or filed with or sent to any federal or state regulatory agency or commission and (ii) access to all information concerning themselves, their Subsidiaries, directors, officers and stockholders and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the other Party in connection with any filings, applications or approvals required or contemplated by this Agreement or for any other reason related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided , however , that ACG and the ACG Group shall be required to grant such access only with respect to information necessary to or required by GAMCO in preparation of tax returns.  Subject to Section 5.6, nothing in this Section 5.3 shall require the Parties to take any action or furnish any access or

 

9



 

information which would cause or could reasonably be expected to cause the waiver of any applicable attorney-client privilege.  All information for which access is provided hereunder shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 5.5.

 

5.4                  Retention of Records .  If any information relating to the businesses, Assets or Liabilities of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group is retained by the ACG Group or the GAMCO Group, respectively, each of GAMCO and ACG shall, and shall cause the other members of the GAMCO Group and the ACG Group, respectively, to retain all such information in the GAMCO Group’s or the ACG Group’s possession or under its control until such information is at least ten (10) years old, except that if, prior to the expiration of such period, any member of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group wishes to destroy or dispose of any such information that is at least three years old, prior to destroying or disposing of any of such information, (a) GAMCO or ACG, on behalf of the member of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group that is proposing to dispose of or destroy any such information, shall provide no less than 45 days’ prior written notice to the other Party, specifying the information proposed to be destroyed or disposed of, and (b) if, prior to the scheduled date of such destruction or disposal, the other Party requests in writing that any of the information proposed to be destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such other Party, GAMCO or ACG, as applicable, shall promptly arrange for the delivery of the requested information to a location specified by, and at the expense of, the requesting Party.  Notwithstanding any of the above, each Party shall retain those documents as required by law, rule, regulation, or court order.

 

5.5                  Confidentiality .

 

(a)                      Each Party hereto shall keep and shall cause its Representatives to keep each of the other Parties’ Information strictly confidential and will disclose such Information only to such of its Representatives who need to know such Information and who agree to be bound by this Section 5.5 and not to disclose such Information to any other Person, except as set forth in Section 5.5(b).  Without the prior written consent of the other Party, neither Party nor any of its respective Representatives shall disclose any other Party’s Information to any Person or entity except as may be required by law or judicial process and in accordance with Section 5.5(b).

 

(b)                      In the event that any Party or any of its Representatives receives a request or is required by law or judicial process to disclose to a court or other tribunal all or any part of any of the other Party’s Information, each receiving Party or its Representatives shall promptly notify the other Party of the request in writing, and consult with and assist the other Party in seeking a protective order or request for other appropriate remedy.  In the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained or the other Party waives compliance with the terms hereof, such receiving Party or its Representatives, as the case may be, shall disclose only that portion of the Information or facts which, in the written opinion of each receiving Party’s outside counsel, is legally required to be disclosed, and each Party will exercise its respective commercially reasonable best efforts to assure that confidential treatment will be accorded such Information or facts by the Persons or entities receiving the same.  Each providing Party will be given an opportunity to review the Information or facts prior to disclosure.

 

5.6                  Privileged Information .

 

(a)                      Each Party hereto acknowledges that (i) each member of the GAMCO Group and each member of the ACG Group has or may obtain Information regarding a member of the ACG Group or the GAMCO Group, respectively, or any of its operations, employees, Assets or Liabilities, as applicable, that is or may be protected from disclosure pursuant to attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine or other applicable privileges (“ Privileged Information ”); (ii) actual, threatened or future litigation, investigations, proceedings (including arbitration), claims, or other legal matters have been or may be asserted by or against, or otherwise affect, GAMCO and/or ACG (or the GAMCO Group and/or the ACG Group) (“ Litigation Matters ”); (iii) GAMCO and ACG have a common legal interest in Litigation Matters, in the Privileged Information, and in the preservation of the confidential status of the Privileged Information, in each case relating to the GAMCO Assets, GAMCO Businesses, the GAMCO Group or GAMCO Group Liabilities or the ACG Assets, ACG Businesses, the ACG Group, or the ACG Group Liabilities as it or they existed at the time of the Distribution or relating to or arising in connection with the relationship between the constituent elements of the GAMCO Group and the ACG Group on or prior to the time of the Distribution; and (iv) GAMCO and ACG intend that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Administrative Agreement and any transfer of Privileged Information in connection herewith or therewith shall not operate as a waiver of any potentially applicable privilege.

 

10


 

(b)                      Each of GAMCO and ACG agrees, on its own behalf and on behalf of the GAMCO Group and the ACG Group, respectively, not to disclose or otherwise waive any privilege attaching to any Privileged Information relating to the GAMCO Assets, GAMCO Businesses, GAMCO Group or GAMCO Liabilities, or the ACG Assets, ACG Businesses, ACG Group or ACG Liabilities as it or they existed at the time of the Distribution or relating to or arising in connection with the relationship between the constituent elements of the GAMCO Group and the ACG Group on or prior to the time of the Distribution, without providing prompt written notice to and obtaining the prior written consent of the other, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed if the other Party certifies that such disclosure is to be made in response to a likely threat of suspension, debarment, criminal indictment, or similar action; provided , however , that GAMCO and ACG may make disclosure or waiver with respect to Privileged Information if such Privileged Information related, in the case of GAMCO, solely to the GAMCO Assets, GAMCO Businesses, GAMCO Group, or GAMCO Liabilities as each existed prior to the time of the Distribution, or in the case of ACG, solely to the ACG Assets, ACG Businesses, ACG Group, or ACG Liabilities as each existed prior to the time of the Distribution.  The Parties will use commercially reasonable efforts to limit any such disclosure or waiver to the maximum extent possible and shall seek the execution of a confidentiality agreement by the third party or parties to which such disclosure or waiver is made.

 

(c)                       Upon any member of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group, as the case may be, receiving any subpoena or other compulsory disclosure notice from a court, other governmental agency or otherwise that requests disclosure of Privileged Information, in each case relating to the GAMCO Assets, GAMCO Businesses, GAMCO Group, or GAMCO Liabilities or the ACG Assets, ACG Businesses, ACG Group, or ACG Liabilities as it or they existed at the time of the Distribution or relating to or arising in connection with the relationship between the constituent elements of the GAMCO Group and the ACG Group on or prior to the time of the Distribution, the recipient of the notice shall promptly provide to GAMCO, in the case of receipt by a member of the ACG Group, or to ACG, in the case of receipt by a member of the GAMCO Group, a copy of such notice, the intended response, and all materials or information relating to the other Party (or its Subsidiaries) that might be disclosed.  In the event of a disagreement as to the intended response or disclosure, unless and until the disagreement is resolved, GAMCO and ACG shall cooperate to assert all defenses to disclosure claimed by either Party (or its Subsidiaries), at the cost and expense of the Party claiming such defense to disclosure, and shall not disclose any disputed documents or information until all legal defenses and claims of privilege shall have been determined.

 

5.7                  Cooperation .  The Parties shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects to ensure that the transactions contemplated herein are carried out in accordance with their terms.

 

5.8                  Rent, Furniture, Equipment, etc .  ACG may elect to lease premises at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY and, to the extent feasible and appropriate, lease office equipment.  ACG shall bear the cost of such leases.

 

5.9                  Transaction Expenses .  Except as otherwise agreed between the Parties, GAMCO and ACG shall each be responsible for its out-of-pocket expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in connection with the Distribution.

 

5.10           Receivables Collection and Other Payments .  If, after the Distribution, any member of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group receives payments belonging to the ACG Group or the GAMCO Group, respectively, the recipient shall promptly account for and remit same to the other Party.

 

5.11           Insurance .  From and after the time of the Distribution, (a) GAMCO shall maintain, at its sole cost and expense, all insurance coverage existing at the time of the Distribution related to the ACG Assets, the ACG Group and the ACG Businesses for periods prior to the Distribution (and shall include ACG or the members of the ACG Group, as applicable, as a named insurer thereunder), (b) GAMCO shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all insurance coverage relating to the GAMCO Assets, GAMCO Group, and GAMCO Businesses for periods prior to and after the Distribution, and (c) ACG shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining all insurance coverage relating to the ACG Assets, the ACG Group and ACG Businesses for the period from and after the Distribution.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Assets of ACG insured pursuant to clause (a) above shall include any and all rights of an insured party, including without limitation rights of indemnity, the right to be defended by or at the expense of the insurer and the right to receive insurance proceeds.  The Parties hereto shall cooperate with regards to the administration of insurance policies contemplated hereunder (including accounting and reporting obligations and the distribution of insurance proceeds) and shall share material information concerning

 

11



 

such matters so that both GAMCO and ACG are aware on a continuing basis of material matters relevant to joint dealings with insurers.  Except as set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or deemed to limit the right of GAMCO or ACG to obtain and administer future insurance policies on whatever terms such Party believes to be advisable.

 

ARTICLE VI
Indemnification and Releases

 

6.1                  Mutual Release .  Effective as of the Distribution and except as otherwise specifically set forth in this Agreement, each of GAMCO on the one hand, and ACG, on the other hand, releases and forever discharges the other Party or Parties and their respective Affiliates, and its and their directors, officers, employees and agents of and from all debts, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, accounts, covenants, contracts, agreements, damages, and any and all claims, demands and liabilities whatsoever of every name and nature, both in law and in equity, against each such other Party or any of its assigns, which each releasing Party has or ever had, which arise out of or relate to events, circumstances or actions taken by each such other Party prior to the Distribution; provided , however , that the foregoing general release shall not apply to this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby, and shall not affect each Party’s right to enforce this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby in accordance with its terms.  Each Party understands and agrees that, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, neither the other Party or Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries is, in this Agreement or any other agreement or document, representing or warranting to any Party in any way as to the Assets, business or Liabilities transferred or assumed as contemplated hereby or thereby or as to any consents or approvals required in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

6.2                  Indemnification by GAMCO .  From and after the time of the Distribution, GAMCO shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the ACG Group and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, and Affiliates, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (the “ ACG Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all losses, Liabilities and damages, including the costs and expenses of any and all actions, threatened actions, demands, assessments, judgments, settlements, and compromises relating thereto, attorneys’ fees, and any and all expenses whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, or defending against any such actions or threatened actions (collectively, “ ACG Indemnifiable Losses ” and, individually, a “ ACG Indemnifiable Loss ”) incurred or suffered by a ACG Indemnitee arising out of (a) the failure or alleged failure of GAMCO or any of its Subsidiaries to pay, perform or otherwise discharge in due course any of the GAMCO Group Liabilities, (b) the breach by GAMCO of any its obligations under this Agreement, and (c) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact (i) contained in any document filed with the SEC by GAMCO pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act;or any other applicable securities rule, regulation or law, (ii) otherwise disclosed to investors or potential investors in any member of the GAMCO Group by any member of the GAMCO Group, or (iii) furnished to any ACG Indemnitee by any member of the GAMCO Group for inclusion in any public disclosures to be made by any ACG Indemnitee, including filings with the SEC or disclosures to investors or potential investors in any member of the ACG Group, or any omission or alleged omission to state in any information described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, indemnification will be available under clause (c) of this Section 6.2 only to the extent that those ACG Indemnifiable Losses are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission, and the information which is the subject of such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was not supplied after the Distribution by a member of the ACG Group or an agent thereof acting on its behalf.

 

6.3                  Indemnification by ACG .  From and after the time of the Distribution, ACG shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the GAMCO Group and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, and Affiliates, and each of the heirs, executors, successors, and assigns of any of the foregoing (the “ GAMCO Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all losses, Liabilities, and damages, including the costs and expenses of any and all actions, threatened actions, demands, assessments, judgments, settlements, and compromises relating thereto, attorneys’ fees, and any and all whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, or defending against any such actions or threatened actions (collectively, “ GAMCO Indemnifiable Losses ” and, individually, a “ GAMCO Indemnifiable Loss ”) incurred or suffered by a GAMCO Indemnitee arising out of (a) the failure or alleged failure of ACG or any of its Subsidiaries to pay, perform or otherwise discharge in due course any of the ACG Group Liabilities, (b) the breach by ACG of any of its respective obligations under this Agreement, and (c) any untrue

 

12



 

statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact (i) contained in any document filed with the SEC by ACG following the Distribution pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any other applicable securities rule, regulation or law, (ii) otherwise disclosed following the Distribution to investors or potential investors in any member of the ACG Group by any member of the ACG Group, or (iii) furnished to any GAMCO Indemnitee by any member of the ACG Group for inclusion in any public disclosures to be made by any GAMCO Indemnitee, including filings with the SEC or disclosures to investors or potential investors in any member of the GAMCO Group; or any omission or alleged omission to state in any information described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, indemnification will be available under clause (c) of this Section 6.3 only to the extent that those GAMCO Indemnifiable Losses are caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission, and the information which is the subject of such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was not supplied by a member of the GAMCO Group or an agent thereof acting on its behalf.  The ACG Indemnifiable Losses and the GAMCO Indemnifiable Losses are collectively referred to as the “ Indemnifiable Losses .”

 

6.4                  Taxes.   ACG agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the GAMCO Group from and against (i) any and all Distribution Taxes resulting from or attributable to any act or failure to act on the part of any member of the ACG Group following the Distribution and (ii) all Liabilities, costs, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable expenses of investigation and attorney’s fees and expenses), losses, damages, assessments, settlements, or judgments arising out of or incident to the imposition, assessment, or assertion of any Tax or adjustment described in this subsection.

 

6.5                  Insurance Proceeds, Tax Benefits; Mitigation .  The amount which any Party (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) is or may be required to pay to any other Person (an “ Indemnitee ”) pursuant to Sections 6.2 or 6.3 above shall be reduced (including retroactively) by (i) any insurance proceeds or other amounts actually recovered by or on behalf of each such Indemnitee in reduction of the related Indemnifiable Loss and (ii) any tax benefits realized by each such Indemnitee based on the actual reduction in tax liability by reason of such loss (and shall be increased by any tax liability incurred by each such Indemnitee based on such indemnity payment).  If an Indemnitee shall have received the payment required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of an Indemnifiable Loss and shall subsequently actually receive insurance proceeds, tax benefits, or other amounts in respect of such Indemnifiable Loss as specified above, then each such Indemnitee shall pay to each such Indemnifying Party a sum equal to the amount of such insurance proceeds, tax benefits actually realized, or other amounts actually received.  Each Indemnitee shall take all reasonable steps to mitigate all losses, including availing itself of any defenses, limitations, rights of contribution, claims against third parties and other rights at law (it being understood that any reasonable out-of-pocket costs paid to third parties in connection with such mitigation shall constitute losses) and shall provide such evidence and documentation of the nature and extent of any loss as may be reasonably requested by each Indemnifying Party.

 

6.6                  Procedure for Indemnification .

 

(a)                      If an Indemnitee shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by a person (including any governmental entity) who is not a party to this Agreement or to any of the Ancillary Agreements  or Conveyance and Assumption Instruments of any claim or of the commencement by any such Person of any action (a “ Third-Party Claim ”) with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, each such Indemnitee shall give each such Indemnifying Party written notice thereof promptly after becoming aware of such Third-Party Claim; provided , however, that the failure of any Indemnitee to give notice as required by this Section 6.6 shall not relieve each Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this ARTICLE VI, except to the extent that each such Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by such failure to give notice.  Such notice shall describe the Third-Party Claim in reasonable detail and shall indicate the amount (estimated if necessary) of the Indemnifiable Loss that has been or may be sustained by each such Indemnitee.

 

(b)                      An Indemnifying Party may elect to defend or to seek to settle or compromise, at such Indemnifying Party’s own expense and by such Indemnifying Party’s own counsel reasonably acceptable to each Indemnitee, any Third-Party Claim, provided that the Indemnifying Party must confirm in writing that it agrees that each Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder in respect of such Third-Party Claim.  Within 30 days of the receipt of notice from an Indemnitee in accordance with Section 6.6(a) (or sooner, if the nature of such Third-Party Claim so

 

13



 

requires), the Indemnifying Party shall notify each Indemnitee of its election whether to assume responsibility for such Third-Party Claim (provided that if the Indemnifying Party does not so notify each Indemnitee of its election within 30 days after receipt of such notice from each Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have elected not to assume responsibility for such Third-Party Claim), and each Indemnitee shall cooperate in the defense or settlement or compromise of such Third-Party Claim.  After notice from an Indemnifying Party to each Indemnitee of its election to assume responsibility for a Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to each such Indemnitee under this ARTICLE VI for any legal or other expenses (except expenses approved in advance by the Indemnifying Party) subsequently incurred by each such Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof; provided , however , that if the defendants in any such claim include both the Indemnifying Party and one or more Indemnitees and in such Indemnitees’ reasonable judgment there exists a conflict of interest between such Indemnitees and the Indemnifying Party, such Indemnitees shall have the right to employ separate counsel and in that event the reasonable fees and expenses of such separate counsel (but not more than one separate counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party) shall be paid by each such Indemnifying Party.  If any Indemnifying Party elects not to assume responsibility for a Third-Party Claim (which election may be made only in the event of a good faith dispute that a claim was inappropriately tendered under Section 6.2 or 6.3, as the case may be), each such Indemnitee may defend or (subject to the following sentence) seek to compromise or settle such Third-Party Claim without prior written notice to each such Indemnifying Party, which shall have the option within fifteen days following the receipt of such notice (i) to reject the settlement and assume all past and future responsibility for the claim, including reimbursing each Indemnitee for prior expenditures in connection with the claim, (ii) to reject the settlement and continue to refrain from participation in the defense of the claim, in which event each such Indemnifying Party shall have no further right to contest the amount or reasonableness of the settlement if each Indemnitee elects to proceed therewith, (iii) to approve the amount of the settlement, reserving each such Indemnifying Party’s right to contest each Indemnitee’s right to indemnity, or (iv) to approve and agree to pay the settlement.  In the event such Indemnifying Party makes no response to such written notice from an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have elected option (ii).

 

(c)                       If an Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or to seek to compromise any Third-Party Claim, each Indemnitee shall make available to such Indemnifying Party any personnel and any books, records, or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available that are necessary or appropriate for such defense, within the reasonable discretion of each such Indemnifying Party.

 

(d)                      Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 6.6 to the contrary, an Indemnifying Party shall not settle or compromise any Third-Party Claim unless (i) such settlement or compromise contemplates as an unconditional term thereof the giving by such claimant or plaintiff to each Indemnitee of a written release from all liability in respect of such Third-Party Claim and (ii) such settlement does not provide for any non-monetary relief by any Indemnitee unless each such Indemnitee consents thereto.  In the event any Indemnitee shall notify the Indemnifying Party in writing that such Indemnitee declines to accept any such settlement or compromise, each such Indemnitee may continue to contest such Third-Party Claim free of any participation by such Indemnifying Party, at each such Indemnitee’s sole expense.  In such event, the obligation of such Indemnifying Party to each such Indemnitee with respect to such Third-Party Claim shall be equal to (i) the costs and expenses of each such Indemnitee prior to the date such Indemnifying Party notifies each such Indemnitee of such offer of settlement or compromise (to the extent such costs and expenses are otherwise indemnifiable hereunder) plus (ii) the lesser of (A) the amount of any offer of settlement or compromise which each such Indemnitee declined to accept and (B) the actual out-of-pocket amount each such Indemnitee is obligated to pay subsequent to such date as a result of each such Indemnitee’s continuing to pursue such Third-Party Claim.

 

(e)                       Any claim on account of an Indemnifiable Loss which does not result from a Third-Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by an Indemnitee to each applicable Indemnifying Party.  Each such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of 30 days after the receipt of such notice within which to notify each applicable Indemnitee of the Indemnifying Party’s response to the claim.  If each such Indemnifying Party does not so notify each such Indemnitee during such 30-day period, such Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have refused to accept responsibility to make payment.  If each such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such 30-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, each such Indemnitee shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such Party under applicable law or under this Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement between the Parties.

 

14



 

(f)                        In addition to any adjustments required pursuant to Section 6.5, if the amount of any Indemnifiable Loss shall, at any time subsequent to the payment required by this Agreement, be reduced by recovery, settlement, or otherwise, the amount of such reduction, less any expenses incurred in connection therewith, shall promptly be repaid by each Indemnitee to each Indemnifying Party.

 

(g)                       In the event of payment by an Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any right or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such Third-Party Claim.  Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right or claim.

 

6.7                  Contribution .  If for any reason the indemnification provided for in Section 6.2 or 6.3 is unavailable to any Indemnitee, or is insufficient to hold such Indemnitee harmless, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by that Indemnitee as a result of the untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact, in that proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and the Indemnitee, on the other hand.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or the Indemnitee, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by the Indemnitee referred to above in this Section 6.7 shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 6.7, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

6.8                  Remedies Cumulative .  The remedies provided in this ARTICLE VI shall be cumulative and shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.

 

6.9                  Survival of Indemnities .  The obligations of each of ACG and GAMCO under this ARTICLE VI shall survive the sale or other transfer by it of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities, with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss of the other Parties related to such Assets, businesses or Liabilities.

 

6.10           Tax Matter Not Covered Under This Agreement .  Other than as expressly addressed in this Agreement, any claim for indemnification with respect to any tax Liabilities of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group shall be governed by the Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous and General

 

7.1                  Representations and Warranties .  Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that (a) it is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation, (b) it has the requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as conducted on the date hereof, (c) it has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, (d) each of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements has been duly and validly executed by such Party and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, and (e) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements do not and will not (i) violate any provisions of such Party’s certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws, (ii) violate any law applicable to such Party, (iii) violate any order, judgment, award, or decree of any court or governmental authority applicable to such Party, or (iv) result in any breach or default under any material contract by which such Party is bound.

 

7.2                  Modification or Amendment .  The Parties hereto may modify or amend this Agreement by written agreement executed and delivered by authorized officers of the respective Parties.

 

15



 

7.3                  Counterparts .  For the convenience of the Parties hereto, this Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and which counterparts shall together constitute the same agreement.

 

7.4                  Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflicts of law principles.

 

7.5                  Notices .  Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any Party to the other Party shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered by facsimile (upon confirmation of receipt) or personally, (ii) on the first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by Federal Express or other next-day courier service, or (iii) on the third business day following the date of mailing if delivered by United States Certified Mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid.  All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the Party to receive such notice:

 

If to GAMCO:

 

GAMCO Investors, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
Attn:  Chief Operating Officer
Facsimile:  (914) 921-5098
Telephone: (914) 921-5020

 

If to ACG:

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
Attn:  Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile:  (914) 921-5392
Telephone:  (914) 921-5149

 

7.6                  Captions .  All Article, Section and paragraph captions herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

7.7                  No Third Party Beneficiary .  This Agreement is for the purpose of defining the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereto and is not for the benefit of any employee, creditor, or other third party, except as may be expressly set forth herein.

 

7.8                  Assignment; Successors and Assigns .  No Party to this Agreement shall convey, assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the express written consent of each of the other Party hereto in its sole and absolute discretion.  Any such conveyance, assignment or transfer without the express written consent of each of the other Party shall be void ab initio.  No assignment of this Agreement or any rights hereunder shall relieve the assigning Party of its obligations hereunder.  Any successor by merger to a Party to this Agreement shall be substituted for such Party as a party to this Agreement and all obligations, duties, and liabilities of the substituted party under this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as obligations, duties and liabilities of the substituting party, enforceable against the substituting party as a principal, as though no substitution had been made.

 

7.9                  Certain Obligations .  Whenever this Agreement requires any of the Subsidiaries of any Party to take any action, this Agreement will be deemed to include an undertaking on the part of such Party to cause such Subsidiary to take such action.

 

16



 

7.10           Specific Performance .  In the event of any actual or threatened default in or breach of any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party or Parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right of specific performance and injunctive relief giving effect to its or their rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative.  The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived.

 

7.11           Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is determined to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner adverse to any Party.  Upon any such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable substitute provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

 

7.12           Arbitration .  Any dispute with respect to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall be arbitrated in Westchester County, NY in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  There will be a single neutral arbitrator selected who resides in Westchester County, NY.  The American Arbitration Association will provide a list of five (5) neutral arbitrators.  The claimant and respondent will take turns, with the respondent going first, striking one name at a time from the list of five neutral arbitrators.  Each Party will have no more than twenty-four (24) hours to take its turn striking a name of a neutral arbitrator.  The final remaining arbitrator will serve as the neutral arbitrator.  Either Party may apply to the arbitrator seeking injunctive relief until the arbitrator’s award is rendered or the controversy is otherwise resolved.  Either Party also may, without waiving any remedy under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, seek from any New York court having jurisdiction, any interim or provisional relief that is necessary to protect the rights and/or property of that Party, pending the determination of the arbitrator.

 

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

17



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of the Parties hereto as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Douglas R. Jamieson

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Mario J. Gabelli

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 



 

Schedule 1.1(a)

 

Ancillary Agreements

 

1.                           Service Mark and Name License Agreement, dated [ · ], 2015, by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

2.                           Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement, dated [ · ], 2015, by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

3.                           Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement, dated [ · ], 2015, by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 



 

Schedule 1.1(b)

 

Transferred Subsidiaries

 

1.                           Gabelli Securities, Inc.

 

2.                           G.research, LLC

 

3.                           Gabelli & Partners, LLC

 

4.                           Gabelli Convertible Holdings, LLC

 

5.                           Gabelli Direct, Inc.

 



 

Exhibit A

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

[See Attached]

 



 

Exhibit B

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc.

 

[See attached.]

 




Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

 

(1)          The name of the Corporation is Associated Capital Group, Inc.  The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed on April 15, 2015.

 

(2)          This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates and amends the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

 

(3)          This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

(4)          This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will become effective on          at 4:01 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time on                             , 2015.

 

(5)          Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the text of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
NAME

 

The name of this Corporation is:  Associated Capital Group, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”).

 

ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE

 

The address of the corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19808.  The name of the registered agent of the corporation at that address is Corporation Service Company.

 

ARTICLE III
PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “ DGCL ”).

 

ARTICLE IV
AUTHORIZED STOCK

 

4.1                                The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall be authorized to issue is 210,000,000 shares, consisting of: (i) 100,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value of $.001 per share (the “ Class A Common Stock ”), (ii) 100,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value of $.001 per share (the “ Class B Common Stock ”), and (iii) 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, having a par value of $.001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”).  The powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of each class of stock of the Corporation are as follows:

 



 

4.2                                Common Stock.

 

(a)                                  Voting .

 

(1)                                  At each annual or special meeting of stockholders, in the case of any written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting and for all other purposes, each holder of record of shares of Class A Common Stock on the relevant record date shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Class A Common Stock standing in such Person’s (as defined below) name on the stock transfer records of the Corporation, and each holder of record of Class B Common Stock on the relevant record date shall be entitled to ten (10) votes for each share of Class B Common Stock standing in such Person’s name on the stock transfer records of the Corporation.  Except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation that may be issued from time to time, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and of shares of Class B Common Stock shall vote as a single class on all matters with respect to which a vote of the stockholders of the Corporation is required under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or the Bylaws of the Corporation, or on which a vote of stockholders is otherwise duly called for by the Corporation, including, but not limited to, the election of directors, matters concerning the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Corporation, mergers or consolidations with another entity or entities, dissolution of the Corporation and amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.  Except as otherwise provided in this Article IV or required by applicable law, whenever applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation provide for the necessity of an affirmative vote of the stockholders entitled to cast at least a “majority (or any other greater percentage) of the votes which all stockholders are entitled to cast thereon,” or a “majority (or any other greater percentage) of the Voting Stock” (as defined below), or language of similar effect, any and all such language shall mean that the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall vote as one class and that such majority (or any other greater percentage) consists of a majority (or such other greater percentage) of the total number of votes entitled to be cast in accordance with the provisions of this Article IV.  For purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, (i) “ Voting Stock ” shall mean all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered as a single class and (ii) “ Person ”  shall mean a natural person, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated association or other legal entity.

 

(2)                                  Neither the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock nor the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall have cumulative voting rights.

 

(b)                                  Dividends; Stock Splits .  Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock, and subject to any other provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation as may be declared thereon by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Board of Directors ”) from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.  If at any time a dividend or other distribution in cash or other property (other than dividends or other distributions payable in shares of common stock or other voting securities or options or warrants to purchase shares of common stock or other voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock or other voting securities) is paid on the shares of Class A Common Stock or shares of Class B Common Stock, a like dividend or other distribution in cash or other property shall also be paid on shares of Class B Common Stock or shares of Class A Common Stock, as the case may be, in an equal amount per share.  If at any time a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of common stock or options or warrants to purchase shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock is paid on shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, a like dividend or other distribution shall also be paid on shares of Class B Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be, in an equal amount per share; provided that, for this purpose, if shares of Class A Common Stock or other voting securities, or options or warrants to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock or other voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock or other voting securities, are paid on shares of Class A Common Stock and shares of Class B Common Stock or voting securities identical to the other securities paid on the shares of Class A Common Stock (except that the voting securities paid on the Class B Common Stock may have up to ten (10) times the number of votes per share as the other voting securities to be received by the holders of the Class A Common Stock) or options or warrants to purchase shares of Class B Common Stock or such other voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Class B Common Stock or such other voting

 

2



 

securities, are paid on shares of Class B Common Stock, in an equal amount per share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, such dividend or other distribution shall be deemed to be a like dividend or other distribution.  In the case of any split, subdivision, combination or reclassification of shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, the shares of Class B Common Stock or Class A Common Stock, as the case may be, shall also be split, subdivided, combined or reclassified so that the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately following such split, subdivision, combination or reclassification shall bear the same relationship to each other as did the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such split, subdivision, combination or reclassification.

 

(c)                                   Liquidation, Dissolution, etc .  In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up (either voluntary or involuntary) of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the assets and funds of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders, subject to the rights of the holders of any Preferred Stock of the Corporation that may at the time be outstanding, in proportion to the number of shares held by them, respectively, without regard to class.

 

(d)                                  Mergers, etc .  In the event of any corporate merger, consolidation, purchase, or acquisition of property or stock, or other reorganization in which any consideration is to be received by the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock or the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock, the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall receive the same consideration on a per share basis; provided that, if such consideration shall consist in any part of voting securities (or of options or warrants to purchase, or of securities convertible into or exchangeable for, voting securities), the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock may receive, on a per share basis, voting securities with up to ten (10) times the number of votes per share as those voting securities to be received by the holders of shares of Class A Common Stock (or options or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, voting securities with up to ten (10) times the number of votes per share as the voting securities issuable upon exercise of the options or warrants to be received by the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock, or into which the convertible or exchangeable securities to be received by the holders of the shares of Class A Common Stock may be converted or exchanged).

 

(e)                                   Power to Sell and Purchase Shares .  Subject to applicable law, the Corporation shall have the power to issue and sell all or any part of any shares of any class of stock herein or hereafter authorized to such Persons, and for such consideration, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time, in its discretion, determine, whether or not greater consideration could be received upon the issue or sale of the same number of shares of another class, and as otherwise permitted by law.  Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Corporation shall have the power to purchase any shares of any class of stock herein or hereafter authorized from such Persons, and for such consideration, as the Board of Directors shall from time to time, in its discretion, determine, whether or not less consideration could be paid upon the purchase of the same number of shares of another class, and as otherwise permitted by law.

 

(f)                                    Rights Otherwise Identical .  Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Article IV, the rights of the holders of Class A Common Stock and the rights of the holders of Class B Common Stock shall be in all respects identical.

 

(g)                                   Preemptive Rights .  The holders of the Class A and Class B Common Stock shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation whether now or hereafter authorized.

 

(h)                                  Conversion of Class B Common Stock .

 

(1)                                  Voluntary Conversion .  Each share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder thereof at any time upon written notice to the Corporation.  Before any holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to voluntarily convert any shares of such Class B Common Stock, such holder shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor (if any), duly endorsed, at the principal corporate office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for the Class B Common Stock, and shall give written notice to the Corporation at its principal corporate office, of the election to convert the same and shall state therein the name or names (i) in which the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock into which the shares of Class B Common Stock are so converted are to be issued if such shares are certificated or (ii) in which such shares are to be registered in book entry if such shares are uncertificated.  The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Class B Common Stock, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid (if such shares are certificated) or, if such shares are uncertificated, register such shares in book-entry form. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on (i) if the Shares of Class B Common Stock are certificated, the date of such surrender of the shares of Class B Common Stock to be converted following or contemporaneously with the written notice of such holder’s election to convert required by this Section 4.2(h)(1) or (ii) if the shares of Class B Common Stock are uncertificated, the date of the Corporation’s receipt of the written notice of such holder’s election to convert required by this Section 4.2(h)(1), and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock as of such date.  Each share of Class B Common Stock that is converted pursuant to this Section 4.2(h)(1) shall be retired by the Corporation and shall not be available for reissuance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a conversion election under this Section 4.2(h) is made in connection with an underwritten offering of the Corporation’s securities pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the conversion may, at the option of the holder tendering shares of Class B Common Stock for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing by the underwriters of the sale of the Corporation’s securities pursuant to such offering, in which event the holders making such elections who are entitled to receive Class A Common Stock upon conversion of their Class B Common Stock shall not be deemed to have converted such shares of Class B Common Stock until immediately prior to the closing of such sale of the Corporation’s securities in the offering.

 

(2)                                  Policies and Procedures Relating to Conversions .  The Corporation may, from time to time, establish such policies and procedures, not in violation of applicable law or the other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, to ensure compliance with applicable securities laws in connection with the conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock.

 

(3)                                  Reservation of Stock . The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock; provided , that nothing contained herein shall be construed to preclude the Corporation from satisfying its obligations in respect of the conversion of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock by delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock that are held in the treasury of the Corporation.

 

(4)                                  Protective Provision .  The Corporation shall not, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, amend, alter, repeal or waive this Section 4.2(h) (or adopt any provision inconsistent therewith), without first obtaining the affirmative vote (or written consent if action by written consent of stockholders is permitted at such time under this Certificate of Incorporation) of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate class, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law, this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws.

 

3



 

4.3                                Preferred Stock.

 

(a)                                  The holders of the Preferred Stock shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation whether now or hereafter authorized.

 

(b)                                  The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series.  The Board of Directors is authorized to establish and designate one or more series of the Preferred Stock, to issue shares of the Preferred Stock in such series and to fix the number of shares in a series, the rights, designations, powers and preferences, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions, of each series and the relative rights, preferences and limitations as between series.  The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

 

(1)                                  the number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that series;

 

(2)                                  the dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and the rights of priority, if any, of payments of dividends on shares of that series relative to shares of other classes or series;

 

(3)                                  whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

 

(4)                                  whether that series shall have conversion or exchange privileges or be subject to conversion or exchange obligations, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange, including provision for adjustment of the conversion or exchange rate in such events as the Board of Directors shall determine;

 

(5)                                  whether or not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the manner of selecting shares for redemption if less than all shares are to be redeemed, the date or dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates;

 

(6)                                  whether that series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of that series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund;

 

(7)                                  the right of the shares of that series to the benefit of conditions and restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of the Corporation or any subsidiary, upon the issue of any additional shares (including additional shares of such series or any other series) and upon the payment of dividends or the making of other distributions on, and the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Corporation or any subsidiary of any outstanding shares of the Corporation;

 

(8)                                  the rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and the rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series relative to shares of other classes or series;

 

(9)                                  any restrictions on transfers of shares of that series; and

 

(10)                           any other relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of that series.

 

ARTICLE V
MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATION; BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

5.1                                The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its Board of Directors and stockholders:

 

(a)                                  The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

 

(b)                                  The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, adopt, alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation without the assent or vote of the stockholders, including, without limitation, the power to fix, from time to time, the number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors, subject to the right of the stockholders to alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws made by the Board of Directors.

 

4



 

(c)                                   The number of directors of the Corporation shall consist of one or more members and shall be from time to time fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the Bylaws of the Corporation.  Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

 

(d)                                  In addition to the powers and authority hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the Board of Directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation, and any Bylaws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however , that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board of Directors which would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

 

(e)                                   Subject to any rights of holders of Preferred Stock or any other series or class of stock, any member of the Board of Directors or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time prior to the expiration of his term by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

(f)                                    Subject to any rights of holders of Preferred Stock or any other series or class of stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, any vacancies will be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum.

 

ARTICLE VI
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

6.1                                To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as it exists on the date hereof or as it may hereafter be amended, a director of this Corporation shall not be personally liable to this Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.  If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

 

6.2                                The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless and advance expenses to any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director or officer at the request of the Corporation, any predecessor to the Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VI and applicable law shall not be deemed to be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

6.3                                Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VI, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VI, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VI in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article VI, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

 

ARTICLE VII
SECTION 203 OF THE DGCL NOT APPLICABLE

 

The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by or subject to Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

5



 

ARTICLE VIII
CERTAIN BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES; CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

 

8.1                                Certain Definitions for Article VIII.  For purposes of this Article VIII, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with such Person.

 

Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement, or otherwise. The terms “Controls”, “Controlled” and “Controlling” will have corresponding meanings.

 

a “ Disinterested Director ” shall mean a director that is not a Gabelli and who does not have a financial interest in the Transaction and interests in an entity that are not equity or ownership interests or that constitute less than 10% of the equity or ownership interests of such entity will not be considered to confer a financial interest on any Person who beneficially owns such interests.

 

a “ Gabelli ” includes (i) Mr. Gabelli (as hereinafter defined), so long as he is an officer or director of the Corporation or beneficially owns a controlling interest in the Corporation, (ii) any member of his “immediate family” (which shall include Mr. Gabelli’s spouse, parents, children and siblings) who is at the time an officer or director of the Corporation and (iii) any entity in which Persons qualifying as Gabellis pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above beneficially own in the aggregate a controlling interest of the outstanding voting securities or comparable interests.

 

Mr. Gabelli ” means Mr. Mario J. Gabelli.

 

Subsidiary ” when used with respect to any Person, means any other Person (1) of which (x) in the case of a corporation, at least (A) 50% of the equity or (B) 50% of the voting interests are owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such first Person, by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries or (y) in the case of any Person other than a corporation, such first Person, one or more of its Subsidiaries, or such first Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries (A) owns at least 50% of the equity interests thereof or (B) has the power to elect or direct the election of at least 50% of the members of the governing body thereof or otherwise has Control over such organization or entity; or (2) that is required to be consolidated with such first Person for financial reporting purposes under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as in effect from to time.

 

Trigger Date ” means the date on which Mr. Gabelli “ beneficially ” owns (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect on the effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation) less than a majority of the voting power of our Voting Stock.

 

8.2                                Certain Acknowledgements .  In recognition and anticipation that:

 

(a)                                  directors and officers of the Corporation may serve as directors, officers, employees and agents of, or have a controlling interest in, any other corporation, company, partnership, association, firm or other entity, including, without limitation, Subsidiaries and Affiliates of the Corporation (each an “ Other Entity ”),

 

(b)                                  the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage in the same, similar or related lines of business as those engaged in by any Other Entity and other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which such Other Entity may engage,

 

(c)                                   the Corporation may have an interest in the same areas of business opportunity as any Other Entity, and

 

(d)                                  the Corporation may engage in material business transactions with any Other Entity and its Affiliates, including, without limitation, receiving services from, providing services to or being a significant

 

6



 

customer or supplier to such Other Entity and its Affiliates, and that the Corporation and such Other Entity or one or more of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates may benefit from such transactions,

 

and as a consequence of the foregoing, it is in the best interests of the Corporation that the rights of the Corporation, and the duties of any directors or officers of the Corporation (including any such persons who are also directors, officers or employees of any Other Entity), be determined and delineated, as set forth herein, in respect of (x) any transactions between the Corporation and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, on the one hand, and such Other Entity and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, on the other hand, and (y) any potential transactions or matters that may be presented to officers or directors of the Corporation, or of which such officers or directors may otherwise become aware, which potential transactions or matters may constitute business opportunities of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 

In recognition of the benefits to be derived by the Corporation through its continued contractual, corporate and business relations with any Other Entity and of the benefits to be derived by the Corporation by the possible service as directors or officers of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries of persons who may also serve from time to time as directors, officers or employees of any Other Entity, the provisions of this Article VIII will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, regulate and define the conduct of the business and affairs of the Corporation in relation to such Other Entity and its Affiliates, and as such conduct and affairs may involve such Other Entity’s respective directors, officers or employees, and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Corporation and its officers and directors in connection therewith and in connection with any potential business opportunities of the Corporation.

 

Any Person purchasing, receiving or otherwise becoming the owner of any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, or any interest therein, will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article VIII. References in this Article VIII to “directors,” “officers” or “employees” of any Person will be deemed to include those Persons who hold similar positions or exercise similar powers and authority with respect to any Other Entity that is a limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other non-corporate entity.

 

8.3                                Duties of Directors and Officers Regarding Potential Business Opportunities; No Liability for Certain Acts or Omissions .

 

If a director or officer of the Corporation is offered, or otherwise acquires knowledge of, a potential transaction or matter that may constitute or present a business opportunity for the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, in which the Corporation could, but for the provisions of this Article VIII, have an interest or expectancy (any such transaction or matter, and any such actual or potential business opportunity, a “ Potential Business Opportunity ”):

 

(a)                                  such director or officer will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have no duty or obligation to refer such Potential Business Opportunity to the Corporation, or to refrain from referring such Potential Business Opportunity to any Other Entity, or to give any notice to the Corporation regarding such Potential Business Opportunity (or any matter related thereto),

 

(b)                                  such director or officer will not be liable to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its stockholders, as a director, officer, stockholder or otherwise, for any failure to refer such Potential Business Opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, or for referring such Potential Business Opportunity to any Other Entity, or for any failure to give any notice to or otherwise inform the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries regarding such Potential Business Opportunity or any matter relating thereto,

 

(c)                                   any Other Entity may engage or invest in, independently or with others, any such Potential Business Opportunity,

 

(d)                                  the Corporation shall not have any right in or to such Potential Business Opportunity or to receive any income or proceeds derived therefrom, and

 

(e)                                   the Corporation shall have no interest or expectancy, and hereby specifically renounces any interest or expectancy, in any such Potential Business Opportunity,

 

7



 

unless both the following conditions are satisfied: (A) such Potential Business Opportunity was expressly offered to a director or officer of the Corporation solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation or as a director or officer of any Subsidiary of the Corporation and (B) such opportunity relates to a line of business in which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is then directly engaged; provided, however , if the conditions specified in the immediately preceding clauses (A) and (B) are satisfied, any Other Entity may pursue such Potential Business Opportunity (or direct it to another person or entity) if either (i) the Corporation renounces its interest in the Potential Business Opportunity in writing or (ii) the Corporation does not within a reasonable period of time, begin to pursue, or thereafter continue to pursue, such Potential Business Opportunity diligently and in good faith.

 

8.4                                Conflict of Interest Policy.

 

(a)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by law, no contract, agreement, arrangement, or transaction between the Corporation and a Gabelli or any customer or supplier or any entity in which a director of the Corporation has a financial interest (a “ Related Entity ”), or one or more of the directors or officers of the Corporation, or any Related Entity, any amendment, modification, or termination thereof, or any waiver of any right thereunder, will be voidable solely because a Gabelli or such customer or supplier, any Related Entity, or any one or more of the officers or directors of the Corporation or any Related Entity are parties thereto, or solely because any such directors or officers are present at or participate in the meeting of the Board of Directors, or committee thereof, that authorizes the contract, agreement, arrangement, transaction, amendment, modification, termination, or waiver (each a “ Transaction ”) or solely because their votes are counted for such purpose, if any of the following four requirements are met:

 

(1)                                  the material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the Transaction are disclosed or known to the Board of Directors or the committee thereof that authorizes the Transaction, and the Board of Directors or such committee in good faith approves the Transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Disinterested Directors on the Board of Directors or such committee, even if the Disinterested Directors are less than a quorum;

 

(2)                                  the material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the Transaction are disclosed or known to the holders of Voting Stock entitled to vote thereon, and the Transaction is specifically approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock not owned by such Gabelli or such Related Entity, voting together as a single class;

 

(3)                                  the Transaction is effected pursuant to guidelines that are in good faith approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors on the Board of Directors or the applicable committee thereof or by vote of the holders of a majority of the then outstanding Voting Stock not owned by such Gabelli or such Related Entity, voting together as a single class; or

 

(4)                                  the Transaction is fair to the Corporation as of the time it is approved by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the stockholders of the Corporation.

 

(b)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by law, if the requirements of (1), (2), (3) or (4) of paragraph (a) above are met, such Gabelli, the Related Entity, and the directors and officers of the Corporation, or the Related Entity (as applicable) will be deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith (to the extent such standard is applicable to such Person’s conduct) and fully to have satisfied any duties of loyalty and fiduciary duties they may have to the Corporation and its stockholders with respect to such Transaction.

 

(c)                                   To the fullest extent permitted by law, any Transaction authorized, approved, or effected, and each of such guidelines so authorized or approved, as described in (1), (2), or (3) of paragraph (a) above, will be deemed to be entirely fair to the Corporation and its stockholders, except that, if such authorization or approval is not obtained, or such Transaction is not so effected, no presumption will arise that such Transaction or guideline is not fair to the Corporation and its stockholders.  To the fullest extent permitted by law and this Certificate of Incorporation, a Gabelli will not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty that a Gabelli may have as a director of the Corporation by reason of the fact that a Gabelli takes any action in connection with any transaction between such Gabelli and the Corporation.

 

8



 

(d)                                  For the purposes of this Section 8.5, the term Corporation shall include any Subsidiary of the Corporation.

 

8.5                                Effect of Amendment of Article VIII .  No alteration, amendment or repeal, or adoption of any provision inconsistent with, any provision of this Article VIII will have any effect upon

 

(a)                                  any agreement between the Corporation or an Affiliate thereof and any Other Entity or an Affiliate thereof, that was entered into before the time of such alteration, amendment or repeal or adoption of any such inconsistent provision (the “ Amendment Time ”), or any transaction entered into in connection with the performance of any such agreement, whether such transaction is entered into before or after the Amendment Time,

 

(b)                                  any transaction entered into between the Corporation or an Affiliate thereof and any Other Entity or an Affiliate thereof, before the Amendment Time,

 

(c)                                   the allocation of any business opportunity between the Corporation or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof and any Other Entity before the Amendment Time, or

 

(d)                                  any duty or obligation owed by any director or officer of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation (or the absence of any such duty or obligation) with respect to any Potential Business Opportunity which such director or officer was offered, or of which such director or officer otherwise became aware, before the Amendment Time (regardless of whether any proceeding relating to any of the above is commenced before or after the Amendment Time).

 

8.6                                Requirements to Amend Article VIII .  Before the Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, will be required to alter, amend, or repeal any of the conflict of interest or corporate opportunity provisions contained in this Article VIII in a manner adverse to the interests of any Gabelli.  After the Trigger Date, such required vote will be increased to 80% of the outstanding Voting Stock to alter, amend, repeal or replace any of the conflict of interest and corporate opportunity provisions contained in this Article VIII.

 

ARTICLE IX
FORUM FOR ADJUDICATING DISPUTES

 

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware).  If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “ Foreign Action ”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the preceding sentence and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.  Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article IX.

 

9



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation on this                         day of              , 2015.

 

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Mario J. Gabelli

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

10




Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

BYLAWS OF

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

A DELAWARE CORPORATION

 

(as amended and restated on [ · ], 2015 and effective as of the

 

effective date of the corporation’s spin-off from GAMCO Investors, Inc.)

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

1

 

 

 

1.1

Registered Office

1

1.2

Other Offices

1

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

1

 

 

 

2.1

Definitions

1

2.2

Annual Meetings

1

2.3

Special Meetings

1

2.4

Voting and Proxies

2

2.5

Quorum

2

2.6

Notice of Meetings

2

2.7

Nature of Business at Meetings of Stockholders

2

2.8

Action by Written Consent

4

2.9

List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

5

 

 

 

3.1

Powers

5

3.2

Number of Directors

5

3.3

Qualification, Election, Term of Office

5

3.4

Removal

5

3.5

Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies

5

3.6

Books and Records

6

3.7

Compensation

6

3.8

Nomination of Directors

6

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

7

 

 

 

4.1

Regular Meetings

7

4.2

Special Meetings

7

4.3

Notice of Meetings

8

4.4

Quorum

8

4.5

Remote Meetings

8

4.6

Organization

8

4.7

Action by Unanimous Written Consent

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES

8

 

 

 

5.1

Committees

8

5.2

Committee Minutes; Committee Rules

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

NOTICES

9

 

 

 

6.1

Notice

9

6.2

Waiver of Notice

9

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

OFFICERS

10

 

 

 

7.1

General

10

7.2

Term; Removal and Vacancies

10

7.3

Chairperson of the Board

10

7.4

Chief Executive Officer

10

7.5

President

10

7.6

The Vice Presidents

10

7.7

Secretary

10

7.8

Assistant Secretary

11

7.9

Chief Financial Officer

11

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

11

 

 

 

8.1

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

11

8.2

Advance of Expenses

11

8.3

Non-Exclusivity of Rights

12

8.4

Indemnification Agreements

12

8.5

Claims

12

8.6

Nature of Rights

12

8.7

Insurance

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

BUSINESS COMBINATION STATUTE

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

STOCK

13

 

 

 

10.1

General

13

10.2

Signatures

13

10.3

Replacement Certificates

13

10.4

Other Regulations

13

10.5

Stockholders of Record

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

14

 

 

 

11.1

Dividends

14

11.2

Checks

14

11.3

Fiscal Year

14

11.4

Seal

14

11.5

Form of Records

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS

14

 

ii



 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

BYLAWS

 

OF

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

As Adopted            , 2015

 

ARTICLE I
OFFICES

 

1.1                                Registered Office .  The registered office of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (hereinafter, the “ Corporation ”) shall be at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, DE 19808, and its resident agent at such address is Corporation Service Corporation.

 

1.2                                Other Offices .  The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “ Board ”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

2.1                                Definitions .  For purposes of these Bylaws (the “ Bylaws ”), “ Trigger Date ” shall mean the date Mr. Gabelli (as defined below) owns a “beneficial” interest (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (“ Exchange Act ”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as in effect on the effective date of these Bylaws) of less than a majority of the outstanding voting power of the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “ Voting Stock ”).  The term “ Mr. Gabelli ” refers to Mario J. Gabelli and also includes members of his “ immediate family ” (which shall include Mr. Gabelli’s spouse, parents, children and siblings) and any subsidiaries and other entities in which Mr. Gabelli and members of his immediate family beneficially own a controlling interest of the outstanding voting securities or interests.

 

2.2                                Annual Meetings .  If required by applicable law, an annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date and time as may be determined from time to time by the Board.  The meeting may be held either at a place, within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communication as the Board in its sole discretion may determine.  Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.

 

2.3                                Special Meetings .  Special meetings of stockholders may be held at such time and place within or without the State of Delaware as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.  Subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances and the rights of stockholders to call a special meeting to elect a sufficient number of directors to conduct the business of the Corporation under specified circumstances, and except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of stockholders can be called only by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board (as defined herein) or the Chairperson of the Board, upon not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days’ written notice; provided, however , that prior to the Trigger Date, special meetings of stockholders may also be called at the request of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock.  Any special meeting may be held either at a place, within or without the State of Delaware, or by means of remote communication as the Board in its sole discretion may determine.

 

1



 

2.4                                Voting and Proxies .

 

(a)                                  Voting .  In accordance with the terms of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”), and in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws, each holder of the Corporation’s Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Class A Common Stock ”), shall be entitled to one (1) vote, in person or by proxy, per share and each holder of the Corporation’s Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “ Class B Common Stock ”), shall be entitled to ten (10) votes, in person or by proxy, per share.  Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.  Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, or any other applicable rules or regulations, including the applicable rules or regulations of any stock exchange, every matter other than the election of directors shall be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes properly cast for or against such matter, and, for the avoidance of doubt, neither abstentions nor broker non-votes shall be counted as votes cast for or against such matter.

 

(b)                                  Proxies .  Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, or to take corporate action by written consent without a meeting, may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy.  Such a proxy may be prepared, transmitted and delivered in any manner permitted by applicable law.  The Board, in its discretion, or the officer of the Corporation presiding at a meeting of the stockholders, in such officer’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

 

2.5                                Quorum .  Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders.  If less than a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares is represented, a majority of the voting power of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, but until a quorum is secured no other business may be transacted.  The stockholders present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until an adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.  Shares of the Corporation’s stock belonging to the Corporation (or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation are held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation), shall neither be entitled to vote nor counted for quorum purposes; provided, however , that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any other corporation to vote any shares of the Corporation’s stock held by it in a fiduciary capacity and to count such shares for purposes of determining a quorum.

 

2.6                                Notice of Meetings .  Notice of all meetings of stockholders shall be given in writing or by electronic transmission in the manner provided by applicable law (including, without limitation, as set forth in Section 6.1(b) hereof) stating the place, if any, date and time of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.  Unless otherwise required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, such notice shall be given not less than ten (10), nor more than sixty (60), days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.

 

2.7                                Nature of Business at Meetings of Stockholders .  Only such business (other than nominations of Directors, which must comply with Section 3.8 hereof, and matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting) may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders as is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7.

 

2



 

(a)                                  Delivery of Notice .  In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.

 

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) calendar days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders (which anniversary date, in the case of the first annual meeting following the spin-off of the Corporation from GAMCO Investors, Inc., shall be deemed to be May 5, 2016); provided, however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered (A) no earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and (B) no later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which Public Announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation.  In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.  For purposes of this Section 2.7 and Section 3.8 hereof, the term “ Public Announcement ” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(b)                                  Form of Notice .  To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting:

 

(1)                                  a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting;

 

(2)                                  the name and record address of such stockholder;

 

(3)                                  as to the stockholder giving the notice, (A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned by such stockholder, (B) the name of each nominee holder for shares owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder and the number of shares of stock held by each such nominee holder, and (C) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder with respect to stock of the Corporation;

 

(4)                                  a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings between such stockholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and any material interest of such stockholder in such business, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder therefrom;

 

(5)                                  a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting; and

 

(6)                                  any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies with respect to business brought at an annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules promulgated thereunder or any successor statute.

 

(c)                                   Business to be Conducted .  No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7.  If the Chairperson of an annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairperson shall declare that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.  Nothing in this Section 2.7 shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement

 

3



 

pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock if and to the extent provided for under law, the Certificate of Incorporation or this Bylaw.

 

2.8                                Action by Written Consent .

 

(a)                                  Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law, any action which, under any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”), is required to or may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting of stockholders, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, (i) is signed by the holders of record on the record date (established as provided below in Section 10.5 hereof or Section 2.8(c) hereof) of the outstanding shares of the Corporation having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted, and (ii) is delivered to the Corporation at its registered office in the State of Delaware, at its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the minute books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.

 

(b)                                  The delivery of consents submitted pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.  Every written consent shall bear the date of the signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective for the Corporation to take action unless, within sixty (60) calendar days of the earliest dated valid consent delivered in the manner described in this Section 2.8, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take such action are delivered to the Corporation in the manner described in Section 2.8(a) hereof.  Only stockholders of record on the record date shall be entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting.

 

(c)                                   Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall first request in writing that the Board fix a record date for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to give consent to such corporate action, and delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (the “ Consent Record Date Request Notice ”).  Within ten (10) calendar days after receipt of a Consent Record Date Request Notice from any such stockholder, the Board may adopt a resolution fixing a record date for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to give consent to such corporate action, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board (the “ Resolution Adoption Date ”), and which record date shall not be more than ten (10) calendar days after the Resolution Adoption Date.  If no resolution fixing a record date has been adopted by the Board within such ten (10) calendar day period after the date on which a Consent Record Date Request Notice is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be the first date on which a valid signed written consent setting forth the corporate action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in the manner described in Section 2.8(a) hereof.

 

(d)                                  Prompt notice of the taking of any corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for notice of such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided in Section 2.8(b) hereof.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no action may be taken by the stockholders by written consent except in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and this Section 2.8.  If the Board shall determine that any request to fix a record date or to take stockholder action by written consent was not properly made in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and this Section 2.8, or the stockholder or stockholders seeking to take such action do not otherwise comply with the Certificate of Incorporation and this Section 2.8, then the Board shall not be required to fix a record date and any such purported action by written consent shall be null and void to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

(f)                                    In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.8 with respect to stockholders seeking to take an action by written consent, each stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take

 

4



 

corporate action by written consent shall comply with all requirements of applicable law, including all requirements of the Exchange Act, with respect to such action.

 

2.9                                List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote .  The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before the date of every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however , if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth (10th) day before the meeting date.  The stockholder list shall be arranged in alphabetical order and show the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.  The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network (provided that the information required to gain access to the list is provided with the notice of the meeting), or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation.  If the meeting is to be held at a place, the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present at the meeting.  If the meeting is held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access the list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS

 

3.1                                Powers .  The business affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

3.2                                Number of Directors .  The Board shall consist of not fewer than three nor more than twelve persons.  Subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the exact number of directors within the minimum and maximum limitations specified in the preceding sentence shall be fixed from time to time by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies (the “ Whole Board ”).  As of the effective date of these Bylaws, and until changed in accordance with the preceding sentence, the number of directors shall be six (6) directors.

 

3.3                                Qualification, Election, Term of Office .  Directors shall be at least eighteen years of age and need not be residents of the State of Delaware nor stockholders of the Corporation.  The directors, other than the first Board, shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as hereinafter provided, and each director elected shall serve until the next succeeding annual meeting and until that director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.  Each member of the first Board shall hold office until the first annual meeting of stockholders and until that director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.

 

3.4                                Removal .   Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock to elect and remove directors under specified circumstances, any or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

3.5                                Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies .  Subject to any rights of holders of preferred stock or any other series or class of stock, and except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, vacancies occurring on the Board for any reason and newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, at any meeting of the Board unless the Board otherwise determines.  A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired portion of the term of his predecessor in office.  A director elected to fill a newly created directorship shall serve until the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified.

 

5



 

3.6                                Books and Records .  The Board may keep the books of the Corporation, except such as are required by law to be kept within the state, outside of the State of Delaware, at such place or places as they may from time to time determine.

 

3.7                                Compensation .  The Board, or any committee thereof, and irrespective of any personal interest of any of its members, shall have authority to establish reasonable compensation of all directors for services to the Corporation as directors, officers or otherwise.

 

3.8                                Nomination of Directors .  Only persons who are nominated in accordance with this Section 3.8 shall be eligible for election as directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation with respect to the right of holders of preferred stock of the Corporation to nominate and elect a specified number of directors in certain circumstances.  Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of the Board (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any stockholder of the Corporation (i) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 8 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.8

 

(a)                                  Delivery of Notice .  In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary.

 

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not less than ninety (90) calendar days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) calendar days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders (which anniversary date, in the case of the first annual meeting following the spin-off of the Corporation from GAMCO Investors, Inc., shall be deemed to be [ · ], 2016); provided, however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered (A) no earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and (B) no later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which Public Announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which Public Announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation.  In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 3.8(a) hereof to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under Section 3.8(a) hereof and there is no Public Announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.8 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation no later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such Public Announcement is first made by the Corporation.

 

(c)                                   Form of Notice .  To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth:

 

(1)                                  as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director:

 

(i)                                      the name, age, business address and residence address of such person,

 

6


 

(ii)                                   the principal occupation or employment of such person,

 

(iii)                                (A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned by such person, (B) the name of each nominee holder for shares owned beneficially but not of record by such person and the number of shares held by each such nominee holder and (C) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such person with respect to stock of the Corporation; and

 

(iv)                               any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any successor statute; and

 

(2)                                  as to the stockholder giving the notice

 

(i)                                      the name and record address of such stockholder;

 

(ii)                                   (A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned by such stockholder, (B) the name of each nominee holder for shares owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder and the number of shares held by each such nominee holder, and (C) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder with respect to the stock of the Corporation;

 

(iii)                                a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings between such stockholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such stockholder, and any material interest of such stockholder in such nomination, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder therefrom;

 

(iv)                               a representation that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice; and

 

(v)                                  any other information relating to such stockholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any successor statute.

 

Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

 

No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.8.  If the Chairperson of the meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairperson shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

ARTICLE IV
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

4.1                                Regular Meetings .  Regular meetings of the Board may be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, and at such times as the Board may from time to time determine. Notice of regular meetings need not be given if the date, times and places thereof are fixed by resolution of the Board.

 

4.2                                Special Meetings .  Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chief Executive Officer and special meetings shall be called by the Chief Executive Officer or Secretary on the written request of two

 

7



 

directors.  Special meetings may be held at any time, date or place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the person or persons calling the meeting shall fix.

 

4.3                                Notice of Meetings .  Except as provided in Section 4.1 hereof, notice of the time, date and place of a regular or special meeting of the Board shall be given orally (in person, by telephone or otherwise), in writing or by electronic transmission (including electronic mail), by the person or persons calling the meeting to all directors at least five (5) days before the meeting (if the notice is mailed) or at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting (if such notice is given orally, in person, by telephone or otherwise, or by hand delivery, facsimile, or other means of electronic transmission, including electronic mail).  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice of such meeting.

 

4.4                                Quorum .  Subject to Section 3.5 hereof, a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business unless a greater or lesser number is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation.  The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, unless the vote of a greater number is required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation.  If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board, the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

4.5                                Remote Meetings .  Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

 

4.6                                Organization .  Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairperson of the Board or, in such person’s absence, by the Chief Executive Officer or, in such person’s absence, by the President or, in such person’s absence, by a chairperson chosen by the Board at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in such person’s absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

4.7                                Action by Unanimous Written Consent .  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee, respectively, in the minute books of the Corporation. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES

 

5.1                                Committees .  The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation.  The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.  Any such committee, to the extent provided in a resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters:  (a) approving, adopting, or recommending to the stockholders any action or matter (other than the election or removal of members of the Board) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the Corporation.

 

5.2                                Committee Minutes; Committee Rules .  Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and, except as otherwise provided in the resolutions of the Board establishing such committee, shall report the same to the Board as requested by the Board or as otherwise required.  Unless the Board otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business.  In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to Article IV of these Bylaws.

 

8



 

ARTICLE VI
NOTICES

 

6.1                                Notice .

 

(a)                                  Form and Delivery .  Except as otherwise specifically permitted in these Bylaws (including, without limitation, in Section 4.3  above or Section 6.1(b) below) or by applicable law, all notices required to be given pursuant to these Bylaws shall be in writing and may (i) in every instance in connection with any delivery to a member of the Board, be effectively given by hand delivery (including use of a delivery service), by depositing such notice in the mail, postage prepaid, or by sending such notice by prepaid overnight express courier, facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic transmission and (ii) be effectively be delivered to a stockholder when given by hand delivery, by depositing such notice in the mail, postage prepaid or, if specifically consented to by the stockholder as described in Section 6.1(b) hereof, by sending such notice by electronic transmission.  Any such notice shall be addressed to the person to whom notice is to be given at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the notice shall be deemed given (i) in the case of hand delivery, when received by the person to whom notice is to be given or by any person accepting such notice on behalf of such person, (ii) in the case of delivery by mail, upon deposit in the mail, postage prepaid, (iii) in the case of delivery by overnight express courier, when dispatched, and (iv) in the case of delivery via electronic mail or other form of electronic transmission, when dispatched.

 

(b)                                  Electronic Transmission .  Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given in accordance with Section 232 of the DGCL.  Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation.  Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (ii) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however , the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.  Notice given pursuant to this Section 6.1(b) shall be deemed given:  (i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of such posting and the giving of such separate notice; and (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

 

(c)                                   Affidavit of Giving Notice .  An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given in writing or by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

(d)                                  Definition of Electronic Transmission .  For purposes of these Bylaws, “ electronic transmission ” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

 

(e)                                   Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address .  Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under the provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given.  Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation.  Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

6.2                                Waiver of Notice .  Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, or

 

9



 

waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.  Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.  Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any waiver of notice.

 

ARTICLE VII
OFFICERS

 

7.1                                General .  The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board and shall consist of a Chairperson of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, such Vice Presidents as shall from time to time be deemed necessary, a Secretary, such Assistant Secretaries as shall from time to time be deemed necessary, and a Chief Financial Officer.  The Board may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.  Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

7.2                                Term; Removal and Vacancies.   .  Each officer shall be chosen by the Board and shall hold office for such term as may be prescribed by the Board and until such person’s successor shall have been duly chosen and qualified, or until such person’s earlier death, disqualification, resignation or removal.  Any officer elected or appointed by the Board may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board.  Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board.

 

7.3                                Chairperson of the Board .  The Chairperson of the Board shall be chosen from among the directors and shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board and shall perform such other duties and possess such powers as are customarily vested in such office or as may be vested in the Chairperson of the Board by the Board, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

7.4                                Chief Executive Officer .  The Chief Executive Officer shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board, ultimate authority for decisions relating to the supervision, direction and management of the affairs and the business of the Corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of chief executive officer, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation.

 

7.5                                President .  The President shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction and management of the affairs and business of the Corporation customarily and usually associated with the position of President.  The President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.  In the event of the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Executive Officer unless otherwise determined by the Board.

 

7.6                                The Vice Presidents.  Each Vice President shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board, the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

 

7.7                                Secretary .  The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board (subject to the authority of the Board to appoint another person to serve as secretary at any such meeting or portion thereof) and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation and of the Board in a book or books to be kept for that purpose (or any other manner permitted by Section 224 of the DGCL) and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required.  He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and, subject to Section 4.1 hereof, meetings of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, under whose supervision he or she shall be.  He or she shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and he or she, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and, when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her

 

10



 

signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary.  The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his or her signature.

 

7.8                                Assistant Secretary .  The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board, shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board, Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may from time to time prescribe.

 

7.9                                Chief Financial Officer .  The Chief Financial Officer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit or cause to be deposited all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board.

 

He or she shall disburse or cause to be disbursed the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chief Executive Officer and the Board at its regular meetings, or when the Board so requires, an account of all his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

If required by the Board, he or she shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board for the faithful performance of the duties of his or her office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his or her death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his or her possession or under his or her control belonging to the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

 

8.1                                Indemnification of Officers and Directors .  Each person who was or is made a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ Proceeding ”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (for purposes of this Article VIII, an “ Indemnitee ”), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, against all expenses, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith, provided such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner that the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of such Indemnitees’ heirs, executors and administrators.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as provided in Section 8.1, the Corporation shall not be obligated under this Article VIII to indemnify any Indemnitee seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee unless such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized in the first instance by the Board.

 

8.2                                Advance of Expenses .  The Corporation shall pay all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such an Indemnitee in defending any such Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however , that (a) the payment of such expenses incurred by such an Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise; and (b) the Corporation shall not be required to advance any expenses to a person against whom the Corporation directly brings a claim alleging that such person has breached such person’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation, committed an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or derived an improper personal benefit from a transaction.

 

11



 

8.3                                Non-Exclusivity of Rights .  The rights conferred on any person in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaw, agreement, vote or consent of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. Additionally, nothing in this Article VIII shall limit the ability of the Corporation, in its discretion but subject to applicable law, to provide rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses to any person other than an Indemnified Person or to provide greater rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses than those provided in this Article VIII to any Indemnified Person.

 

8.4                                Indemnification Agreements .  The Board is authorized to cause the Corporation to enter into agreements with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or any person serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including employee benefit plans, providing indemnification or advancement rights to such person. Such rights may be greater than those provided in this Article VIII.

 

8.5                                Claims.

 

(a)                                  Right to Bring Suit . If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such proceeding) under Section 8.1 hereof is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, or a claim for advancement of expenses is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements therefor, the Indemnitee shall be entitled at any time thereafter (but not before) to bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct for entitlement to indemnification under applicable law.

 

(b)                                  Effect of Determination . Neither the failure of the Corporation (whether by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct for entitled to indemnification under applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (whether by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit.

 

(c)                                   Burden of Proof . In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking provided hereunder, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or is required to repay any amounts advanced pursuant to the terms of such undertaking, under this Article VIII shall be on the Corporation.

 

8.6                                Nature of Rights .  The rights conferred upon Indemnitees in this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under this Article VIII shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to these Bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the Proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.

 

8.7                                Insurance .  The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising

 

12



 

out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE IX
BUSINESS COMBINATION STATUTE

 

The Corporation hereby elects not to be governed by, or subject to, Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE X
STOCK

 

10.1                         General .  The shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates; provided, however, that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its capital stock may be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of the Board, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form.

 

10.2                         Signatures .  Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

10.3                         Replacement Certificates .  The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock, or uncertificated shares, in the place of any certificate previously issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

 

10.4                         Other Regulations .  The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of stock certificates and uncertificated shares shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board may establish.

 

10.5                         Stockholders of Record .  Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.8, for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to or dissent from any proposal without a meeting, or for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any rights, or for the purpose of any other action, the Board may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders.  Such date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days (unless the DGCL permits a shorter time) before the date of any meeting nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action.  When a determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this Section 10.5, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

 

The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

13



 

ARTICLE XI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

11.1                         Dividends .  Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation relating thereto, if any, dividends may be declared by the Board from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor under the DGCL.  Dividends may be paid in cash, in shares of the capital stock or in the Corporation’s bonds or its property, including the shares or bonds of other corporations subject to any provisions of law and of the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board from time to time, in its absolute discretion, thinks proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the Board may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

11.2                         Checks .  All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board may from time to time designate.

 

11.3                         Fiscal Year .  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board.

 

11.4                         Seal .  The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”.  The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced.

 

11.5                         Form of Records .  Any records maintained by the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device or method, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time.  The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to any provision of the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS

 

These Bylaws may be amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted at any regular or special meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present or represented, by the vote of the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election of any directors, provided notice of the proposed alteration, amendment or repeal be contained in the notice of such meeting.  These Bylaws may also be amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board.  If any Bylaw regulating an impending election of directors is adopted, amended or repealed by the Board, there shall be set forth in the notice of the next meeting of stockholders for the election of directors the By-law so adopted, amended or repealed, together with a precise statement of the changes made.  Bylaws adopted by the Board may be amended or repealed by the stockholders.

 

14



 

CERTIFICATION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

 

OF

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

a Delaware corporation

 

I, David Goldman, certify that I am Secretary of Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), that I am duly authorized to make and deliver this certification, that the attached Bylaws are a true and complete copy of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation in effect as of the date of this certificate.

 

Dated:  [ · ], 2015

 

 

 

 

 

David Goldman

 

15




Exhibit 4.1

 

016570| 003590|127C|RESTRICTED||4|057-423 .A CLASS A COMMON STOCK PAR VALUE $0.001 CLASS A COMMON STOCK THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN CANTON, MA, JERSEY CITY, NJ AND GOLDEN, CO Certificate Number ZQ 000000 Shares * * 600620 * * * * * * * * * 600620 * * * * * * * * * 600620 * * * * * * * * * 600620* * * * * * * * * 600620* * ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE ** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample THIS CERTIFIES THAT **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE & Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample David Sample ***M* Mr. ARlexand.er DSavid SAampleM**** MPr. AlexLandeEr David &Sample M**** Mr.RAlexaSnder D.avidSampAle ****MMr. AlPexandLer DaEvid Sample **** Mr. **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Sample **** Mr. Sample is the owner of **600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares*** *600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares**** 6006*20**Sh*ares*****600620S**SharIesX****60062H0**ShaUres****6N00620*D*ShareRs****600E620**SDhares****T60062H0**ShaOres****6U00620*S*ShareAs****60N0620**DShares****6 00620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****60 0620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600 620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares***600620**Shares****600620**Shares****60062 *SShares*I***X600620**HShares*U***6006N20**ShDares***R*60062E0**ShaDres****60A0620**NSharesD****600620T**ShaWres****60E0620**NSharesT****600Y620**S*hares****6006*20** 0**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620 **Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620* Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**S hares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Shares****600620**Sh FULLY-PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE &/$66 A COMMON STOCK OF Associated Capital Group, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Company”), transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby, are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the Bylaws, as amended, of the Company (copies of which are on file with the Company and with the Transfer Agent), to all of which each holder, by acceptance hereof, assents. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. DATED <<Month Day, Year>> COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR, FACSIMILE SIGNATURE TO COME President FACSIMILE SIGNATURE TO COME By Secretary AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE 045528 106 XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XX1,X0X00X,0X0X0X.0X0 123456 12345678 123456789012345 CUSIP Holder ID Insurance Value Number of Shares DTC Certificate Numbers 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 Total Transaction Associated Capital Group, Inc. The Sample Company PO BOX 43004, Providence, RI 02940-3004 Num/No. Denom. Total 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 CUSIP 045528-106

GRAPHIC

 

 

(Reverse Side) ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC. (Cust) (Minor) and not as tenants in common THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A SUMMARY OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OF THE COMPANY AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS, AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED BY THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY, AS AMENDED, AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR FUTURE SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED STOCK CERTIFICATE, OR HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES. TO GIVE THE COMPANY A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE. PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE For Value received, hereby sell, assign and transfer unto (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL [ ] CODE OF ASSIGNEE) Shares of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated: 20 Signature: Signature: Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate, in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change whatever. LEGAL_US_E # 117827467.1 Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks, [ ], Savings and Loan Associations and [ ] Unions WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE [ ] The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of its certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM – as tenants in commonUNIF GIFT MIN ACT-………………….Custodian………………………… (Cust)(Minor) TEN ENT – as tenants by the entiretiesunder Uniform Gifts to Minors Act………………….. (State) JT TEN– as joint tenants with right of survivorshipUNIF TRF MIN ACT-……………Custodian (until age…)…….……..…… under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act………………….. (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

GRAPHIC

 



Exhibit 10.1

 

SERVICE MARK AND NAME LICENSE AGREEMENT

 

THIS SERVICE MARK AND NAME LICENSE AGREEMENT , effective as of the       day of           , 2015 (“ Effective Date ”), is by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (“ GAMCO ” or “ Licensor ”) and Associated Capital Group, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware (“ ACG ” or “ Licensee ”, and together with GAMCO, “ Parties ”, or each individually, a “ Party ”).

 

WHEREAS , Licensor is currently the holder of certain shares of ACG class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ ACG Class A Stock ”) and ACG class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ ACG Class B Stock ” and, together with the ACG Class A Stock, the “ ACG Common Stock ”);

 

WHEREAS , substantially simultaneously with entering into this Agreement, Licensor will distribute the ACG Common Stock to the stockholders of Licensor;

 

WHEREAS , substantially simultaneously with entering into this Agreement, Licensor and Licensee will enter into a Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement pursuant to which Licensor will provide certain services to Licensee and Licensee will provide certain services to Licensor in exchange for the payment of certain fees (the “ Services Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS , the word “GAMCO” is the property of the Licensor and Licensor is the owner of the names and marks and the goodwill symbolized by the word “GAMCO” (collectively, the “ GAMCO Mark ”);

 

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to license the right to use the GAMCO Mark in connection with any of its funds, collective investment vehicles, investment partnerships or other investment products now in existence or hereafter developed by the Licensee (collectively the “ GAMCO Funds ”); and

 

WHEREAS , Mario J. Gabelli and Licensor (f/k/a Gabelli Asset Management, Inc.) entered into an assignment agreement, dated February 9, 1999 attached hereto as Exhibit A (“ Assignment Agreement ”), pursuant to which Mario J. Gabelli assigned and transferred to Licensor any and all right, title and interest he has or may have in the name “Gabelli” as a trademark, service mark, corporate or trade name, or d/b/a for use in connection with investment management services, mutual funds, and securities brokerage transactions (the “ Gabelli Mark ” and, together with the GAMCO Mark, the “ Marks ”), subject to Mario J. Gabelli’s reservation of certain rights as set forth in the Assignment Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, Licensee desires to license the right to use the Gabelli Mark in connection with any of its funds, collective investment vehicles, investment partnerships or other investment products now in existence or hereafter developed by the Licensee (collectively, the “ “Gabelli Funds ” and, together with the GAMCO Funds, the “ Funds ”); and

 

WHEREAS, Licensor will license the Marks to Licensee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement .

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the recitals above and the mutual promises set forth below, and the payment of the fees pursuant to the Services Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which the Parties acknowledge, the Parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       License.

 

1.1                                Grant .  Licensor hereby grants to Licensee, a non-exclusive, royalty free right and license to use the Marks in connection with the operation, advertising, promotion and marketing of the Funds during the Term of this Agreement.

 

1.2                                No Other Use .  Licensee shall not use, except as permitted hereunder, or register or apply to register, the Marks, or any name which is the same as or confusingly similar to the Marks.  All rights in and to the Marks not expressly granted herein are reserved by Licensor.

 



 

2.                                       Quality Control.

 

2.1                                Quality Control .  All use of the Marks by Licensee and the nature and quality of all services sold or offered by Licensee in connection with the Marks are subject to Licensor’s reasonable quality control standards.

 

2.2                                Inspection .  Licensor may periodically inspect Licensee’s operations to ensure compliance with the standards described above with reasonable advance notice and in such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the normal operations of the business of Licensee.

 

2.3                                Advertising .  The use of the Marks whether in advertising and promotional materials or otherwise, shall be subject to the approval of Licensor, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

3.                                       Acknowledgment of Rights.

 

3.1                                Licensee acknowledges and agrees that:

 

A.                                     Licensor owns all rights, title and interest in and to Marks, and throughout the Term of this Agreement and thereafter, Licensee shall not contest the validity of the Marks, or claim adversely to any right, title and interest of Licensor in and to the Marks; and

 

B.                                     All goodwill that arises from Licensee’s use of the Marks shall inure to the sole benefit of Licensor.

 

4.                                       Trademark Protection.

 

4.1                                Notice of Infringement .  Licensee shall give notice to Licensor of any infringement of either of the Marks that comes to its attention during the Term of this Agreement.  Licensee agrees to cooperate reasonably with Licensor, when requested and at Licensor’s expense, in stopping such infringement, but Licensee shall not take any action against an infringer in its own name or on behalf of Licensor without Licensor’s prior written approval.  Licensor, in its sole discretion, shall decide what, if any, action to take with respect to any infringement or alleged infringement of the Marks.  Nothing in this License Agreement shall impose on Licensee any obligation to investigate any alleged infringement of the Marks.

 

5.                                       Term; Termination.

 

5.1                                Term .  This Agreement shall be in perpetuity, subject to Licensor’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 5.2 hereof.

 

5.2                                Termination .  This Agreement may be terminated by Licensor only if Licensee violates the Quality Control provisions in Section 2 hereof; provided, however , prior to any such termination, Licensor must provide Licensee with written notice of any violation of Section 2 and provide Licensee with sixty (60) days to cure any such violation.

 

5.3                                Effect of Termination .  Upon termination of this Agreement:

 

A.                                     Licensee shall discontinue, and cease and desist from all use of the Marks and any and all terms confusingly similar to the Marks.

 

B.                                     All rights of Licensee hereunder shall terminate and revert automatically to Licensor, and Licensee shall not have any right to use or otherwise exploit in any manner the Marks.

 

2



 

6.                                       Miscellaneous.

 

6.1                                Governing Law .  This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall be governed by and will be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

 

6.2                                Complete Agreement .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous proposals, negotiations, representations, commitments, writings and all other communications, whether oral and written, between the Parties.

 

6.3                                Assignment .  This Agreement may not be assigned or transferred by Licensee in any manner, nor shall Licensee have the right to grant any sublicenses under this Agreement, except with Licensor’s prior written consent.

 

6.4                                Amendment .  This Agreement may not be modified, amended, rescinded, canceled or waived, in whole or in part, except by written instrument signed by a duly authorized representative of each Party.

 

6.5                                Severability .  In the event that any provision of this Agreement conflicts with the law under which this Agreement is to be construed, or if any such provision is held invalid by a court with jurisdiction over the Parties to this Agreement, and the subject matter of this Agreement, (i) such provision will be deemed to be restated to reflect as nearly as possible to the original intentions of the Parties in accordance with applicable law, and (ii) the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.

 

6.6                                Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and all of which together will constitute one and the same document.

 

6.7                                Waiver .  The failure of either Party to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of this Agreement, or to partially or fully exercise any right, or any waiver by either Party of any breach, shall not prevent a subsequent enforcement of strict performance or the exercise of any such right, or be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other term of this Agreement.

 

6.8                                Remedies .  Except where otherwise specified in this Agreement, the rights and remedies of each Party set forth in this Agreement are not exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies available to it at law or in equity.

 

6.9                                Headings .  The various headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any section hereof.

 

6.10                         Notices .  All notices provided for herein will be in writing and will, unless otherwise provided, be delivered personally or sent by confirmed facsimile transmission, overnight courier service or United States Certified Mail, proper postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to GAMCO:

 

GAMCO Investors, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
Attn: Legal Department
Fax: (914) 921-5384

 

3



 

If to ACG:

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
Attn: Legal Department
Fax: (914) 921-5135

 

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , each Party hereto has executed, or has caused the execution by its duly authorized representative of, this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

 

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

Mario J. Gabelli

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

Douglas R. Jamieson

 

Title:

President and Chief Operating Officer

 

5



 

Exhibit A to

Service Mark and Name License Agreement

 

AGREEMENT

 

AGREEMENT made this 9th day of February, 1999 by and between Gabelli Asset Management Inc. a New York corporation, (the “Company”), and Mario J. Gabelli, an individual U.S. citizen (“Gabelli”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and its predecessors have operated under the name “Gabelli” (the “Name”) and have a registered U.S. service mark for “Gabelli” for use in connection with investment management services, mutual funds, and securities brokerage services; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Gabelli wish to define their rights in and to the use of the Name.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Gabelli hereby assigns and transfers to the Company any and all right, title and interest he has or may have in or to the Name as a trademark, service mark, corporate or trade name, or d/b/a for use in connection with investment management services, mutual funds, and securities brokerage services.  Gabelli expressly retains any and all right, title and interest he has or may have in or to the Name as a trademark, service mark, corporate or trade name, or d/b/a for use in connection with (i) charitable foundations controlled by Gabelli or members of his family or (ii) entities engaged in private investment activities for Gabelli or members of his family (collectively, the “Retained Activities”).

 

2.                                       Gabelli represents and warrants that neither he nor any member of his immediate family is currently using the Name as a trademark, service mark, corporate or tradename, or d/b/a to conduct any business other than the Retained Activities, except in Gabelli’s capacity as director, officer, and/or employee of MJG Associates, Inc. and the Funds (as defined in the License Agreement, dated February  9   , 1999, among Gabelli Asset Management Inc., Gabelli International Limited, Gabelli International II Limited, Gabelli Fund, LDC, Gabelli Performance Partnership L.P., and MJG Associates, Inc.) and subject to the terms of said License Agreement

 

3.                                       Gabelli agrees not to utilize in the future, or authorize any other party to utilize in the future, the Name as a trademark, service mark, corporate or tradename, or d/b/a in connection with investment management services, mutual funds or securities brokerage services (individually and collectively, “Company Activities”), except to the extent that Gabelli has a license from the Company for such use.

 

4.                                       The Company agrees not to utilize the name as a trademark, service mark, corporate or trade name, or d/b/a in connection with the Retained Activities.

 

5.                                       With respect to future uses of the Name as a trademark, service mark, corporate or tradename, or d/b/a in connection with activities other than Company Activities and Retained Activities, the parties shall rely upon their rights as may be established under the applicable trademark or corporate laws.

 

6.                                       Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall restrict Gabelli from publicly advertising his personal involvement in any activity, service, product or entity, even one that falls within the Company Activities, so long as Gabelli is not prohibited from involvement in such activity service, product or entity under the non-competition provisions of Paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Employment Agreement, dated February 9, 1999, between Gabelli and the Company.

 



 

7.                                       The parties agree to take any and all further actions and execute any further assignments or other documents as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement

 

8.                                       This Agreement is intended to be performed primarily in the State of New York and shall be governed, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to its choice of law principles.

 

9.                                       This Agreement is binding upon Gabelli, his assigns, estate, heirs, administrators, executors and personal representatives and upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

 

10.                                This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, written or oral, of the parties hereto, relating to the matters covered by this Agreement This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a further written instrument duly executed by both parties.

 

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

 

 

 

/s/ Mario J. Gabelli

 

Mario J. Gabelli

 

 

 

 

 

GABELLI ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James E. McKee

 

 

James E. McKee

 

 

Vice President, General

 

 

Counsel and Secretary

 

2




Exhibit 10.2

 

TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND
MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

THIS TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is dated as of                       , 2015, between GAMCO Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ GAMCO ”), and Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ ACG ”, and together with GAMCO, “ Parties ”, or each individually, a “ Party ”).

 

WHEREAS, following the consummation of the distribution (the “ Distribution ”) contemplated by the Separation and Distribution Agreement dated of even date herewith among GAMCO and ACG (the “ Distribution Agreement ”), ACG desires that GAMCO provide certain administrative and management services to ACG, and GAMCO desires that ACG provide certain administrative services to GAMCO; and

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party is willing to provide the other Party with such services for a transitional period.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, GAMCO and ACG agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.         Services .  In addition to the Management Services described in Section 2, GAMCO agrees to provide, or to coordinate the provision by others, to ACG the transitional services set forth on Exhibit A hereto (the “ GAMCO Services ”), and ACG agrees to provide, or to coordinate the provision by others, to GAMCO the transitional services set forth on Exhibit B hereto (the “ ACG Services ” and, together with the GAMCO Services, the “ Services ”).   Without limiting the foregoing, the Parties may modify the Services from time to time and may identify additional services to incorporate into this Agreement.  In connection with the office space and the office equipment and furniture, in accordance with Section 5.8 of the Distribution Agreement, ACG may elect to be added with GAMCO to the lease for the premises at 401 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye, New York and, to the extent feasible and appropriate, substituted on any lease for leased office equipment or furniture, paying its proportionate share of any expenses related to such premises or equipment.

 

SECTION 2.                Provision of Management Services .

 

(a)      Management Services .  As part of the Services, commencing at the time of the Distribution, GAMCO shall provide general corporate management services (the “ Management Services ”) to ACG, which may include, but not be limited to, operations, supervision of operating subsidiaries, strategic planning, acquisition analysis, investment banking and financial advisory services, supervision of the preparation of corporate tax returns, supervision of financial reporting and other applicable regulatory matters.  In providing the Services, including the Management Services, GAMCO may, subject to the prior written consent of ACG, employ consultants and other advisors in addition to utilizing its own employees.  Such Management Services are intended to be generally comparable in type and quantity to that which GAMCO provided to ACG, it affiliates and its businesses prior to the Distribution.

 

(b)      Limitation of Liability; Indemnification of ACG .  GAMCO shall have no liability to ACG with respect to GAMCO’s furnishing any of the Management Services hereunder except for liabilities arising out of willful misconduct or gross negligence occurring after the Distribution.  GAMCO will indemnify, defend and hold harmless ACG, its affiliates and its businesses in respect of all liabilities related to, arising from, asserted against or associated with such willful misconduct or gross negligence.  Such indemnification obligation shall be a liability of GAMCO.  In no event shall GAMCO have any liability for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages, whether or not caused by or resulting from negligence or breach of obligations hereunder and whether or not informed or aware of the possibility of the existence of such damages.

 

(c)      Limitation of Liability; Indemnification of GAMCO .  ACG shall indemnify and hold harmless GAMCO, its affiliates and its businesses in respect of all liabilities related to, arising from, asserted against or associated with GAMCO’s furnishing or failing to furnish the Management Services provided for in this Agreement, other than liabilities arising out of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of GAMCO following the Distribution.  Such indemnification obligation shall be a liability of ACG.  In no event shall ACG have any liability

 



 

for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages, whether or not caused by or resulting from negligence or breach of obligations hereunder and whether or not informed or aware of the possibility of the existence of such damages.

 

(d)      Subrogation of Rights Vis-A-Vis Third Party Contractors .  In the event any liability arises from the performance of Management Services hereunder by a third party contractor, upon indemnification of GAMCO and/or its representatives, including but not limited to GAMCO’s officers, directors, employees, accountants, counsel, investment bankers, financial advisors and consultants, ACG shall be subrogated to such rights, if any, as GAMCO may have against such third party contractor with respect to the Management Services provided by such third party contractor.

 

(e)      Laws and Governmental Regulations .  ACG shall be solely responsible for compliance with all laws, rules and regulations including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

(f)       Relationship of Parties .  Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed by the Parties or any third party as creating the relationship of principal and agent, partnership or joint venture between the Parties, it being understood and agreed that no provision contained herein, and no actions of the Parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between the Parties other than the relationship of independent contractor nor be deemed to vest any rights, interest or claims in any third parties.

 

SECTION 3.         Term; Standard of Care .  Each of GAMCO and ACG shall provide the Services, including the Management Services, to the other Party as the other Party may request for a period of up to twelve (12) months from the date of the Distribution; provided that any or all of the Services may be terminated by either Party at any time and for any reason on not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the other Party.  In providing the Services hereunder, each Party will exercise the same degree of care as it has exercised in providing such Services to its affiliates prior to the date hereof, including the same level of quality, responsiveness and timeliness as has been exercised by each Party with respect to the Services.

 

SECTION 4.                Operating Committee.

 

(a)      Organization . The Parties shall create an operating committee (the “ Operating Committee ”) and shall each appoint one (1) employee to the Operating Committee for the Term.  The Operating Committee will oversee the implementation and application of this Agreement and shall at all times reasonably and in good faith attempt to resolve any dispute between the Parties. Each of the Parties shall have the right to change its Operating Committee member at any time with employees of comparable knowledge, expertise and decision-making authority.

 

(b)      Decision Making . All Operating Committee decisions shall be taken unanimously. If the Operating Committee fails to make a decision, resolve a dispute, agree upon any necessary action, or if a Party so requests, in the event of a material breach of this Agreement, a senior officer of GAMCO and a senior officer of ACG, neither of whom shall have any direct oversight or responsibility for the subject matter in dispute, shall attempt within a period of fourteen (14) days to conclusively resolve any such unresolved issue.

 

(c)      Meetings . During the Term, the Operating Committee members shall meet, in person or via teleconference, at least once in each month, or less frequently if agreed by the members of the Operating Committee. In addition, the Operating Committee shall meet as often as necessary in order to promptly resolve any disputes submitted to it by any representative of either Party.

 

SECTION 5.                Compensation .

 

(a)      Charges for Services .  Each Party will pay the other Party the charges, if any, the applicable charges, if any, set forth on Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto (collectively, the Transition Services Schedules ”) for the Services set forth herein as may be adjusted, from time to time, in accordance with this Agreement or, if no charges are specifically indicated otherwise on the Transition Services Schedule, the cost of services provided.  The Parties intend, having regard to the reciprocal and transitional nature of the Agreement as well as other factors, for

 

2



 

the charges to be easy to administer and justify; and therefore recognize it may be counter-productive to try and recover every cost, charge or expense, particularly those which are insignificant or de minimis.

 

(b)      Taxes . The fees and charges payable under this Agreement are exclusive of any sales tax or excise tax or other similar charges which may be imposed by a governmental authority.  Each Party agrees to remit to the other any such charges promptly upon being billed by the other Party.

 

(c)      Corrections/Adjustments . The Parties agree to develop, through an Operating Committee or their Boards of Directors, mutually acceptable reasonable processes and procedures for conducting any reviews and making adjustments thereof.  Payments will then be promptly billed and paid.

 

SECTION 6.                Personnel.

 

(a)      Right to designate and change personnel.   The Party providing the Services (“ Service Provider ”) will have the right to designate which personnel it will assign to perform the Services.  The Service Provider also will have the right to remove and replace any such personnel at any time or designate any of its Affiliates or a Subcontractor (as defined below) at any time to perform the Services, subject to the provisions of Section 6(d): provided, however , that the Service Provider will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts (as defined below) to limit the disruption to the other Party (“ Service Recipient ”) in the transition of the Services to different personnel or to a Subcontractor.  In the event that personnel with the designated level of experience are not then employed by the Service Provider, the Service Provider will use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to provide such personnel or Subcontractor personnel having an adequate level of experience; provided, however , that the Service Provider will have no obligation to retain any individual employee for the sole purpose of providing the applicable Services.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Commercially Reasonable Efforts ” means the efforts that a reasonable and prudent person desirous of achieving a business result would use in similar circumstances to ensure that such result is achieved as expeditiously as possible in the context of commercial relations of the type envisaged by this Agreement; provided, however , that an obligation to use Commercially Reasonable Efforts under this Agreement does not require the Person subject to that obligation to assume any material obligations or pay any material amounts to a third party.

 

(b)      Financial Responsibility .   The Service Provider will pay for all personnel expenses, including wages, of its employees performing the Services

 

(c)      Service Managers and Chief Representatives .  During the Term of this Agreement, each Party will appoint (i) one of its employees (the “ Service Manager ) who will have overall responsibility for managing and coordinating the delivery of the Services and who shall serve as such Party’s representative on the Operating Committee and (ii) one of its employees for each service as indicated in each Transition Service Schedule (the “ Chief Representative ”).  The Service Manager and the Chief Representatives will coordinate and consult with the Service Recipient.  The Service Provider may, at its discretion, select other individuals to serve in these capacities during the Term of this Agreement upon providing notice to the other Party.  For the avoidance of doubt, a Chief Representative may serve as such in respect of one or more Transition Service Schedules.

 

(d)

 

(1)            Subcontractors The Service Provider may, subject to Section 6(d)(2), engage a “Subcontractor” to perform all or any portion of the Service Provider’s duties under this Agreement, provided that any such Subcontractor agrees in writing to be bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as the terms of Section 10(n) of this Agreement regarding confidentiality and non-use of information, and provided further that the Service Provider remains responsible for the performance of such Subcontractor and for paying the Subcontractor.  As used in this Agreement, “ Subcontractor ” will mean any person or entity engaged to perform hereunder, other than employees of the Service Provider of its Affiliates.

 

(2)            Assignment .   In the event of any subcontracting by the Service Provider to a non-Affiliate of the Service Provider of all or any portion of the Service Provider’s duties under this Agreement, the Service Provider shall assign and transfer to the Service Recipient the full benefit of all such non-Affiliate

 

3



 

subcontractor’s performance covenants, guarantees, warranties or indemnities (if any), to the extent same are transferable or assignable, in the respect of the portion of the Services provided to the Service Recipient pursuant to such subcontracting; and if such guarantees, warranties, indemnities and benefits are not assignable, the Service Provider shall use Commercially Reasonable Efforts to procure the benefit of same for the Service Recipient through other legal permissible means.  The Service Provider will also reasonably endeavor to permit the assignment of any Subcontractor engagement to a Service Recipient or its Affiliates at the request of the Service Recipient upon termination of Service hereunder.

 

(e)      Insurance .  Each party shall obtain and maintain at its own expense insurance of the type generally maintained in the ordinary course of its business.  Except as otherwise specified in the Transition Service Schedule, the Service Provider shall not be required to obtain and maintain any particular insurance in relation to providing any Service.

 

SECTION 7.         Consents of Third Parties .  GAMCO shall use commercially reasonable efforts, at ACG’s direction and expense, to obtain any consents or software licenses from third parties necessary for the continuation of the requested Services; provided , that GAMCO shall have no obligation to provide Services for which such consent is required and shall not have been obtained, despite GAMCO’s use of commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent.

 

SECTION 8.         Limitations; Indemnity for Services Other Than Management Services .  Except as otherwise provided by Section 2 hereof with respect to Management Services, GAMCO will indemnify, defend and hold harmless ACG its affiliates and its businesses and each of their respective directors, officers, agents and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (a “ ACG Indemnitee ”) from and against all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, expenses, reasonable attorney’s fees, and court or arbitration costs (“ Losses ”) (i) arising out of a claim by a third party against a ACG Indemnitee to the extent resulting from or alleged to have resulted from any act or omission of a member of the GAMCO Group (as such term is defined in the Distribution Agreement) under or related to this Agreement, or (ii) in the event of (A) the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of a member of the GAMCO Group; (B) the failure of GAMCO to perform the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; or (C) the breach by GAMCO of this Agreement.  ACG will indemnify, defend and hold harmless GAMCO its affiliates and businesses and each of their respective directors, officers, agents and employees, and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the foregoing (each, a “ GAMCO Indemnitee ”), from and against all Losses (i) arising out of a claim by a third party against a GAMCO Indemnitee to the extent resulting from or alleged to have resulted from any act or omission of a member of the ACG Group (as such term is defined in the Distribution Agreement) under or related to this Agreement, or (ii) in the event of (A) the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of a member of the ACG Group; (B) the failure of ACG to perform the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; or (C) the breach by ACG of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.         Disclaimer of Warranties .  SUBJECT TO SECTION 3 HEREOF, EACH OF THE PARTIES DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREUNDER.  NEITHER GAMCO NOR ACG MAKES ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE QUALITY, SUITABILITY OR ADEQUACY OF THE SERVICES FOR ANY PURPOSE OR USE.

 

SECTION 10.         Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

(a)      Complete Agreement; Construction .  Except as set forth in the Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement and the Distribution Agreement, each dated of even date herewith, between the Parties, this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.

 

(b)      Counterparts .  For the convenience of the Parties hereto, this Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and which counterparts shall together constitute the same agreement.

 

4



 

(c)      Notices .  Any notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by any Party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered by facsimile (upon confirmation of receipt) or personally, (ii) on the first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by FedEx or other next-day courier service, or (iii) on the third business day following the date of mailing if delivered by United States Certified Mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid.  All notices hereunder shall be delivered as set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the Party to receive such notice:

 

If to GAMCO, at:                                                 GAMCO Investors, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Theodore Fremd Avenue

Rye, NY 10580-1422
Attn: Kevin Handwerker
Facsimile: (914) 921-5392
Telephone: (914) 921-5192

 

If to ACG, at:                                                                      Associated Capital Group, Inc.
401 Theodore Fremd Avenue
Rye, NY 10580
Attn:   David Goldman
Facsimile: (914) 921-5392
Telephone: (914) 921-7793

 

(d)      Waivers .  The failure of any Party hereto to require strict performance by any other Party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that Party’s right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof.

 

(e)      Modification or Amendments .  The Parties hereto may modify or amend this Agreement by written agreement executed and delivered by authorized officers of the respective Parties.

 

(f)       Assignment; Successors and Assigns .  No Party to this Agreement shall convey, assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the express written consent of each of the other Party hereto in its sole and absolute discretion.  Any such conveyance, assignment or transfer without the express written consent of each of the other parties shall be void ab initio .  No assignment of this Agreement or any rights hereunder shall relieve each of the assigning parties of its obligations hereunder.  Any successor by merger to a Party to this Agreement shall be substituted for such Party as a party to this Agreement, and all obligations, duties and liabilities of the substituted party under this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect as obligations, duties and liabilities of the substituting party, enforceable against the substituting party as a principal, as though no substitution had been made.

 

(g)      Third Party Beneficiaries .  This Agreement is for the purpose of defining the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereto and is not for the benefit of any employee; creditor or other third party, except as may be expressly set forth herein.

 

(h)      Indemnification for Expenses; Attorney Fees .  A Party in breach of this Agreement shall, on demand, indemnify and hold harmless the other Party hereto for and against all out-of-pocket expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees, incurred by such other Party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement, should such Party prevail in such action.  The payment of such expenses is in addition to any other relief to which such other Party may be entitled hereunder or otherwise.

 

(i)       Captions .  All Article, Section and paragraph captions herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

 

5



 

(j)       Specific Performance .  In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party or Parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right of specific performance and injunctive relief giving effect to its or their rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative.  The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived.

 

(k)      Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflicts of law principles.

 

(l)       Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is determined to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those remaining provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it has been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner adverse to any Party.  Upon any such determination, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable substitute provision to effect the original intent of the Parties.

 

(m)     Cooperation; Further Assurances .  The Parties will use good faith efforts to cooperate with each other in all matters relating to the provision of the Services.  Each Party will take such actions as may be necessary or reasonably appropriate to implement or give effect to this Agreement.

 

(n)      Records; Confidentiality .  Each Party shall keep full and detailed records dealing with all aspects of the Services performed by it and shall provide access to the other Party to such records at all reasonable times.  Each Party hereto shall keep, and shall cause its officer, directors, employees, accountants, counsel, investment bankers, financial advisors, consultants and other representatives (“ Representatives ”) to keep the other Party’s information, whether furnished orally or in writing or by any other means or gathered by inspection and regardless of whether the same is specifically marked or designated as “confidential” or “proprietary,” together with any and all notes, memoranda, analyses, compilations, studies or other documents (whether in hard copy or electronic media) prepared by the receiving Party or any of its Representatives which contain or otherwise reflect such information, together with any and all copies, extracts or other reproductions of any of the same (the “ Information ”), strictly confidential and will disclose such Information only to such of its Representatives who need to know such Information, and who agree to be bound by this Section 10(n) and not to disclose such Information to any other person.  Without the prior written consent of the other parties, neither Party nor any of its respective Representatives shall disclose the other Party’s Information to any person or entity except as may be required by law or judicial process and in accordance with this Section 10(n).  The term “Information” does not include information that: (i) is or becomes generally available to the public through no wrongful act of the receiving Party or its Representatives; (ii) is or becomes available to the receiving Party on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the providing Party or its Representatives, provided that such source is not known by the receiving Party to be subject to a confidentiality agreement with the providing Party; or (iii) has been independently acquired or developed by the receiving Party without violation of any of the obligations of the receiving Party or its Representatives under this Agreement.

 

(o)      Arbitration .  Any dispute with respect to this Agreement shall be arbitrated in Westchester County, NY, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  There will be a single neutral arbitrator selected who resides in Westchester County, NY.  The American Arbitration Association will provide a list of five (5) neutral arbitrators.  The claimant and respondent will take turns, with the respondent going first, striking one name at a time from the list of five neutral arbitrators.  Each Party will have no more than twenty-four (24) hours to take its turn striking a name of a neutral arbitrator.  The final remaining arbitrator will serve as the neutral arbitrator.  Either Party may apply to the arbitrator seeking injunctive relief until the arbitrator’s award is rendered or the controversy is otherwise resolved.  Either Party also may, without waiving any remedy under this agreement, seek from any New York court having jurisdiction, any interim or provisional relief that is necessary to protect the rights and/or property of that Party, pending the determination of the arbitrator.

 

6



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

Douglas R. Jamieson

 

Title:

President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

Kieran Caterina

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

GAMCO Services

 

1.                                       Accounting, financial reporting and consolidation, including the services of a financial and operations principal

 

2.                                       Treasury, including, without limitation, insurance and risk management services and administration of benefits;

 

3.                                       Tax planning, tax return preparation, recordkeeping and reporting;

 

4.                                       Human resources, including but not limited to the sourcing of permanent and temporary employees as needed, recordkeeping, performance reviews and terminations;

 

5.                                       Legal and compliance advice, including the services of a Chief Compliance Officer;

 

6.                                       Technical/technology consulting;

 

7.                                       Operations and general administrative, including:

 

(a)            Office space;

 

(b)            Office equipment and furniture;

 

(c)            Payroll;

 

(d)            Procurement; and

 

(e)            Administrative personnel.

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

ACG Services

 

Payroll services

 


 



Exhibit 10.3

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

AGREEMENT made this       day of            , 2015 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between Associated Capital Group, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and Mario J. Gabelli (the “ Executive ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Executive has served as an executive of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and its predecessors (collectively, “ GAMCO ”) since the inception of GAMCO in 1976;

 

WHEREAS, the Company has been spun-off of GAMCO as of the date of this Employment Agreement (the “ Spin-Off ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Executive’s skills, position, knowledge and expertise in the management of portfolios such as those managed by the Company are unique;

 

WHEREAS, the Company is dependent upon the efforts of the Executive, in the capacities described herein in which he serves, and as a member of the portfolio management team for a significant majority of the Company’s assets under management;

 

WHEREAS, the loss of the Executive’s services would have a material adverse effect on the Company;

 

WHEREAS, since the inception of GAMCO in 1976, up until the GAMCO’s initial public offering in February 1999 (the “ GAMCO IPO ”), the Executive received an incentive-based management fee of twenty percent (20%) of the pre-tax profits, if any, as computed for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as applied by GAMCO and its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliates for financial reporting purposes (together, “ Subsidiaries ”) from time to time, for each fiscal year of each of the operating divisions of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries before consideration of this fee, less applicable payroll and tax deductions, accrued monthly and payable at least annually;

 

WHEREAS, GAMCO and the Executive entered into an Employment Agreement dated February 9, 1999 (the “ 1999 Employment Agreement ”), in connection with the GAMCO IPO, which Employment Agreement, among other things, reduced the Executive’s incentive-based management fee to ten percent (10%) of GAMCO’s pre-tax profits, if any, as computed for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as applied by GAMCO and its Subsidiaries from time to time, for each fiscal year of each of the operating divisions of GAMCO and its Subsidiaries before consideration of this fee, less applicable payroll and tax deductions, accrued monthly and payable at least annually (the “ GAMCO Management Fee ”);

 

WHEREAS, on February 6, 2008, GAMCO and the Executive entered into a new Employment Agreement (the “ 2008 Employment Agreement ”), which amended and restated the 1999 Employment Agreement to, among other things, eliminate outdated provisions, allow for services to be performed for former Subsidiaries that are spun off to shareholders or otherwise cease to be Subsidiaries in similar transactions, allow for the GAMCO Management Fee to be paid to the Executive or an entity designated by him;

 

WHEREAS, the GAMCO Management Fee, as amended by the 2008 Employment Agreement, was applicable to the operations of the Company prior to the Spin-Off;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires that the Executive or his designee receive a management fee with respect to the Company substantially equivalent to the management fee he was entitled to with respect to the Company’s operations prior to the Spin-Off to provide Executive with an incentive for the achievement of the Company’s performance goals and the enhancement of shareholder value;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Spin-Off, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) has reviewed and approved this Employment Agreement and recommended its approval to the Board;

 

1



 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Employment.

 

The Company hires and employs the Executive, and the Executive agrees to work for the Company, under the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

2.                                       Duties.

 

The Executive shall serve as Executive Chairman of the Board and, initially, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, except that he will have no executive authority for G.research, LLC.  Executive shall also serve as portfolio manager for certain investment companies and separate accounts managed by the Company and its Subsidiaries as determined by the Executive.   The Executive or the Company may at any time limit or terminate the Executive’s service in one or more of the capacities referred to above.

 

3.                                       Term.

 

The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and continue through the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “ Expiration Date ”).  On each anniversary of the Effective Date commencing on the first anniversary (each, an “ Anniversary Date ”), this Agreement shall automatically be renewed and the term extended for an additional one (1) year period, unless such renewal is objected to by either the Company or by the Executive on written notice delivered to the other not less than ninety (90) days prior to an Anniversary Date.  The last day of each such extension shall become the new Expiration Date.

 

4.                                       Fees from Revenue Generating Activities (Revenue Fees).

 

For managing or overseeing the management of investment companies or partnerships, attracting investors for collective investment funds or partnership investments, attracting or managing separate accounts, providing investment banking services or otherwise generating revenues for the Company or its Subsidiaries, the Executive will be paid a percentage of the revenues or net operating contribution related to or generated by such business activities, in a manner and at payment rates as agreed to from time to time by the Executive and the Company or the affected Subsidiaries, which rates have been and generally will be the same as those received by other professionals in the Company or the affected Subsidiaries performing similar services.  The Executive shall be entitled to receive such payments within seventy-five (75) days of the date the Company actually receives the funds related to the business activities from which the Executive will receive payment.  Unless and until the Company receives such funds, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive payment.

 

5.                                       Incentive-Based Management Fee (The Management Fee).

 

The Executive or one or more entities or persons designated by Executive, in his sole discretion and control, will be entitled to receive an incentive-based management fee in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the aggregate annual pre-tax profits, if any, as computed for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as applied by the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time, of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries before consideration of this fee, less applicable payroll and tax deductions, accrued monthly and payable at least annually (the “ Management Fee ”) but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year with respect to which the Management Fee is being paid.  A committee or subcommittee (comprised solely of independent directors) of the Board will review at least annually all Management Fee payments for compliance with the terms hereof.  In the event that the Executive is no longer providing any services to the Company, the Executive’s right to accrue any additional Management Fee payments will terminate.   For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive will be deemed to  be providing services to the Company if he is providing any services to the Company, including, without limitation, services as a director, employee, portfolio manager, advisor or consultant).  The Management Fee is separate and distinct from the Executive’s revenue fees pursuant to Paragraph 4 above.

 

2



 

6.                                       Extent of Service-Restrictive Covenant.

 

During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall not provide investment management services for compensation other than in his capacity as an officer or employee of the Company,  GAMCO or Teton Advisors, Inc. or their respective Subsidiaries or affiliates, except to (a) the funds in existence on February 10, 1999 (the “ GAMCO IPO Date ”) (which serve no investors other than those in the funds as of the GAMCO IPO Date, their successors, heirs, donees or immediate family, or new investors pursuant to the next sentence) and accounts managed by the Executive outside the Company under performance fee arrangements as of the GAMCO IPO Date or pursuant to the next sentence, and (b) successor funds and accounts (“ New Outside Accounts ”) which funds serve no investors other than those in the funds referred to in clause (a) or their successors, heirs, donees or immediate family and which accounts are for no investors other than those having an interest in the accounts referred to in clause (a) or their successors, heirs, donees or immediate family, which funds and accounts operate according to an investment style similar to such other funds or accounts, which style was not used at GAMCO as of the GAMCO IPO Date, and which are subject to performance fee arrangements (collectively, “ Permissible Accounts ”).  The Permissible Accounts may include new investors if all of the performance fees, less expenses, earned on assets attributable to those investors are paid to the Company or its Subsidiaries.  If any Subsidiaries of the Company are spun off from the Company or otherwise cease to be Subsidiaries in similar transactions, the Executive may continue providing investment management services for compensation to such entities.  Prior to providing investment management services for compensation to any New Outside Accounts during the term hereof, the Executive agrees to have a committee or subcommittee (comprised solely of independent directors) of the Board review any proposed New Outside Accounts for compliance with the terms hereof and accept the determination of such committee or subcommittee as final.  The Company understands that the Executive serves as a director, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of GGCP, Inc. and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LICT Corporation, and Executive will be compensated for such services.  In addition, from time to time, the Executive may serve, with or without compensation, as a director or officer of other entities, including, without limitation, spin-off and other related entities of LICT Corporation.  The Company agrees that any services performed by, and compensation paid to, the Executive with respect to the entities described in this Paragraph 6 and their respective affiliates are permissible.

 

7.                                       Benefits.

 

The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all group health and insurance programs and all other fringe benefit or retirement plans which the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to make available to its senior executives generally, provided that the Executive meets the qualifications therefor.

 

8.                                       Reimbursement of Expenses.

 

The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and legitimate business expenses incurred after the date of employment by the Executive while conducting business, provided that the Executive submits vouchers for such expenses in a manner and form prescribed from time to time by the Company, except that up to $50,000 per year of such expenses may be non-accountable.

 

9.                                       Section 409A Compliance.

 

This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, so as to avoid the imposition of any tax pursuant to Section 409A, and, in the case of any ambiguity, shall be interpreted accordingly.  In the event that the Company or the Executive subsequently determine that the provisions of this Agreement would subject the Executive to tax under Section 409A, Company and the Executive shall negotiate in good faith to revise the Agreement so as to prevent the imposition of such tax, if possible, while preserving the original intent of the Agreement.

 

10.                                Assignability Clause.

 

This Agreement is binding upon the Company, the Executive and their respective successors and assigns.  The rights and obligations set forth under this Agreement may be assigned by the Company or by the Executive to a successor or to an assign, except the Executive acknowledges that the duties set forth in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement are personal to him.

 

3



 

11.                                Governing Law.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by the law of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws thereof.  The Executive and the Company agree that any claim arising hereunder shall be brought before the state or federal courts sitting in New York, New York, and the Executive and the Company each consent to jurisdiction and venue in New York, New York, as being proper and appropriate for the resolution of any such claim.

 

12.                                Entire Agreement; Modification.

 

This Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, written or oral, of the parties hereto, relating to the matters covered by this Agreement.  This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by a further written instrument duly executed by the Executive and the Company with the approval of a committee or subcommittee (comprised solely of independent directors) of the Board.

 

[ Signatures Begin on the Following Page ]

 

4



 

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

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

Mario J. Gabelli

 

 

 

 

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

Kieran Caterina

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 




Exhibit 10.6

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

BY AND AMONG

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

AND

 

THE GABELLI AFFILIATES

 

[                ], 2015

 



 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of [              ], 2015 (but effective as provided in Section 8(k)), by and among Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ” or “ ACG ”), on the one hand, and Mario J. Gabelli and GGCP, Inc. (the “ Gabelli Affiliates ”), on the other hand.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Annex A hereto.

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, the Gabelli Affiliates own shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ GAMCO Class A Stock ”), of GAMCO Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ GAMCO ”), and shares of Class B Common Stock of GAMCO, par value $0.001 per share (“ GAMCO Class B Stock ”);

 

WHEREAS, GAMCO intends to distribute (the “ Distribution ”) to the holders of GAMCO Class A Stock all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value (the “ Class A Common Stock ”), and to the holders of GAMCO Class B Stock all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value (the “ Class B Common Stock ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Gabelli Affiliates wish to provide for benefits and restrictions applicable to the Shares owned by the Gabelli Affiliates following the Distribution, all as provided herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Demand Registration by the Gabelli Affiliates of the Shares .

 

(a)                                  Demand Registration .  One or more of the Gabelli Affiliates may request in writing that the Company file a registration statement on an appropriate form for the general registration of securities under the Securities Act, and include therein such number of the Shares owned by such Gabelli Affiliate as such person may specify in its written request; provided , however , that ( i ) the Company shall not be required to file a registration statement pursuant to this Section 1 if ( x ) the Shares requested to be so registered do not, together with any Shares timely requested to be registered by the other Gabelli Affiliate pursuant to the third-to-last sentence of this Section 1(a), have an aggregate Market Price exceeding the Rule 144 Threshold as of the Trading Day immediately preceding the expiration of the applicable Notice Period under such sentence or ( y ) the Company delivers to each Gabelli Affiliate requesting registration under this Section 1 an opinion of counsel to the Company (such opinion and such counsel to be reasonably acceptable to each such Gabelli Affiliate, it being agreed that the Company’s regular outside securities counsel shall be deemed to be reasonably acceptable counsel for this purpose) to the effect that the Shares proposed to be registered by such person may be offered and sold by such person to the public in the United States together with the Shares, if any, requested to be registered by all other Gabelli Affiliates ( I ) without registration pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and ( II ) within the volume limitations under Rule 144(e) promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation) whether or not such volume limitations are then applicable and ( ii ) the Gabelli Affiliates shall in the aggregate have the right on only ten (10) occasions to require the Company to file a registration statement pursuant to this Section 1.  All requests made pursuant to this paragraph shall specify the aggregate number of Shares to be registered and the intended methods of disposition thereof, which methods may include an underwritten public offering.  Upon receipt of a written request for registration from a Gabelli Affiliate pursuant to this Section 1(a), the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed registration to each such other Gabelli Affiliate and provide each such other holder with the opportunity to join in such request by written notice to the Company specifying the aggregate number of Shares to be registered by such holder within 20 days from the date of the Company’s written notice (such period is referred to as the “ Notice Period ”).  Subject to Section 1(c) of this Agreement, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that each registration statement required to be filed pursuant to this Section 1 shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) as promptly as reasonably practicable, but no later than 30 days after receipt of such request by the Company, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly thereafter as practicable; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to maintain such effectiveness

 

1



 

for more than 90 days.  Notwithstanding the Company’s rights to effect a Suspension of Filing or Suspension of Effectiveness in Section 1(c), the Gabelli Affiliates that made the registration request under this Section 1(a) shall have the right to withdraw any such request, and such withdrawn request shall not count as a demand registration under clause (ii) of this Section 1(a), if ( 1 ) the registration statement required to be filed pursuant to this Section 1 is not filed with the Commission by the date that is 45 days after such request is received by the Company and has not at the time of such withdrawal been filed with the Commission, or is not declared effective by the date that is 90 days after the date such registration statement is filed with the Commission and has not at the time of such withdrawal been declared effective, and ( 2 ) in either case, such Gabelli Affiliates notify the Company of the withdrawal of such request no later than 10 days after such 45th or 90th day, as the case may be.

 

(b)                                  Concurrent Primary Offering .  Anything in this Section 1 to the contrary notwithstanding, if the Company at the time of receipt of a request for registration pursuant to this Section 1 has a bona fide intent and plan to file a registration statement (other than on Form S-4 or S-8 or any successor forms) covering a primary offering by the Company of its Common Equity Securities, the Company, by notice to the applicable Gabelli Affiliates, may delay the filing (but not the preparation) of the requested registration statement for a period ending on the earlier of ( i ) 60 days after the closing of such offering or ( ii ) 120 days after receipt of the request for registration; and, provided , further , if the Company either abandons its plan to file such registration statement or does not file the same within 75 days after receipt of such request, the Company shall promptly thereafter file the requested registration statement.  The Company may not, pursuant to this Section 1(b), delay the filing of a requested registration statement more than once during any two-year period.

 

(c)                                   Suspension of Offering .  Upon notice by the Company to any Gabelli Affiliate which has requested registration under this Section 1 that a negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or any of its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event would require disclosure in the registration statement for the requested registration and such disclosure would, in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Company, be materially adverse to the business interests of the Company, and the nondisclosure of which in the registration statement would reasonably be expected to cause the registration statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (a “ Materiality Notice ”), the Company may delay the filing (but not the preparation) of such registration statement (a “ Suspension of Filing ”).  Upon the delivery of a Materiality Notice by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence at any time when a registration statement has been filed but not declared effective, the Company may delay seeking the effectiveness of such registration statement (a “ Suspension of Effectiveness ”), and each Gabelli Affiliate named therein shall immediately discontinue any offers of Shares under such registration statement until such Gabelli Affiliate receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus that corrects such misstatement or omission, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that offers under such registration statement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in such registration statement.  Upon the delivery of a Materiality Notice by the Company pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 1(c) at any time when a registration statement has been filed and declared effective, each Gabelli Affiliate named therein shall immediately discontinue offers and sales of Shares under such registration statement until such Gabelli Affiliate receives copies of a supplemented or amended prospectus that corrects such misstatement or omission and notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that offers under such registration statement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in the registration statement (a “ Suspension of Offering ;” a Suspension of Filing, a Suspension of Effectiveness and a Suspension of Offering are collectively referred to herein as, “ Suspensions ”).  If so directed by the Company, each Gabelli Affiliate will deliver to the Company all copies (other than permanent file copies then in such Gabelli Affiliate’s possession) of any prospectus covering Shares in the possession of such Gabelli Affiliate or its agents current at the time of receipt of any Materiality Notice.  In any 12-month period, the aggregate time of all Suspensions shall not, without the consent of a majority of the Gabelli Affiliates (by number of Shares held), which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, exceed 180 days.  If interrupted by a Suspension of Offering, any 90-day period in respect of which the Company is required to maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement pursuant to Section 1(a) of this Agreement shall be extended by the number of days during which the Suspension of Offering was in effect.  In the event of any Suspension of Offering of more than 30 days in duration prior to which the Gabelli Affiliates have sold less than 75% of the Shares to be sold in such offering, the Gabelli Affiliates shall be entitled to withdraw such registration prior to the later of ( i ) the end of the Suspension of Offering and ( ii ) three business days after the Company has provided the Gabelli Affiliates written notice of the

 

2



 

anticipated date on which the Suspension of Offering will end, and, if such registration is withdrawn, the related demand for registration shall not count for the purposes of the limitations set forth under clause (ii) of Section 1(a).

 

(d)                                  Market Price; Trading Day .  For purposes of this Section 1:

 

(i)                                      Market Price ” of a share of Class A Common Stock shall mean the weighted average of the closing prices for the Class A Common Stock on each Trading Day (as defined below) in the 30-day period ending on the day prior to the date of determination as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange or on the comparable reporting system of such other exchange or trading system that is at the time the principal market for the Class A Common Stock.

 

(ii)                                   Trading Day ” shall mean any day on which trading takes place on the New York Stock Exchange or such other exchange or trading system that is at the time the principal market for the Class A Common Stock.

 

2.                                       Piggyback Registration of the Shares .

 

If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering ( a ) by any other holder of any Common Equity Securities or ( b ) by the Company for its own account of any Common Equity Securities (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor form or a form filed in connection with an exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to the existing stockholders of the Company), the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to each of the Gabelli Affiliates at least 20 days before the anticipated filing date which shall state whether such registration will be in connection with an underwritten offering and offer such Gabelli Affiliates the opportunity to include in such registration statement such number of the Shares as such Gabelli Affiliate may request not later than three business days prior to the anticipated filing date.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit such Gabelli Affiliates to be included in the registration for such offering and to include such Shares in such offering on the same terms and conditions as the Common Equity Securities included in such offering.  If such proposed offering is to be underwritten, then upon request by the managing underwriter or underwriters given to such Gabelli Affiliates prior to the effective date of the offering, any Gabelli Affiliate electing to have Shares included in the registration statement shall either enter into underwriting agreements with customary terms and conditions for a secondary offering with such underwriter or underwriters providing for the inclusion of such number of the Shares owned by such Gabelli Affiliate in such offering on such terms and conditions or, if such Gabelli Affiliate shall refuse to enter into any such agreement, the Company shall have the right to exclude from such registration all (but not less than all) of the Shares of such Gabelli Affiliate.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, ( x ) in no event will any Gabelli Affiliate be required in such underwriting agreement (or in any other agreement in connection with such offering) to ( i ) make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements customarily made by selling securityholders in underwritten secondary offerings, ( ii ) make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Gabelli Affiliate, the ownership of such Gabelli Affiliate’s Common Equity Securities, the authorization, validity and binding effect of transaction documents executed by such Gabelli Affiliate in connection with such registration and such Gabelli Affiliate’s intended method or methods of distribution and any other representation required by law; provided that no Gabelli Affiliate shall be required to make any representation or warranty to any person covered by the indemnity in Section 6(b) other than on a several (and not joint) basis, or ( iii ) furnish any indemnity to any person which is broader than the indemnity customarily furnished by selling security holders in underwritten offerings; provided that no Gabelli Affiliate shall be required to furnish any indemnity broader than the indemnity furnished by such Gabelli Affiliate in Section 6(b) to any person covered by the indemnity in Section 6(b), and ( y ) if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such offering informs the Gabelli Affiliates in writing that the number of Shares which the Gabelli Affiliates intend to include in such offering is sufficiently large so as to affect materially and adversely the success of such offering, the Shares to be offered for the account of the Gabelli Affiliates shall first be reduced pro rata to the extent necessary to reduce the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be included in such offering to the number recommended by such managing underwriter.

 

3



 

3.                                       Holdback Agreements .

 

(a)                                  Restrictions on Public Sale by Gabelli Affiliates .  To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, each Gabelli Affiliate agrees not to offer publicly or effect any public sale or distribution of Common Equity Securities, including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation), during the seven days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed by the Company pursuant to which any such shares or securities are being registered (except as part of such registration), if and to the extent requested by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public offering or if and to the extent requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in the case of an underwritten public offering.

 

(b)                                  Restrictions on Public Sale by the Company and Others .  The Company agrees ( i ) that during the seven days prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed at the request of a Gabelli Affiliate pursuant hereto, the Company will not offer publicly or effect any public sale or distribution of Common Equity Securities (other than any such sale or distribution of such securities in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Company or any subsidiary with, or the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the capital stock or substantially all of the assets of, any other person or any offer or sale of such securities pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8), and ( ii ) that any agreement entered into after the date of this Agreement pursuant to which the Company issues or agrees to issue any privately placed Common Equity Securities shall contain a provision under which holders of such securities agree not to effect any public sale or distribution of any such securities during the periods described in (i) above, in each case including a sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor rule or regulation) under the Securities Act (except as part of any such registration, if permitted).

 

4.                                       Registration Procedures .

 

In connection with any registration of the Shares owned by a Gabelli Affiliate contemplated hereby, the Company will as expeditiously as possible:

 

(a)                                  Furnish to such Gabelli Affiliate, prior to filing a registration statement, copies of such registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter such number of copies of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto), the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus) and such other documents in such quantities as such Gabelli Affiliate may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Shares.

 

(b)                                  Use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Shares being registered as contemplated hereby (the “ Registered Class A ”) under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as such Gabelli Affiliate reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Gabelli Affiliate to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registered Class A; provided that the Company will not be required to ( i)  qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (b), ( ii ) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction, or ( iii ) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                   Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registered Class A to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company to enable such Gabelli Affiliate to consummate the disposition of such Registered Class A.

 

(d)                                  Notify such Gabelli Affiliate at any time, ( i ) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a registration statement or related prospectus or for additional information, ( ii ) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, ( iii ) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registered Class A for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and ( iv ) when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and, except as otherwise provided in Section 1(c) hereof, the Company will, as expeditiously as practicable, prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered

 

4



 

to the purchasers of such Registered Class A, such prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(e)                                   Use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registered Class A for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest date reasonably practical.

 

(f)                                    Cause all such Registered Class A to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on any other securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is then listed, provided that the applicable listing requirements are satisfied.

 

(g)                                   Enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the relevant Gabelli Affiliate in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registered Class A.

 

(h)                                  Make available for inspection by such Gabelli Affiliate, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by such Gabelli Affiliate or such underwriter (collectively, the “ Inspectors ”), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “ Records ”) as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement.  Records which the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and which it notifies the Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless ( i ) the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement or ( ii ) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction.  Any Gabelli Affiliate shall use reasonable best efforts, prior to any disclosure by any such Inspector under clause (i) of the preceding sentence, to inform the Company that such disclosure is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement.  Each Gabelli Affiliate further agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at the expense of the Company, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.

 

(i)                                      In the event such sale is pursuant to an underwritten offering, use its reasonable best efforts to ( i ) obtain a comfort letter from the independent public accountants for the Company in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by such letters as any Gabelli Affiliate reasonably requests and ( ii ) ensure that ( A ) the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the applicable underwriting agreement shall expressly be for the benefit of any Gabelli Affiliate participating in such sale, ( B ) the conditions to closing in said underwriting agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Gabelli Affiliate and ( C ) to the extent customary, all comfort letters and opinions of counsel contemplated by said underwriting agreements are delivered to such Gabelli Affiliate on the closing date of the offering.

 

(j)                                     Otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and have the registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable after filing.

 

The Company may require any Gabelli Affiliate to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Gabelli Affiliate as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing, in each case only as required by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Each Gabelli Affiliate agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4(d) hereof, such Gabelli Affiliate will forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registered Class A pursuant to the registration statement covering such Registered Class A until such Gabelli Affiliate receives the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 4(d) hereof, and, if so directed by the Company, such Gabelli Affiliate will deliver to the Company (at the expense of the Company) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Gabelli Affiliate’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registered Class A current at the time of receipt of such notice.  If interrupted by receipt of any such notice pursuant to Section 4(d), any 90-day period in respect of which the Company is required to maintain the

 

5



 

effectiveness of a registration statement pursuant to Section 1(a) shall be extended by the number of days during which the interruption was in effect.

 

5.                                       Registration Expenses .

 

Other than in the case of a demand registration under Section 1(a)(ii) after the second such registration (a “ Designated Registration ”), all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registered Class A), printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registered Class A on the New York Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange on which such Class A Common Stock is then listed, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and its independent certified public accountants (including the expenses of any special audit or comfort letters required by or incident to such performance), securities acts liability insurance (if the Company elects to obtain such insurance), the fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company in connection with such registration, the fees and expenses of other persons retained by the Company, including transfer agents, trustees, depositories and registrars (all such expenses being herein called “ Registration Expenses ”), will be borne by the Company.  In the case of a Designated Registration, all Registration Expenses other than internal expenses of the Company and securities acts liability insurance obtained by the Company at its election, shall be borne by the Gabelli Affiliates participating in the offering.  The Company will not have any responsibility for any of the expenses of any Gabelli Affiliate incurred in connection with any registration statement hereunder, including, without limitation, underwriting discounts or commissions attributable to the sale of Registered Class A and fees and expenses of counsel for such Gabelli Affiliate.

 

6.                                       Indemnification; Contribution .

 

(a)                                  Indemnification by the Company .  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, ( i ) each Gabelli Affiliate, ( ii ) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, beneficiaries, trustees, members and affiliates of each Gabelli Affiliate, and the directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of each such affiliate, and ( iii ) each person who controls any of the foregoing (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act), and any investment adviser thereof, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof) or costs (including, without limitation, costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements incurred by any such indemnified person in connection with enforcing its rights hereunder preparing, pursuing or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense, action or proceeding), including any of the foregoing incurred in settlement of any litigation commenced or threatened (collectively, “ Losses ”), joint or several, based upon or arising out of ( x ) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, ( y ) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or ( z ) any violation by the Company of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to the Company in connection with such registration, and the Company will reimburse each such indemnified party for any such Loss, except in each case insofar as any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or omission made in any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus, summary prospectus, amendment or supplement, or a violation of law or regulation in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such indemnified party expressly for use in the preparation thereof, it being understood that the information to be furnished to the Company for use in the preparation of any such document shall be limited only to the information specifically referenced in the penultimate sentence of Section 6(b).  Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by such indemnified person and shall survive the Transfer of any Shares by any such indemnified person.  The indemnity in this Section 6(a) shall not apply to Losses incurred by a person other than in his or her capacity as a selling security holder.  In connection with an underwritten offering, the Company will provide customary indemnification to the underwriters thereof, their officers and directors and each person who controls such underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act).

 

6


 

(b)                                  Indemnification by Gabelli Affiliates .  In connection with any registration statement contemplated hereby, each Gabelli Affiliate participating in any offer or sale pursuant to such registration statement will furnish to the Company in writing such information with respect to such Gabelli Affiliate as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless, severally, and not jointly, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates and the directors, officers, partners, employees and agents of each such affiliate and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act) against any Losses insofar as such Losses arise out of or are based upon ( i ) an untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in or omitted from any information with respect to such Gabelli Affiliate so furnished in writing by such Gabelli Affiliate expressly for use in the preparation of such registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, summary prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto, as the case may be, or ( ii ) any violation by such Gabelli Affiliate of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation applicable to such Gabelli Affiliate in connection with such registration.  It is understood that the information to be furnished by a Gabelli Affiliate to the Company for use in the preparation of any such document shall be limited only to information regarding such Gabelli Affiliate, the ownership of such Gabelli Affiliate’s Common Equity Securities, such Gabelli Affiliate’s intended method or methods of distribution and any other information required by law.  The liability of a Gabelli Affiliate under this Section 6(b) shall not exceed the amount of net proceeds received by such Gabelli Affiliate (net of underwriting discounts borne by such Gabelli Affiliate) from the sale of the Shares in the offering that is the subject of an indemnity claim under this Section 6(b).

 

(c)                                   Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings .  Any person entitled to indemnification hereunder agrees to give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party after the receipt by such person of any written notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation or threat thereof made in writing for which such person will claim indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement, provided that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnified party of its obligations under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice.  Unless in the reasonable judgment of such indemnified party, a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and the indemnifying party with respect to such claim, the indemnified party shall permit the indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party.  If the indemnifying party is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim, it will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of such additional counsel or counsels.  No indemnifying party will be subject to any liability for any settlement made without its consent.  No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation shall, except with the consent of the applicable indemnified party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim or litigation.

 

(d)                                  Indemnification Payments .  Any indemnification required to be made by an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments to the indemnified party during the course of the action or proceeding, as and when bills are received by such indemnifying party with respect to indemnifiable Losses incurred by such indemnified party.

 

(e)                                   Contribution .  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect of any Losses or is insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party from all Losses covered thereby, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable

 

7



 

considerations.  The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statements or omissions.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6(c), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.

 

The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, ( i ) no party shall be liable for contribution under this Section 6(e) except to the extent and under such circumstances as such party would have been liable to indemnify under this Section 6 if such indemnification were enforceable under applicable law and ( ii ) no Gabelli Affiliate (or related indemnified party) shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Gabelli Affiliate (net of underwriting discounts borne by such Gabelli Affiliate) from the sale of Shares in the offering that is the subject of the claim for contribution exceeds the amount of any damages which such Gabelli Affiliate (or related indemnified party) would have been required to pay by reason of the indemnity under this Section 6 if such indemnification was enforceable under applicable law.

 

If indemnification is available under this Section 6, the indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent provided in Sections 6(a) and (b) without regard to the relative fault of said indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this Section 6(e).

 

7.                                       Participation in Underwritten Registrations .  A Gabelli Affiliate may not participate in any underwritten registration hereunder or otherwise unless such Gabelli Affiliate (a) agrees to sell the Shares on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements with customary terms and conditions for a secondary offering approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements, provided that none of the foregoing shall in any way limit the obligations of the Company under Section 6.

 

8.                                       Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  No Inconsistent Agreements .  The Company will not hereafter enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Gabelli Affiliates in this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Amendments .  This Agreement may not be amended, modified or altered except by a writing duly signed by the party against which such amendment or modification is sought to be enforced.

 

(c)                                   Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, the Gabelli Affiliates and the respective successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the Gabelli Affiliates.  This Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or a Gabelli Affiliate without the prior written consent of the other party hereto; provided that the Company agrees that all transferees of all or substantially all of the Shares held by Gabelli shall be accorded all of the registration rights of Gabelli hereunder.  The Company shall assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any entity that succeeds to all or substantially all of its assets, by merger or otherwise, including to any holding company that may be formed to be the parent of the Company, if such entity becomes the issuer of the securities then owned by the Gabelli Affiliates.

 

(d)                                  Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an

 

8



 

executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission ( e.g. , a “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

 

(e)                                   Headings .  The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not constitute a part hereof.

 

(f)                                    Construction .  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York without giving any effect to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

(g)                                   Notices .  Any notice required or desired to be delivered hereunder shall be ( i ) in writing, ( ii ) delivered by personal delivery, sent by commercial delivery service or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by facsimile or electronic mail, ( iii ) deemed to have been given on the date of personal delivery, the date set forth in the records of the delivery service or return receipt, or in the case of facsimile or electronic mail, upon dispatch, and ( iv ) addressed as designated on SCHEDULE 1 hereto (or to such other address as the party entitled to notice shall hereafter designate in accordance with the terms hereof), with copies as designated on SCHEDULE 1 hereto.

 

(h)                                  Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected unless the provision held invalid shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining portions of this Agreement.

 

(i)                                      Entire Agreement .  This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and is intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein.  There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

(j)                                     Attorneys’ Fees .  In any action or proceeding brought to enforce any provision of this Agreement, or where any provision hereof is validly asserted as a defense, the successful party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees in addition to any other available remedy.

 

(k)                                  Effectiveness .  This Agreement shall become effective on [              ], 2015, or if the Distribution is not consummated on that date, then it shall become effective on the date on which the Distribution is consummated, in each case without any further action of any of the parties hereto.

 

9



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

MARIO J. GABELLI ,

 

in his individual capacity

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name: Mario J. Gabelli

 

 

 

 

 

GGCP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Gabelli Affiliates Registration Rights Agreement]

 



 

ANNEX A

 

DEFINITIONS

 

ACG ” means Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

Class A Common Stock ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

 

Class B Common Stock ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

 

Commission ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(a) hereof.

 

Common Equity Securities ” means shares of any class of common stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of any class of common stock of the Company.

 

Company ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

 

Creditor ” means any financial institution approved by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

Designated Registration ” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5 hereof.

 

Distribution ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Gabelli ” means Mario J. Gabelli; such term does not include Mr. Mario J. Gabelli’s legal representatives or his estate.

 

Gabelli Affiliates ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Preamble hereof.

 

GAMCO Class A Stock ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

 

GAMCO Class B Stock ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

 

Inspectors ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4(g) hereof.

 

Losses ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6(a) hereof.

 

Market Price ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(d) hereof.

 

Materiality Notice ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.

 

Permanent Incapacity ” means, with respect to an individual, any individual whose ability to receive and evaluate information effectively or to communicate decisions, or both, is impaired to such an extent that the individual permanently lacks the capacity to manage his or her financial resources, as determined by certification of one licensed physician.

 

Public Offering ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Recitals.

 

Records ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4(g) hereof.

 

Registered Class A ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 4(b).

 

Registration Expenses ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5 hereof.

 

A- 1



 

Rule 144 Threshold ” means the product of ( a ) the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company that could be sold under Rule 144(e)(1) under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation) and ( b ) the applicable Market Price provided for in this Agreement.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Shares ” means ( i ) shares of Class A Common Stock acquired by any Gabelli Affiliate in the Distribution, ( ii ) any shares of Class A Common Stock acquired by any Gabelli Affiliate as a result of any stock split, stock dividend or other recapitalization with respect to any shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock acquired by any Gabelli Affiliate in the Distribution or acquired as provided in this clause (ii) and ( iii ) shares of Class A Common Stock acquired upon conversion of Class B Common Stock acquired in the Distribution or acquired as provided in clause (ii).

 

Suspension of Effectiveness ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.

 

Suspension of Filing ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.

 

Suspension of Offering ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(c) hereof.

 

Trading Day ” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1(d) hereof.

 

Transfer ” means a sale, transfer or other disposition.

 

Transition Time ” means the death or Permanent Incapacity of Mario J. Gabelli.

 

A- 2



 

SCHEDULE 1

 

NOTICES

 

To the Company:

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580-1422
Attn:  David Goldman
Facsimile:  (914) 921-5098

 

To the Gabelli Affiliates:

 

One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580-1422
Attn:  [ ]
Facsimile:  [ ]

 

With copies to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Paul Hastings LLP
75 East 55th Street
New York, New York 10022
Attn:  Michael Zuppone
Facsimile:  (212) 318-6906
E-mail:  MichaelZuppone@paulhastings.com

 

S- 1




Exhibit 10.7

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

This Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of            , 2015 by and between Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                (“Indemnitee”).  This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous Agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering the subject matter of this Agreement.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve corporations as [directors] [officers] or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities.  Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions.  At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself.  The bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”) and the certificate of incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company.  Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).  The Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification;

 

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;

 

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

 



 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity.  Indemnitee is willing to serve or continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that [he][she] be so indemnified;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

 

Section 1.                                            Services to the Company .  Indemnitee agrees to serve [as a [director] [officer] [employee] [agent] of the Company] [, at the request of the Company, as a [director] [officer] [employee] [agent] [fiduciary] of [another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise].  Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position.  This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee.  Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that Indemnitee’s employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), if any, is at will, and the Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, except as may be otherwise provided in any written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), other applicable formal severance policies duly adopted by the Board, or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and the DGCL.  The foregoing notwithstanding, this Agreement shall continue in force after Indemnitee has ceased to serve [as an [officer] [director] [agent] [employee] of the Company] [, at the request of the Company, as a [director] [officer] [employee] [agent] [fiduciary] of [another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise], as provided in Section 16 hereof.

 

Section 2.                                            Definitions .  As used in this Agreement:

 

(a)                                  References to “agent” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer, or employee, consultant, fiduciary, or other official of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in any such capacity with respect to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company.

 

(b)                                  A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

i.                                           Acquisition of Stock by Third Party.  Any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities unless the change in relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the

 

2



 

aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

 

ii.                                        Change in Board of Directors.  During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(b)(i), 2(b)(iii) or 2(b)(iv)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

iii.                                     Corporate Transactions.  The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;

 

iv.                                    Liquidation.  The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

 

v.                                       Other Events.  There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(A)                                “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

(B)                                “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

(C)                                “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the

 

3



 

stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

 

(c)                                   “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership or joint venture, trust or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.

 

(d)                                  “Disinterested Director” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(e)                                   “Enterprise” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, employee, consultant, agent or fiduciary.

 

(f)                                    “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax transmission charges, overtime secretarial services, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with, or as a result of, prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a deponent or witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding.  Expenses also shall include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, (ii) expenses incurred in connection with recovery under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company and (iii) for purposes of Section 14(d) only, Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise.  The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable in the good faith judgment of such counsel shall be presumed conclusively to be reasonable.  Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

(g)                                   “Independent Counsel” shall mean a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent:  (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in

 

4



 

representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.  The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

(h)                                  A “Potential Change in Control Event” will be deemed to have occurred if:

 

i.                                           the Company enters into an agreement or arrangement that would constitute a Change in Control if consummated;

 

ii.                                        any person (including the Company) publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions that would constitute a Change in Control if consummated; or

 

iii.                                     the Board of Directors adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control Event has occurred.

 

(i)                                      The term “Proceeding” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory, legislative, or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action taken by [him][her] (or a failure to take action by [him][her]) or of any action (or failure to act) on [his][her] part while acting pursuant to [his][her] Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement.  If the Indemnitee believes in good faith that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, this shall be considered a Proceeding under this paragraph.

 

(j)                                     Reference to “other enterprise” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner [he][she] reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

Section 3.                                            Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings .  The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate

 

5



 

Status.  Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on [his][her] behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein.  The parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification in excess of that expressly permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of its stockholders or disinterested directors or applicable law.

 

Section 4.                                            Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company .  The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status.  Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by [him][her] or on [his][her] behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein.  No indemnification for Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) shall be made under this Section 4 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court (as hereinafter defined) or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

 

Section 5.                                            Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful .  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by [him][her] or on [his][her] behalf in connection therewith.  If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by [him][her] or on [his][her] behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the

 

6



 

fullest extent permitted by law.  For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

 

Section 6.                                            Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of [his][her] Corporate Status, a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any aspect of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, [he][she] shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by [him][her] or on [his][her] behalf in connection therewith.

 

Section 7.                                            Partial Indemnification .  If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

Section 8.                                            Additional Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to or a participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with the Proceeding.

 

(b)                                  For purposes of this Agreement, the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

 

i.                                           to the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and

 

ii.                                        to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

 

Section 9.                                            Exclusions .  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment in connection with any claim involving Indemnitee:

 

(a)                                  for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnification provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

 

7



 

(b)                                  for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof), or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or

 

(c)                                   except as provided in Section 14(d) of this Agreement, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorizes the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) such payment arises in connection with any mandatory counterclaim or cross-claim or affirmative defense brought or raised by Indemnitee in any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding), (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law, or (iv) such Proceeding is brought to establish or enforce Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, or any other statute or law, or otherwise as required under applicable law.

 

Section 10.                                     Advances of Expenses .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary (other than Section 14(d)), the Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by law or excluded from the Company’s indemnification obligations by Section 9, the Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding), and such advancement shall be made within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time (which shall include invoices received by the Indemnitee in connection with such Expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditures made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be so included), whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.  Advances shall be unsecured and interest free.  Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.  In accordance with Section 14(d), advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing an action to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed.  The Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement, which

 

8



 

shall constitute an undertaking providing that the Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under this Agreement, applicable law, the Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, or otherwise.  No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement.  This Section 10 shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to Section 9.

 

(b)                                  If a claim under this Agreement is not paid, or caused to be paid, by the Company within 30 days of receipt of written notice, the right to indemnification as provided by this Agreement will be enforceable by the Indemnitee in any court of competent jurisdiction, and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such enforcement will be paid promptly by the Company in advance of the final disposition by such court at the written request of the Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided that Indemnitee will reimburse the Company for all such costs and expenses paid by the Company or any of its subsidiaries if and only to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction ultimately determines that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company for such costs and expenses under the provisions of applicable law, the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, this Agreement, or otherwise.

 

(c)                                   The Indemnitee will promptly repay to the Company any amounts paid to the Indemnitee pursuant to other rights of indemnification or under any insurance policy, to the extent those payments are duplicative of payments made to the Indemnitee under this Agreement.

 

Section 11.                                     Procedure for Notification and Defense of Claim .

 

(a)                                  Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof or Indemnitee’s becoming aware thereof.  The written notification to the Company shall include a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding, in each case to the extent known to Indemnitee.  To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding.  The failure by Indemnitee to notify the Company hereunder will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement, except to the extent (solely with respect to the indemnity hereunder) that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.  The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

 

(b)                                  The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

 

9


 

(c)                                   The Company shall not settle any Proceeding (in whole or in part) if such settlement would impose any Expense, judgment, liability, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee which Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder without the Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

Section 12.                                     Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  Upon written request by an Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a):

 

i.                                           if a Change in Control or Potential Change in Control Event shall have occurred, a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee;

 

ii.                                        if the Indemnitee is an outside director and no Change in Control or Potential Change in Control Event shall have occurred, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification and advancement of Expenses under this Agreement on submission of the written request;

 

iii.                                     if the Indemnitee is not an outside director and no Change in Control or Potential Change in Control Event shall have occurred a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (D) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination.

 

In the case of a determination to be made pursuant to Section 12(a)(i) or 12(a)(iii), Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination.  Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.  The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied.

 

10



 

(b)                                  In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 12(b).  If no Change in Control or Potential Change in Control Event shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising [him][her] of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  If a Change in Control or Potential Change in Control Event shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Board, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected.  In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided , however , that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion.  Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel.  If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit.  If, within twenty (20) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court or by such other person as the Delaware Court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 12(a) hereof.  Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

 

Section 13.                                     Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings .

 

(a)                                  In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption, and such presumption shall be used as a basis for a determination of entitlement to indemnification and advancement of expenses unless the Company overcomes such presumption by clear and convincing evidence.  Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because

 

11



 

Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

(b)                                  Subject to Section 14(e), if the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under Section 12 of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the

 

determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 13(b) shall not apply (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a)(iii) of this Agreement and if (A) within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination the Board has resolved to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within fifteen (15) days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within sixty (60) days after having been so called and such determination is made thereat, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 12(a)(i) or 12(a)(iii) of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the applicable standard or conduct or have a particular belief.

 

(d)                                  The Indemnitee shall be presumed to have at all times acted in good faith and in a manner [he][she] reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption, and such presumption shall be used as a basis for a determination of entitlement to indemnification and advancement of expenses unless the Company overcomes such presumption by clear and convincing evidence.  For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, financial advisor or other expert selected with the reasonable care

 

12



 

by or on behalf of the Enterprise.  The provisions of this Section 13(d) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

 

(e)                                   The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

 

Section 14.                                     Remedies of Indemnitee .

 

(a)                                  Subject to Section 14(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ninety (90) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 5, 6 or 7 or the second to last sentence of Section 12(a) of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to Section 3, 4 or 8 of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) the Company or any other person or entity takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of [his][her] entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses.  Alternatively, Indemnitee, at [his][her] option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules.  Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a); provided , however , that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce [his][her] rights under Section 5 of this Agreement.  The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

 

(b)                                  In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination.  In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be by clear and convincing evidence.

 

(c)                                   If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such

 

13



 

determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

(d)                                  The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.  It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder.  The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such Expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company if, in the case of indemnification, Indemnitee is wholly successful on the underlying claims; if Indemnitee is not wholly successful on the underlying claims, then such indemnification shall be only to the extent Indemnitee is successful on such underlying claims or otherwise as permitted by law, whichever is greater.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

 

Section 15.                                     Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation .

 

(a)                                  The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise and (ii) shall be interpreted independently of, and without reference to, any other such rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled.  No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in [his][her] Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.  To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.  No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

14



 

(b)                                  To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents of the Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in a manner that provides Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies.  If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.  The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

(c)                                   In the event any payment is made by the Company under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated (except as provided in Section 15(e)) to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee against third parties, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

(d)                                  The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

 

(e)                                   The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or other agent of any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) from such other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

 

Section 16.                                     Duration of Agreement .  This Agreement shall continue as to the Indemnitee even though [he][she] may have ceased to serve [as a [director] [officer] [employee] [agent] of the Company] or ,at the request of the Company, as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation, a partnership, a joint venture, a trust or other enterprise.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee

 

15



 

or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and [his][her] spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.  The Company shall require and shall cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company to, by written agreement, expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

 

Section 17.                                     Severability .  If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

 

Section 18.                                     Savings .  If this Agreement or any portion of it is invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company will nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee as to judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) with respect to any Proceeding to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that is not invalidated, or by any applicable law.

 

Section 19.                                     Enforcement .

 

(a)                                  The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a [director] [officer] [employee] [agent] of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving or continuing to serve as a [director] [officer] [employee] [agent] of the Company.

 

(b)                                  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any directors and officers insurance maintained by the Company and applicable law, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

(c)                                   Each party acknowledges that it has been given an opportunity to be represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement.  Any rule of law or any legal decision

 

16



 

that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the party that drafted it, has no application and is expressly waived.

 

Section 20.                                     Modification and Waiver .  No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto.  No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.  This Agreement shall not be terminated without the Indemnitee’s prior written consent.

 

Section 21.                                     Notice by Indemnitee .  Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which Indemnitee reasonably believes to be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder.  The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

Section 22.                                     Notices .  All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed, (c) mailed by reputable overnight courier and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed or (d) sent by facsimile transmission, with receipt of oral confirmation that such transmission has been received:

 

(a)                                  If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide to the Company.

 

(b)                                  If to the Company to:

 

[Spinco], Inc.
Onc Corporate Center

Rye, NY 10543
Attn:  [General Counsel]

 

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

 

Section 23.                                     Contribution .  To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding.

 

Section 24.                                     Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction .  This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance

 

17



 

with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.  Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, irrevocably Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808, as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

Section 25.                                     Time of the Essence .  Time is of the essence in the performance of each provision of this Agreement.

 

Section 26.                                     Identical Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.  Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

Section 27.                                     Miscellaneous .  The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

Associated Capital GROUP, INC.

 

INDEMNITEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

Name:

 

Office:

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18




Exhibit 10.8

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$250,000,000.00

[ · ], 2015

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, GAMCO Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Maker ”), hereby promises to pay to Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Holder ”), the Outstanding Principal Amount (as defined herein) of this Promissory Note (this “ Note ”), in lawful money of the United States of America, in accordance with the terms, and on the dates, set forth herein.  This Note has been executed by the Maker and delivered to and accepted by the Holder on the date set forth above (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

1.                                       Definitions .  For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

(a)                                  Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, or if the context so requires, any similar federal or state law.

 

(b)                                  Business Day ” means any day except Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

(c)                                   Effective Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

(d)                                  Event of Default ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.

 

(e)                                   Holder ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

(f)                                    Interest Payment Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.

 

(g)                                   Interest Rate ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.

 

(h)                                  Maker ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

(i)                                      Material Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that meets either of the following conditions:  (1) the Maker’s and its Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to such Subsidiary exceed 10% of the Maker’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter; or (2) the Maker’s and its Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of such Subsidiary exceeds 10% of the Maker’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter.

 

(j)                                     Note ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 



 

(k)                                  Original Principal Amount ” means two hundred and fifty million dollars ($250,000,000.00), which is the original aggregate principal amount of this Note on the Effective Date.

 

(l)                                      Original Principal Amount Maturity Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.

 

(m)                              Original Principal Payment Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.

 

(n)                                  Outstanding Principal Amount ” means principal amount of this Note that is outstanding from time to time, which, for the avoidance of doubt shall be the Original Principal Amount, plus any PIK Amounts that at such time has been added thereto, less any payments or prepayments of principal made in cash pursuant to the terms hereof, including, without limitation, Sections 5 and 6 hereof.

 

(o)                                  Person ” means a corporation, an association, a partnership, a limited liability company, an individual, a joint venture, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or a government or an agency or a political subdivision thereof.

 

(p)                                  PIK Amount ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.

 

(q)                                  PIK Amount Maturity Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.

 

(r)                                     Subsidiary ” means, with respect to the Maker, any Person (excluding an individual) a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interest, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Maker or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Maker.  For the purposes of this definition, (i) “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, trustees or managers, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency and (ii) in the case of a partnership, such partnership shall only be deemed to be a Subsidiary of the Maker if (A) the Maker or a Subsidiary of the Maker is the sole general partner or the managing general partner of such partnership or (B) the only general partners of such partnership are the Maker or one or more Subsidiaries of the Maker (or a combination thereof).

 

2



 

For the avoidance of doubt, all references to “principal” or “principal amount” in this Note shall include principal in the form of any PIK Amount that at such time has been added to the Outstanding Principal Amount of this Note.

 

2.                                       Spin-off Transaction .  This Note is being issued to partially capitalize Holder in connection with the spin-off of the Maker’s alternative investment management business, its institutional research services business and certain cash and other assets to Holder.

 

3.                                       Interest Rate .  Interest shall accrue on the Outstanding Principal Amount of this Note from and including the Effective Date until the date all of the Outstanding Principal Amount is paid in full, in cash, at the rate of four percent (4.0%) per annum (the “ Interest Rate ”).  Interest on the Outstanding Principal Amount of this Note shall not accrue on such Outstanding Principal Amount, or any portion thereof, for the day on which such Outstanding Principal Amount or such portion is paid.  The Maker shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal, if any, at the rate equal to 2.0% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Note to the extent lawful.  The Maker shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

4.                                       Payment of Interest .  The Maker agrees to make annual interest payments at the Interest Rate in cash to the Holder on the Outstanding Principal Amount in arrears on each anniversary of the Effective Date (each such date, an “ Interest Payment Date ”).  Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the Effective Date; provided , however , at the election of the Maker, payments of this Note may, in lieu of being paid in cash, be paid, in whole or in part, in kind (each such in kind interest, a “ PIK Amount ”) on the then-Outstanding Principal Amount (which shall thereby increase the then-Outstanding Principal Amount by adding such PIK Amount due on such Interest Payment Date to the then-Outstanding Principal Amount).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any interest be paid in kind pursuant to

 

3



 

the preceding sentence with respect to any Interest Payment Date subsequent to [•], 2019.(1)

 

5.                                       Payment of Principal .  Subject to Section 6(d) hereof, the Maker agrees to repay the Original Principal Amount of this Note to the Holder, in cash, in five equal annual installments of fifty million dollars ($50,000,000.00) on each Interest Payment Date (each, an “ Original Principal Payment Date ”) up to and including [•], 2020 (the “ Original Principal Amount Maturity Date ”) and shall repay all PIK Amounts added to the Outstanding Principal Amount of this Note to the Holder, in cash, on the fifth anniversary of the date on which each such PIK Amount was added to the Outstanding Principal Amount of this Note (such fifth anniversary date with respect to any PIK Amount, a “ PIK Amount Maturity Date ”), with all PIK Amounts to be paid by Holder no later than [•], 2024.(2)

 

6.                                       Application of Payments; Prepayment .

 

(a)                                  All cash payments in respect of this Note shall be applied as follows: (i) first, to the payment in full of the accrued and unpaid interest hereunder that is not paid in kind in the form of PIK Amounts pursuant to the proviso in the second sentence of Section 4 hereof, and (ii) second, to the payment of the Outstanding Principal Amount, including the PIK Amounts included therein, in accordance with Section 5.

 

(b)                                  Upon payment in full of the entire Outstanding Principal Amount, including all PIK Amounts included therein, in cash, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon to such date in cash pursuant to the proviso in the second sentence of Section 4 hereof, this Note shall be deemed cancelled and the Holder shall cause this Note to be marked “Paid in Full” and promptly returned to the Maker.

 

(c)                                   If any payment under this Note (interest, principal or otherwise) would otherwise be due on a day other than Business Day, then such payment shall instead be due on the next succeeding Business Day and no adjustment shall be made to the amount of such payment as a result of such deferral.

 

(d)                                  The Maker may prepay all or any portion of the then- Outstanding Principal Amount, including all PIK Amounts included therein, of this Note at any time without penalty or premium.  Prepayments on such Outstanding Principal Amount of this Note shall be applied to the Original Principal Amount and any or all PIK Amounts included in the Outstanding Principal Amount as directed by the Maker.  In the case of a partial prepayment of the Original Principal Amount of this Note, the remaining Original Principal Amount shall be paid ratably over the remaining Original Principal Payment Dates until the Original Principal Amount Maturity Date.

 


(1)  This date would be the fourth Interest Payment Date.

 

(2)  This date is five years from the last interest date on which interest may be paid in kind.

 

4



 

7.                                       Events of Default .

 

(a)                                  Each of the following events shall constitute an event of default (an “ Event of Default ”):

 

(i)                                      Failure of the Maker to pay any interest when due in accordance with the terms of this Note and such failure is not cured within 30 days;

 

(ii)                                   Failure of the Maker to pay any principal amounts when due in accordance with the terms of this Note, including the Original Principal Amounts payable on each Original Principal Payment Date and on the Original Principal Amount Maturity Date and any PIK Amounts payable on each PIK Amount Maturity Date;

 

(iii)                                The Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries (as defined below) pursuant to or under or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (as defined below):

 

(1)                                  commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries or their debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries or any substantial part of the property of the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries; or

 

(2)                                  consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries; or

 

(3)                                  consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

 

(4)                                  makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(iv)                               an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries or their debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries or any substantial part of the property of the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or

 

(v)                                  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(1)                                  is for relief against the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding; or

 

5



 

(2)                                  appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries or any substantial part of the property of the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries; or

 

(3)                                  orders the liquidation of the Maker or any of its Material Subsidiaries;

 

and, in each case in this clause (v), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days,

 

(b)                                  Acceleration .  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default set forth in Sections 7(a)(i) or 7(a)(ii) hereof, the Holder may, by written notice to the Maker, declare this Note to be due and payable, whereupon the Outstanding Principal Amount, including all PIK Amounts included therein, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any and all other amounts payable hereunder, shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary notwithstanding.  If an Event of Default specified in Sections 7(a)(iii), 7(a)(iv) or 7(a)(v) occurs, the Outstanding Principal Amount, including all PIK Amounts included therein, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and any and all other amounts payable hereunder, shall become immediately automatically due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything contained herein or in the documents evidencing the same to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

8.                                       Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  Successors and Assigns .  The terms and conditions of this Note shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective executors, administrators, heirs, successors and permitted assigns of the Maker and the Holder.  The Holder may not assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the Maker.  The Maker may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to any affiliate of Maker, so long as the Maker continues to remain obligated for its responsibilities, liabilities and obligations hereunder.

 

(b)                                  Loss or Mutilation of Note .  Upon receipt by the Maker of evidence satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Note (together with indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Maker), the Maker shall, in the case of loss, theft, destruction or mutilation, or the surrender and cancellation of this Note, execute and deliver to the Holder a new promissory note of like tenor and denomination as this Note to replace this Note.

 

(c)                                   Place of Payment .  All payments due hereunder shall be made by checks or by wire transfer of United States Dollars and in immediately available funds to one or more accounts designated by the Holder to the Maker in writing.

 

(d)                                  GOVERNING LAW .  THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES OF SUCH STATE.

 

6



 

(e)                                   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .  EACH OF THE MAKER AND THE HOLDER, BY ACCEPTING THIS NOTE, AGREES THAT IT HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION (I) ARISING UNDER THIS NOTE OR (II) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS IN RESPECT OF THIS NOTE, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE.  EACH OF THE MAKER AND THE HOLDER, BY ACCEPTING THIS NOTE, HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION, OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT EACH OF THE HOLDER AND THE MAKER MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS NOTE WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE HOLDER OR THE MAKER TO THE WAIVER OF SUCH PERSON’S RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(f)                                    Waiver and Amendment .  Any term of this Note may be amended, waived or modified only with the written consent of the Maker and the Holder.  The Maker hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, notice of demand, notice of non-payment or dishonor, protest and notice of protest of this Note and agrees that the Holder shall not be required first to institute any suit, or to exhaust its remedies against the Maker in order to enforce the payment of this Note.  No failure or delay on the part of the Holder in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under this Note shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder preclude or require any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g)                                   Headings; Interpretation .  Section and subsection headings in this Note are included for convenience purposes only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any term or provision of this Note.

 

(h)                                  Unsecured .  For the avoidance of doubt, the Maker and the Holder acknowledge that this Note and all obligations, liabilities and indebtedness evidenced hereby and/or incurred by the Maker hereunder are not secured by any collateral and represent general unsecured obligations of the Maker.

 

(i)                                      Tax Matters .  The Maker shall be entitled to withhold from any payment to Holder under this Note (and any such withheld amounts shall be deemed paid to such Holder for the purposes of this Note) if such withholding is otherwise required by applicable law.

 

*                                          *                                          *                                          *                                          *

 

7



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker has caused this Note to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

 

Maker:

 

 

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Its:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HoLder:

 

 

 

Associated Capital group, inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Kieran Caterina

 

 

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

8




Exhibit 10.9

 

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$[         ]

[ ], 2015

 

Loan and Rate :

 

For value received, Gabelli Securities, Inc. (the “ Borrower ”) promises to pay to GAMCO Investors, Inc. (the “ Lender ”), a Delaware corporation, or to Lender’s order, on the earlier of (i) demand or (ii) the fifth anniversary of the date this Note, the principal amount of                                    U.S. Dollars ($                       ) less any principal amount repaid prior to such date, and to pay interest thereon from the date first written above at the annual rate of four percent (4.0%).

 

Payment :

 

The principal amount under this Note, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and payable within five business days after the Lender gives written notice to the Borrower demanding repayment. The Borrower may at any time repay all or any portion of the principal amount of this Note together with all accrued and unpaid interest on the amount of principal that is repaid.

 

Interest shall be paid no later than annually on or before each anniversary of the date of this Note, or at such other time or times as agreed to by the Lender and the Borrower.

 

Default :

 

In the event that any payment of interest or principal is not received by the Lender within fifteen (15) days of the due date, then the entire principal balance together with all accrued and unpaid interest plus any other amounts then owing pursuant to this Note shall, without curing the default hereunder and to the extent permitted by law, thereafter bear interest at the annual rate of fifteen percent (15%). If any default occurs in any payment due under this Note, Borrower promises to pay all reasonable costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and expenses, incurred by the Lender in collecting or attempting to collect the indebtedness under this Note.

 

Assignment

 

Neither Lender nor Borrower may assign its rights hereunder without the consent of the other party, except that Lender may assign its rights hereunder to Associated Capital Group, Inc. without the consent of Borrower.

 

Governing Law :

 

This Note shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of law principles.

 

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

BORROWER:

 

 

 

GABELLI SECURITIES, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Douglas R. Jamieson

 

 

Its:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LENDER:

 

 

 

 

 

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Its:

 

 

 




Exhibit 10.10

 

TAX INDEMNITY AND SHARING AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

AND

 

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

 

Dated as of October   , 2015

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

SECTION 1.

Definition of Terms

1

 

 

 

SECTION 2.

Allocation of Taxes and Tax-Related Losses

8

 

 

 

2.1

Allocation of Taxes

8

2.2

Allocation of Deconsolidation Taxes, Distribution Taxes and Transfer Taxes

9

2.3

Tax Payments

9

 

 

 

SECTION 3.

Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns

9

 

 

 

3.1

Combined Returns

9

3.2

Separate Returns

10

3.3

Agent

10

3.4

Provision of Information

10

3.5

Special Rules Relating to the Preparation of Tax Returns

11

3.6

Refunds, Credits or Offsets

11

3.7

Carrybacks

12

3.8

Amended Returns

12

 

 

 

SECTION 4.

Tax Payments

12

 

 

 

4.1

Payment of Taxes to Tax Authority

12

4.2

Indemnification Payments

12

4.3

Interest on Late Payments

13

4.4

Tax Consequences of Payments

13

4.5

Section 336(e) Election

13

4.6

Certain Final Determinations

14

 

 

 

SECTION 5.

Cooperation and Tax Contests

14

 

 

 

5.1

Cooperation

14

5.2

Notices of Tax Contests

14

5.3

Control of Tax Contests

15

5.4

Cooperation Regarding Tax Contests

15

 

 

 

SECTION 6.

Tax Records

15

 

 

 

6.1

Retention of Tax Records

15

6.2

Access to Tax Records

16

6.3

Confidentiality

16

 

 

 

SECTION 7.

Representations and Covenants

16

 

 

 

7.1

Covenants of GAMCO and ACG

16

7.2

Covenants of ACG

17

7.3

Covenants of GAMCO

18

7.4

Exceptions

18

7.5

Injunctive Relief

19

7.6

Further Assurances

19

 

 

 

SECTION 8.

General Provisions

19

 

 

 

8.1

Predecessors or Successors

19

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

8.2

Construction

19

8.3

Ancillary Agreements

19

8.4

Counterparts

19

8.5

Notices

20

8.6

Amendments

20

8.7

Assignment

20

8.8

Successors and Assigns

20

8.9

Change in Law

20

8.10

Authorization, Etc.

20

8.11

Termination

21

8.12

Subsidiaries

21

8.13

Third-Party Beneficiaries

21

8.14

Titles and Headings

21

8.15

Governing Law

21

8.16

Waiver of Jury Trial

21

8.17

Severability

21

8.18

No Strict Construction; Interpretation

21

 

ii



 

TAX INDEMNITY AND SHARING AGREEMENT

 

THIS TAX INDEMNITY AND SHARING AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is dated as of October     , 2015 by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ GAMCO ”), and Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO (“ ACG ”).  ACG and GAMCO are the “ Parties . ”   Unless otherwise indicated, all “ Section ” references in this Agreement are to sections of the Agreement.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of GAMCO has determined that it is appropriate and advisable for the ACG class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ ACG Class A Stock ”), and the ACG class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ ACG Class B Stock ” and, together with the ACG Class A Stock, the “ ACG Common Stock ”), that GAMCO owns to be distributed to holders of GAMCO class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ GAMCO Class A Stock ”) and GAMCO class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“ GAMCO Class B Stock ” and, together with the GAMCO Class A Stock, the “ GAMCO Common Stock ”), respectively (the “ Distribution ”), on the terms and conditions set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement between GAMCO and ACG dated on or about the date hereof (the “ Distribution Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, GAMCO intends the Distribution to qualify as a tax-free transaction described under Section 355 of the Code;

 

WHEREAS, the Parties set forth in the Distribution Agreement the principal arrangements between them regarding the separation of the ACG Group from the GAMCO Group; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to provide for and agree upon the allocation between the Parties of liabilities for Taxes arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the Distribution, and to provide for and agree upon other matters relating to Taxes.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.         Definition of Terms .  For purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meanings:

 

ACG ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

ACG Business ” has the meaning set forth in the legal opinion delivered by Paul Hastings LLP to GAMCO and ACG relating to the tax treatment of the Distribution dated on or about the date hereof (the “ Tax Opinion ”).

 

ACG Class A Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

ACG Class B Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 



 

ACG Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

ACG Group ” means (x) with respect to any Tax Year (or portion thereof) ending at or before the Effective Time, ACG and each of its Subsidiaries at the Effective Time; and (y) with respect to any Tax Year (or portion thereof) beginning after the Effective Time, ACG and each Subsidiary of ACG (but only while such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of ACG).

 

ACG Indemnified Party ” includes each member of the ACG Group, each of their representatives and Affiliates, each of their respective directors, officers, managers and employees, and each of their heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

ACG Tainting Act ” means a breach of the covenant made by ACG in Section 7.1 of this Agreement or the taking of a Restricted Action, if as a result of such breach or taking of a Restricted Action a Final Determination is made that the Distribution failed to be tax-free by reason of (i) failing to qualify as a distribution described in Section 355 of the Code, (ii) any stock or obligations of ACG failing to qualify as “ qualified property ” within the meaning of Section 355(c)(2) of the Code, or (iii) the application of Sections 355(d) or 355(e) of the Code to the Distribution.

 

Affiliate ” means, when used with respect to any specified Person, a Person that directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with such specified Person.  Unless explicitly provided herein to the contrary, (x) neither GAMCO nor any member of the GAMCO Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of ACG or any of its Subsidiaries; and (y) neither ACG nor any member of the ACG Group shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of GAMCO or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

Ancillary Agreements ” means the agreements encompassed by such term in the Distribution Agreement.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions located in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

GAMCO ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

GAMCO Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Opinion.

 

GAMCO Class A Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

GAMCO Class B Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

GAMCO Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

 

GAMCO Group ” means GAMCO and each Subsidiary of GAMCO (but only while such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of GAMCO) other than any Person that is a member of the ACG Group (but only during the period such Person is treated as a member of the ACG Group).

 

2



 

GAMCO Indemnified Party ” includes each member of the GAMCO Group, each of their representatives and Affiliates, each of their respective directors, officers, managers and employees, and each of their heirs, executors, trustees, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

GAMCO Tainting Act ” means any breach of a representation or covenant made by GAMCO in Section 7.1 or Section 7.4 of this Agreement, if as a result of such breach a Final Determination is made that the Distribution failed to be tax-free by reason of (i) failing to qualify as a distribution described in Sections 355 of the Code, (ii) any stock or obligations of ACG failing to qualify as “ qualified property” within the meaning of Section 355(c) (2) of the Code or (iii) the application of Sections 355(d) or 355(e) of the Code to the Distribution.

 

Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Combined Return ” means a consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return that includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the GAMCO Group and one or more members of the ACG Group.

 

Companies ” means GAMCO and ACG.

 

Company ” means GAMCO or ACG, as the context requires.

 

Compensatory Equity Interests ” means options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other rights with respect to GAMCO Common Stock or ACG Common Stock that are granted by GAMCO, ACG or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with employee or director compensation or other employee benefits.

 

Compensatory Equity Net Share Settlements ” means “ net share settlement ” transactions with respect to Compensatory Equity Interests between either Party (or any of their respective Subsidiaries) on the one hand and the employee (or director, as the case may be) of such Party or the other Party (or any of their respective Subsidiaries) on the other hand, in each case pursuant to the terms of the relevant agreement with respect to such Compensatory Equity Interests.

 

Control ” means, with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership of securities or partnership, membership, limited liability company, or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise and the terms “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Controlling Party ” means, with respect to a Tax Contest, the Person that has responsibility, control and discretion in handling, defending, settling or contesting such Tax Contest.

 

Covered Income Taxes ” means any Income Taxes other than New York City Unincorporated Business Tax as currently imposed by Section 11-503 of the New York City Administrative Code or any successor thereto.

 

3



 

Deconsolidation Taxes ” means any Taxes imposed on any member of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group as a result of or in connection with the Distribution (or any portion thereof), including, but not limited to, any Taxes imposed pursuant to or as a result of Section 311 or 1502 of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder (and under any applicable similar state, local or foreign law), but excluding any Transfer Taxes and Distribution Taxes.

 

Disclosing Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

 

Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.

 

Distribution Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.

 

Distribution Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

 

Distribution Taxes ” means any Taxes arising from a Final Determination that the Distribution failed to be tax-free to GAMCO in accordance with the requirements of Section 355 of the Code (including any Taxes resulting from the application of Section 355(d) or (e) to the Distribution), or that any stock or obligations of ACG failed to qualify as “ qualified property ” within the meaning of Section 355(c)(2) of the Code, and shall include any Taxes resulting from an election under Section 336(e) of the Code in the circumstances set forth in Section 4.5 hereof.

 

Due Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

 

Effective Time ” shall mean 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Distribution Date.

 

Excess Taxes ” means the excess of (x) the Taxes for which GAMCO Group is liable if an election is made pursuant to Section 336(e) of the Code under Section 4.5 of this Agreement, over (y) the Taxes for which GAMCO Group is liable if such an election is not made, in each case taking into account the allocation of Taxes that is otherwise applicable in this Agreement but without regard to Section 4.5 hereof.

 

Expert Law Firm ” means a law firm nationally recognized for its expertise in the matter for which its opinion is sought.

 

Fifty-Percent Equity Interest ” means, in respect of any corporation (within the meaning of the Code), stock or other equity interests of such corporation possessing (i) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or equity interests entitled to vote, or (ii) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value of shares of all classes of stock or of the total value of all equity interests.

 

Final Determination ” means a determination within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code or any similar provision of state or local Tax Law.

 

Group ” means the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group, as the context requires.

 

Income Taxes ” means any Tax which is based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to (i) net income or profits (including, but not limited to, any capital gains, gross receipts,

 

4



 

value added or minimum Tax) or (ii) multiple bases (including, but not limited to, corporate franchise, doing business or occupation Taxes) if one or more of the bases upon which such Tax may be based, by which it may be measured, or with respect to which it may be calculated is described in clause (i) of this sentence.

 

Indemnified Party ” shall mean each ACG Indemnified Party and each GAMCO Indemnified Party, as the context requires.

 

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.

 

Interest Rate means the Rate determined below, as adjusted as of each Interest Rate Determination Date.  The “ Rate ” means, with respect to each period between two consecutive Interest Rate Determination Dates, a rate determined at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York time, two Business Days before the first Interest Rate Determination Date equal to: (x) the sum of (i) the six-month dollar LIBOR rate as displayed on page “ LR ” of Bloomberg (or such other appropriate page as may replace such page), plus (ii) 2%, or (y) if higher and if with respect to a payment to indemnify for a Tax to which the “ large corporate underpayment ” provision within the meaning of Section 6621(c) applies, such interest rate that would be applicable at such time to such “ large corporate underpayment.

 

Interest Rate Determination Date ” means the Due Date and each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 thereafter.

 

IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Non-Controlling Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).

 

Non-Preparer ” means any Company that is not responsible for the preparation and filing of the applicable Tax Return pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2.

 

Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.

 

Payment Date ” means (x) with respect to any U.S. federal income tax return, the date on which any required installment of estimated taxes determined under Section 6655 of the Code is due, the date on which (determined without regard to extensions) filing the return determined under Section 6072 of the Code is required, and the date the return is filed, and (y) with respect to any other Tax Return, the corresponding dates determined under the applicable Tax Law.

 

Permitted Acquisition ” means any acquisition (as a result of the Distribution) of ACG Common Stock solely by reason of holding GAMCO Common Stock, but does not include such an acquisition if such GAMCO Common Stock, before such acquisition, was itself acquired in a manner to which the flush language of Section 355(e)(3)(A) of the Code applies (thus causing, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 355(e)(3)(A)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) not to apply).

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity of any kind.

 

5



 

Post-Distribution Period ” means any Tax Year or other taxable period beginning after the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the Tax Year or other taxable period that begins at the beginning of the day after the Distribution Date.

 

Pre-Distribution Period ” means any Tax Year or other taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the Tax Year or other taxable period through the end of the day on the Distribution Date.

 

Preparer ” means the Company that is responsible for the preparation and filing of the applicable Tax Return pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2.

 

Receiving Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

 

Residual Taxes ” means all Taxes other than Covered Income Taxes.

 

Restricted Action ” means any action by ACG or any of its Subsidiaries inconsistent with the covenants set forth in Section 7.3; and, for the avoidance of doubt, an action shall be and remain a Restricted Action even if ACG or any of its Subsidiaries is permitted to take such an action pursuant to Section 7.5.

 

Restriction Period ” means the period beginning on the Distribution Date and ending twenty-four (24) months after the Distribution Date.

 

Satisfactory Guidance ” means an Unqualified Opinion reasonably satisfactory to GAMCO in both form and substance.

 

Separate Return ” means (a) in the case of any Tax Return required under relevant Tax Law to be filed by any member of the GAMCO Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the ACG Group, and (b) in the case of any Tax Return required under relevant Tax Law to be filed by any member of the ACG Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the GAMCO Group.

 

Straddle Period ” means any taxable period beginning on or prior to, and ending after, the Distribution Date.

 

Subsidiary ” when used with respect to any Person, means (i)(A) a corporation a majority in voting power of whose share capital or capital stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, whether or not such power is subject to a voting agreement or similar encumbrance, (B) a partnership or limited liability company in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, (1) in the case of a partnership, a general partner of such partnership with the power affirmatively to direct the policies and management of such partnership or (2) in the case of a limited liability company, the managing member or, in the absence of a managing member, a member with the power affirmatively to direct the policies and management of such limited liability company, or (C) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or such

 

6



 

Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has or have (1) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the members of the governing body of such Person, whether or not such power is subject to a voting agreement or similar encumbrance, or (2) in the absence of such a governing body, at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) any other Person of which an aggregate of 50% or more of the equity interests are, at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers’ compensation, employment, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, value added, alternative minimum, estimated or other similar tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) imposed by any Tax Authority, any liability attributable to any escheat, abandoned, or unclaimed property law, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing, together with any reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred in defending against any such Tax.

 

Tax Adjustment ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.

 

Tax Authority ” means, with respect to any Tax, the governmental entity or political subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency, commission or authority (if any) charged with the assessment, determination or collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.

 

Tax Benefit ” means a reduction in the Tax liability of a taxpayer (or of the affiliated group of which it is a member) for any taxable period.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Tax Benefit shall be deemed to have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a taxable period only if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the taxpayer (or of the affiliated group of which it is a member) for such period, after taking into account the effect of the Tax Item on the Tax liability of such taxpayer in the current period and all prior periods, is less than it would have been if such Tax liability were determined without regard to such Tax Item.

 

Tax Contest ” means an audit, review, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose, potential or effect of re-determining Taxes of any member of either Group (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).

 

Tax Counsel ” means Paul Hastings LLP.

 

Tax-Free Status ” means the qualification of the Distribution as a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code.

 

Tax Item ” means, with respect to any Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing or decreasing any Tax.

 

Tax Law ” means the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, and any controlling judicial or administrative interpretations of such law, relating to any Tax.

 

7



 

Tax Opinion ” means the opinion to be delivered by Tax Counsel to GAMCO in connection with the Distribution to the effect that the Distribution will qualify as a transaction described in Section 355(a) of the Code.

 

Tax Opinion Representations ” means the representations made to Tax Counsel in connection with the Tax Opinion.

 

Tax Records ” means Tax Returns, Tax Return work papers, documentation relating to any Tax Contests, and any other books of account or records required to be maintained under applicable Tax Laws (including but not limited to Section 6001 of the Code) or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority.

 

Tax Return ” means any report of Taxes due, any claims for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration, or document filed or required to be filed (by paper, electronically or otherwise) under any applicable Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.

 

Tax Year ” means, with respect to any Tax, the year, or shorter period, if applicable, for which the Tax is reported as provided under applicable Tax Law.

 

Transfer Taxes ” means all U.S. federal, state, local or foreign sales, use, privilege, transfer, documentary, gains, stamp, duties, recording, and similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties, interest or additions thereto) imposed upon any Party hereto or any of its Affiliates in connection with the Distribution.

 

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Year.

 

Unqualified Opinion ” means an unqualified “ will ” opinion of an Expert Law Firm that permits reliance by GAMCO.  For the avoidance of doubt, an Unqualified Opinion may be based on factual representations and assumptions that are reasonably satisfactory to GAMCO.

 

SECTION 2.         Allocation of Taxes and Tax-Related Losses .

 

2.1          Allocation of Taxes.   Except as provided in Section 2.2 (Allocation of Deconsolidation Taxes, Distribution Taxes and Transfer Taxes), Taxes shall be allocated as follows:

 

(a)      GAMCO shall be liable for and shall be allocated (i) any Taxes attributable to members of the GAMCO Group for all periods, and (ii) any Covered Income Taxes attributable to members of the ACG Group for a Pre-Distribution Period.

 

(b)      ACG shall be liable for and shall be allocated (i) any Residual Taxes attributable to members of the ACG Group for a Pre-Distribution Period, and (ii) any Taxes attributable to members of the ACG Group for any Post-Distribution Period.

 

8



 

(c)       Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.1(a) and 2.1(b) (but subject to the provisions of Section 2.2), Taxes attributable to any transaction or action taken by or with respect to any member of the ACG Group before the Effective Time on the Distribution Date shall be allocated to the Pre-Distribution Period, and Taxes attributable to any transaction or action taken by or with respect to any member of the ACG Group after the Effective Time on the Distribution Date shall be allocated to the Post-Distribution Period.

 

2.2          Allocation of Deconsolidation Taxes, Distribution Taxes and Transfer Taxes .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:

 

(a)      Any and all Deconsolidation Taxes shall be borne by GAMCO.

 

(b)      ACG shall indemnify and hold harmless each GAMCO Indemnified Party from and against any liability of GAMCO for Distribution Taxes to the extent such Distribution Taxes are attributable to an ACG Tainting Act, provided, however, that ACG shall have no obligation to indemnify any GAMCO Indemnified Party hereunder if there has occurred, prior to such ACG Tainting Act, a GAMCO Tainting Act.

 

(c)       GAMCO shall indemnify and hold harmless each ACG Indemnified Party from and against any liability of ACG for Distribution Taxes to the extent that ACG is not liable for such Taxes pursuant to Section 2.2(b).

 

(d)      The Companies shall cooperate with each other and use their commercially reasonable efforts to reduce and/or eliminate any Transfer Taxes.  If any Transfer Tax remains payable after application of the first sentence of this Section 2.2(d) and notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 2, all Transfer Taxes shall be allocated to GAMCO.

 

2.3          Tax Payments.   Each Company shall be liable for and shall pay the Taxes allocated to it by this Section 2 either to the applicable Tax Authority or to the other Company in accordance with Section 4 and the other applicable provisions of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.         Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns .

 

3.1          Combined Returns.   GAMCO shall be responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Combined Returns for any Tax Year, provided, however, that ACG shall furnish any relevant information, including pro-forma returns, disclosures, apportionment data and supporting schedules, relating to any member of the ACG Group necessary for completing any Combined Return for any Tax Year in a format suitable for inclusion in such return, and provided further, that ACG shall have the right to review and comment with respect to items on such returns if and to the extent such items directly relate to Taxes for which ACG would be liable under Section 2.1(b)(i), such comment not to be unreasonably rejected.

 

9



 

3.2          Separate Returns .

 

(a)      Tax Returns to be Prepared by GAMCO.   GAMCO shall be responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared and filed):

 

(i)       all Separate Returns which relate to one or more members of the GAMCO Group for any Tax Year, and

 

(ii)      all Separate Returns which relate to one or more members of the ACG Group for any Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period if such return is in respect of Covered Income Taxes, provided that ACG shall furnish any relevant information, including pro-forma returns, disclosures, apportionment data and supporting schedules, relating to any member of the ACG Group necessary for completing any Separate Return for any Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period in a format suitable for inclusion in such return, and provided further, that ACG shall have the right to review and comment with respect to items on such returns if and to the extent such items relate to a Tax for which ACG would be liable under Section 2.1(b)(i), such comment not to be unreasonably rejected.

 

(b)      Tax Returns to be Prepared by ACG.   ACG shall be responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Separate Returns which relate to one or more members of the ACG Group and for which GAMCO is not responsible under Section 3.2(a), provided that in the case of such returns in respect of any Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period, GAMCO shall have the right to review and comment on such returns, such comment not to be unreasonably rejected.

 

3.3          Agent.   Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 5), ACG irrevocably designates, and agrees to cause each ACG Affiliate so to designate, GAMCO as its sole and exclusive agent and attorney-in-fact to take such action (including execution of documents) as GAMCO may deem reasonably appropriate in matters relating to the preparation or filing of any Tax Return described in Sections 3.1 and 3.2(a)(ii).

 

3.4          Provision of Information .

 

(a)      GAMCO shall provide to ACG, and ACG shall provide to GAMCO, any information about members of the GAMCO Group or the ACG Group, respectively, that the Preparer reasonably requires to determine the amount of Taxes due on any Payment Date with respect to a Tax Return for which the Preparer is responsible pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2 and to properly and timely file all such Tax Returns.

 

(b)      If a member of the ACG Group supplies information to a member of the GAMCO Group, or a member of the GAMCO Group supplies information to a member of the ACG Group, and an officer of the requesting member intends to sign a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then a duly authorized officer of the member supplying such information shall certify, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, the accuracy of the information so supplied.

 

10


 

3.5          Special Rules Relating to the Preparation of Tax Returns.

 

(a)                    In General.   All Tax Returns that include any members of the ACG Group or GAMCO Group, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with the Tax Opinion (including, for the avoidance doubt, the Tax Opinion Representations).  Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, all Tax Returns for which GAMCO is responsible under Sections 3.1 and 3.2 shall be prepared (x) in accordance with elections, Tax accounting methods and other practices used with respect to such Tax Returns filed prior to the Distribution Date (unless such past practices are not permissible under applicable law), or (y) to the extent any items are not covered by past practices (or in the event such past practices are not permissible under applicable Tax Law), in a manner reasonably acceptable to both Parties; provided, however, that in each case of (x) and (y) to the extent that a change in such elections, methods or practices would not reasonably be expected to result in any adverse impact on ACG, such Tax Returns shall be prepared in accordance with reasonable practices selected by GAMCO.

 

(b)                    Election to File Consolidated, Combined or Unitary Tax Returns.   GAMCO shall have the sole discretion in electing to file any Tax Return on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis, if such Tax Return would include at least one member of each Group and the filing of such Tax Return is elective under the relevant Tax Law.

 

3.6                                Refunds, Credits or Offsets .

 

(a)                    Any refunds, credits or offsets with respect to Taxes allocated to, and actually paid by, GAMCO pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the account of GAMCO.  Any refunds, credits or offsets with respect to Taxes, allocated to, and actually paid by, ACG pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the account of ACG.

 

(b)                    GAMCO shall forward to ACG, or reimburse ACG for, any such refunds, credits or offsets, plus any interest received thereon, net of any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof and any expenses incurred in connection therewith, that are for the account of ACG within 15 Business Days from receipt thereof by GAMCO or any of its Affiliates.  ACG shall forward to GAMCO, or reimburse GAMCO for, any refunds, credits or offsets, plus any interest received thereon, net of any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof and any expenses incurred in connection therewith, that are for the account of GAMCO within GAMCO’s normal course of settlement of such items but not more than 45 days from receipt thereof by ACG or any of its Affiliates.  Any refunds, credits or offsets, plus any interest received thereon, or reimbursements not forwarded or made within the 15 Business Day period specified above shall bear interest from the date received by the refunding or reimbursing party (or its Affiliates) through and including the date of payment at the Interest Rate (treating the date received as the Due Date for purposes of determining such interest).  If, subsequent to a Tax Authority’s allowance of a refund, credit or offset, such Tax Authority reduces or eliminates such allowance, any refund, credit or offset, plus any interest received thereon, forwarded or reimbursed under this Section 3.6 shall be returned to the party who had forwarded or reimbursed such refund, credit or offset and interest upon the request of such forwarding party in an amount equal to the applicable reduction, including any interest received thereon.

 

11



 

3.7                                Carrybacks.   To the extent permitted under applicable Tax Laws, the ACG Group shall make the appropriate elections in respect of any Tax Returns to waive any option to carry back any net operating loss, any credits or any similar item from a Post-Distribution Period to any Pre-Distribution Period or to any Straddle Period.  Any refund of or credit for Taxes resulting from any such carryback by a member of the ACG Group that cannot be waived shall be payable to ACG net of any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof and any expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

3.8                                Amended Returns.   Any amended Tax Return or claim for Tax refund, credit or offset with respect to any member of the ACG Group may be made only by the Company (or its Affiliates) responsible for preparing the original Tax Return with respect to such member pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2 (and, for the avoidance of doubt, subject to the same review and comment rights set forth in Sections 3.1 or 3.2, to the extent applicable).  Such Company (or its Affiliates) shall not, without the prior written consent of the other Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), file, or cause to be filed, any such amended Tax Return or claim for Tax refund, credit or offset to the extent that such filing, if accepted, is likely to increase the Taxes allocated to, or the Tax indemnity obligations under this Agreement of, such other Company for any Tax Year (or portion thereof); provided, however, that such consent need not be obtained if the Company filing the amended Tax Return by written notice to the other Company agrees to indemnify the other Company for the incremental Taxes allocated to, or the incremental Tax indemnity obligation resulting under this Agreement to, such other Company as a result of the filing of such amended Tax Return.

 

SECTION 4.                          Tax Payments .

 

4.1                                Payment of Taxes to Tax Authority.   GAMCO shall be responsible for remitting to the proper Tax Authority the Tax shown on any Tax Return for which it is responsible for the preparation and filing pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, and ACG shall be responsible for remitting to the proper Tax Authority the Tax shown on any Tax Return for which it is responsible for the preparation and filing pursuant to Section 3.2.

 

4.2                                Indemnification Payments .

 

(a)                    Tax Payments Made by the GAMCO Group.   If any GAMCO Indemnified Party is required to make a payment to a Tax Authority for Taxes allocated to ACG under this Agreement, ACG will pay the amount of Taxes allocated to it to GAMCO not later than the later of (i) five Business Days after receiving notification requesting such amount, and (ii) one Business Day prior to the date such payment is required to be made to such Tax Authority.

 

(b)                    Tax Payments Made by the ACG Group.   If any ACG Indemnified Party is required to make a payment to a Tax Authority for Taxes allocated to GAMCO under this Agreement, GAMCO will pay the amount of Taxes allocated to it to ACG not later than the later of (i) five (5) Business Days after receiving notification requesting such amount, and (ii) three (3) Business Days prior to the date such payment is required to be made to such Tax Authority.

 

12



 

4.3                                Interest on Late Payments.   Payments pursuant to this Agreement that are not made by the date prescribed in this Agreement or, if no such date is prescribed, not later than five (5) Business Days after demand for payment is made (the “ Due Date ”) shall bear interest for the period from and including the date immediately following the Due Date through and including the date of payment at the Interest Rate.  Such interest will be payable at the same time as the payment to which it relates.  Interest will be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 days and the actual number of days for which due.

 

4.4                                Tax Consequences of Payments.   For all Tax purposes and to the extent permitted by applicable Tax Law, the parties hereto shall treat any payment made pursuant to this Agreement as a capital contribution or a distribution, as the case may be, immediately prior to the Distribution.  If the receipt or accrual of any indemnity payment under this Agreement causes, directly or indirectly, an increase in the taxable income of the recipient under one or more applicable Tax Laws, such payment shall be increased so that, after the payment of any Taxes with respect to the payment, the recipient thereof shall have realized the same net amount it would have realized had the payment not resulted in taxable income.  For the avoidance of doubt, any liability for Taxes due to an increase in taxable income described in the immediately preceding sentence shall be governed by this Section 4.4 and not by Section 2.2.  To the extent that Taxes for which any Party hereto (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) is required to pay an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement may be deducted or credited in determining the amount of any other Taxes required to be paid by the Indemnified Party (for example, state Taxes which are permitted to be deducted in determining federal Taxes), the amount of any payment made to the Indemnified Party by the Indemnifying Party shall be decreased by taking into account any resulting reduction in other Taxes actually realized by the Indemnified Party.  If such a reduction in Taxes of the Indemnified Party occurs following the payment made to the Indemnified Party with respect to the relevant indemnified Taxes, the Indemnified Party shall promptly repay the Indemnifying Party the amount of such reduction when actually realized.  If the Tax Benefit arising from the foregoing reduction of Taxes described in this Section 4.4 is subsequently decreased or eliminated, then the Indemnifying Party shall promptly pay the Indemnified Party the amount of the decrease in such Tax Benefit.

 

4.5                                Section 336(e) Election.

 

(a)                    GAMCO and ACG shall make a protective election under section 336(e) of the Code (and any similar election under state or local law) with respect to the Distribution in accordance with Treasury Regulations section 1.336-2(h) and (j) (and any applicable provisions under state and local law), provided that ACG shall indemnify GAMCO for any cost to the GAMCO Group of making such an election (but it being understood that any such cost arising from Taxes shall be limited to Excess Taxes).  GAMCO and ACG shall cooperate in the timely completion and filings of such elections and any related filings or procedures (including filing or amending any Tax Returns to implement an election that becomes effective).  This Section 4.5 is intended to constitute a binding, written agreement to make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the Distribution.

 

(b)                    If Taxes are allocated to a Party (the “ Responsible Party ”) as a result of any election set forth in this Section 4.5, then to the extent that such Taxes give rise to a Tax

 

13



 

Benefit, other than a refund, credit or offset as described in Section 3.6(b), to the other Party (the “ Other Party ”) or any of its Affiliates, and such Tax Benefit results in an actual reduction in Taxes (determined on a with and without basis) of the Other Party or any of its Affiliates in any Tax Year, the Other Party shall pay to the Responsible Party in the relevant Tax Year an amount equal to such reduction in Taxes (determined on a with and without basis); provided, however, that this provision shall not apply to the extent that the actual reduction in Taxes for the relevant Tax Year and any unpaid reduction in Taxes for all prior Tax Years is less than $50,000.

 

4.6                                Certain Final Determinations.   If an adjustment (a “ Tax Adjustment ”) pursuant to a Final Determination in a Tax Contest initiated by a Tax Authority results in a Tax greater than the Tax shown on the relevant Tax Return for any Pre-Distribution Period, the Indemnified Party shall pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to any Tax Benefit as and when actually realized by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Tax Adjustment.  The Parties agree that if an Indemnified Party is required to make a payment to an Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 4.6, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to set off the amount of such payment against any indemnity payments owed by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party, taking into account time value and similar concepts as appropriate.

 

SECTION 5.                          Cooperation and Tax Contests .

 

5.1                                Cooperation.   In addition to the obligations enumerated in Sections 3.4 and 5.4, GAMCO and ACG will cooperate (and cause their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates to cooperate) with each other and with each other’s agents, including accounting firms and legal counsel, in connection with Tax matters, including provision of relevant documents and information in their possession and making available to each other, as reasonably requested and available, personnel (including officers, directors, employees and agents of the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates) responsible for preparing, maintaining, and interpreting information and documents relevant to Taxes, and personnel reasonably required as witnesses or for purposes of providing information or documents in connection with any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes.

 

5.2                                Notices of Tax Contests.   Each Company shall provide prompt notice to the other Company of any pending or threatened Tax audit, assessment or proceeding or other Tax Contest of which it becomes aware relating to (i) Taxes for which it is or may be indemnified by such other Company hereunder or (ii) Tax Items that may affect the amount or treatment of Tax Items of such other Company.  Such notice shall contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters; provided , however , that failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except, and only to the extent that, the indemnifying Company shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure.  Thereafter, the indemnified Company shall deliver to the indemnifying Company such additional information with respect to such Tax Contest in its possession that the indemnifying Company may reasonably request.

 

14



 

5.3                                Control of Tax Contests .

 

(a)                    Controlling Party.   Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.3(b), each Preparer (or the appropriate member of its Group) shall be the Controlling Party with respect to any Tax Contest involving a Tax reported (or that, it is asserted, should have been reported) on a Tax Return for which such Company is responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt but subject to the other provisions of this Section 5.3(a), that GAMCO shall be the Controlling Party with respect to any Tax Contest involving Distribution Taxes), in which case any Non-Preparer that could have liability under this Agreement for a Tax to which such Tax Contest relates shall be treated as the “ Non-Controlling Party . ” Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if a Non-Preparer (x) acknowledges to the Preparer in writing its full liability under this Agreement to indemnify for any Tax, and (y) provides to the Preparer evidence (that is satisfactory to the Preparer as determined in the Preparer’s reasonable discretion) of the Non-Preparer’s financial readiness and capacity to make such indemnity payment, then thereafter with respect to the Tax Contest relating solely to such Tax the Non-Preparer shall be the Controlling Party (subject to Section 5.3(b)) and the Preparer shall be treated as the Non-Controlling Party.

 

(b)                    Non-Controlling Party Participation Rights.   With respect to a Tax Contest of any Tax Return that could result in a Tax liability that is allocated under this Agreement, (i) the Non-Controlling Party shall, at its own cost and expense, be entitled to participate in such Tax Contest and to provide comments and suggestions to the Controlling Party, such comments and suggestions to be considered in good faith and not unreasonably rejected, (ii) the Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party updated and informed, and shall consult with the Non-Controlling Party, (iii) the Controlling Party shall act in good faith with a view to the merits in connection with the Tax Contest, and (iv) the Controlling Party shall not settle or compromise such Tax Contest without the prior written consent of the Non-Controlling Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).

 

5.4                                Cooperation Regarding Tax Contests.   The Parties shall provide each other with all information relating to a Tax Contest which is needed by the other Party to handle, participate in, defend, settle or contest the Tax Contest.  At the request of any party, the other Party shall take any action ( e.g. , executing a power of attorney) that is reasonably necessary in order for the requesting Party to exercise its rights under this Agreement in respect of a Tax Contest.  ACG shall assist GAMCO, and GAMCO shall assist ACG, in taking any remedial actions that are necessary or desirable to minimize the effects of any adjustment made by a Tax Authority.  The Indemnifying Party shall reimburse the Indemnified Party for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in complying with this Section 5.4.

 

SECTION 6.                          Tax Records .

 

6.1                                Retention of Tax Records.   Each of GAMCO and ACG shall preserve, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to preserve, all Tax Records that are in their possession, and that could affect the liability of any member of the other Group for Taxes, for as long as the

 

15



 

contents thereof may become material in the administration of any matter under applicable Tax Law, but in any event until the later of (x) the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations, as extended, and (y) seven (7) years after the Distribution Date.

 

6.2                                Access to Tax Records.   ACG shall make available, and cause its Subsidiaries to make available, to members of the GAMCO Group for inspection and copying (x) all Tax Records in their possession that relate to a Pre-Distribution Period, and (y) the portion of any Tax Record in their possession that relates to a Post-Distribution Period and which is reasonably necessary for the preparation of a Tax Return by a member of the GAMCO Group or any of their Affiliates or with respect to any Tax Contest with respect to such return.  GAMCO shall make available, and cause its Subsidiaries to make available, to members of the ACG Group for inspection and copying the portion of any Tax Record in their possession that relates to a Pre-Distribution Period and which is reasonably necessary for the preparation of a Tax Return by a member of the ACG Group or any of their Affiliates or with respect to any Tax Contest with respect to such return.

 

6.3                                Confidentiality.   Each party hereby agrees that it will hold, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its officers, directors, employees, accountants, counsel, consultants, advisors and agents to hold, in confidence all records and information prepared and shared by and among the Parties in carrying out the intent of this Agreement, except as may otherwise be necessary in connection with the filing of Tax Returns or any administrative or judicial proceedings relating to Taxes or unless disclosure is compelled by a governmental authority.  Information and documents of one Party (the “ Disclosing Party ”) shall not be deemed to be confidential for purposes of this Section 6.3 to the extent that such information or document (i) is previously known to or in the possession of the other Party (the “ Receiving Party ”) and is not otherwise subject to a requirement to be kept confidential, (ii) becomes publicly available by means other than unauthorized disclosure under this Agreement by the Receiving Party or (iii) is received from a third party without, to the knowledge of the Receiving Party after reasonable diligence, a duty of confidentiality owed to the Disclosing Party.

 

SECTION 7.                          Representations and Covenants .

 

7.1                                Covenants of GAMCO and ACG .

 

(a)                    GAMCO hereby covenants that, to the fullest extent permissible under U.S. federal and state income Tax Laws, it will, and will cause the members of the GAMCO Group to, treat the Distribution in accordance with the Tax-Free Status.  ACG hereby covenants that, to the fullest extent permissible under U.S. federal and state income Tax Laws, it will, and will cause each Subsidiary of ACG to, treat the Distribution in accordance with the Tax-Free Status.

 

(b)                    GAMCO further covenants that, as of and following the date hereof, GAMCO shall not and shall cause the members of the GAMCO Group not to take any action that (or fail to take any action the omission of which) (i) would be inconsistent with the Distribution qualifying, or would preclude the Distribution from qualifying, for the Tax-Free Status, or (ii) would cause any holders of GAMCO Common Stock that receive stock of ACG in the Distribution to recognize gain or loss, or otherwise include

 

16



 

any amount in income, as a result of the Distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares).

 

(c)                     ACG further covenants that, as of and following the date hereof, ACG shall not and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to take any action that (or fail to take any action the omission of which) (i) would be inconsistent with the Distribution qualifying, or would preclude the Distribution from qualifying, for the Tax-Free Status, including but not limited to within two (2) years of the Distribution Date not entering into any agreement, understanding or arrangement (or substantial negotiations with respect to a transaction) involving the substantial acquisition of stock of ACG or a substantial shift in ownership (by vote or value) of ACG and shall not issue any additional shares of capital stock, or transfer or modify any option, warrant, convertible obligation or other instrument that provides for the right or possibility to issue, redeem or transfer any equity interest in ACG (other than pursuant to and in conformity with Code Sections 83, 414(b), (c), (m) or (o), or 421 as provided in Safe Harbors 8 or 9 of Treasury Regulations Section 1.355-7(d)(8) or (9) or based on advice from an Expert Law Firm would not cause a violation of Code Section 355(d) or (e)), or (ii) would cause any holders of GAMCO Common Stock that receive stock of ACG in the Distribution to recognize gain or loss, or otherwise include any amount in income, as a result of the Distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares).

 

7.2                                Covenants of ACG .

 

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 7.1, ACG, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, agrees and covenants that ACG and each of its Subsidiaries will not, directly or indirectly, during the Restriction Period, (i) take any action that would result in ACG’s ceasing to be engaged in the active conduct of the ACG Business with the result that ACG is not engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business within the meaning of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, (ii) redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through an Affiliate of ACG) any of ACG’s outstanding stock, other than through stock purchases meeting the requirements of section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30, 1996-1 C.B. 696, (iii) amend the certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents) of ACG that would affect the relative voting rights of separate classes of ACG’s stock or would convert one class of ACG’s stock into another class of its stock, (iv) liquidate (within the meaning of Section 331 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) or partially liquidate (within the meaning of Section 346 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) or dissolve ACG, (v) merge or consolidate ACG with any other corporation (other than in a transaction that does not affect the relative shareholding of ACG shareholders), sell or otherwise dispose of (other than in the ordinary course of business) the assets of ACG and its Subsidiaries, or take any other action or actions if such merger, sale, other disposition or other action or actions in the aggregate would have the effect that one or more Persons acquire (or have the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions, assets representing one-half or more of the asset value of the ACG Group, or (vi) take any other action or actions that in the aggregate would

 

17



 

have the effect that one or more Persons acquire (or have the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions, stock or equity securities of ACG representing a Fifty-Percent Equity Interest in ACG, other than a Permitted Acquisition.

 

7.3                                Covenants of GAMCO .

 

(a)                    Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 7.1, GAMCO, on behalf of itself and each member of the GAMCO Group, agrees and covenants that GAMCO and each member of the GAMCO Group will not, directly or indirectly, during the Restriction Period, (i) take any action that would result in GAMCO’s ceasing to be engaged in the active conduct of the GAMCO Business with the result that GAMCO is not engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business within the meaning of Section 355(b)(2) of the Code, (ii) redeem or otherwise repurchase (directly or through an Affiliate of GAMCO) any of GAMCO’s outstanding stock, other than through stock purchases meeting the requirements of section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue Procedure 96-30, 1996-1 C.B. 696, (iii) amend the certificate of incorporation (or other organizational documents) of GAMCO that would affect the relative voting rights of separate classes of GAMCO’s stock or would convert one class of GAMCO’s stock into another class of its stock, (iv) liquidate (within the meaning of Section 331 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) or partially liquidate (within the meaning of Section 346 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) GAMCO, (v) merge GAMCO with any other corporation (other than in a transaction that does not affect the relative shareholding of GAMCO shareholders), sell or otherwise dispose of (other than in the ordinary course of business) the assets of GAMCO and its Subsidiaries, or take any other action or actions if such merger, sale, other disposition or other action or actions in the aggregate would have the effect that one or more Persons acquire (or have the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions, assets representing one-half or more of the asset value of the GAMCO Group, or (vi) take any other action or actions that in the aggregate would have the effect that one or more Persons acquire (or have the right to acquire), directly or indirectly, as part of a plan or series of related transactions, stock or equity securities of GAMCO representing a Fifty-Percent Equity Interest in GAMCO.

 

(b)                    Nothing in this Section 7 shall be construed to give ACG or any Affiliates of ACG any right to remedies other than indemnification for any increase in the actual Tax liability (and/or decrease in Tax Benefit) of ACG or any Affiliate of ACG that results from GAMCO Group’s failure to comply with the covenants and representations in this Section 7.

 

7.4                                Exceptions .

 

(a)                    Notwithstanding Section 7.2 above, ACG or any of its Subsidiaries may take a Restricted Action if GAMCO consents in writing to such Restricted Action, or if ACG provides GAMCO with Satisfactory Guidance concluding that such Restricted Action will not alter the Tax-Free Status of the Distribution in respect of GAMCO and GAMCO’s shareholders.

 

18



 

(b)                    ACG and each of its Subsidiaries agree that GAMCO and each GAMCO Affiliate are to have no liability for any Tax resulting from any Restricted Actions permitted pursuant to this Section 7.4 and, subject to Section 2.2, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each GAMCO Indemnified Party against any such Tax.  ACG shall bear all costs incurred by it, and all reasonable costs incurred by GAMCO, in connection with requesting and/or obtaining any Satisfactory Guidance.

 

7.5                                Injunctive Relief.   For the avoidance of doubt, GAMCO shall have the right to seek injunctive relief to prevent ACG or any of its Subsidiaries from taking any action that is not consistent with the covenants of the ACG or any of its Subsidiaries under Section 7.1 or 7.2.

 

7.6                                Further Assurances.   For the avoidance of doubt, (i) neither GAMCO nor a member of the GAMCO Group shall take any action on the Distribution Date that would result in an increase of the actual Tax liability (or decrease of any Tax Benefit) of ACG or any of its Subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business, except for actions undertaken in connection with the Distribution, which actions are described in Tax Opinion, and (ii) neither ACG nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action on the Distribution Date that would result in an increase of the actual Tax liability (and/or decrease of any Tax Benefit) of GAMCO or a member of the GAMCO Group, other than in the ordinary course of business, except for actions undertaken in connection with the Distribution, which actions are described in the Tax Opinion.

 

SECTION 8.                          General Provisions .

 

8.1                                Predecessors or Successors.   Any reference to GAMCO, ACG, a Person, or a Subsidiary in this Agreement shall include any predecessors or successors ( e.g., by merger or other reorganization, liquidation, conversion, or election under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3) of GAMCO, ACG, such Person, or such Subsidiary, respectively, including within the meaning of Section 355(e)(4)(D) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.  For the avoidance of doubt, no member of the GAMCO Group shall be deemed to be a predecessor or successor of ACG and no member of the ACG Group shall be deemed to be a predecessor or successor of GAMCO.

 

8.2                                Construction.   This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement (except insofar and to the extent that it specifically and expressly references the Distribution Agreement and any other Ancillary Agreement) between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.

 

8.3                                Ancillary Agreements.   This Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Distribution Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement.

 

8.4                                Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party.

 

19



 

8.5                                Notices.   All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall reference this Agreement and shall be hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a Party as shall be specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on which such notice is received:

 

To GAMCO:

 

GAMCO Investors, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
Attention: General Counsel

 

To ACG:

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc.
Once Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
Attention: General Counsel

 

8.6                                Amendments.   This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.

 

8.7                                Assignment .  This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempt to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void; provided that, subject to compliance with Section 7, if applicable, either Party may assign this Agreement to a purchaser of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of such Party so long as such purchaser expressly assumes, in a written instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the non-assigning Party, the due and punctual performance or observance of every agreement and covenant of this Agreement on the part of the assigning Party to be performed or observed.

 

8.8                                Successors and Assigns.   The provisions to this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

8.9                                Change in Law.   Any reference to a provision of the Code or any other Tax Law shall include a reference to any applicable successor provision or law.

 

8.10                         Authorization, Etc.   Each of the Parties hereto hereby represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, that this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Party, that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party and that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party does not contravene or conflict with any provision of law or the Party’s charter or bylaws or any agreement, instrument or order binding such Party.

 

20



 

8.11                         Termination.   This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Distribution by and in the sole discretion of GAMCO without the approval of ACG or the stockholders of GAMCO.  In the event of such termination, no Party shall have any liability of any kind to any other Party or any other Person.  After the Distribution, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by the Parties.

 

8.12                         Subsidiaries.   Each of the Parties shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by any entity that is contemplated to be a Subsidiary of such Party after the Distribution Date.

 

8.13                         Third-Party Beneficiaries.   Except with respect to GAMCO Indemnified Parties and ACG Indemnified Parties, and in each case, only where and as indicated herein, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates and should not be deemed to confer upon any other Person any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without reference to this Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement is not intended to confer upon any ACG Indemnified Parties any rights or remedies against ACG hereunder, and this Agreement is not intended to confer upon any GAMCO Indemnified Parties any rights or remedies against GAMCO hereunder.

 

8.14                         Titles and Headings.   Titles and headings to Sections herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

8.15                         Governing Law.   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in the State of New York.

 

8.16                         Waiver of Jury Trial.   The Parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

8.17                         Severability .  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.  The Parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

8.18                         No Strict Construction; Interpretation .

 

(a)                    Each of GAMCO and ACG acknowledges that this Agreement has been prepared jointly by the Parties hereto and shall not be strictly construed against any Party hereto.

 

(b)                    The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of

 

21



 

this Agreement.  Whenever the words “ include ”, “ includes ” or “ including ” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “ without limitation .   The words “ hereof ”, “ herein ” and “ hereunder ” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein.  The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term.  Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein.  References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns.

 

22



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by the respective officers as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 




Exhibit 10.11

 

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

2015 STOCK AWARD AND INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.                                       PURPOSE; TYPES OF AWARDS; CONSTRUCTION.

 

The purpose of the 2015 Stock Award and Incentive Plan of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (the “ Plan ”) is to afford an incentive to selected employees, directors and independent contractors of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (the “ Company ”), or any Subsidiary or Affiliate which now exists or hereafter is organized or acquired, to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company, to continue as employees or independent contractors, as the case may be, to increase their efforts on behalf of the Company and to promote the success of the Company’s business. Pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan, there may be granted stock options (including “incentive stock options” and “nonqualified stock options”), stock appreciation rights (either in connection with stock options granted under the Plan or independently of options), restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents and other stock- or cash-based awards. Awards made under the Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the Plan shall be interpreted in a manner consistent therewith.

 

2.                                       DEFINITIONS.

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

(a)                             Affiliate ” means any entity if, at the time of granting of an Award, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, owns at least 20% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of such entity or at least 20% of the ownership interests in such entity or (ii) such entity, directly or indirectly, owns at least 20% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company.

 

(b)                             Award ” means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Dividend Equivalent or Other Stock-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award granted under the Plan.

 

(c)                              Award Agreement ” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award.

 

(d)                             Beneficiary ” means the person, persons, trust or trusts which have been designated by a Grantee in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Company to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon his or her death, or, if there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the person, persons, trust or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.

 

(e)                              Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(f)                               A “ Change in Control ” shall be deemed to have occurred in the event that the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole and absolute discretion determines that a change in control has occurred for the purposes of the Plan.

 

(g)                              Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

(h)                             Committee ” means the committee established by the Board to administer the Plan, the composition of which shall at all times satisfy the provisions of Rule 16b-3.

 

(i)                                 Company ” means Associated Capital Group, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any successor corporation.

 



 

(j)                                Dividend Equivalent ” means a right, granted to a Grantee under Section 6(g), to receive cash, Stock, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock. Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award, and may be paid currently or on a deferred basis.

 

(k)                             Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and as now or hereafter construed, interpreted and applied by regulations, rulings and cases.

 

(l)                                 Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to Stock or other property, the fair market value of such Stock or other property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in good faith, the per share Fair Market Value of Stock as of a particular date shall mean:

 

(i)                  the closing sales price per share of Stock on the national securities exchange on which the Stock is principally traded, for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Stock on such exchange, or

 

(ii)               if the shares of Stock are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the shares of Stock in such over-the-counter market for the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Stock in such market, or

 

(iii)            if the shares of Stock are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

 

(m)                         Grantee ” means a person who, as an employee or independent contractor of the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, has been granted an Award under the Plan.

 

(n)                             ISO ” means any Option intended to be and designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(o)                             NQSO ” means any Option that is designated as a nonqualified stock option.

 

(p)                             Option ” means a right, granted to a Grantee under Section 6(b), to purchase shares of Stock. An Option may be either an ISO or an NQSO, provided that ISO’s may not be granted to independent contractors.

 

(q)                             Other Cash-Based Award ” means cash awarded under Section 6(h), including cash awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of specified performance criteria or otherwise as permitted under the Plan.

 

(r)                                Other Stock-Based Award ” means a right or other interest granted to a Grantee under Section 6(h) that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, including, but not limited to (1) unrestricted Stock awarded as a bonus or upon the attainment of specified performance criteria or otherwise as permitted under the Plan, and (2) a right granted to a Grantee to acquire Stock from the Company for cash and/or a promissory note containing terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee.

 

(s)                               Plan ” means this Associated Capital Group, Inc. 2015 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

(t)                                Restricted Stock ” means an Award of shares of Stock to a Grantee under Section 6(d) that may be subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

 

2



 

(u)                             Restricted Stock Unit ” means a right granted to a Grantee under Section 6(e) to receive Stock or cash at the end of a specified deferral period, which right may be conditioned on the satisfaction of specified performance or other criteria.

 

(v)                             Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including any successor to such Rule.

 

(w)                           Stock ” means shares of the Class A common stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company.

 

(x)                             SAR ” or “ Stock Appreciation Right ” means the right, granted to a Grantee under Section 6(c), to be paid an amount measured by the appreciation in the Fair Market Value of Stock from the date of grant to the date of exercise of the right, with payment to be made in cash, Stock, or property as specified in the Award or determined by the Committee.

 

(y)                             Subsidiary ” means any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of granting of an Award, each of the corporations (other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain) owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.

 

3.                                       ADMINISTRATION.

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  The Committee shall have the authority in its discretion, subject to and not inconsistent with the express provisions of the Plan, to administer the Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities either specifically granted to it under the Plan or necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan, including, without limitation, the authority to grant Awards; to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which Awards shall be granted; to determine the type and number of Awards to be granted, the number of shares of Stock to which an Award may relate and the terms, conditions, restrictions and performance criteria relating to any Award; and to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, or surrendered; to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria and performance objectives (if any) included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles; to designate Affiliates; to construe and interpret the Plan and any Award; to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; to determine the terms and provisions of the Award Agreements (which need not be identical for each Grantee); and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

The Committee may appoint a chairperson and a secretary and may make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable, and shall keep minutes of its meetings. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members either present in person or participating by conference telephone at a meeting or by written consent. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more agents such administrative duties as it may deem advisable, and the Committee or any person to whom it has delegated duties as aforesaid may employ one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such person may have under the Plan.

 

All decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Committee shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Company, and any Subsidiary, Affiliate or Grantee (or any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Grantee) and any stockholder.

 

No member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for any action taken or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted made hereunder.

 

3



 

4.                                       ELIGIBILITY.

 

Awards may be granted to selected employees, independent contractors and directors of the Company and its present or future Subsidiaries and Affiliates, in the discretion of the Committee. In determining the persons to whom Awards shall be granted and the type of any Award (including the number of shares to be covered by such Award), the Committee shall take into account such factors as the Committee shall deem relevant in connection with accomplishing the purposes of the Plan. In no event will an employee, independent contractor or director be granted an Award where the number of shares to be covered by such Award together with all other shares covered by any other Awards to such individual in the same calendar year exceeds 500,000 shares.

 

5.                                       STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

 

The number of shares of Stock reserved for the grant of Awards under the Plan shall be 2,000,000, subject to adjustment as provided in the next paragraph.  Such shares may, in whole or in part, be authorized but unissued shares or shares that shall have been or may be reacquired by the Company in the open market, in private transactions or otherwise. If any shares subject to an Award are forfeited, cancelled, exchanged or surrendered or if an Award otherwise terminates or expires without a distribution of shares to the Grantee, the shares of stock with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, exchange, surrender, termination or expiration, again be available for Awards under the Plan (but in the case of ISOs, only to the extent consistent with the tax rules applicable thereto). Upon the exercise of any Award granted in tandem with any other Awards or awards, such related Awards or awards shall be cancelled to the extent of the number of shares of Stock as to which the Award is exercised and, notwithstanding the foregoing, such number of shares shall no longer be available for Awards under the Plan.

 

In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Stock, or other property), recapitalization, Stock split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event, affects the Stock so that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantees under the Plan, then the Committee shall make such equitable changes or adjustments as it deems necessary or appropriate to any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares of Stock which may thereafter be issued in connection with Awards, (ii) the number and kind of shares of Stock or other property issued or issuable in respect of outstanding Awards, and (iii) the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price relating to any Award; provided that, with respect to ISOs, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424(h) of the Code.

 

6.                                       SPECIFIC TERMS OF AWARDS.

 

(a)          General .  The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments to be made by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate upon the grant, maturation, or exercise of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis. The Committee may make rules relating to installment or deferred payments with respect to Awards, including the rate of interest to be credited with respect to such payments. In addition to the foregoing, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter, such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.

 

(b)          Options .  The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Grantees on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)              Type of Award .  The Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option under the Plan shall designate the Option as an ISO or an NQSO.

 

(ii)           Exercise Price .  The exercise price per share of Stock purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided that, in the case of an ISO, such exercise price shall

 

4



 

be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share on the date of grant of such Option, and in no event shall the exercise price for the purchase of shares be less than par value. The exercise price for Stock subject to an Option may be paid (I) in cash, or (II) at the discretion of the Committee, by an exchange of Stock previously owned by the Grantee, by the withholding of Stock otherwise issuable upon exercise or (III) a combination of thereof, in an amount having a combined value equal to such exercise price. A Grantee may also elect to pay all or a portion of the aggregate exercise price by having shares of Stock with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price sold by a broker-dealer under circumstances meeting the requirements of 12 C.F.R. 220 or any successor thereof.

 

(iii)        Term and Exercisability of Options .  The date on which the Committee adopts a resolution expressly granting an Option shall be considered the day on which such Option is granted. Options shall be exercisable over the exercise period (which shall not exceed ten years from the date of grant), at such times and upon such conditions as the Committee may determine, as reflected in the Award Agreement; provided that the Committee shall have the authority to accelerate the exercisability of any outstanding Option at such time and under such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate (subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof). An Option may be exercised to the extent of any or all full shares of Stock as to which the Option has become exercisable, by giving written notice of such exercise to the Committee or its designated agent.

 

(iv)       Termination of Employment, Etc.   Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, an Option may not be exercised unless the Grantee is then in the employ of, or then maintains an independent contractor relationship with, the Company or a Subsidiary or an Affiliate (or a company or a parent or subsidiary company of such company issuing or assuming the Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies), and unless the Grantee has remained continuously so employed, or continuously maintained such relationship, since the date of grant of the Option; provided that the Award Agreement may contain provisions extending the exercisability of Options, in the event of specified terminations, to a date not later than the expiration date of such Option.

 

(v)          Other Provisions .  Options may be subject to such other conditions including, but not limited to, restrictions on transferability of the shares acquired upon exercise of such Options, as the Committee may prescribe in its discretion.

 

(c)           SARs .  The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Grantees on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)              In General .  Unless the Committee determines otherwise, an SAR (1) granted in tandem with an NQSO may be granted at the time of grant of the related NQSO or at any time thereafter or (2) granted in tandem with an ISO may only be granted at the time of grant of the related ISO. An SAR granted in tandem with an Option shall be exercisable only to the extent the underlying Option is exercisable.

 

(ii)           SARs .  An SAR shall confer on the Grantee a right to receive with respect to each share subject thereto, upon exercise thereof, the excess of —

 

(1)          the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise ;

 

(2)          over (2) the grant price of the SAR (which in the case of an SAR granted in tandem with an Option shall be equal to the exercise price of the underlying Option, and which in the case of any other SAR shall be such price as the Committee may determine).

 

(d)          Restricted Stock .  The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Grantees on the following terms and conditions:

 

5



 

(i)              Issuance and Restrictions .  Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose at the date of grant or thereafter, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee may determine (subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof). Except to the extent restricted under the Award Agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Grantee granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder including, without limitation, the right to vote Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon.

 

(ii)           Forfeiture .  Upon termination of employment or termination of the independent contractor relationship during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock and any accrued but unpaid dividends or Dividend Equivalents that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Stock.

 

(iii)        Certificates for Stock .  Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Grantee, such certificates shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, and the Company shall retain physical possession of the certificate.

 

(iv)       Dividends .  Dividends paid on Restricted Stock shall be either paid at the dividend payment date, or deferred for payment to such date as determined by the Committee, in cash or in shares of unrestricted Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends. Stock distributed in connection with a stock split or stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.

 

(e)           Restricted Stock Units .  The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock Units to Grantees, subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)              Award and Restrictions .  Delivery of Stock or cash, as determined by the Committee, will occur upon expiration of the deferral period specified for Restricted Stock Units by the Committee. In addition, Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose, at the date of grant or thereafter, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at earlier or later specified times, separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine.

 

(ii)           Forfeiture .  Upon termination of employment or termination of the independent contractor relationship during the applicable deferral period or portion thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply, or upon failure to satisfy any other conditions precedent to the delivery of Stock or cash to which such Restricted Stock Units relate, all Restricted Stock Units that are then subject to deferral or restriction shall be forfeited; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock Units will be waived in whole or in part in the event of termination resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units.

 

6



 

(f)            Stock Awards in Lieu of Cash Awards .  The Committee is authorized to grant Stock as a bonus, or to grant other Awards, in lieu of Company commitments to pay cash under other plans or compensatory arrangements. Stock or Awards granted hereunder shall have such other terms as shall be determined by the Committee.

 

(g)           Dividend Equivalents .  The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to Grantees. The Committee may provide, at the date of grant or thereafter, that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, or other investment vehicles as the Committee may specify, provided that Dividend Equivalents (other than freestanding Dividend Equivalents) shall be subject to all conditions and restrictions of the underlying Awards to which they relate.

 

(h)          Other Stock- or Cash-Based Awards .  The Committee is authorized to grant to Grantees Other Stock-Based Awards or Other Cash-Based Awards as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Such Awards may be granted with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Committee, or valued by reference to the performance of specified Subsidiaries or Affiliates. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards at the date of grant or thereafter.

 

7.                                       CHANGE IN CONTROL.

 

In the event of a Change in Control, all outstanding Options and SARs not then exercisable shall become fully exercisable, and all outstanding Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Dividend Equivalent or Other Stock-Based Award or Other Cash-Based Award Awards not then fully vested shall become fully vested.

 

8.                                       GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 

(a)          Compliance with Local and Exchange Requirements .  The Plan, the granting and exercising of Awards thereunder, and the other obligations of the Company under the Plan and any Award Agreement or other agreement shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any regulatory or governmental agency as may be required. The Company, in its discretion, may postpone the issuance or delivery of Stock under any Award until completion of such stock exchange listing or registration or qualification of such Stock or other required action under any state, federal or foreign law, rule or regulation as the Company may consider appropriate, and may require any Grantee to make representations and furnish such information as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Stock in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

(b)          Nontransferability .  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, Awards shall not be transferable by a Grantee except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, if then permitted under Rule 16b-3, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined under the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder, and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of a Grantee only by such Grantee or his guardian or legal representative.

 

(c)           No Right to Continued Employment, etc .  Nothing in the Plan or in any Award granted or any Award Agreement or other agreement entered into pursuant hereto shall confer upon any Grantee the right to continue in the employ of or to continue as an independent contractor of the Company, any subsidiary or any Affiliate or to be entitled to any remuneration or benefits not set forth in the Plan or such Award Agreement or other agreement or to interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or any such Subsidiary or Affiliate to terminate such Grantee’s employment or independent contractor relationship.

 

7



 

(d)          Taxes .  The Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate is authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, or any other payment to a Grantee, amounts of withholding and other taxes due in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Grantees to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Grantee’s tax obligations.

 

(e)           Amendment and Termination of the Plan .  The Board may at any time and from time to time alter, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan in whole or in part; provided that no amendment which requires stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with applicable law or stock exchange requirements, to reprice stock options or stock appreciation rights, or to avoid the application of Section 162(m) of the Code shall be effective unless the same shall be approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment shall affect adversely any of the rights of any Grantee, without such Grantee’s consent, under any Award theretofore granted under the Plan.

 

(f)            No Rights to Awards; No Stockholder Rights .  No Grantee shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Grantees. Except as provided specifically herein, a Grantee or a transferee of an Award shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Award until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate to him for such shares.

 

(g)           Unfunded Status of Awards .  The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Grantee pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Grantee any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.

 

(h)          No Fractional Shares .  No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards, or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

(i)              Governing Law .  The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

 

(j)             Effective Date .  The Plan shall take effect upon its approval by the Board, but the Plan (and any grants of Awards made prior to shareholder approval mentioned herein) shall be subject to the approval of the holders of shares of common stock of the Company representing a majority of the votes present or represented at a meeting of the Company’s shareholders, which approval must occur within twelve months of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. In the absence of such approval, such Awards shall be null and void.

 

(k)          Claims Limitations Period .  Any Grantee who believes he or she is being denied any benefit or right under this Plan or under any Award may file a written claim with the Committee.  Any claim must be delivered to the Committee within forty-five (45) days of the specific event giving rise to the claim.  Untimely claims will not be processed and shall be deemed denied.  The Committee, or its designee, will notify the Grantee of its decision in writing as soon as administratively practicable.  Claims not responded to by the Committee in writing within one hundred and twenty (120) days of the date the written claim is delivered to the Committee shall be deemed denied.  The Committee’s decision is final, binding and conclusive on all persons.  No lawsuit relating to this Plan may be filed before a written claim is filed with the Committee and is denied or deemed denied, and any lawsuit must be filed within one year of such denial or deemed denial or be forever barred.

 

8



 

(l)              No Liability; Indemnification .  None of the Board, any Committee member or any person acting at the direction of the Board or the Committee, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award.  The Company shall pay or reimburse any member of the Committee, as well as any director, employee, or consultant who in good faith takes action on behalf of this Plan, for all expenses incurred with respect to this Plan, and to the full extent allowable under applicable law shall indemnify each and every one of them for any claims, liabilities, and costs (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of their good faith performance of duties on behalf of this Plan.  The Company and its Affiliates may, but shall not be required to, obtain liability insurance for this purpose.

 

9




Exhibit 21.1

 

SUBSIDIARIES OF
ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.

 

The entities listed below will be the subsidiaries of Associated Capital Group, Inc. at the time of the Distribution.

 

1.               Gabelli Securities, Inc.

 

2.               G.research, LLC

 

3.               Gabelli & Partners, LLC

 

4.               Gabelli Convertible Holdings, LLC

 

5.               Gabelli Direct, Inc.

 




Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Index to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

Table of Contents


Exhibit 99.1

         GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580

            , 2015

Dear Owner:

        We are pleased to report that the previously announced plan to spin-off our alternative investment management business, our institutional research services business and certain cash and other assets (collectively, the "Gabelli Securities Group") is expected to become effective on                  , 2015. Prior to the spin-off, GAMCO Investors, Inc. ("GAMCO") will transfer the businesses and assets of the Gabelli Securities Group to Associated Capital Group, Inc. ("ACG"), a newly formed holding company that will become a public company on                  , 2015.

        We believe that separating the Gabelli Securities Group as an independent, publicly owned company is in the best interests of both ACG and GAMCO. The spin-off will permit each company to tailor its strategic plans and growth opportunities, more efficiently raise and allocate resources, including capital raised through debt or equity offerings, allow flexibility for each company to use its own stock as currency for teammate incentive compensation and potential acquisitions and provide investors a more targeted investment opportunity.

        At the time of the spin-off, you will receive:

        If you sell your shares of GAMCO Class A Stock or GAMCO Class B Stock (collectively, "GAMCO common stock"), prior to            , 2015, the ex-dividend date, you may also be selling your right to receive shares of ACG Class A Stock and/or ACG Class B Stock (collectively, "ACG common stock") in the spin-off. You are encouraged to consult with your financial advisor regarding the specific implications of selling your GAMCO common stock prior to or on the distribution date.

        We intend for the distribution of ACG common stock in the spin-off to be tax-free for our stockholders. It is a condition to completing the spin-off that we receive an opinion of counsel that the distribution of ACG common stock to GAMCO stockholders will qualify as a tax-free distribution for United States federal income tax purposes.

        GAMCO will provide its U.S. stockholders with information to enable them to compute their tax basis in both GAMCO and ACG common stock. This information will be posted on GAMCO's website at www.gabelli.com shortly after the distribution.

        Following the distribution, you will own shares in both GAMCO and ACG. The GAMCO Class A Stock will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GBL." ACG intends to list the ACG Class A Stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AC." Consistent with the GAMCO Class B Stock, the ACG Class B Stock will not be listed on any exchange, nor will it be transferable. However, the ACG Class B Stock may be converted into ACG Class A Stock pursuant to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation.

        The enclosed information statement, which is being mailed to all holders of GAMCO common stock on the record date, describes the distribution in detail and contains important information about ACG, its business, financial condition and results of operations. We urge you to read the information statement carefully.


Table of Contents

        We want to thank you for your continued support of GAMCO, and we look forward to your future support of ACG. Please note that no stockholder vote is required for the spin-off to occur, and no stockholder vote is being sought.

        Stockholders of GAMCO with inquiries related to the distribution should contact GAMCO's transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., at (877) 282-1168 or (781) 575-2879 (outside the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico).

    Sincerely,

 

 

/s/ KEVIN HANDWERKER

EVP and General Counsel

Table of Contents

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A Registration Statement on Form 10 relating to the ACG Class A Stock has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION STATEMENT SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED OCTOBER 21, 2015

INFORMATION STATEMENT
RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMON STOCK OF

ASSOCIATED CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
by
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

        This information statement is being furnished in connection with the distribution by GAMCO Investors, Inc. ("GAMCO") to holders of its common stock of all the outstanding shares of common stock of its wholly owned subsidiary Associated Capital Group, Inc., a newly formed Delaware corporation ("ACG"). Prior to the distribution, GAMCO will transfer to ACG its alternative investment management business, its institutional research services business and certain cash and other assets (collectively, the "Gabelli Securities Group").

        As a result of the spin-off, you will receive:

        In addition, our management team, along with certain of GAMCO's teammates, will receive shares of ACG Class A Stock in the distribution as a result of their ownership of certain equity awards of GAMCO entitling them to the same benefits as holders of GAMCO Class A Stock. The distribution will be effective at 11:59 p.m. New York City time on                        , 2015 (the "distribution date"). For GAMCO stockholders who own GAMCO Class A Stock or GAMCO Class B Stock (collectively, "GAMCO common stock"), in registered form, in most cases the transfer agent will credit their shares of ACG Class A Stock or ACG Class B Stock (collectively, "ACG common stock") to book-entry accounts established to hold their ACG common stock. Our distribution agent will mail these stockholders a statement reflecting their ACG common stock ownership shortly after the distribution date. For stockholders who own GAMCO common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee, their shares of ACG common stock will be credited to their accounts by that broker, bank or other nominee.

         No stockholder approval of the distribution is required. GAMCO stockholders will not be required to pay for the shares of ACG common stock to be received by them in the distribution or to surrender or to exchange shares of GAMCO common stock in order to receive ACG common stock or to take any other action in connection with the distribution.

        There is currently no trading market for the ACG common stock. We will apply to have the ACG Class A Stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol "AC."

         In reviewing this information statement, you should carefully consider the matters described in "Risk Factors" beginning on page 19 .

         Upon completion of the spin-off, Mario J. Gabelli and his affiliates will control approximately 94.7% of the voting power and approximately 73.8% of the outstanding shares of ACG common stock. As a result, we will be a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the NYSE. See "Management—Corporate Governance—Controlled Company Exception."

         We are an "emerging growth company" as well as a "smaller reporting company," each as defined under the federal securities laws. See "Business—Status as an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company."

         Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this information statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

         This information statement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

        GAMCO first mailed this information statement to its stockholders on                        , 2015

        The date of this information statement is                        , 2015.


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

SUMMARY

    1  

RISK FACTORS

   
19
 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   
37
 

THE SPIN-OFF

   
38
 

DIVIDEND POLICY

   
47
 

REGULATORY APPROVALS

   
47
 

BUSINESS

   
48
 

SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

   
59
 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   
60
 

ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN GAMCO AND ACG AFTER THE SPIN-OFF

   
78
 

MANAGEMENT

   
83
 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   
91
 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   
96
 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   
102
 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

   
105
 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   
106
 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   
108
 

COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
F-1
 

******

i


Table of Contents

 


SUMMARY

         This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this information statement relating to the separation of the Gabelli Securities Group from GAMCO and the distribution of ACG common stock by GAMCO to the holders of GAMCO common stock. This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To better understand the separation and ACG, you should carefully read this entire information statement including the risks described in "Risk Factors" and our financial statements and the notes thereto beginning on page F-1.

         Except as otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, "ACG," "we," "us," "our" and the "Company" refer to Associated Capital Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, which after giving effect to the spin-off will succeed to the business of the Gabelli Securities Group. On October 13, 2015, Gabelli Securities Group, Inc. changed its name to Associated Capital Group, Inc. The financial statements beginning on page F-1 have not been updated to take into account that name change. References to the "Formation Transactions" mean the transactions to be completed by GAMCO and its affiliates to facilitate or in connection with the spin-off as described in "The Spin-Off—The Formation Transactions." All references to "GAMCO" are: (i) for periods prior to the Formation Transactions, GAMCO Investors, Inc., individually or together with its subsidiaries as the context may require; and (ii) for periods after the Formation Transactions, GAMCO Investors, Inc., excluding the Gabelli Securities Group, after giving effect to the spin-off. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this information statement to our certificate incorporation and bylaws refer to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws as amended and restated prior to the spin-off.

         We refer in this information statement to the transaction in which we will be spun-off from GAMCO and become an independent public company as the "separation," the "distribution" or the "spin-off."

         Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, we describe in this information statement the Gabelli Securities Group businesses to be contributed to us by GAMCO as if the spin-off has already occurred. However, we are a newly formed entity that will not have conducted any separate operations prior to the spin-off and some of the actions necessary to transfer assets and liabilities of GAMCO to us have not occurred but will occur prior to the distribution date. Following the spin-off, we will be an independent public company. Accordingly, our historical financial results as part of GAMCO contained herein may not reflect our financial results in the future as an independent public company or what our financial results would have been had we been an independent public company during the periods presented.

Our Business

        We are a newly formed Delaware corporation organized to be the holding company for GAMCO's alternative investment management business, institutional research services business and certain cash and other assets in the spin-off. Our principal executive offices are located at One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580. Our telephone number is (914) 921-5135. Our website address is www.associated-capital-group.com . Information contained on or connected to our website does not and will not constitute part of this information statement or the Registration Statement filed on Form 10, of which this information statement is a part.

Alternative Investment Management

        We own a 93.9% interest in Gabelli Securities, Inc. ("GSI"), a registered investment advisor. GSI and its wholly owned subsidiary, Gabelli & Partners, LLC ("Gabelli & Partners"), collectively serve as general partners or investment managers to investment funds including limited partnerships and offshore companies (collectively, "Investment Partnerships"), and separate accounts. We primarily manage assets in equity event-driven value strategies, across a range of risk and event arbitrage portfolios. The business earns fees from its advisory assets, and income (loss) from trading and investment portfolio activities. The advisory fees include management and incentive fees. Management

 

1


Table of Contents

fees are largely based on a percentage of the portfolios' levels of assets under management ("AUM"). Incentive fees are based on the percentage of profits derived from the investment performance delivered to clients' invested assets. As of June 30, 2015, we managed a total of $1.1 billion in assets. GSI is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"). Certain employees of GAMCO own 1.9% of GSI, and the remaining 4.2% of GSI is owned by individual investors unrelated to GAMCO.

Institutional Research Services

        We operate our institutional research services business through G.research, LLC ("G.research"), a wholly owned subsidiary of GSI. G.research is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Through G.research, we provide institutional research services as well as act as an underwriter. G.research is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). G.research's revenues are derived primarily from institutional research services.

Our Strategy

        Our business strategy targets global growth of the business through continued leveraging of our proven asset management strengths including our funds, long-term performance record, diverse product offerings and experienced investment, research and client relationship professionals. In order to achieve performance and growth in AUM and profitability, we are pursuing a strategy which includes the following key elements:

        For more information, see "Business—Business Strategy."

The Spin-Off

        GAMCO's board of directors (the "GAMCO Board") regularly reviews the various businesses conducted by GAMCO to ensure that resources are deployed and activities are pursued in the best interests of its stockholders. As part of this evaluation of a possible separation, the GAMCO Board considered a number of factors, including the strategic focus and flexibility of the businesses, their ability to operate and compete efficiently and effectively and the probability of the successful execution of the various structural alternatives. Upon careful review and consideration, the GAMCO Board determined that the spin-off of the Gabelli Securities Group is in the best interests of GAMCO. The GAMCO Board's determination was based on a number of factors, including the following:

 

2


Table of Contents

        With $1.1 billion in AUM at June 30, 2015, ACG represented 2.4% of GAMCO's AUM, which was $45.4 billion at June 30, 2015. We believe that ACG, following the spin-off, will devote greater attention to implementing a growth strategy as it will no longer be overshadowed by the GAMCO umbrella under which it currently operates. In order to facilitate this spin-off, ACG's board of directors (our "Board") appointed Mario J. Gabelli, the Chairman and Chief Executive of GAMCO, to serve as our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Marc Gabelli to serve as our President. Kieran Caterina, GAMCO's Finance Director and Co-Chief Accounting Officer, will also serve as our Chief Financial Officer. We have appointed Salvatore F. Sodano, Daniel R. Lee, Bruce M. Lisman and Richard L. Bready as independent members of our Board, and Mr. Sodano will serve as Vice Chairman of our Board. Messrs. Bready and Marc Gabelli are both current members of the GAMCO Board. It is expected that Mr. Bready will resign from the GAMCO Board on the distribution date. We believe that the spin-off and new independent board representation, along with management hires we make in the future, will enable us to devote greater attention to implementing a growth strategy. That strategy will be focused entirely on benefiting ACG and our stockholders, rather than on functioning as part of the larger GAMCO organization, in which decisions must take into account the interests of the entire entity, not solely those of ACG.

 

3


Table of Contents

Status as an Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company

        As a company with less than $1 billion in revenues during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an "emerging growth company" as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the "JOBS Act"). For as long as a company is deemed to be an emerging growth company, it may take advantage of certain reduced reporting and other regulatory requirements that are generally unavailable to other public companies.

        In addition, we qualify as a "smaller reporting company" under the Exchange Act. As a smaller reporting company, we enjoy many of the same exemptions as emerging growth companies, and those exemptions would continue to be available to us even after the emerging growth company status expires if we still are a smaller reporting company at such time. For a discussion of the implications of our status as an "emerging growth company" and as a "smaller reporting company," see "Business—Status as an Emerging Growth Company and Smaller Reporting Company" and "Risk Factors—Risks Related to the ACG Common Stock—The reduced disclosure requirements applicable to us as an 'emerging growth company' and a 'smaller reporting company' may make ACG common stock less attractive to investors."

Our Assets Under Management

        The following table sets forth ACG's total AUM for the dates shown.


Assets Under Management
(in thousands)

 
  At June 30,   At December 31,  
Category(a)
  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010  

Event Merger Arbitrage

  $ 855,158   $ 795,894   $ 690,975   $ 721,065   $ 512,661   $ 400,996  

Event-Driven Value

    132,946     166,825     140,091     123,648     131,833     54,944  

Other(b)

    76,198     76,827     76,050     75,469     65,300     59,593  

Total

  $ 1,064,302   $ 1,039,546   $ 907,116   $ 920,182   $ 709,794   $ 515,533  

(a)
Asset levels include various structures, including managed accounts, partnerships and offshore companies.

(b)
Includes investment vehicles focused on private equity, merchant banking, non-investment-grade credit and capital structure arbitrage.

Conflicts of Interest

        See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."

 

4


Table of Contents

 


Questions and Answers About the Spin-Off

         See "The Spin-Off" for a more detailed description of the matters summarized below.

How will the spin-off work?

  All shares of ACG common stock are currently held by GAMCO. On the distribution date, all of the shares of ACG common stock held by GAMCO will be distributed pro rata to the holders of GAMCO common stock as of the record date.

What is being distributed in the distribution?

 

You will receive (i) one share of ACG Class A Stock for each share of GAMCO Class A Stock that you hold as of the record date and (ii) one share of ACG Class B Stock for each share of GAMCO Class B Stock that you hold on the record date. GAMCO will distribute approximately            shares of ACG Class A Stock and            shares of ACG Class B Stock in the distribution, based upon the number of shares of GAMCO common stock outstanding on the date of this information statement. The actual number of shares of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock to be distributed in the spin-off will be equal to the number of shares of GAMCO Class A Stock and GAMCO Class B Stock, respectively, outstanding as of the record date. The shares of ACG common stock to be distributed by GAMCO will constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of ACG common stock immediately after the distribution. The actual number of shares of ACG common stock to be issued in the distribution will be determined as of the record date. For more information, see "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock and Performance Common Stock."

What is the record date for the distribution?

 

5:00 p.m. New York City time on                        , 2015.

When will the distribution occur?

 

We expect that shares of ACG common stock will be distributed by our transfer agent in its capacity as the distribution agent, on behalf of GAMCO, effective at 11:59 p.m. New York City time on the distribution date.

If I am a record holder of GAMCO common stock, when will I receive my ACG common stock? Will I receive a stock certificate for ACG common stock distributed as a result of the spin-off?

 

Registered holders of GAMCO common stock who are entitled to participate in the spin-off will receive their shares in book-entry form on the distribution date. A book-entry account statement reflecting their ownership of ACG common stock will be provided shortly after the distribution date. For additional information, registered stockholders in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico should contact GAMCO's transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., at (877) 282-1168 or through its website at www.computershare.com . Stockholders from outside the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico may call (781) 575-2879. See "The Spin-Off—When and How You Will Receive Shares of ACG Common Stock."

 

5


Table of Contents

If I hold my GAMCO common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee, when will I receive my ACG common stock?

 

It is expected that persons that hold their GAMCO common stock through a broker, bank or other nominee will have their brokerage account credited with ACG common stock shortly after the distribution date. For additional information, those stockholders should contact their broker or bank directly.

What will ACG's relationship with GAMCO be after the spin-off?

 

After the spin-off, the principal elements of our relationship with GAMCO will be governed by a Separation and Distribution Agreement (the "Separation Agreement") and a Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement (the "Transitional Services Agreement"). We cannot assure you that these agreements will be on terms as favorable to ACG as agreements with unaffiliated third parties. Among the principal services GAMCO will provide to us pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement are:

 

accounting, financial reporting and consolidation services, including the services of a financial and operations principal;

 

treasury services, including, without limitation, insurance and risk management services and administration of benefits;

 

tax planning, tax return preparation, recordkeeping and reporting services;

 

human resources, including but not limited to the sourcing of permanent and temporary employees as needed, recordkeeping, performance reviews and terminations;

 

legal and compliance advice, including the services of a Chief Compliance Officer;

 

technical/technology consulting; and

 

operations and general administrative assistance, including office space, office equipment and furniture, payroll, procurement, and administrative personnel.

 

In addition, ACG will provide GAMCO with payroll services pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement. Services provided by GAMCO to ACG or by ACG to GAMCO under the Transitional Services Agreement will be charged at cost. The Transitional Services Agreement is terminable by either party on 30 days' prior written notice to the other party. The Transitional Services Agreement has a term of twelve months.

 

For more information, see "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Spin-Off."

 

6


Table of Contents

What do I have to do to participate in the spin-off?

 

You are not required to take any action to receive shares of ACG common stock in the spin-off. No vote of GAMCO stockholders is required and none will be obtained for the spin-off. If you own shares of GAMCO common stock on the record date, you will receive a pro rata number of shares of ACG common stock. Please do not mail in GAMCO common stock certificates in connection with the spin-off.

Can I receive fractional shares in the spin-off?

 

No. Any fractional share of ACG common stock otherwise issuable to you will be sold on your behalf, and you will receive a cash payment with respect to that fractional share. Such cash payment generally will constitute taxable income to you.

 

For an explanation of how the cash payments for fractional shares will be determined, see "The Spin-Off—Treatment of Fractional Shares."

Will GAMCO incur any debt or issue any stock in connection with the spin-off?

 

On or before the distribution date, GAMCO expects to issue to ACG a $250 million five-year, 4.0% note, the original principal amount of which will be paid off by GAMCO ratably over five years, or sooner at GAMCO's option, with interest payable in cash or in kind ("PIK"), at GAMCO's option (the "GAMCO Note"). In addition, after the record date and before the distribution date, GAMCO expects to issue to GSI $150 million worth of GAMCO Class A Stock currently held in treasury (the "Former GAMCO Treasury Shares") in exchange for a note receivable from GSI to GAMCO in a principal amount equal to the value of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares at the time of the issuance of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares, with an interest rate of 4.0%, payable in cash (the "GSI Note"). The GSI Note must be repaid on the earlier of (i) demand by the holder of the GSI Note or (ii) the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the GSI Note. In accordance with NYSE shareholder approval rules, GAMCO will not issue more than 19.99% of the number of shares of GAMCO common stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares (the "NYSE 19.99% Limit"), as it has not received shareholder approval for such issuance. To the extent the price at which the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares are sold to GSI would cause the number of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to be issued to GSI to exceed the NYSE 19.99% Limit, the dollar amount of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to be sold to GSI and the amount of the GSI Note will each be reduced so that the number of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares issued does not exceed the NYSE 19.99% Limit. GAMCO will contribute the GSI Note to ACG at the time of the spin-off resulting in GSI owing ACG all amounts due pursuant to the GSI Note. The proceeds we receive pursuant to these transactions and our potential future sale of the

 

7


Table of Contents

 

Former GAMCO Treasury Shares may be used to, among other things, provide seed capital for Investment Partnerships that we expect to form and, possibly, acquisitions, alliances and lift-outs. See "The Spin-Off—The Formation Transactions" and "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Spin-Off—GAMCO Note."

Can GAMCO decide to cancel the distribution of ACG common stock if it wishes to do so?

 

Yes. GAMCO has the right to terminate the spin-off and the distribution of ACG common stock at any time in its sole discretion, if any event or development occurs or exists that in the judgment of the GAMCO Board makes the spin-off inadvisable.

What will happen to the listing of GAMCO Class A Stock?

 

Immediately after the spin-off of ACG common stock, GAMCO Class A Stock will continue to be traded on the NYSE under its existing symbol "GBL."

Who will serve as distribution agent, transfer and agent registrar for the ACG common stock?

 

Expected to be Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Is the distribution taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes?

 

The distribution is conditioned on the receipt by GAMCO of certain opinions from its tax advisors substantially to the effect that the distribution will be tax-free to GAMCO and its stockholders under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Based on these tax opinions, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you should not recognize any gain or loss and no amount should be included in your income as a result of the Formation Transactions or upon your receipt of shares of ACG common stock pursuant to the distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you receive cash in lieu of fractional shares as a result of the spin-off, you will generally be subject to tax on the receipt of such cash. Neither GAMCO nor ACG has applied for a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") with respect to the tax consequences of the distribution. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS or another taxing authority will not assert that the distribution is taxable to GAMCO, ACG or GAMCO stockholders. For more information, see "The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences on the Spin-Off." Tax matters are very complex and the tax consequences of the distribution to any particular GAMCO stockholder will depend on that stockholder's particular situation. GAMCO stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the specific tax consequences of the spin-off to them.

 

8


Table of Contents

How will the spin-off affect my tax basis in GAMCO common stock?

 

Your tax basis in the GAMCO common stock held by you immediately prior to the spin-off will be allocated between the GAMCO common stock and ACG common stock held by you immediately after the spin-off in proportion to their respective fair market values. You should consult your tax advisor on this matter. See "The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off" for more information.

Does ACG intend to pay dividends on ACG common stock?

 

We currently contemplate paying a dividend; however, we cannot assure you that we will pay any dividend. Whether we pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board and will be dependent upon our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, legal and regulatory considerations and any other factors that our Board decides are relevant. See "Dividend Policy" for further information.

How will ACG common stock trade?

 

There is not currently a public market for the ACG Class A Stock. We have applied to have the ACG Class A Stock listed on the NYSE under the symbol "AC." Beginning shortly before, and continuing up to and including, the distribution date, we expect that there will be a "when-issued" trading market in the ACG Class A Stock. The "when-issued" market will be a trading market for the ACG Class A Stock that will be distributed to holders of shares of GAMCO common stock on the distribution date. If you owned shares of GAMCO common stock on the record date, you will be entitled to ACG Class A Stock distributed pursuant to the distribution. You may trade this entitlement to shares of ACG Class A Stock, without the shares of GAMCO Class A Stock you own, on the "when-issued" market. On the first trading day following the distribution date, "when-issued" trading with respect to the ACG Class A Stock will end and "regular way" trading will begin.

 

There will be no trading market for the ACG Class B Stock.

Will the number of shares of GAMCO common stock I own change as a result of the spin-off?

 

No. The number of shares of GAMCO common stock you own will not change as a result of the spin-off.

Whom can I contact for more information?

 

If you have questions relating to the mechanics of the distribution of ACG common stock, you should contact the distribution agent:

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
250 Royall Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021-1011
Telephone: (877) 282-1168 or 781-575-2879 (outside the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico)

 

9


Table of Contents

 

Before the spin-off, if you have any questions regarding the spin-off, you should contact:

 

GAMCO Investors, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
Telephone: (914) 921-5000
Attention: Kevin Handwerker

 

After the spin-off, if you have any questions regarding the spin-off or ACG common stock, you should contact:

 

Associated Capital Group, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580
Telephone: (914) 921-5135
Attention: David Goldman

 

10


Table of Contents

 


Summary Historical Combined Consolidated Financial Data

        Associated Capital Group, Inc. was formed on April 15, 2015 and had nominal assets and no liabilities, and conducted no operations prior to the date of this information statement. Therefore, we believe that a presentation of the historical results of ACG would not be meaningful. Accordingly, the following tables set forth our summary historical combined consolidated financial data as of and for each of the six months ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014 and the fiscal years in the three year period ended December 31, 2014.

        Our historical combined consolidated financial statements included in this information statement have been presented on a "carve-out" basis from GAMCO's consolidated financial statements using the historical results of operations, cash flows, assets and liabilities attributable to the Gabelli Securities Group and include allocation of expenses from GAMCO for certain functions, including general corporate expenses related to information technology, operations, financial reporting, legal, regulatory and compliance and human resource activities, which may not be representative of the future costs we will incur as an independent public company. Our historical combined consolidated financial statements reflect, among other things, (i) GAMCO's contribution to ACG of its 93.9% interest in GSI and (ii) approximately $630 million of cash and other assets that will be contributed by GAMCO to ACG prior to the distribution date. Our historical financial statements do not reflect changes that we expect to experience in the future as a result of our spin-off from GAMCO. Our historical combined consolidated financial statements also do not reflect the allocation of certain transactions between GAMCO and us as reflected under "—Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements." Consequently, the financial information included here may not necessarily reflect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future or what our financial position, results of operations and cash flows would have been had we been an independent publicly traded company during the periods presented.

        The summary historical combined consolidated financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our audited historical combined consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, "—Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
  Year Ended December 31,  
Income Statement Data (in thousands)
  2015   2014   2014   2013   2012  

Revenues

  $ 9,539   $ 8,456   $ 21,029   $ 20,422   $ 21,549  

Total expenses

    16,887     15,380     30,953     34,942     34,270  

Operating loss

    (7,348 )   (6,924 )   (9,924 )   (14,520 )   (12,721 )

Total other income, net

    11,796     13,863     9,542     54,906     23,503  

Income before income taxes

    4,448     6,939     (382 )   40,386     10,782  

Income tax provision

    1,234     2,073     775     13,157     3,106  

Net income before noncontrolling interests

    3,214     4,866     (1,157 )   27,229     7,676  

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (26 )   429     (4,157 )   463     170  

Net income

  $ 3,240   $ 4,437   $ 3,000   $ 26,766   $ 7,506  

 

 
   
  December 31,  
 
  June 30,
2015
 
Balance Sheet Data (in thousands)
  2014   2013   2012  

Total assets

  $ 766,623   $ 754,694   $ 588,720   $ 589,715  

Long-term obligations

                 

Other liabilities and noncontrolling interest

    113,525     171,767     93,345     79,211  

Total liabilities and noncontrolling interest

    113,525     171,767     93,345     79,211  

Total equity

  $ 653,098   $ 582,927   $ 495,375   $ 510,504  

 

11


Table of Contents

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

        The following tables set forth our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 and our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as of June 30, 2015 (collectively, the "Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements"). The Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were derived from our historical combined condensed consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere within this information statement. Our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014 and our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2015 have been prepared as though the distribution occurred as of January 1, 2014.

        In connection with the distribution, GAMCO will transfer to ACG GAMCO's alternative investment management business, its institutional research services business and certain cash and other assets.

        Our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our historical combined condensed consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere within this information statement, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."

        Our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated financial data are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect what our financial position and results of operations would have been had the spin-off occurred on the date indicated and are not necessarily indicative of our future financial position and future results of operations.

        The unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated financial data constitute forward-looking information and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in this information statement.

 

12


Table of Contents


Associated Capital Group

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

(in thousands)

Income Statement Data
  Historical   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   
  Pro Forma  

Revenues

                       

Investment advisory and incentive fees

  $ 4,437   $       $ 4,437  

Distribution fees and other income

    1,035             1,035  

Institutional research services

    4,067             4,067  

Total revenues

    9,539             9,539  

Expenses:

                       

Compensation

    11,476             11,476  

Stock based compensation

    1,265             1,265  

Management fee

    496     503   (a)     999  

Other operating expenses

    3,650     688   (b)(c)     4,338  

Total expenses

    16,887     1,191         18,078  

Operating loss

    (7,348 )   (1,191 )       (8,539 )

Other income (expense)

                       

Net gain from investments

    10,705             10,705  

Interest and dividend income

    1,752     5,560   (d)(e)     7,312  

Interest expense

    (661 )   156   (c)     (505 )

Total other income, net

    11,796     5,716         17,512  

Income before income taxes

    4,448     4,525         8,973  

Income tax provision

    1,234     1,523   (f)     2,757  

Net income before noncontrolling interests

    3,214     3,002         6,216  

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (26 )           (26 )

Net income

  $ 3,240   $ 3,002       $ 6,242  

Net income attributable to ACG's shareholders per share:

                       

Basic

                  $ 0.25  

Diluted

                  $ 0.25  

Weighted average shares outstanding(g):

                       

Basic

                    25,098  

Diluted

                    25,386  

See Notes to the Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

13


Table of Contents


Associated Capital Group

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

(in thousands)

Income Statement Data
  Historical   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   
  Pro Forma  

Revenues

                       

Investment advisory and incentive fees

  $ 9,779   $       $ 9,779  

Distribution fees and other income

    2,090             2,090  

Institutional research services

    9,160             9,160  

Total revenues

    21,029             21,029  

Expenses:

                       

Compensation

    22,298             22,298  

Stock based compensation

    1,921             1,921  

Management fee

    (37 )   1,094   (a)     1,057  

Other operating expenses

    6,771     1,375   (b)(c)     8,146  

Total expenses

    30,953     2,469         33,422  

Operating loss

    (9,924 )   (2,469 )       (12,393 )

Other income (expense)

                       

Net gain from investments

    6,502             6,502  

Interest and dividend income

    4,416     12,000   (d)(e)     16,416  

Interest expense

    (1,376 )   312   (c)     (1,064 )

Total other income, net

    9,542     12,312         21,854  

Income before income taxes

    (382 )   9,843         9,461  

Income tax provision

    775     2,922   (f)     3,697  

Net income before noncontrolling interests

    (1,157 )   6,921         5,764  

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (4,157 )           (4,157 )

Net income

  $ 3,000   $ 6,921       $ 9,921  

Net income attributable to ACG's shareholders per share:

                       

Basic

                  $ 0.39  

Diluted

                  $ 0.39  

Weighted average shares outstanding(g):

                       

Basic

                    25,335  

Diluted

                    25,558  

See Notes to the Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

14


Table of Contents


Associated Capital Group

Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition

As of June 30, 2015

(in thousands)

 
  Historical   Pro Forma
Adjustments
   
  Pro Forma    

ASSETS

                         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 361,082   $ (60,531 ) (h)   $ 300,551    

Investments in securities

    106,579     150,000   (i)     256,579    

Investments in sponsored registered investment companies

    126,305             126,305    

Investments in partnerships

    108,947             108,947    

Receivable from brokers

    56,384             56,384    

Investment advisory fees receivable

    1,595             1,595    

Receivable from affiliates

    291     (178 ) (j)     113    

Goodwill

    3,254             3,254    

Other assets

    2,186             2,186    

Total assets

  $ 766,623   $ 89,291       $ 855,914    

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

   
 
   
 
 

 

   
 
 

 

Payable to brokers

 
$

48,885
 
$

     
$

48,885
   

Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities

    16,556     1,523   (f)     18,079    

Compensation payable

    6,077     503   (a)     6,580    

Securities sold, not yet purchased

    9,825             9,825    

Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests

    1,281             1,281    

Payable to affiliates

    23,190     (23,190 ) (j)        

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    1,768     532   (b)     2,300    

Total liabilities

    107,582     (20,632 )       86,950    

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

   
5,943
   
       
5,943
   

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value

   
   
7
 

(l)

   
7
   

Class B common stock, $0.001 par value

        19   (l)     19    

Additional paid-in-capital

    643,726     359,897   (i)(k)(l)(m)(n)     1,003,623    

Accumulated comprehensive income

    9,372             9,372    

Note receivable from GAMCO

        (250,000 ) (k)     (250,000 )  

Total equity

    653,098     109,923   (o)     763,021   (A)

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 766,623   $ 89,291       $ 855,914    

(A)
In addition to total equity, management believes the analysis of adjusted book value ("ABV") and ABV per share, both non-GAAP financial measures, are useful in analyzing the Company's financial condition during the period in which it builds its core operating business. For GAAP purposes, the amount of the GAMCO Note, which will be issued to ACG as part of the spin-off transaction, is treated as a reduction in equity for the period all or a portion of it is outstanding. The GAMCO Note is expected to be paid down ratably over five years or sooner at GAMCO's option. As GAMCO pays down the GAMCO Note, ACG's total equity will increase, and once the GAMCO Note is fully paid off by GAMCO, ACG's total equity and ABV will be the same. ABV and ABV per share represent book value and book value per share, respectively, without reducing equity for the period all or any portion of the GAMCO Note is outstanding, which results in non-GAAP pro forma ABV and ABV per share of $1,013,021 and $39.38, respectively, as of June 30, 2015. The calculations of ABV and ABV per share at June 30, 2015 are shown below:

         Reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP

 
  Total   Per Share  

Total equity

  $ 763,021   $ 29.66  

Add: note receivable from GAMCO

    250,000     9.72  

Adjusted book value

  $ 1,013,021   $ 39.38  

See Notes to the Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

15


Table of Contents


Notes to the Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(a)
Reflects 10% management fee based on pre-tax income excluding this fee. See Note B. Significant Accounting Policies— Management Fee on page F-20 of the attached combined consolidated financial statements.

(b)
Reflects adjustments to other operating expenses totaling $532,000 and $1,063,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and for 2014, respectively, relating to the expected additional costs based upon GAMCO's historical experience of being a separate public company and include board of director expenses, transfer agent fees, stock exchange listing fees and increased legal and audit fees. These expenses are in addition to the expenses ACG expects to incur under the Transitional Services Agreement, which are included in our historical combined consolidated financial statements.

(c)
Reflects the change in character of allocated rent of $156,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and $312,000 for 2014 formerly paid by ACG from a capital lease arrangement to an operating sub-lease arrangement with ACG.

(d)
Reflects interest income on the $250 million GAMCO Note that will be issued to ACG in connection with the spin-off. The GAMCO Note pays interest at 4%, which is payable in cash or PIK, and will be paid off ratably over five years, or sooner at GAMCO's option. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and for 2014, interest income from the GAMCO Note was $5.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively.

(e)
Reflects the dividend income on the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares expected to be sold to GSI prior to the spin-off using the actual dividends per share that were paid by GAMCO through June 30, 2015 and in 2014. GAMCO has paid quarterly dividends of $0.07 per share for the first two quarters of 2015. In 2014, GAMCO paid quarterly dividends of $0.06 per share during the first three quarters and $0.07 per share in the fourth quarter. In addition GAMCO paid a special dividend of $0.25 per share in the fourth quarter of 2014. For the first two quarters of 2015 and for 2014, dividends on the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares would have totaled $560,000 and $2.0 million, respectively, assuming $150 million of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares are sold to GSI. To the extent the price at which the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares are sold to GSI would cause the number of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to be issued to GSI to exceed the NYSE 19.99% Limit, the dollar amount of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to be sold to GSI and the amount of the GSI Note will each be reduced so that the number of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares issued does not exceed the NYSE 19.99% Limit.

(f)
Reflects tax adjustments using the applicable statutory tax rate in the jurisdiction the adjustment related to. The effective tax rate of ACG could be significantly different (either higher or lower) depending on the post-spin-off activities. A reconciliation of the effective tax rate for the pro forma adjustments to the federal statutory tax rate is shown below:

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2015
  2014  

Federal statutory tax rate

    35.0 %   35.0 %

State & Local, net of Federal benefit

    1.2 %   0.1 %

Dividends received deductions

    (3.0 )%   (5.0 )%

Other

    0.5 %   (0.4 )%

Total effective tax rate

    33.7 %   29.7 %

 

16


Table of Contents

(g)
As we expect to distribute one share of ACG common stock for each GAMCO common stock, the weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding are based on GAMCO's actual weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the full year 2014.

(h)
The reduction in cash and cash equivalents of $60,531 consists of the following:

Cash used to pay down payable to affiliates(j)

  $ (23,190 )

Cash received from receivable from affiliates(j)

    178  

Interest and dividend income for YTD June 2015(d)(e)

    5,560  

Net income from 2014

    6,921  

Net transfer to GAMCO(n)

    (50,000 )

Change in cash and cash equivalents

  $ (60,531 )
(i)
Reflects the ownership of $150 million of GAMCO Class A Stock. These shares currently are held in GAMCO's treasury and are expected to be sold to GSI prior to the spin-off in exchange for the GSI Note. The GSI Note will then be contributed to ACG as part of the spin-off. However, to the extent the price at which the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares are sold to GSI would cause the number of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to be issued to GSI to exceed the NYSE 19.99% Limit, the dollar amount of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to be sold to GSI and the amount of the GSI Note will each be reduced so that the number of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares issued does not exceed the NYSE 19.99% Limit. In addition, the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares will be treated as available for sale securities at ACG for accounting purposes. The actual value of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares and the GSI Note may vary materially from the illustrative valuation provided in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Balance Sheet due to the difference in the number of shares of GAMCO Class A Stock outstanding before and after the sale of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares and the difference in GAMCO's capital structure before and after the sale of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares. We cannot predict what the market value of the GAMCO Class A Stock will be at the time of the spin-off or thereafter. Refer to "Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Spin-Off— Your ownership in GAMCO will be diluted as a result of the sale of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to ACG " and "Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Spin-Off— Our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated financial data included in this information statement are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect what our financial position and results of operations would have been had the spin-off occurred on the date indicated in the pro forma data and are not necessarily indicative of our future financial position and future results of operations ."

(j)
Reflects the settlement of intercompany balances between ACG and GBL prior to the spin-off. At June 30, 2015, ACG owed certain GAMCO entities $23,190, including the $16 million demand loan with GAMCO, and was owed by certain GAMCO entities $178. It is assumed that these payables and receivables will be settled concurrently with the spin-off, resulting in a net payment by ACG to GAMCO of $23,012.

(k)
Reflects the issuance of the GAMCO Note in connection with the spin-off. For GAAP purposes, the GAMCO Note receivable is presented as contra-equity.

(l)
Reflects 25,725,291 shares of ACG common stock at a par value of $0.001 per share. The number of shares is based on the number of GAMCO shares outstanding on June 30, 2015 and an expected distribution ratio of (i) one share of ACG Class A Stock for each share of GAMCO Class A Stock and (ii) one share of ACG Class B Stock for each share of GAMCO Class B Stock held on the record date.

(m)
Reflects the pro forma net income from 2014 of $6,921 and YTD June 2015 of $3,002.

 

17


Table of Contents

(n)
Net transfer to GAMCO of $50.0 million represents the amount of cash required by GAMCO to satisfy certain liabilities at June 30, 2015.

(o)
Reflects reconciliation of the equity contribution as follows:

Pro forma value of GSI Note(i)

  $ 150,000  

Pro forma net income—2014 and YTD June 2015(m)

    9,923  

Note receivable from GAMCO(d)

    250,000  

Net transfer to GAMCO(n)

    (50,000 )

Non-GAAP equity

  $ 359,923  

Less: GAAP presentation of GAMCO note as contra-equity(k)

    (250,000 )

Total equity

  $ 109,923  

 

18


Table of Contents


RISK FACTORS

         You should carefully consider the risks described below and all of the other information in this information statement in evaluating ACG. Any of the following risks, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

         See also "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."


Risks Related to the Spin-Off

We may not achieve the benefits expected from our spin-off from GAMCO and may be more susceptible to adverse events.

        We expect that, as a company independent from GAMCO, we will be able to grow organically and through acquisitions. Nonetheless, we may not be able to achieve any of these benefits. Furthermore, by separating from GAMCO, there is a risk that we may be more susceptible to adverse events than we would have otherwise experienced as a subsidiary of GAMCO. As a subsidiary of GAMCO, we enjoyed certain benefits, including economies of scope and scale in costs, employees and business relationships. These benefits may not be as readily achievable as a smaller, stand-alone company.

After the separation, certain of our directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions or relationships with GAMCO.

        After the separation, Mario J. Gabelli will serve as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and will also continue to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO. Our President, Marc Gabelli, is a son of Mario J. Gabelli and also serves on the GAMCO Board. Marc Gabelli will continue to have responsibilities relating to GAMCO after the distribution date, including continuing to serve on the GAMCO Board and participating on GAMCO's portfolio management team. Kieran Caterina, GAMCO's Finance Director and Co-Chief Accounting Officer, will also serve as our Chief Financial Officer. In addition, some of our portfolio managers and employees will initially be provided pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement with GAMCO and will be officers or employees of GAMCO. Such dual assignments could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when our and GAMCO's officers and directors face decisions that could have different implications for the two companies. ACG has renounced its rights to certain business opportunities, and our certificate of incorporation will provide that no director or officer of ACG will breach their fiduciary duty and therefore be liable to ACG or its stockholders by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to another person or entity (including GAMCO) instead of ACG, or does not refer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to ACG, unless (x) such opportunity was expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of ACG or as a director or officer of any of our subsidiaries, and (y) such opportunity relates to a line of business in which ACG or any of its subsidiaries is then directly engaged; provided, however , if the conditions specified in the immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) are satisfied, any officer or director of ACG may pursue such corporate opportunity (or direct it to another person or entity) if either (i) ACG renounces its interest in the potential business opportunity in writing or (ii) ACG does not within a reasonable period of time, begin to pursue, or thereafter continue to pursue, such corporate opportunity diligently and in good faith.

        Also, some of our directors, executive officers, portfolio managers and teammates own shares of GAMCO common stock and GAMCO restricted stock awards ("RSAs") or other GAMCO equity awards. At the time of the spin-off, these equity awards will be supplemented by the awarding of ACG equity awards. Specifically, outstanding RSAs relating to GAMCO will remain unchanged, with each RSA holder also receiving an equal number of RSAs relating to ACG. The terms of the new ACG RSAs will remain substantially the same as the terms of the pre-spin-off GAMCO RSAs. The ownership of these RSAs may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest.

        Mario J. Gabelli is deemed to control GSI by his control of GAMCO Investors, Inc. through GGCP Holdings, LLC ("Holdings"), an intermediate subsidiary of GGCP, Inc. ("GGCP"), a private

19


Table of Contents

company controlled by Mario J. Gabelli. It is anticipated that after the distribution, Mario J. Gabelli will control ACG and will continue to control GSI through his ownership and control of Holdings. Marc Gabelli is President of GGCP.

        In addition, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between GAMCO and ACG regarding the terms of the agreements governing the separation and the relationship thereafter between the companies. The executive officers and other personnel of GAMCO who serve as directors or executive management of ACG may interpret these agreements in their capacity as GAMCO employees in a manner that would adversely affect the business of ACG.

        Also, certain subsidiaries of GAMCO and GSI, which will be ACG's 93.9% owned subsidiary after the spin-off, are investment advisers. The executive officers and other personnel of GAMCO who also serve as directors or executive management of ACG may be confronted with the possibility of making decisions in their GAMCO capacity that would adversely affect the business of ACG.

        Both ACG and GAMCO expect to be vigilant in attempting to identify and resolve any potential conflicts of interest, including but not limited to the types described above, at the earliest possible time. However, there can be no guarantee that the interests of ACG may not be adversely affected at some point by such a conflict.

The separation from GAMCO may adversely affect the level of our AUM.

        Our revenues are dependent on the amount of our AUM as well as the performance of our products. Many investors may have invested money in alternative investment products (the "Alternative Investments") in part because GSI was a subsidiary of GAMCO. There can be no assurance that we will be able to attract investors to the Alternative Investments at the same rate as in prior years. In addition, we can make no assurance that current investors will not redeem their investments from the Alternative Investments as a result of our changed relationship with GAMCO. The occurrence of either of these events could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Concerns about our prospects as a stand-alone company could affect our ability to attract and retain employees or individuals whom we are attempting to recruit as employees.

        Our employees or individuals whom we are attempting to recruit as employees may have concerns about our prospects as a stand-alone company, including our ability to maintain our independence and our inability to continue our current reliance on GAMCO's resources after the spin-off. If we are not successful in assuring our employees or individuals whom we are attempting to recruit as employees of our prospects as an independent company, our employees or recruits may seek or accept other employment, which could adversely affect our business and our results of operations.

We may have been able to receive better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms provided in our agreements with GAMCO.

        The agreements related to our separation from GAMCO, including, but not limited to, the Separation Agreement, the Transitional Services Agreement and the Service Mark and Name License Agreement, were negotiated in the context of our separation from GAMCO while ACG was still majority-owned by GAMCO. Accordingly, they may not reflect terms that would have been reached between unaffiliated parties. The terms of the agreements we negotiated in the context of our separation related to, among other things, indemnities and other obligations between GAMCO and us. Had these agreements been negotiated with unaffiliated third parties, they might have been more favorable to us. For more information, see "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Spin-Off."

20


Table of Contents

In connection with the spin-off, GAMCO will indemnify us for certain liabilities. There can be no assurance that the indemnity will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that GAMCO's ability to satisfy its indemnification obligations will not be impaired in the future.

        Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, GAMCO will agree to indemnify us from certain liabilities, as discussed further in the section entitled "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Spin-Off." Third parties could seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that GAMCO has agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that the indemnity from GAMCO will be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities or that GAMCO will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from GAMCO any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear those losses until such recovery. Each of these risks could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

At this time, there has been no authoritative determination as to whether the distribution will qualify for tax-free treatment for GAMCO, ACG or GAMCO stockholders under U.S. tax laws. It could be determined in the future that the distribution should have been considered a taxable event with respect to U.S. federal income tax purposes for ACG, GAMCO or GAMCO stockholders.

        As noted above, the distribution is conditioned on the receipt by GAMCO of certain opinions from its tax advisors substantially to the effect that the distribution will be tax-free to GAMCO and its stockholders under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. However, neither GAMCO nor ACG has applied for a private letter ruling from the IRS with respect to the tax consequences of the distribution. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS or another taxing authority will not assert that the distribution is taxable to GAMCO, ACG or GAMCO stockholders. If that were to happen, among other things, each GAMCO stockholder who receives shares of ACG common stock in the spin-off may be treated as receiving a taxable distribution and GAMCO would realize taxable income to the extent the distribution consists of appreciated property distributed by GAMCO.

        For more information, see "The Spin-Off—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off." Tax matters are very complex and the tax consequences of the spin-off to any particular GAMCO stockholder will depend on that stockholder's particular situation. GAMCO stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the specific tax consequences of the spin-off to them.

The aggregate post-distribution value of the ACG Class A Stock and the GAMCO Class A Stock may not equal or exceed the pre-spin-off value of the GAMCO Class A Stock.

        After the spin-off, the GAMCO Class A Stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "GBL." The ACG Class A Stock is expected to be listed on the NYSE under the symbol "AC." We cannot assure you that the combined value of the GAMCO Class A Stock and the ACG Class A Stock after the spin-off, as adjusted for any changes in the combined capitalization of these companies, will be equal to or greater than the value of GAMCO Class A Stock prior to the spin-off. Until the market has fully evaluated the business of GAMCO without the business of ACG, the value of GAMCO may fluctuate significantly. Similarly, until the market has fully evaluated the business of ACG, the value of ACG may fluctuate significantly.

Our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated financial data included in this information statement are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect what our financial position and results of operations would have been had the spin-off occurred on the date indicated in the pro forma data and are not necessarily indicative of our future financial position and future results of operations.

        Our unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated financial data included in this information statement are for illustrative purposes and may not reflect the value of ACG after the spin-off. A significant portion of ACG's assets after the spin-off will consist of investment securities, including the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares, the value of which may fluctuate significantly over time. Subject to the NYSE 19.99% Limit, GSI expects to purchase $150 million of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares in exchange for the GSI Note prior to the spin-off, and GAMCO will contribute the

21


Table of Contents

GSI Note to us as part of the spin-off. The share price at which the GAMCO Class A Stock trades in the market subsequent to GSI's purchase of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares may vary materially from the price paid for the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares by GSI, which will result in the total value of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares differing materially from the illustrative $150 million valuation provided in the unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated financial data included in this information statement. This variance may be due to, among other things, the difference in the number of shares of GAMCO Class A Stock outstanding before and after the sale by GAMCO of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares, the difference in GAMCO's capital structure before and after such sale and fluctuations in GAMCO's operating results. In addition, due to the NYSE 19.99% Limit, GSI may purchase less than $150 million of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares.

        The unaudited pro forma financial statements included in this information statement were prepared based on prospective ownership of less than 20% of GAMCO's fully diluted shares outstanding as described in footnote (i) to the Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements on page 17 of this information statement. Therefore, changes in fair value of this investment are accounted for under the available for sale U.S. GAAP treatment with fair value movements of the investment being reflected in equity but not impacting the unaudited pro forma combined condensed consolidated statement of income. Subsequent to the spin-off, GAMCO, at its sole discretion, may issue or repurchase its shares of GAMCO Class A Stock, which may result in our ownership percentage of GAMCO decreasing or increasing. Should we reach or surpass a 20% ownership threshold, even if caused by actions beyond our control, we would then be required by U.S. GAAP to account for our ownership of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares using the equity method. Alternatively, and also according to U.S. GAAP, contemporaneously with any future date on which equity method accounting is required, we may elect to carry the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares at fair value (the "fair value option"). To the extent we elect to use the equity method, the value attributed to the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares in our future financial statements may be lower than the future fair market value of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares and lower than the value reflected in the Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this information statement. To the extent we elect to use either the equity method or the fair value option, other income and net income would be impacted in our future financial statements and may be higher or lower than that reflected in the Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

        Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on the Associated Capital Group Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this information statement.

Your ownership in GAMCO will be diluted as a result of the sale of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to ACG

        As noted above, in order to capitalize ACG, GAMCO will sell to GSI, our 93.9% owned subsidiary, up to $150 million of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares in Exchange for the GSI Note, which will be contributed to ACG prior to the spin-off. As a result, you will experience significant dilution in your ownership of GAMCO common stock, and this dilution will be more significant the lower the market price is for the GAMCO Class A Stock at the time of the sale of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares.


Risks Related to Our Industry

Changes in laws or regulations or in governmental policies and compliance with existing laws or regulations could limit the sources and amounts of our revenues, increase our costs of doing business, decrease our profitability and materially and adversely affect our business.

        Our business is subject to extensive regulation in the United States, primarily at the federal level, including regulation by the SEC under the Advisers Act as well as other securities laws, by the Department of Labor under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended

22


Table of Contents

("ERISA"), and regulation by FINRA and state regulators. The Advisers Act imposes numerous obligations on investment advisors, including record-keeping, advertising and operating requirements, fiduciary and disclosure obligations, custodial requirements and prohibitions on fraudulent activities. In addition, our businesses are also subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") in the United Kingdom, and we are also subject to the laws of other non-U.S. jurisdictions and non-U.S. regulatory agencies or bodies.

        Our failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations could result in fines, censure, suspensions of personnel or other sanctions, including revocation of our subsidiaries' registrations as an investment advisor or broker-dealer. Industry regulations are designed to protect our clients and investors in our funds and other third parties who deal with us and to ensure the integrity of the financial markets. Our industry is frequently altered by new laws or regulations and by revisions to, and evolving interpretations of, existing laws and regulations, both in the United States and in other nations. Changes in laws or regulations or in governmental policies could limit the sources and amounts of our revenues, increase our costs of doing business, decrease our profitability and materially and adversely affect our business.

We are subject to extensive and pervasive regulation around the world.

        Our business is subject to extensive regulation around the world. These regulations subject our business activities to a pervasive array of increasingly detailed operational requirements, compliance with which is costly, time-consuming and complex. We may be adversely affected by our failure to comply with current laws and regulations or by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and regulations. Challenges associated with interpreting regulations issued in numerous countries in a globally consistent manner may add to such risks if regulators in different jurisdictions have inconsistent views or provide only limited regulatory guidance. In particular, violation of applicable laws or regulations could result in fines, temporary or permanent prohibition of certain activities, reputational harm and related client terminations, suspensions of employees or revocation of their licenses, suspension or termination of investment adviser, broker-dealer or other registrations or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation or business and may cause our AUM, revenue and earnings to decline. For a more extensive discussion of the laws, regulations and regulators to which ACG is subject, see "Business—Regulation."

New tax legislation or changes in U.S. and foreign tax laws and regulations or challenges to ACG's historical taxation practices may adversely affect ACG's effective tax rate, business and overall financial condition.

        Our businesses may be affected by new tax legislation or regulations, or the modification of existing tax laws and regulations, by U.S. or non-U.S. authorities. In particular, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act ("FATCA") has introduced expansive new investor onboarding, withholding and reporting rules aimed at ensuring U.S. persons with financial assets outside of the United States pay appropriate taxes. The FATCA rules will impact both U.S. and non-U.S. funds and subject ACG to extensive additional administrative burdens. Certain of our FATCA compliance is done by third parties, and we cannot be certain that they will always comply with applicable FATCA rules. Similarly, there has been renewed momentum by several European Union ("EU") Member States to introduce national financial transaction taxes ("FTTs"), which would impose taxation on a broad range of financial instrument and derivatives transactions. If introduced as proposed, FTTs could have an adverse effect on ACG's financial results and on clients' performance results. In addition, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development recently launched a base erosion and profit shifting proposal ("BEPS") that aims to rationalize tax treatment across jurisdictions. If the BEPS proposal becomes the subject of legislative action in the format proposed, it could have unintended taxation consequences for collective investment vehicles and our tax position, which could adversely affect our financial condition.

        We also manage significant assets in products and accounts that have specific tax and after-tax related objectives, which could be adversely impacted by changes in tax policy. Additionally, any new legislation, modification or interpretation of tax laws could impact ACG's corporate tax position. The application of complex tax regulations involves numerous uncertainties and in the normal course of

23


Table of Contents

business, U.S. and non-U.S. tax authorities may review and challenge ACG's historical tax positions. These challenges may result in adjustments to ACG's tax position, or impact the timing or amount of, taxable income, deductions or other tax allocations, which may adversely affect ACG's effective tax rate and overall financial condition.

To the extent we are forced to compete on the basis of price, we may not be able to maintain our current fee structure.

        The investment management business is highly competitive and has relatively low barriers to entry. To the extent we are forced to compete on the basis of price, we may not be able to maintain our current fee structure. Although our investment management fees vary from product to product, historically we have competed primarily on the performance of our products and not on the level of our investment management fees relative to those of our competitors. In recent years, however, there has been a trend toward lower fees in the investment management industry. In order to maintain our fee structure in a competitive environment, we must be able to continue to provide clients with investment returns and service that make investors willing to pay our fees. We cannot be assured that we will succeed in providing investment returns and service that will allow us to maintain our current fee structure. Fee reductions on existing or new business could have an adverse effect on our profit margins and results of operations.

Catastrophic and unpredictable events could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        A terrorist attack, political unrest, war (whether or not directly involving the United States), power failure, cyber-attack, technology failure, natural disaster or many other possible catastrophic or unpredictable events could adversely affect our future revenues, expenses and earnings by, among other things: causing disruptions in United States, regional or global economic conditions; interrupting our normal business operations; inflicting employee casualties, including loss of our key executives; requiring substantial expenditures and expenses to repair, replace and restore normal business operations; and reducing investor confidence.

        Pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement with GAMCO, we have a disaster recovery plan to address certain contingencies, but it cannot be assured that this plan will be effective or sufficient in responding to, eliminating or ameliorating the effects of all disaster scenarios. If our employees or vendors we rely upon for support in a catastrophic event are unable to respond adequately or in a timely manner, we may lose clients resulting in a decrease in AUM which may have a material adverse effect on revenues and net income.

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect our business.

        Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We and the investments we manage may have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including: brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, clearing organizations, mutual and hedge funds and other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us and the accounts we manage to credit risk in the event of the counterparty's default. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely impact ACG's revenues and earnings.


Risks Related to Our Business

Control by Mario J. Gabelli of a majority of the combined voting power of ACG common stock may give rise to conflicts of interests.

        Mario J. Gabelli, through his control and majority ownership of GGCP and his individual ownership of ACG common stock, will beneficially own a majority of our outstanding ACG Class B Stock, representing approximately 94.7% voting control. As long as Mario J. Gabelli indirectly beneficially owns a majority of the combined voting power of ACG common stock, he will have the ability to elect all of the members of our Board and thereby control our management and affairs, including determinations with respect to acquisitions, dispositions, borrowings, issuances of common

24


Table of Contents

stock or other securities, and the declaration and payment of dividends on the ACG common stock. In addition, Mario J. Gabelli will be able to determine the outcome of all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders for approval and will be able to cause or prevent a change in control of ACG. As a result of Mario J. Gabelli's control, none of our agreements with Mario J. Gabelli and other companies controlled by him can be assumed to have been arrived at through "arm's-length" negotiations, although the parties endeavor to implement market-based terms. There can be no assurance that we would not have received more favorable terms, or offered less favorable terms to, an unaffiliated party.

        In addition, Mario J. Gabelli, through his control and majority ownership of GGCP, controls GAMCO, and he could take actions that favor GAMCO over ACG.

        Please see "Description of Capital Stock—Corporate Opportunity and Conflict of Interest Policies" for information relating to provisions in our certificate of incorporation that address conflicts of interest that may arise and that limit the liability of Mario J. Gabelli, certain of his affiliates and immediate family members, including Marc Gabelli, as well as our other directors and officers for certain transactions that may involve conflicts of interest.

We may compete with GAMCO for clients and investment opportunities.

        Although our business is expected to focus primarily on alternative investment management and institutional services, while GAMCO is expected to focus primarily on its mutual fund and institutional and private wealth management businesses, situations may arise where we find ourselves directly competing with GAMCO for investment clients and opportunities. For example, it is possible that a potential investor might consider investing in ACG and GAMCO investment products and that such potential investor will have to choose between our investment products and those offered by GAMCO. In addition, ACG and GAMCO could pursue the same investment opportunities in the future.

Investors in our products have the right to redeem their investments in our products on a regular basis and could redeem a significant amount of AUM during any given quarterly period, which would result in significantly decreased revenues.

        Subject to any specific redemption provisions applicable to a product, investors may generally redeem their investments in our products on an annual or quarterly basis following the expiration of a specified period of time. In a declining market, the pace of redemptions and consequent reduction in our AUM potentially could accelerate. Furthermore, investors in our products may also invest in products managed by other alternative asset managers that have restricted or suspended redemptions or may in the future do so. Such investors may redeem capital from our products, even if our performance is superior to such other alternative asset managers' performance, if they are restricted or prevented from redeeming capital from those other managers.

        The decrease in revenues that would result from significant redemptions in our products could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and business. In 2009, due to factors related to the financial crisis, investors redeemed approximately $62 million invested in ACG's products which represented approximately 20% of ACG's AUM at that time. If economic and market conditions remain uncertain or worsen, we may once again experience significant redemptions.

Our business and financial condition may be materially adversely impacted by the highly variable nature of our revenues, results of operations and cash flows. In a typical year, a substantial portion of our incentive allocation income is determined and recorded in the fourth quarter of each year, which means that our interim results are not expected to be indicative of our results for a full year.

        Our revenues are influenced by the combination of the amount of AUM and the investment performance of our products. Asset flows, whether inflows or outflows, can be highly variable from month to month and quarter to quarter. Furthermore, our products' investment performance, which affects the amount of AUM, can be volatile due to, among other things, general market and economic conditions. Accordingly, our revenues, results of operations and cash flows may be highly variable. This variability is exacerbated during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, primarily due to the fact that a

25


Table of Contents

substantial portion of our revenues historically has been, and we expect will continue to be, derived from incentive allocation income from our products. Incentive allocation income is contingent on the investment performance of the products as of the relevant measurement period, which generally is as of the end of each calendar year. We may also experience fluctuations in our results from quarter to quarter due to a number of other factors, including changes in management fees resulting from changes in the values of our products' investments, other changes in the amount of AUM, changes in our operating expenses, unexpected business developments and initiatives and, as discussed above, general economic and market conditions. Such variability and unpredictability may lead to volatility or declines in the price of the ACG Class A Stock, once it starts trading, and cause our results for a particular period not to be indicative of our performance in a future period or meaningful as a basis of comparison against results for a prior period.

        The amount of incentive allocation income that may be generated by our products is uncertain until it is determined and realized at a particular point in time. We generally do not record incentive allocation income in our interim financial statements other than incentive allocation income earned as a result of investor redemptions during the period. As a result of these and other factors, our interim results may not be indicative of historical performance or the results that may be expected for a full year.

        In addition, a substantial portion of our products' AUM have "high-water marks." This means that if an investor experiences losses in a given year, we will not be able to earn incentive allocation income with respect to such investor's investment unless and until our investment performance surpasses the high-water mark. The incentive allocation income we earn is therefore dependent on the net asset value of each investor's investment in our products. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 3% of our AUM was subject to a high-water mark. During 2014, 2013 and 2012 there were prior year loss carryforwards that needed to be earned for our clients before we could charge an incentive allocation that resulted in lost incentive allocation income of approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. We can make no assurances that our investors will not experience losses in future years and, as a result, we may not earn incentive allocation income in those or subsequent years until such losses are earned back.

A decline in the prices of securities generally could lead to a decline in our AUM, revenues and earnings.

        Substantially all of our revenues are directly related to both the amount of our AUM and the performance of our investment products. Under our investment advisory contracts, the investment advisory fees we receive are typically based on the market value of AUM. Accordingly, a decline in the prices of securities generally may cause our revenues and net income to decline by either causing the value of our AUM to decrease, which would result in lower investment advisory fees, or causing our clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments they perceive to offer greater opportunity or lower risk, which would also result in lower fees. The securities markets are highly volatile, and securities prices may increase or decrease for many reasons beyond our control, including but not limited to economic and political events, war (whether or not directly involving the United States), acts of terrorism, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, inflation rates, the yield curve, defaults by derivative counterparties, bond default risks, the sovereign debt crisis in Europe and other factors that are difficult or impossible to predict or even to identify. If a decline in securities prices caused our revenues to decline, it could have a material adverse effect on our earnings.

The loss of the services of Mario J. Gabelli and other key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        We are dependent on the efforts of Mario J. Gabelli, our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In this regard, it is expected that Mario J. Gabelli will resign as our Chief Executive Officer approximately one year after the date of the spin-off. However, it is expected that he will remain our Executive Chairman after he resigns as Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the services of Mario J. Gabelli could have a material adverse effect on our business, and we cannot provide assurance that we

26


Table of Contents

will be able to find a suitable replacement as Chief Executive Officer if Mario J. Gabelli resigns in a year as expected.

        Our future success depends to a substantial degree on our ability to retain and attract other qualified personnel to conduct our investment management business. The market for qualified portfolio managers is extremely competitive and has grown more so in recent periods as the investment management industry has experienced growth. We anticipate that it will be necessary for us to add portfolio managers and investment analysts as we further diversify our investment products and strategies. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in our efforts to recruit and retain the required personnel. In addition, our investment professionals and senior marketing personnel have direct contact with our clients, which can lead to strong client relationships. The loss of these personnel could jeopardize our relationships with certain clients, and result in the loss of such accounts. The loss of key management professionals or the inability to recruit and retain sufficient portfolio managers and marketing personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We have experienced and may again experience periods of rapid growth and significant declines in AUM, which place significant demands on our legal, compliance, accounting, risk management, administrative and operational resources.

        Our AUM grew from approximately $230 million as of December 31, 1999 to $814 million as of December 31, 2004. Between December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2008, our AUM had declined to $295 million due to investment losses and redemptions experienced by our funds over that period. As of June 30, 2015, our AUM had grown to approximately $1.1 billion.

        Rapid changes in our AUM impose significant demands on our legal, compliance, accounting, risk management, administrative and operational infrastructure. The complexity of these demands and the time and expense required to address them, is a function not simply of the amount by which our AUM have changed, but also of significant differences in the investing strategies employed within our funds and the time periods during which these changes occur. Furthermore, our future growth will depend on, among other things, our ability to develop and maintain highly reliable operating platforms, management systems and financial reporting and compliance infrastructures that are also sufficiently flexible to promptly and appropriately address our business needs, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and relevant market and other operating conditions, all of which can change rapidly.

There may be adverse effects on our business from a decline in the performance of the securities markets.

        Our results of operations are affected by many economic factors, including the performance of the securities markets. During the 1990s, unusually favorable and sustained performance of the U.S. securities markets, and the U.S. equity market in particular, attracted substantial inflows of new investments in these markets. That contributed to significant market appreciation which, in turn, led to an increase in our AUM and revenues. More recently, the securities markets in general have experienced significant volatility, and such volatility may continue or increase in the future. At June 30, 2015, our AUM are primarily invested in equity securities. Any decline in the securities markets, in general, and the equity markets, in particular, could reduce our AUM and consequently reduce our revenues. In addition, any such decline in the equity markets, failure of these markets to sustain their prior levels of growth, or continued short-term volatility in these markets could result in investors withdrawing from the equity markets or decreasing their rate of investment, either of which would be likely to adversely affect us. Also, from time to time, a relatively high proportion of the assets we manage may be concentrated in particular economic or industry sectors. A general decline in the performance of securities in those industry sectors could have an adverse effect on our AUM and revenues.

There is a possibility of losses associated with proprietary investment activities.

        Currently, we maintain large proprietary investment positions in securities. Market fluctuations and other factors may result in substantial losses in our proprietary accounts, which could have an adverse effect on our balance sheet, reduce our ability or willingness to make new investments or impair our credit ratings.

27


Table of Contents

Future investment performance could reduce revenues and other income.

        Success in the investment management business is dependent on investment performance as well as distribution and client servicing. Good performance generally stimulates sales of our investment products and tends to keep withdrawals and redemptions low, which generates higher management fees (which are based on the amount of AUM). Conversely, poor performance, both in absolute terms and/or relative to peers and industry benchmarks, tends to result in decreased sales, increased withdrawals and redemptions and in the loss of clients, with corresponding decreases in revenues to us. Failure of our investment products to perform well could, therefore, have a material adverse effect on us.

        In addition, when our investment products experience strong results relative to the market or other asset classes, clients' investments in our products may increase beyond their target levels, and we could, therefore, suffer withdrawals as our clients rebalance their investments to fit their asset allocation preferences.

There is a possibility of losses associated with underwriting, trading and market-making activities.

        Our underwriting and trading activities are primarily conducted through our subsidiary, G.research, primarily as agent. Such activities subject our capital to significant risks of loss. The risks of loss include those resulting from ownership of securities, extension of credit, leverage, liquidity, counterparty failure to meet commitments, client fraud, employee errors, misconduct and fraud (including unauthorized transactions by traders), failures in connection with the processing of securities transactions and litigation. We have procedures and internal controls to address such risks, but there can be no assurance that these procedures and controls will prevent losses from occurring.

The loss of institutional research services and underwriting revenues from GAMCO and its affiliates would have an adverse effect on our results of operations, and we can provide no assurance that these revenues will continue after the spin-off.

        Institutional research services revenues totaled $9.2 million, $8.9 million, and $11.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. G.research earned $4.7 million, $4.8 million and $4.8 million, or approximately 54%, 58% and 61%, of its commission revenue from transactions executed on behalf of funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC, and private wealth management clients advised by GAMCO. In addition, G.research earned $0.6 million, $0.8 million and $3.2 million in underwriting revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. All of these underwriting revenues related to funds affiliated with GAMCO. We can provide no assurance that these institutional research and underwriting revenues from GAMCO and its affiliates will continue after the spin-off, and the loss of these revenues would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We may have liability as a general partner or otherwise with respect to our Alternative Investments.

        We act as general partner for Investment Partnerships, including arbitrage, event-driven long/short, sector focused and merchant banking limited partnerships. As a general partner of these partnerships, we may be held liable for the partnerships' liabilities in excess of their ability to pay such liabilities. In addition, in certain circumstances, we may be liable as a control person for the acts of our Investment Partnerships. As of June 30, 2015, our AUM included approximately $937 million in Investment Partnerships. A substantial adverse judgment or other liability with respect to our Investment Partnerships could have a material adverse effect on us.

28


Table of Contents

Operational risks may disrupt our businesses, result in regulatory action against us or limit our growth.

        We face operational risk arising from errors made in the execution, confirmation or settlement of transactions or from transactions not being properly recorded, evaluated or accounted for. Our business is highly dependent on our ability to process, on a daily basis, transactions across markets in an efficient and accurate manner. Consequently, we rely heavily on our financial, accounting and other data processing systems. Despite the reliability of these systems and the training and skill of our teammates and third parties we rely on, it remains likely that errors may occasionally occur due to the extremely large number of transactions we process. In addition, if systems we use are unable to accommodate an increasing volume of transactions, our ability to expand our businesses could be constrained. If any of these systems do not operate properly or are disabled, we could suffer financial loss, a disruption of our businesses, liability to clients, regulatory intervention or reputational damage.

Failure to maintain adequate infrastructure could impede our productivity and growth. Additionally, failure to maintain effective information and cyber security policies, procedures and capabilities could disrupt operations and cause financial losses that could result in a decrease in our earnings or stock price.

        Our infrastructure, including information systems, hardware, software, networks and other technology, is vital to the competitiveness of our business. Our information systems and technology is currently provided by GAMCO pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement. The failure of GAMCO to maintain an adequate infrastructure commensurate with the size and scope of our business could impede our productivity and growth, which could cause our earnings or stock price to decline. GAMCO outsources a significant portion of our information systems operations to third parties, who are responsible for providing the management, maintenance and updating of such systems. Technology is subject to rapid change, and we cannot guarantee that our competitors may not implement more advanced technology platforms for their products than we do for ours. In addition, there can be no assurance that the cost of maintaining such outsourcing arrangements will not increase from its current level, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

        In addition, any inaccuracies, delays, system failures or security breaches in these and other systems could subject us to client dissatisfaction and losses. Our technology systems may be subject to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other malicious code or other events that could have a security impact. There can be no assurance that breach of our technology systems could result in material losses (such material losses including the loss of valuable information, liability for stolen assets or information, remediation costs to repair damage caused by the breach, additional security costs to mitigate against future incidents and litigation costs resulting from the incident) relating to such security breach of our technology systems.

        If a successful cyber attack or other security breach were to occur, our confidential or proprietary information, or the confidential or proprietary information of our clients or their counterparties, that is stored in, or transmitted through, such technology systems could be compromised or misappropriated. Moreover, loss of confidential customer identification information could harm our reputation and subject us to liability under laws that protect confidential personal data, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenues. Further, although we take precautions to password protect and encrypt our laptops and other mobile electronic hardware, there can be no assurance that these measures will always provide sufficient protection. If such hardware is stolen, misplaced or left unattended, it may become vulnerable to hacking or other unauthorized use, creating a possible security risk and resulting in potentially costly actions by us.

29


Table of Contents

The failure of one of our vendors to fulfill its obligations to us could have a material adverse effect on us and our clients.

        We and GAMCO depend on a number of key vendors for various fund administration, accounting, custody and transfer agent roles and other operational needs. Our or GAMCO's failure or inability to diversify sources for key services or the failure of any key vendors to fulfill their obligations could lead to operational issues for us and, with respect to certain products, could result in financial losses for us and our clients.

We face exposure to legal actions, including litigation and arbitration claims and regulatory and governmental examinations and/or investigations. Insurance coverage for these matters may be inadequate.

        The volume of litigation and arbitration claims against financial services firms and the amount of damages claimed has increased over the past several years. The types of claims that we may face are varied. For example, we may face claims against us for purchasing securities that are inconsistent with a client's investment objectives or guidelines or arising from an employment dispute. The risk of litigation is difficult to predict, assess or quantify, and may occur years after the activities or events at issue. In addition, from time to time we may become the subject of governmental or regulatory investigations and/or examinations. Even if we prevail in a legal or regulatory action, the costs alone of defending against the action or the harm to our reputation could have a material adverse effect on us. The insurance coverage that we maintain with respect to legal and regulatory actions may be inadequate or may not cover certain proceedings.

Compliance failures could adversely affect us.

        Our investment management activities are subject to client guidelines. A failure to comply with these guidelines could result in damage to our reputation or in our clients seeking to recover losses, withdrawing their investments or terminating their contracts, any of which could cause our revenues and earnings to decline. There can be no assurance that the precautions and procedures that we have instituted and installed or the insurance we maintain to protect ourselves in case of client losses will protect us from potential liabilities.

Our reputation is critical to our success.

        Our reputation is critical to acquiring, maintaining and developing relationships with our clients and third-party intermediaries. In recent years, there have been a number of well-publicized cases involving fraud, conflicts of interest or other misconduct by individuals in the financial services industry. Misconduct by our staff, or even unsubstantiated allegations, could result not only in direct financial harm but also in harm to our reputation, causing injury to the value of our brands and our ability to retain or attract AUM. In addition, in certain circumstances, misconduct on the part of our clients or other parties could damage our reputation. Moreover, reputational harm may cause us to lose current employees and we may be unable to attract new employees with similar qualification or skills. Damage to our reputation could substantially reduce our AUM and impair our ability to maintain or grow our business, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We face strong competition from numerous and sometimes larger companies.

        We compete with numerous investment management companies, stock brokerage and investment banking firms, insurance companies, banks, savings and loan associations and other financial institutions. The periodic establishment of new investment management companies and other competitors increases the competition that we face. At the same time, consolidation in the financial services industry has created stronger competitors with greater financial resources and broader distribution channels than our own. Competition is based on various factors, including, among others,

30


Table of Contents

business reputation, investment performance, product mix and offerings, service quality and innovation, distribution relationships and fees charged. Our competitive success in all of these areas cannot be assured. Additionally, competing securities dealers whom we rely upon to distribute our products also sell their own proprietary investment products, which could limit the distribution of our investment products. To the extent that existing or potential customers, including securities dealers, decide to invest in or distribute the products of our competitors, the sales of our products as well as our market share, revenues and net income could decline. Both GAMCO and ACG have asset management as their principal business and derive most of their revenues through that business and, as such, may compete with each other.

If third-party investors in our funds exercise their right to remove us as investment manager or general partner of our products, we would lose the AUM in such funds, which would eliminate our management fees and incentive allocation income derived from such products.

        The governing agreements of most of our investment partnerships and offshore funds provide that, subject to certain conditions, third-party investors in those funds have the right, without cause, to vote to remove us as investment manager or general partner of the investment partnerships or offshore fund by a simple majority vote, resulting in the elimination of the AUM by those products and the management fees and incentive allocation income derived from those products. In addition to having a significant negative impact on our revenues, results of operations and cash flows, the occurrence of such an event would likely result in significant reputational damage to us.

If we were deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

        We intend to rely on the exclusion from the definition of "investment company" provided by Rule 3a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act"). Under this rule, an issuer is not deemed to be an "investment company" if the issuer has a bona fide intent to be engaged primarily, as soon as is reasonably possible but in any event by the expiration of a one year time period, in a business other than that of an "investment company." As provided in Rule 3a-2, during the one year period, the issuer must undertake activities that are consistent with an objective to no longer be an "investment company" by the end of this period. In addition, the issuer's board of directors must adopt a resolution that commits the issuer to undertake activities in order to achieve this objective.

        As explained elsewhere in this information statement, we are a newly formed company that will serve as the holding company for GAMCO's alternative investment management and institutional research services businesses that we will receive in the spin-off. Because we will also receive cash and securities in the spin-off to fund our business strategy, we may be deemed to be an "investment company" on the distribution date because we might be deemed to own "investment securities" that exceed 40% of the value of our adjusted total assets on an unconsolidated basis. As we also explain elsewhere in this information statement, however, we intend to actively pursue our business strategy to grow our alternative investment management business and the related broker-dealer business after the spin-off.

        We intend to grow our business and expand our product offerings through organic growth and, possibly, acquisitions, alliances and lift-outs. The term "organic growth" in this context means growth by the development of alternative investment products, such as hedge funds and private equity funds that invest in particular alternative asset classes. ACG, through one of its affiliates, may take a general partner or managing member interest in such funds, which may involve the expenditure of a significant amount of capital. In addition, we may acquire other alternative investment managers, including, without limitation, hedge, private equity or real estate fund managers, or enter into joint ventures or

31


Table of Contents

other strategic alliances with other managers. We may also seek to build our alternative asset management business through lift-outs— i.e., by hiring a team of alternative asset portfolio managers.

        Although we will explore these various alternatives in the near term, whether and when we may achieve any of these objectives is difficult to predict because our success in doing so will depend on the confluence of a number of factors, such as whether a target company has the resources that we desire in a merger or strategic alliance, the synergy between ACG and any such target company, the state of the alternative investment management business generally, ACG's and the target's competencies at managing a potential collaboration, the overall economic and market conditions, etc . We expect to deploy our cash and securities to build our alternative asset management business by means of these methods. Our management team will evaluate all such alternatives and seek the best opportunities available to accomplish this goal, while seeking to maximize stockholder value.

        We recognize, however, that there is a risk we may not be able to deploy our assets rapidly enough in pursuit of our business strategy so that we would no longer be an "investment company" at the expiration of the one year period permitted by Rule 3a-2. If this were to occur and we could not satisfy the conditions of SEC staff no-action letters that permit a longer period in order to no longer be an investment company (and no other relief from regulation as an investment company were available), we would be required to register under the Investment Company Act. In such case, we would be subject to significant restrictions imposed on our operations by the Investment Company Act, including limitations on our capital structure and our ability to transact business with affiliates. These limitations could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and would have a material adverse effect on our business.


Risks Related to the ACG Common Stock

The disparity in the voting rights among the classes of shares may have a potential adverse effect on the price of the ACG Class A Stock.

        The holders of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock have identical rights except that (i) holders of ACG Class A Stock are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of ACG Class B Stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters to be voted on by stockholders in general, and (ii) holders of ACG Class A Stock are not eligible to vote on matters relating exclusively to ACG Class B Stock and vice versa. Upon completion of our spin-off, Mario J. Gabelli, through his control and majority ownership of GGCP and his individual ownership of ACG common stock, will beneficially own a majority of the outstanding ACG Class B Stock, representing approximately 94.7% voting control. As long as Mario J. Gabelli indirectly beneficially owns a majority of the combined voting power of the ACG common stock, he will have the ability to elect all of the members of our Board and thereby control our management and affairs, including, among other things, any determinations with respect to acquisitions, dispositions, borrowings, issuances of common stock or other securities, and the declaration and payment of dividends on the ACG common stock. The differential in voting rights and the ability of ACG to issue additional ACG Class B Stock could adversely affect the value of the ACG Class A Stock to the extent the investors, or any potential future purchaser of ACG, view the superior voting rights of the ACG Class B Stock to have value. While there is no current intention to issue additional ACG Class B Stock, there is no prohibition on ACG issuing additional shares of ACG Class B Stock in the future.

An active public trading market for the ACG Class A Stock may not develop.

        Prior to the time "when-issued" trading begins in the ACG Class A Stock (see "The Spin-Off—Trading Markets for the ACG Common Stock"), there will be no public market for the ACG Class A Stock. We expect that the NYSE will approve the listing of the ACG Class A Stock under the symbol "AC." However, a liquid public market for the ACG Class A Stock may not develop, especially because

32


Table of Contents

a large percentage of the ACG common stock will be held by a limited number of stockholders. If an active trading market for the ACG Class A Stock does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the ACG Class A Stock may be materially and adversely affected.

We cannot predict the prices at which the ACG Class A Stock may trade after the spin-off.

        The market price of the ACG Class A Stock may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:

        In particular, the realization of any of the risks described in these "Risk Factors" could have a significant and adverse impact on the market price of the ACG Class A Stock. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in our industry. The price of the ACG Class A Stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with us, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

We cannot predict how the investment community will value the GAMCO Note ($250 million) given the GAAP accounting treatment as a reduction to book value.

        For GAAP purposes, the amount of the GAMCO Note, which will be issued by GAMCO to ACG as part of the spin-off transaction, will be treated as a reduction in equity during the period all or any portion of the GAMCO Note is outstanding. Management utilizes adjusted book value ("ABV"), a non-GAAP measure, in its analysis of our financial condition. ABV includes the outstanding value of the GAMCO Note. Management believes ABV is useful in analyzing our financial condition during the period in which we build our core operating business. The GAMCO Note will be paid down ratably over five years or sooner at GAMCO's option. As GAMCO pays down the note, ACG's GAAP book value will increase, and once the GAMCO Note is fully paid off by GAMCO, ACG's GAAP book value and ABV will be the same. It is possible that the investment community will rely on the GAAP treatment of the GAMCO Note rather than on the non-GAAP ABV, which may have an adverse effect on the value of our stock.

Future sales of ACG Class A Stock in the public market or sales or distributions of ACG Class B Stock could lower our stock price, and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute our stockholders' ownership in us.

        We may sell additional shares of ACG Class A Stock in public or private offerings. We also may issue additional shares of ACG Class A Stock or convertible debt securities. In addition, sales by our current stockholders could be perceived negatively.

33


Table of Contents

        No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales or distributions of ACG Class B Stock owned by Holdings will have on the market price of the ACG Class A Stock from time to time. Sales or distributions of substantial amounts of ACG Class A Stock or ACG Class B Stock, or the perception that such sales or distributions are likely to occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price for the ACG Class A Stock.

The reduced disclosure requirements applicable to us as an "emerging growth company" and a "smaller reporting company" may make ACG common stock less attractive to investors.

        We are an "emerging growth company" as defined in the the JOBS Act, and we may avail ourselves of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements of public companies that are not "emerging growth companies," including, but not limited to, an exemption from complying with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (the "Sarbanes-Oxley Act") and, like smaller reporting companies, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirement of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We may remain an emerging growth company for up to five full fiscal years following the spin-off. We would cease to be an emerging growth company, and, therefore, become ineligible to rely on the above exemptions, if we (a) have more than $1 billion in annual revenue in a fiscal year, (b) issue more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period or (c) become a "large accelerated filer" as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur after: (i) we have filed at least one annual report; (ii) we have been an SEC-reporting company for at least 12 months; and (iii) the market value of ACG Class A Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. We cannot predict if investors will find ACG common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions.

        We also qualify as a "smaller reporting company" under the Exchange Act. As a smaller reporting company, we enjoy many of the same exemptions and reduced disclosure requirements as emerging growth companies, and those exemptions would continue to be available to us even after the emerging growth company status expires if we still are a smaller reporting company at such time.

        If some investors find ACG Class A Stock less attractive as a result of the exemptions available to us as an emerging growth company and a smaller reporting company, there may be a less active trading market for ACG Class A Stock (assuming a market develops) and our value may be more volatile than that of an otherwise comparable company that does not avail itself of the same or similar exemptions.

We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. Our failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in our failure to meet our reporting obligations and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which in turn could cause the trading price of the ACG Class A Stock to decline.

        Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and is important in helping to prevent financial fraud. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. After discussions with our independent registered public accounting firm, we concluded that we have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. This material weakness was specific to the controls around the transfer of financial information from GAMCO to ACG during its formation process and not in the design or operation of controls related to the normal course recognition, valuation or reporting of investment transactions. Realized gains related to a single investment were inadvertently included in ACG's combined consolidated statements of income when the investment itself was not one of the assets

34


Table of Contents

transferred to ACG from GAMCO as part of the spin-off. See Note B to our audited combined consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 for a description of the restatement resulting from this material weakness. To address this material weakness, we have enhanced our procedures to include a detailed review of the transactions relating to this one investment that will not be transferred as part of the spin-off to ensure that we are properly accounting for it. Any future weaknesses or deficiencies or any failure to implement required new or improved controls or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or result in material misstatements in our financial statements.

        We are not currently required to comply with the SEC's rules implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and are therefore not required to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. Upon becoming a public company, we will be required to comply with the SEC's rules implementing Sections 302 and 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which will require our management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports and provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. While we will be required to disclose material changes made to our internal control over financial reporting on a quarterly basis, we will not be required to make our first annual assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC. To comply with the requirements of being a public company, we may need to implement additional internal controls and reporting systems. Pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement, we will rely on GAMCO, an entity that is subject to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, for some of our internal control systems.

        Furthermore, while we expect to be required to comply with Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2016, we are not required to have our independent registered public accounting firm attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until our first annual report subsequent to our ceasing to be an "emerging growth company." Once it is required to do so, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed.

        Our failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in our failure to meet our reporting obligations and cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which in turn could cause the trading price of the ACG Class A Stock to decline. Failure to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting could potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC, FINRA or other regulatory authorities, as well as increasing the risk of liability arising from litigation based on securities law.

        For additional information, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Internal Controls and Procedures."

Upon the listing of shares of the ACG Class A Stock on the NYSE, we will be a "controlled company" within the meaning of NYSE rules and, as a result, will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.

        After completion of the spin-off, Mario J. Gabelli and his affiliates will control a majority of the voting power of the ACG common stock. As a result, we will be a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the NYSE. Under these rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power in the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company is a "controlled company" and may elect not to comply with certain corporate

35


Table of Contents

governance requirements, including the requirements that, within one year of the date of the listing of the ACG Class A Stock:

        Following the spin-off, we intend to utilize some of these exemptions. For example, we do not expect that our Nominating Committee will be comprised of independent directors. Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that certain lawsuits must be litigated in Delaware, which may limit your ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us.

        Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of ACG to ACG or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware). Accordingly, it may not be possible for stockholders to litigate any action relating to the foregoing matters outside of the State of Delaware, even though stockholders may view other forums to be more favorable.


Risks Related to Our Regulatory Environment

Changes in laws or regulations or in governmental policies could limit the sources and amounts of our revenues, increase our costs of doing business, decrease our profitability and materially and adversely affect our business.

        Our business is subject to extensive regulation in the United States, primarily at the federal level, including regulation by the SEC under the Advisers Act. We are registered with the SEC as an investment adviser. The Advisers Act imposes numerous obligations on investment advisers, including record-keeping, advertising and operating requirements, disclosure obligations and a broad range of other highly-detailed and complex regulatory requirements. Our failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations could result in fines, censure, suspensions of personnel or other sanctions, including revocation of GSI's registration as an investment adviser. Changes in laws or regulations or in governmental policies could limit the sources and amounts of our revenues, increase our costs of doing business, decrease our profitability and have a material adverse effect on our business.

36


Table of Contents


SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Our disclosure and analysis in this information statement contain some forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements because they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. They also appear in any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance of our products, expenses, the outcome of any legal proceedings, and financial results. Although we believe that we are basing our expectations and beliefs on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of what we currently know about our business and operations, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from what we expect or believe. The factors described under "Risk Factors" and the following factors could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations or beliefs:

        Other factors not described above, may also cause our actual results to differ from our expectations and belief. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements if we subsequently learn that we are unlikely to achieve our expectations or if we receive any additional information relating to the subject matters of our forward-looking statements.

37


Table of Contents


THE SPIN-OFF

General

        The GAMCO Board regularly reviews the various businesses conducted by GAMCO to ensure that resources are deployed and activities are pursued in the best interests of its stockholders. On April 10, 2015, GAMCO announced that the GAMCO Board had authorized its management to take various actions in contemplation of the spin-off of the Gabelli Securities Group to GAMCO's stockholders in a spin-off transaction. This authorization is subject to, among other things, the conditions described below under "—Spin-Off Conditions and Termination."

        The Gabelli Securities Group consists of GAMCO's interests in GSI and its subsidiaries, GAMCO's interest in certain cash accounts, investments accounts, investment partnerships and offshore funds that GAMCO will contribute to ACG as part of the spin-off. GAMCO will also contribute its interests in investment management contracts for the GAMCO International SICAV ("SICAV") and the GAMA Select Energy Plus Master Fund ("Select Energy Fund") at the effective time of the spin-off. GSI is currently 93.9% owned by GAMCO, 1.9% owned by certain GAMCO employees and 4.2% owned by investors unrelated to GAMCO. On the distribution date, GAMCO's 93.9% interest in GSI will be contributed to ACG. The other interests in GSI will remain unchanged.

The Formation Transactions

        GAMCO plans to provide us with substantial additional capital to enable us to pursue a number of growth initiatives, including providing seed capital for Investment Partnerships that we expect to form. After the record date and before the distribution date and subject to the NYSE 19.99% limit, GAMCO expects to issue to GSI up to $150 million worth of GAMCO Class A Stock currently held in treasury, in exchange for the GSI Note. In addition, prior to the distribution date, we expect that GAMCO will have undertaken certain transactions that will result in the following being in place as of the distribution date:

Reasons for the Spin-Off

        The GAMCO Board has determined upon careful review and consideration that the spin-off of the Gabelli Securities Group from the rest of GAMCO and the establishment of ACG as a separate, publicly traded company is in the best interests of GAMCO. The GAMCO Board's determination was based on a number of factors, including the following:

38


Table of Contents

        With $1.1 billion in AUM at June 30, 2015, ACG represented 2.4% of GAMCO's AUM, which was $45.4 billion at June 30, 2015. We believe that ACG, following the spin-off, will devote greater attention to implementing a growth strategy as it will no longer be overshadowed by the GAMCO umbrella under which it currently operates. In order to facilitate this distribution, our Board appointed Mario J. Gabelli, the Chairman and Chief Executive of GAMCO, to serve as our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Marc Gabelli to serve as our President. Kieran Caterina, GAMCO's Finance Director and Co-Chief Accounting Officer, will also serve as our Chief Financial Officer. We have appointed Messrs. Salvatore F. Sodano, Daniel R. Lee, Bruce M. Lisman and Richard L. Bready as independent members of our Board, and Mr. Sodano will serve as Vice Chairman of our Board. Messrs. Bready and Marc Gabelli are both current members of the GAMCO Board. It is expected that Mr. Bready will resign from the GAMCO Board on the distribution date. We believe that the spin-off and new independent board representation, along with management hires we make in the future as our revenues warrant, will enable us to devote greater attention to implementing a growth strategy. That strategy will be focused entirely on benefiting ACG and our stockholders, rather than on functioning as part of the larger GAMCO organization, in which decisions must take into account the interests of the entire entity, not solely those of ACG.

        The GAMCO Board also considered a number of potentially negative factors in evaluating the separation, including the potential loss of synergies from operating as a subsidiary and potential increased costs, potential disruptions to ACG's businesses as a result of the separation and the risks of

39


Table of Contents

being unable to achieve the benefits expected to be achieved by the spin-off. The GAMCO Board concluded that the potential benefits of the spin-off greatly outweighed these factors.

Interests of Certain Persons

        Mario J. Gabelli controls GGCP, a private company of which he is the Chief Executive Officer. GGCP, through Holdings, is the beneficial owner of approximately 94% of the combined voting power of the outstanding GAMCO common stock and approximately 72% of the equity interest of GAMCO. By virtue of his ownership of GGCP, Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed to control GAMCO. In addition, upon completion of the spin-off, Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed to control ACG.

        See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions" for a description of the registration rights agreement that we expect to enter into with Mario Gabelli and GGCP prior to the spin-off.

        Mario J. Gabelli will not receive any ACG RSAs as he has never been granted any GAMCO RSAs.

        Marc Gabelli, who will serve as our President, has served as President and Managing Director of GGCP since GAMCO's initial public offering in February 1999. In addition, he will receive 10,000 ACG RSAs in the spin-off with respect to the 10,000 GAMCO RSAs he currently owns.

        Kieran Caterina, who will serve as our Chief Financial Officer, will receive 7,000 ACG RSAs in the spin-off with respect to the 7,000 GAMCO RSAs he currently owns.

        See "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions" for additional information about the interests of GAMCO's officers and directors in ACG and the spin-off.

Manner of Effecting the Spin-Off

        Our Board and the GAMCO Board have approved the spin-off of ACG to the holders GAMCO common stock. No stockholder vote is necessary to effectuate the spin-off and none will be obtained.

        The general terms and conditions relating to the spin-off will be set forth in Separation Agreement between GAMCO and us. Under the Separation Agreement, the spin-off will be effective on the distribution date. As a result of the spin-off, you will receive:

        As discussed under "—Trading of GAMCO Class A Stock After the Record Date and Prior to the Distribution," if a stockholder of record of GAMCO Class A Stock sells those shares in the "regular way" market after the record date and prior to the distribution, that stockholder also will be selling the right to receive shares of ACG common stock in the distribution. The distribution will be made in book-entry form. For registered GAMCO stockholders, our transfer agent will credit their shares of ACG common stock to book-entry accounts established to hold their shares of ACG common stock. Book-entry refers to a method of recording stock ownership in our records in which no physical certificates are issued. For stockholders who own GAMCO common stock through a bank or brokerage firm, their shares of ACG common stock will be credited to their accounts by the bank or broker. See "—When and How You Will Receive Shares of ACG Common Stock." Each share of ACG common stock that is distributed will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of shares of ACG common stock will not be entitled to preemptive rights. See "Description of Capital Stock." Following the spin-off, stockholders whose shares are held in book-entry form may request the transfer of their shares of ACG Class A Stock to a brokerage or other account at any time, without charge.

40


Table of Contents

         You will not be required to make any payment for the shares of ACG common stock that you receive nor will you be required to surrender or exchange your shares of GAMCO common stock or take any other action to receive ACG common stock.

Treatment of Fractional Shares

        The transfer agent will aggregate all fractional shares of ACG Class A Stock and sell them on behalf of those holders who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fractional share. We anticipate that these sales will occur as soon as practicable after the distribution date. Those holders will then receive a cash payment in the form of a check in an amount equal to their pro rata share of the total net proceeds of those sales. Your check for any cash that you may be entitled to receive instead of fractional shares of ACG common stock will be mailed to you.

        It is expected that all fractional shares held in street name will be aggregated and sold by brokers or other nominees according to their standard procedures. You should contact your broker or other nominee for additional details.

        None of GAMCO, ACG or the transfer agent will guarantee any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of ACG Class A Stock. Neither we nor GAMCO will pay any interest on the proceeds from the sale of fractional shares. The receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares will generally be taxable to the recipient stockholders. See "—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off."

Results of the Spin-Off

        After the spin-off, we will be a publicly traded company. Immediately following the spin-off, we expect that there will be approximately            shares of ACG Class A Stock and approximately             shares of ACG Class B Stock issued and outstanding, based on the number of shares of GAMCO common stock outstanding as of the date of this information statement. The actual number of shares of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock to be distributed in the spin-off will be equal to the number of shares of GAMCO Class A Stock and GAMCO Class B Stock, respectively, outstanding as of the record date.

        You will not be required to make any payment for the shares of ACG common stock you receive, nor will you be required to surrender or exchange your shares of GAMCO common stock or take any other action in order to receive the shares of ACG common stock to which you are entitled. The spin-off will not affect the number of outstanding shares of GAMCO common stock or any rights of GAMCO stockholders, except that the number of outstanding shares of GAMCO Class A Stock will increase as a result of the sale of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares to GSI. In addition, the spin-off may affect the market value of the outstanding GAMCO common stock. Immediately following the spin-off, we expect to have approximately            registered holders of shares of ACG Class A Stock and            holders of ACG Class B Stock.

        As noted above, Mario J. Gabelli controls GGCP, the indirect holder of approximately 94% of the combined voting power of the outstanding GAMCO common stock and approximately 72% of the equity interest of GAMCO as of the date of this information statement. By virtue of his ownership of GGCP, Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed to control GAMCO. Accordingly, immediately following the spin-off, Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed to control ACG.

        Mario J. Gabelli has served in two capacities with regard to GSI. The first capacity is as Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO and the second is as a member of the portfolio management team for Gabelli Associates Fund, Gabelli Associates Limited, Gabelli Associates Fund II and Gabelli Associates Limited II E, which are arbitrage partnerships managed by GSI that we collectively refer to as the Arbitrage Partnerships, and as a portfolio manager for certain assets that have been included in the

41


Table of Contents

event-driven value partnerships since GAMCO's public offering in 1999. In his role as CEO of GAMCO, Mario J. Gabelli has made and, until the distribution date, will make, decisions relating to GSI as a subsidiary of GAMCO. After the spin-off, Mario J. Gabelli will continue in his role as CEO of GAMCO. However, as GSI will no longer be a subsidiary of GAMCO, Mario J. Gabelli's role as CEO of GAMCO will have no bearing on ACG. However, Mario J. Gabelli will continue to exert influence and control over GSI by providing advice and expertise to GSI through his role as Chairman and CEO of ACG and his position as the controlling stockholder of ACG through his ownership and control of the majority of the shares of GGCP. In addition, after the spin-off, Mario J. Gabelli will continue to serve as a member of the portfolio management team for the Arbitrage Partnerships and as a portfolio manager for certain assets that are included in the event-driven value partnerships.

        We and GAMCO will be parties to agreements that govern the spin-off and our future relationship. For a more detailed description of these agreements, see "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Spin-Off."

When and How You Will Receive Shares of ACG Common Stock

        On the distribution date, GAMCO will release its shares of ACG common stock for distribution by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as the distribution agent. The distribution agent will cause the shares of ACG common stock to which you are entitled to be registered in your name or in the "street name" of your bank or brokerage firm.

        "Street Name" Holders.     Many GAMCO stockholders hold their GAMCO common stock in an account with a bank or brokerage firm. If this applies to you, that bank or brokerage firm is the registered holder that holds the shares of GAMCO common stock on your behalf. For stockholders who hold their GAMCO common stock in an account with a bank or brokerage firm, the ACG common stock being distributed will be registered in the "street name" of your bank or broker, who in turn will electronically credit your account with the shares that you are entitled to receive in the distribution. We anticipate that banks and brokers will generally credit their customers' accounts with ACG common stock on or shortly after the distribution date. We encourage you to contact your bank or broker if you have any questions regarding the mechanics of having your shares credited to your account.

        Registered Holders.     If you are the registered holder of GAMCO common stock and hold your GAMCO common stock either in physical form or in book-entry form, the shares of ACG common stock distributed to you will be registered in your name and you will become the holder of record of the number of shares of ACG common stock that you are entitled to receive in the distribution. Our distribution agent will send you a statement reflecting your ownership of ACG common stock.

        Direct Registration System.     As part of the spin-off, we will be adopting a direct registration system for book-entry share registration and transfer of the ACG common stock. The shares of ACG common stock to be distributed in the spin-off will be distributed as uncertificated shares registered in book-entry form through the direct registration system. No certificates representing your shares will be mailed to you in connection with the spin-off. Under the direct registration system, instead of receiving stock certificates, you will receive a statement reflecting your ownership interest in our shares. The distribution agent will begin mailing book-entry account statements reflecting your ownership of shares promptly after the distribution date. You can obtain more information regarding the direct registration system by contacting our transfer agent and registrar, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., at (877) 282-1168 or through its website at www.computershare.com .

42


Table of Contents

Transferability of Shares You Receive

ACG Class A Stock

        The shares of the ACG Class A Stock distributed to stockholders will be freely transferable, except for shares received by persons who may be deemed to be our "affiliates" under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Persons who may be deemed to be our affiliates after the spin-off generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with us, and include our directors and certain of our officers. Our affiliates will be permitted to sell their shares of ACG Class A Stock only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144 under the Securities Act ("Rule 144").

        Under Rule 144, an affiliate may not sell within any three-month period shares of ACG Class A Stock in excess of the greater of:

        Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain provisions regarding the manner of sale, notice requirements and availability of current public information about us. Among other restrictions, sales will not be able to be made using Rule 144 until ACG has been subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 of the Exchange Act for a period of at least 90 days, which will occur on                , 2015.

ACG Class B Stock

        The ACG Class B Stock may not be transferred. However, the ACG Class B Stock can be converted into ACG Class A Stock pursuant to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and then sold. The ACG Class A Stock received by our affiliates upon the conversion of the ACG Class B Stock will be subject to the same restrictions applicable to our affiliates described under "—Transferability of Shares You Receive—ACG Class A Stock."

Employee Stock-Based Plans

        Pursuant to GAMCO's 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, the holders of GAMCO RSAs are generally entitled to an equitable adjustment in their awards, in order to prevent their dilution due to a spin-off. Therefore, in the spin-off, the holders of GAMCO RSAs will receive ACG RSAs. The new ACG RSAs will have essentially the same terms as the GAMCO RSAs, such that the holders GAMCO RSAs will have awards of the same financial value and other terms immediately before and after the spin-off.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off

        The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the spin-off to us, GAMCO, and GAMCO stockholders. This discussion is based upon the U.S. federal income tax laws and regulations now in effect and as currently interpreted, and does not take into account possible changes in such tax laws or interpretations, any of which may be applied retroactively. It is not intended to and does not constitute tax advice for any individual or legal entity, nor may or should it be so interpreted.

         Each stockholder is urged to consult his or her tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the spin-off to that stockholder, including the effect of any state, local or foreign tax laws or U.S. tax laws other than those relating to income taxes and of changes in applicable tax laws.

43


Table of Contents

        The following summary is for general information only and may not be applicable to stockholders who received their shares of ACG common stock pursuant to an employee benefit plan (or otherwise as compensation) or who are not citizens or residents of the United States (or are not otherwise United States persons) within the meaning of the Code or who are otherwise subject to special treatment under the Code, such as tax-exempt entities, partnerships (including arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes), financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers or traders in public securities, and persons who hold their shares of GAMCO common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale, synthetic security, integrated investment or other risk-reduction transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each stockholder's individual circumstances may affect the tax consequences of the spin-off to such stockholder. In addition, no information is provided with respect to tax consequences under any applicable foreign, state or local laws. Consequently, stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisor as to the specific tax consequences of the spin-off and the effect of possible changes in tax laws.

        If a partnership (including any arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of GAMCO common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding shares of GAMCO common stock should consult its tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the spin-off.

        We have not sought and have not received, and do not plan on seeking or obtaining, a ruling from the IRS regarding the tax consequences of the spin-off. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS or another taxing authority will not assert that the distribution is taxable to GAMCO, ACG or GAMCO stockholders. However, as discussed previously, we expect that the distribution of ACG shares will not be taxable to GAMCO, ACG or GAMCO stockholders. The distribution is expected to meet the requirements for a tax-free spin-off under Section 355 of the Code. Therefore, we believe that the spin-off will produce the following consequences:

        Although we expect the spin-off to be tax-free under Section 355(e) of the Code, the spin-off could nevertheless become taxable to GAMCO (but not GAMCO's stockholders) if ACG or GAMCO were to undergo a change in control pursuant to a plan or a series of related transactions that include

44


Table of Contents

the spin-off. Any transaction that occurs within the four-year period beginning two years prior to the spin-off is presumed to be part of a plan or a series of related transactions, which include the spin-off unless GAMCO establishes otherwise. In this context, a change in control generally means a shift in 50% or more of the ownership of either GAMCO or ACG.

        Certain transactions related to the spin-off could result in the recognition of income or gain by GAMCO.

         The foregoing is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the spin-off under current law. The foregoing does not purport to address all U.S. federal income tax consequences or tax consequences that may arise under the tax laws of various states or other jurisdictions or that may apply to particular categories of stockholders. Each GAMCO stockholder should consult his, her or its tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the distribution to such stockholder, including the application of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, and the effect of possible changes in tax laws that may affect the tax consequences described above.

Information Reporting

        Treasury Regulations require certain "significant" GAMCO stockholders who receive ACG common stock pursuant to the spin-off to attach to his or her U.S. federal income tax return for the taxable year in which the spin-off occurs a detailed statement setting forth certain information with respect to the spin-off. ACG will provide adequate information to such stockholders for this purpose.

Trading Markets for the ACG Common Stock

        There is currently no public market for the ACG common stock. We have applied to have the ACG Class A Stock listed on the NYSE under the symbol "AC." We anticipate that trading of the ACG Class A Stock will commence on a "when-issued" basis shortly before the record date. When-issued trading refers to a sale or purchase made conditionally because the security has been authorized but not yet issued. On the first trading day following the distribution date, when-issued trading with respect to the ACG Class A Stock will end and "regular way" trading will begin. Regular way trading refers to trading after a security has been issued and typically involves a transaction that settles on the third full business day following the date of the transaction. We cannot predict what the trading prices for the ACG Class A Stock will be before or after the distribution date. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to the ACG Common Stock." In addition, we cannot predict any change that may occur in the trading price of GAMCO Class A Stock as a result of the spin-off.

        We do not intend to list the ACG Class B Stock on any exchange, and we do not expect that a trading market for the ACG Class B Stock will develop.

Trading of GAMCO Class A Stock After the Record Date and Prior to the Distribution

        Beginning on or shortly before the record date and through the distribution date, there will be two concurrent markets in which to trade GAMCO Class A Stock: a regular way market and an ex-distribution market. Shares of GAMCO Class A Stock that trade in the regular way market will trade with an entitlement to shares of ACG Class A Stock distributed in connection with the spin-off. Shares of GAMCO Class A Stock that trade in the ex-distribution market will trade without an entitlement to shares of ACG Class A Stock distributed in connection with the spin-off. Therefore, if you owned shares of GAMCO Class A Stock on the record date and sell those shares in the regular way market on or prior to the distribution date, you also will be selling your right to receive the shares of ACG Class A Stock that would have been distributed to you in connection with the spin-off. If you sell those shares of GAMCO Class A Stock in the ex-distribution market prior to or on the distribution date, you will still receive the shares of ACG Class A Stock that were to be distributed to you in connection with the spin-off as a result of your ownership of the shares of GAMCO common stock.

45


Table of Contents

Spin-Off Conditions and Termination

        We expect that the spin-off's distribution date will be on or about                , 2015, provided that, among other things:

Reasons for Furnishing and Content of this Information Statement

        This information statement is being furnished solely to provide information to holders of GAMCO common stock who will receive shares of ACG common stock in connection with the spin-off. It is not provided as an inducement or encouragement to buy or sell any securities. You should not assume that the information contained in this information statement is accurate as of any date other than the date set forth on the cover. Changes to the information contained in this information statement may occur after the date, and neither GAMCO's nor ACG's management has an obligation or intention to update the information.

Accounting Treatment

        The spin-off will be accounted for by GAMCO as a dividend at historical cost, and no gain or loss will be recorded.

46


Table of Contents


DIVIDEND POLICY

        We currently contemplate paying a dividend; however, we cannot assure you that we will pay any dividend. Whether we pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, and any other factors that our Board determines are relevant.


REGULATORY APPROVALS

        Other than certain approvals already received from FINRA, we do not believe any regulatory approvals are required in connection with the spin-off.

47


Table of Contents


BUSINESS

Overview

        ACG was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 15, 2015 to be the holding company for the Gabelli Securities Group in the spin-off.

Alternative Investment Management

        We own a 93.9% interest in GSI, a registered investment advisor. GSI and its wholly owned subsidiary, Gabelli & Partners, collectively serve as general partners or investment managers to Investment Partnerships, and separate accounts. We primarily manage assets in equity event-driven value strategies, across a range of risk and event arbitrage portfolios. The business earns fees from its advisory assets, and income (loss) from trading and investment portfolio activities. The advisory fees include management and incentive fees. Management fees are largely based on a percentage of the portfolios' levels of AUM. Incentive fees are based on the percentage of profits derived the from investment performance delivered to clients' invested assets. As of June 30, 2015, we managed a total of $1.1 billion in assets. GSI is registered with the SEC as an investment advisor under the Advisers Act. Certain employees of GAMCO own 1.9% of GSI, and the remaining 4.2% of GSI is owned by individual investors unrelated to GAMCO. Stockholders of GSI who are employees of GSI or its affiliates may only sell their GSI shares to GSI at the book value per share of the previous fiscal year end. Upon completion of the spin-off, stockholders who are employees of GSI or its affiliates will only be permitted to sell their GSI shares to GSI at the book value per share of the previous fiscal year end.

        In our event-driven value funds we seek investments trading at prices that differ from those determined using our proprietary "Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst™" methodology where we have identified a near-term catalyst to narrow the market difference to PMV. Catalysts can include a spinoff, stock buyback, asset sale, management change, regulatory change or accounting change.

        Event merger arbitrage is a subset of event-driven value investing where the catalyst, an acquisition of the company, has been announced. In event merger arbitrage, the goal is to capture the difference between the market value of a security and what the acquirer is paying in the acquisition. Returns in merger arbitrage are primarily driven by the successful completion of the announced transactions in the portfolio. Other factors that can affect returns include short-term interest rates and the availability of investable deals. While merger arbitrage returns have historically been non-market correlated and deal-specific, event-driven value returns are more correlated to broader equity markets.

        We generally manage assets on a discretionary basis and invest in a variety of U.S. and foreign securities utilizing a bottom up value investment style. Our managed funds primarily employ absolute return strategies such that we strive to generate positive returns regardless of market cycles or performance.

        We introduced our first alternative fund, a merger arbitrage partnership, Gabelli Arbitrage (renamed Gabelli Associates), in February 1985. We then launched the Gabelli Rosenthal partnership in July 1985 to focus on leveraged buyout opportunities. An offshore version of the event merger arbitrage strategy was added in 1989. Building on our strengths in global event-driven value investing, several new Investment Partnerships have been added to balance investors' geographic, strategy and sector needs. Today, we offer 20 Investment Partnerships in multiple categories, including event merger arbitrage, event-driven value and other across a broad range of absolute return products. Within our event merger arbitrage strategy, as of June 30, 2015, we managed approximately $855 million of assets for investors who seek positive returns not correlated to fluctuations of the general market. These funds seek to drive returns by investing mostly in announced merger and acquisition transactions that are primarily dependent on deal closure and less on the overall market environment. In event-driven value, as of June 30, 2015, we managed approximately $133 million of assets focused on the U.S. and

48


Table of Contents

non-U.S. markets. We also manage $76 million of assets in a variety of other series of Investment Partnerships designed to offer investors a mechanism to diversify their portfolios by global economic and sectoral opportunities. These include sector, high yield, capital structure and venture capital or merchant banking portfolios. Since our inception, we have been closely identified with, and have enhanced, the "value" style of investing consistent with our fundamental objective of providing an absolute return for our clients. Our investment objective is to earn a superior risk-adjusted return over the long-term through our proprietary fundamental research. We serve a wide variety of investors including private wealth management accounts, corporations, corporate pension and profit-sharing plans, foundations, endowments, jointly-trusteed plans and municipalities as well as serving as sub-advisor to certain third-party investment funds.

Assets Under Management

        The following table sets forth ACG's total AUM for the dates shown.


Assets Under Management
(in thousands)

 
  At June 30,   At December 31,  
Category(a)
  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010  

Event Merger Arbitrage

  $ 855,158   $ 795,894   $ 690,975   $ 721,065   $ 512,661   $ 400,996  

Event-Driven Value(b)

    132,946     166,825     140,091     123,648     131,833     54,944  

Other(c)

    76,198     76,827     76,050     75,469     65,300     59,593  

Total

  $ 1,064,302   $ 1,039,546   $ 907,116   $ 920,182   $ 709,794   $ 515,533  

(a)
Asset levels include various structures, including managed accounts, partnerships and offshore companies.

(b)
Excluding event merger arbitrage.

(c)
Includes investment vehicles focused on private equity, merchant banking, non-investment-grade credit and capital structure arbitrage.

Institutional Research Services

        We operate our institutional research services business through G.research, a wholly owned subsidiary of GSI. G.research is a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act. Through G.research, we act as an underwriter and provide institutional research services. G.research is regulated by FINRA. G.research's revenues are derived primarily from institutional research services, underwriting fees and selling concessions. As noted below, a significant portion of our institutional research services and underwriting revenues are from GAMCO and its affiliates. While the spin-off is not expected to have any impact on our provision of these services to GAMCO and its affiliates, we can provide no assurance that GAMCO and its affiliates will continue use our institutional research and underwriting services after the spin-off to the same extent as they have historically or at all.

Institutional Research Services

        G.research provides institutional investors with investment ideas in numerous industries and special situations, with a particular emphasis on small-cap and mid-cap companies. Our research analysts are industry-focused, following sectors that are based on our core competencies. They research companies of all market capitalizations on a global basis. The primary function of the research team is to gather data, array the data, and then project and interpret data from which investment decisions can be made. Analysts publish their insights in the form of research reports and daily notes. In addition, G.research

49


Table of Contents

hosts numerous conferences each year which bring together industry leaders and institutional investors. The objective of the institutional research services is to provide superior investment ideas to investment decision makers.

        Analysts are generally assigned to research platforms, coordinated by a senior analyst, in order to ensure a consistent process, enhance idea cross-fertilization and knowledge-sharing. Our platforms include Digital, which includes cable, telecommunications, broadcasting, publishing, advertising, entertainment and technology; utilities and renewable energy; Consumer, Health and Wellness, Autos, Aerospace and Capital Goods; Natural Resources; and Financial Services.

        G.research generates institutional research services revenues through brokerage activities from securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of institutional and private wealth management clients as well as from retail customers and mutual funds. Institutional research services revenues totaled $9.2 million, $8.9 million, and $11.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. G.research earned $4.7 million, $4.8 million and $4.8 million, or approximately 54%, 58% and 61%, of its commission revenue from transactions executed on behalf of funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC, and private wealth management clients advised by GAMCO Asset Management Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2014, Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. paid $0.8 million and $0.7 million, respectively, to G.research pursuant to research services agreements. Gabelli Funds, LLC and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. are both wholly owned subsidiaries of GAMCO. G.research continues to pursue expansion of such activities.

Underwriting

        During 2014, G.research participated as Sales Manager in the at the market offerings of The GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust and acted as Dealer Manager for The Gabelli Equity Trust Rights Offering, the Gabelli Multimedia Trust Rights Offering, the Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness Trust Rights Offering, and acted as co-manager in The Gabelli Health & Wellness Trust 5.875% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock Offering. For the year ended December 31, 2014, G.research earned $0.6 million for these roles. During 2013, G.research participated as Sales Manager in the at the market offerings of The GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust and acted as Dealer Manager for The Gabelli Global Utility and Income Trust's Series A Preferred Share Rights Offering, and acted as co-manager in The GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust 5% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock Offering. For the year ended December 31, 2013, G.research earned $0.8 million for these roles. During 2012, G.research participated as Sales Manager in the at the market offerings of The GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust and acted as Dealer Manager for The Gabelli Equity Trust's Series F Cumulative Preferred Rights Offering, and acted as co-underwriter for The Gabelli Equity Trust's Series H Cumulative Preferred Stock Offering. For the year ended December 31, 2012, G.research earned $3.2 million for these roles.

Proprietary Trading

        We received a substantial portion of the cash and investments previously held by GAMCO prior to the spin-off. We expect to use this proprietary investment portfolio to provide seed capital in introducing new products, expand our geographic presence, develop new markets and pursue strategic acquisitions, alliances and lift-outs. Our proprietary portfolios are largely invested in products we manage or that are managed by GAMCO.

Business Strategy

        Our business strategy targets global growth of the business through continued leveraging of our proven asset management strengths including our funds, long-term performance record, diverse product

50


Table of Contents

offerings and experienced investment, research and client relationship professionals. In order to achieve performance and growth in AUM and profitability, we are pursuing a strategy which includes the following key elements:

Continuing an active fundamental Investment Approach

        After the spin-off, our legacy of Gabelli "Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst™" (event driven value investing) will remain the principal management philosophy of ACG and an important methodology guiding our business operations. This method is based on the investing principles articulated by Graham & Dodd in 1934, and has been further augmented by our founder Mario J. Gabelli. This approach, however, will not necessarily be utilized in connection with all of our products.

Growing our Investment Partnerships Advisory Business

        We intend to grow our Investment Partnerships advisory business by gaining share in existing products and introducing new products within our core competencies, such as event and merger arbitrage. In addition, we intend to grow internationally.

Capitalizing on Acquisitions, Alliances and Lift-outs

        We intend to leverage our research and investment capabilities to selectively and opportunistically pursue acquisitions, alliances and lift-outs that will broaden our product offerings and add new sources of distribution.

Pursuing Partnerships and Joint Ventures

        We expect to pursue partnerships and joint ventures with partners that we believe have a strong fit with ACG with respect to product quality and that would provide Asian/European distribution capabilities that would complement our U.S. equity product expertise.

Continuing Our Sponsorship of Industry Conferences

        G.research, our institutional research services business, sponsors industry conferences and management events throughout the year. At these conferences and events, senior management from leading companies share their thoughts on the industry, competition, regulation and the challenges and opportunities in their businesses with portfolio managers and securities analysts. These meetings are an important component of the research services provided to institutional clients. Specifically, in 2014, we hosted 5 such meetings: our 38 th  Annual Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, 24 th  Annual Pump Valve & Energy Infrastructure Conference, 20 th  Annual Aircraft Supplier Conference, 6 th  Annual Movie & Entertainment Conference and 5 th  Annual Specialty Chemicals Conference.

Attracting and Retaining Experienced Professionals

        We offer significant variable compensation that provides opportunities to our staff. We expect to increase the scope of our investment management capabilities by adding portfolio managers and other investment personnel in order to expand our products. Our ability to attract and retain highly-experienced investment and other professionals with a long-term commitment to us and our clients has been, and will continue to be, a significant factor in our long-term growth.

Competition

        The alternative asset management industry is intensively competitive and is expected to remain so. We face competition in all aspects of our business and in each of our investment strategies from other managers both in the United States and globally. We compete with other alternative investment management firms, insurance companies, banks, brokerage firms and other financial institutions that offer products that have similar features and investment objectives. Many of these investment

51


Table of Contents

management firms are subsidiaries of large diversified financial companies and may have access to greater resources, including liquidity sources, not available to us. Many others are much larger in terms of AUM and revenues and, accordingly, have much larger sales organizations and marketing budgets. Historically, we have competed primarily on the basis of the long-term investment performance of many of our investment products. However, we have taken steps to increase our distribution channels, brand name awareness and marketing efforts.

        The market for providing investment management services to institutional and private wealth management clients is also highly competitive. Approximately 27% of our investment advisory fee revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014 was derived from our institutional and private wealth management. Selection of investment advisors by U.S. institutional investors is often subject to a screening process and to favorable recommendations by investment industry consultants. Many of these investors require their investment advisors to have a successful and sustained performance record, often five years or longer with focus also on one-year and three-year performance records. We have significantly increased our AUM on behalf of U.S. institutional investors since our entry into the institutional asset management business. At the current time, we believe that our investment performance record would be attractive to potential new institutional and private wealth management clients. However, no assurance can be given that our efforts to obtain new business will be successful.

Intellectual Property

        Service marks and brand name recognition are important to our business. We have rights to the service marks under which our products are offered. Upon consummation of the spin-off, we will have rights to use the "Gabelli" name, the "GAMCO" name, pursuant to a Service Mark and Name License Agreement, a non-exclusive, royalty-free perpetual license agreement we will enter into with GAMCO on the distribution date (the "Service Mark and Name License Agreement"). Pursuant to an assignment agreement, Mario J. Gabelli has assigned to GAMCO all of his rights, title and interests in and to the "Gabelli" name for use in connection with investment management services and brokerage services. However, under the assignment agreement, Mario J. Gabelli retains any and all rights, title and interests he has or may have in the "Gabelli" name for use in connection with (i) charitable foundations controlled by Mario J. Gabelli or members of his family and (ii) entities engaged in private investment activities for Mario J. Gabelli or members of his family. In addition, the funds managed by Mario J. Gabelli outside GAMCO and ACG have entered into a license agreement with GAMCO permitting them to continue limited use of the "Gabelli" name under specified circumstances. GAMCO has licensed to us its rights to the "Gabelli" name and the "GAMCO" name for use with respect to our funds, collective investment vehicles, investment partnerships and other investment products pursuant to the Service Mark and Name License Agreement. The Service Mark and Name License Agreement has a perpetual term, subject to termination only in the event we are not in compliance with the quality control provisions in the Service Mark and Name License Agreement.

Regulation

        Virtually all aspects of our businesses are subject to various federal, state and foreign laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investment advisory clients and investors, the markets and customers of broker-dealers. Under such laws and regulations, agencies that regulate investment advisors and broker-dealers have broad powers, including the power to limit, restrict or prohibit such an advisor or broker-dealer from carrying on its business in the event that it fails to comply with such laws and regulations. In such an event, the possible sanctions that may be imposed include civil and criminal liability, the suspension of individual employees, injunctions, limitations on engaging in certain lines of business for specified periods of time, revocation of the investment advisor and other registrations, censures and fines.

52


Table of Contents

Global Regulatory Reform

        We are subject to numerous regulatory reform initiatives in each country in which we do business. Any such initiative, or any new laws or regulations or changes in enforcement of existing laws or regulations, could materially and adversely impact the scope or profitability of ACG's business activities, lead to business disruptions, require ACG to change certain business practices and expose ACG to additional costs (including compliance and legal costs), as well as reputational harm. ACG's profitability also could be materially and adversely affected by modification of the rules and regulations that impact the business and financial communities in general, including changes to the laws governing taxation, antitrust regulation and electronic commerce.

        Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.     In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "DFA") was signed into law in the United States. The DFA is expansive in scope and requires the adoption of extensive regulations and numerous regulatory decisions, many of which have been adopted. As the impact of these rules will become evident over time, it is not yet possible to predict the ultimate effects that the DFA, or subsequent implementing regulations and decisions, will have upon ACG's business, financial condition and results of operations.

        Securities and Exchange Commission Review of Asset Managers.     Our business may also be impacted by the SEC regulatory initiatives. For example, on December 11, 2014 the Chair of the SEC announced that she is recommending that the SEC enhance its oversight of asset managers by (i) expanding and updating data requirements with which asset managers must comply, (ii) improving fund level controls, including those related to liquidity levels and the nature of specific instruments and (iii) ensuring that asset management firms have appropriate transition plans in place to deal with market stress events or situations where an investment adviser is no longer able to serve its clients. Although these recommendations have not yet resulted in any proposed rules, any additional SEC oversight or the introduction of any new reporting, disclosure or control requirements could expose us to additional compliance costs and may require us to change how we operate our business.

        Taxation.     Our global business may be impacted by the FATCA, which was enacted in 2010 and introduced expansive new investor onboarding, withholding and reporting rules aimed at ensuring U.S. persons with financial assets outside of the United States pay appropriate taxes. In many instances, however, the precise nature of what needs to be implemented will be governed by bilateral Intergovernmental Agreements ("IGAs") between the United States and the countries in which we do business or have accounts. While many of these IGAs have been put into place, others have yet to be concluded. The FATCA rules will impact both U.S. and non-U.S. funds and subject us to extensive additional administrative burdens. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has also recently launched the BEPS proposal that aims to rationalize tax treatment across jurisdictions. If the BEPS proposal becomes the subject of legislative action in the format proposed, it could have unintended taxation consequences for collective investment vehicles and our tax position, which could adversely affect our financial condition.

        In addition, certain individual EU Member States, such as France and Italy, have enacted national FTTs. There has also been renewed momentum by several other Member States to introduce FTTs, which would impose taxation on a broad range of financial instrument and derivatives transactions. In general, any tax on securities and derivatives transactions would impact investors and would likely have a negative impact on the liquidity of the securities and derivatives markets, could diminish the attractiveness of certain types of products that we manage in those countries and could cause clients to shift assets away from such products. An FTT could significantly increase the operational costs of our entering into, on behalf of our clients, securities and derivatives transactions that would be subjected to an FTT, which could adversely impact our financial results and clients' performance results.

53


Table of Contents

        Our business could also be impacted to the extent there are other changes to tax laws. For example, the administration recently announced its proposed U.S. federal budget, which called for new industry fees for financial firms. To the extent such fees are adopted and found to apply to us, such fees could adversely affect our financial results.

        Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive.     Our European business is impacted by the EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive ("AIFMD"), which became effective on July 21, 2011. The AIFMD regulates managers of, and service providers to, a broad range of alternative investment funds ("AIFs") domiciled within and (depending on the precise circumstances) outside the EU. The AIFMD also regulates the marketing of all AIFs inside the European Economic Area ("EEA"). The AIFMD is being implemented in stages, which run through 2018. Compliance with the AIFMD's requirements restrict alternative investment fund marketing and impose additional compliance and disclosure obligations regarding remuneration, capital requirements, leverage, valuation, stakes in EU companies, depositaries, the domicile of custodians and liquidity management on ACG. These new compliance and disclosure obligations and the associated risk management and reporting requirements will subject us to additional expenses.

        Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities.     The EU has also adopted directives on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities ("UCITS") as regards depositary functions, remuneration policies and sanctions. The latest initiative in this area, UCITS V, which became effective in September 2014, seeks to align the depositary regime, remuneration rules and sanctioning powers of regulators under the UCITS Directive with the requirements of the AIFMD. UCITS V is required to be adopted in the national law of each EU member state during the second quarter of 2016. Similarly, in August 2014 ESMA revised the guidelines it initially published in 2012 on exchange-traded funds and other UCITS funds. The guidelines introduced new collateral management requirements for UCITS funds concerning collateral received in the context of derivatives using Efficient Portfolio Management ("EPM") techniques (including securities lending) and over-the-counter derivative transactions. These rules, which are now in effect, required us to make a series of changes to its collateral management arrangements applicable to the EPM of its UCITS fund ranges. Compliance with the UCITS directives will cause us to incur additional expenses associated with new risk management and reporting requirements.

Existing U.S. Regulation Overview

        ACG and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries are currently subject to extensive regulation, primarily at the federal level, by the SEC, the Department of Labor, FINRA and other government agencies and regulatory bodies. Certain of our U.S. subsidiaries are also subject to various anti-terrorist financing, privacy, anti-money laundering regulations and economic sanctions laws and regulations established by various agencies.

The Investment Advisers Act of 1940

        GSI is registered with the SEC under the Advisers Act and is regulated by and subject to examination by the SEC. The Advisers Act imposes numerous obligations on registered investment advisors including fiduciary duties, disclosure obligations and record keeping, operational and marketing requirements. The SEC is authorized to institute proceedings and impose sanctions for violations of the Advisers Act, ranging from censure to termination of an investment advisor's registration. The failure of GSI to comply with the requirements of the SEC could have a material adverse effect on us.

        We derive a substantial majority of our revenues from investment advisory services through our various investment management agreements. Under the Advisers Act, our investment management agreements may not be assigned without the client's consent.

54


Table of Contents

Broker-Dealer and Trading and Investment Regulation

        G.research is registered as broker-dealer with the SEC and is subject to regulation by FINRA and various states. In its capacity as a broker-dealer, G.research is required to maintain certain minimum net capital amounts. These requirements also provide that equity capital may not be withdrawn, advances to affiliates may not be made or cash dividends paid if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. G.research's net capital, as defined, met or exceeded all minimum requirements as of June 30, 2015. As a registered broker-dealer, G.research is also subject to periodic examination by FINRA, the SEC and the state regulatory authorities.

        Our trading and investment activities for client accounts are regulated under the Exchange Act, as well as the rules of various U.S. and non-U.S. securities exchanges and self-regulatory organizations, including laws governing trading on inside information, market manipulation and a broad number of technical requirements ( e.g. , short sale limits, volume limitations and reporting obligations) and market regulation policies in the United States and globally. Violation of any of these laws and regulations could result in restrictions on our activities and damage our reputation.

Potential Legislation Relating to Private Pools of Capital

        We manage a variety of private pools of capital, including hedge funds. Congress, regulators, tax authorities and others continue to explore, on their own and in response to demands from the investment community and the public, increased regulation related to private pools of capital, including changes with respect to investor eligibility, certain limitations on trading activities, record-keeping and reporting, the scope of anti- fraud protections, safekeeping of client assets and a variety of other matters. ACG may be materially and adversely affected by new legislation, rule-making or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing rules and regulations imposed by various regulators.

ERISA

        Subsidiaries of ACG are subject to ERISA and to regulations promulgated thereunder, insofar as they are "fiduciaries" under ERISA with respect to certain of their clients ERISA and applicable provisions of the Code, impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries under ERISA and prohibit certain transactions involving ERISA plan clients. Our failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on us.

The Patriot Act

        The USA Patriot Act of 2001 contains anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and mandates the implementation of various new regulations applicable to broker-dealers and other financial services companies, including standards for verifying client identification at account opening, and obligations to monitor client transactions and report suspicious activities. Anti-money laundering laws outside of the United States contain some similar provisions. Our failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on us.

Laws and Other Issues Relating to Taking Significant Equity Stakes in Companies

        Investments by ACG and on behalf of our advisory clients and Investment Partnerships often represent a significant equity ownership position in an issuer's class of stock. As of December 31, 2014, we had five percent or more beneficial ownership with respect to 120 equity securities (this is partially due to the fact that we may be deemed to be a member of "group" with GAMCO and therefore may be deemed to beneficially own the securities owned by that group). This activity raises frequent regulatory, legal and disclosure issues regarding our aggregate beneficial ownership level with respect to portfolio securities, including issues relating to issuers' stockholder rights plans or "poison pills," and various federal and state regulatory limitations, including state gaming laws and regulations, federal

55


Table of Contents

communications laws and regulations and federal and state public utility laws and regulations, as well as federal proxy rules governing stockholder communications and federal laws and regulations regarding the reporting of beneficial ownership positions. Our failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on us.

Existing International Regulation Overview

        Our international operations are subject to the laws and regulations of a number of international jurisdictions, as well as oversight by numerous regulatory agencies and bodies in those jurisdictions. In some instances, they are also affected by U.S. laws and regulations that have extra-territorial application.

        Below is a summary of certain international regulatory standards to which ACG is subject. It is not meant to be comprehensive as there are parallel legal and regulatory arrangements in force in many jurisdictions where ACG's subsidiaries conduct business.

        Of note among the various other international regulations to which ACG is subject, are the extensive and increasingly stringent regulatory reporting requirements that necessitate the monitoring and reporting of issuer exposure levels (thresholds) across the holdings of managed funds and accounts and those of ACG.

European Regulation

        The FCA currently regulates ACG in the United Kingdom. It also regulates those U.K. subsidiaries' branches established in other European countries and the U.K. branches of certain of ACG's U.S. subsidiaries. Authorization by the FCA is required to conduct certain financial services related business in the United Kingdom under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The FCA's rules adopted under that Act govern the majority of a firm's capital resources requirements, senior management arrangements, conduct of business, interaction with clients and systems and controls. The FCA supervises ACG through a combination of proactive engagement, event-driven and reactive supervision and thematic based reviews in order to monitor our compliance with regulatory requirements. Breaches of the FCA's rules may result in a wide range of disciplinary actions against our U.K.-regulated subsidiaries and/or its employees.

        In addition, our U.K.-regulated subsidiaries and other European subsidiaries and branches must comply with the pan-European regulatory regime established by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive ("MiFID"), which became effective on November 1, 2007 and regulates the provision of investment services and activities throughout the wider EEA. MiFID, the scope of which is being enhanced through MiFID 2 which is described more particularly under "—Global Regulatory Reform" above, sets out detailed requirements governing the organization and conduct of business of investment firms and regulated markets. It also includes pre- and post-trade transparency requirements for equity markets and extensive transaction reporting requirements. In addition, relevant entities must comply with revised obligations on capital resources for banks and certain investment firms (the Capital Requirements Directive), which became effective in January 2014. These include requirements not only on capital, but address matters of governance and remuneration as well. The obligations introduced through these directives will have a direct effect on some of our European operations.

        Our EU-regulated subsidiaries are additionally subject to an EU regulation on OTC derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories, which was adopted in August 2012 and which requires (i) the central clearing of standardized OTC derivatives, (ii) the application of risk-mitigation techniques to non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives and (iii) the reporting of all derivative contracts from February 2014.

56


Table of Contents

Regulatory Matters

        The investment management industry is likely to continue facing a high level of regulatory scrutiny and become subject to additional rules designed to increase disclosure, tighten controls and reduce potential conflicts of interest. In addition, the SEC has substantially increased its use of focused inquiries which request information from investment advisors regarding particular practices or provisions of the securities laws. We participate in some of these inquiries in the normal course of our business. Changes in laws, regulations and administrative practices by regulatory authorities, and the associated compliance costs, have increased our cost structure and could in the future have a material adverse impact. Although we have installed procedures and utilize the services of experienced administrators, accountants and lawyers to assist us in adhering to regulatory guidelines and satisfying these requirements, and maintain insurance to protect ourselves in the case of client losses, there can be no assurance that the precautions and procedures that we have instituted and installed, or the insurance that we maintain to protect ourselves in case of client losses, will protect us from all potential liabilities.

Legal Proceedings

        From time to time, we may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. We are also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. Examinations or investigations can result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief. For any such matters, the combined consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that we believe are probable and estimable. Furthermore, we evaluate whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and, if material, make the necessary disclosures.

Employees

        At the time of the spin-off, ACG is expected to have three executive officers and                other employees performing day-to-day management functions. Additionally, through the Transitional Services Agreement, employees of GAMCO will perform other functions. For more information, see "Management."

Real Estate Properties

        ACG owns no properties. ACG currently pays GAMCO an occupancy charge with respect to the office space it uses at GAMCO's offices at 401 Theodore Fremd Avenue in Rye, NY. ACG will continue to use the same space after the distribution pursuant to the Administrative and Management Services Agreement to be entered into with GAMCO.

Status as an Emerging Growth Company and a Smaller Reporting Company

        We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the JOBS Act, and we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not "emerging growth companies." These exemptions include not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

        Although we are still evaluating the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of some or all of the reduced regulatory and reporting requirements that will be available to us as long as we qualify as an emerging growth company, except that we have irrevocably elected not to take advantage of the

57


Table of Contents

extension of time to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards available under Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

        We will, in general, remain as an emerging growth company for up to five full fiscal years following the distribution. We would cease to be an emerging growth company and, therefore, become ineligible to rely on the above exemptions, if we:

        In addition, we qualify as a "smaller reporting company" under the Exchange Act. As a smaller reporting company, we enjoy many of the same exemptions as emerging growth companies, and those exemptions would continue to be available to us even after the emerging growth company status expires if we still are a smaller reporting company at such time.

58


Table of Contents


SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

        The selected historical combined consolidated financial data presented below has been derived in part from, and should be read in conjunction with, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our combined consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto beginning on page F-1. Amounts included in the tables related to income statement data and balance sheet data are derived from audited combined consolidated financial statements for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and from the unaudited combined condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
  Year Ended December 31,  
Income Statement Data (in thousands)
  2015   2014   2014   2013   2012  

Revenues

                               

Investment advisory and incentive fees

  $ 4,437   $ 3,234   $ 9,779   $ 10,805   $ 8,952  

Distribution fees and other income          

    1,035     1,042     2,090     677     1,644  

Institutional research services

    4,067     4,180     9,160     8,940     10,953  

Total revenues

    9,539     8,456     21,029     20,422     21,549  

Expenses:

                               

Compensation costs

    11,476     10,063     22,298     23,322     20,864  

Stock based compensation

    1,265     895     1,921     510     3,432  

Management fee

    496     773     (37 )   4,486     1,203  

Other operating expenses

    3,650     3,649     6,771     6,624     8,771  

Total expenses

    16,887     15,380     30,953     34,942     34,270  

Operating loss

   
(7,348

)
 
(6,924

)
 
(9,924

)
 
(14,520

)
 
(12,721

)

Other income (expense), net

                               

Net gain from investments

    10,705     12,701     6,502     50,949     21,012  

Interest and dividend income

    1,752     1,889     4,416     5,865     4,419  

Interest expenses

    (661 )   (727 )   (1,376 )   (1,908 )   (1,928 )

Total other income, net

    11,796     13,863     9,542     54,906     23,503  

Income before income taxes

    4,448     6,939     (382 )   40,386     10,782  

Income tax provision

    1,234     2,073     775     13,157     3,106  

Net income before noncontrolling interests

    3,214     4,866     (1,157 )   27,229     7,676  

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (26 )   429     (4,157 )   463     170  

Net income

  $ 3,240   $ 4,437   $ 3,000   $ 26,766   $ 7,506  

 

 
   
  December 31,  
 
  June 30,
2015
 
Balance Sheet Data (in thousands)
  2014   2013   2012  

Cash, cash equivalents and investments

  $ 702,913   $ 653,308   $ 527,749   $ 524,633  

Long-term obligations

                 

Other liabilities and noncontrolling interest

    113,525     171,767     93,345     79,211  

Total liabilities and noncontrolling interest

    113,525     171,767     93,345     79,211  

Total equity

  $ 653,098   $ 582,927   $ 495,375   $ 510,504  

59


Table of Contents


MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS

         The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited combined consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1 below. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis constitutes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this information statement, particularly under "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors."

Introduction

        Our primary sources of revenues are advisory fees, which are highly correlated to the amount of assets under our management, and incentive fee income, which is based on the investment performance of our funds. AUM, which are directly influenced by the level and changes of the overall equity markets, can also fluctuate through acquisitions, the creation of new products, the addition of new accounts or the loss of existing accounts. At times, the performance of our equity products may differ markedly from popular market indices, and this can also impact our revenues. It is our belief that general stock market trends will have the greatest impact on our level of AUM and hence, revenues. We may also generate gains or losses through our proprietary investment portfolio. This portfolio includes investments in securities, sponsored registered investment companies, investment partnerships and hedge funds and a money market mutual fund invested in U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes. The gains and losses from these investments are impacted by changes in interest rates and the overall equity markets and are included in Other income, net, in our Combined Consolidated Statements of Income.

        As of June 30, 2015, we had over $1.1 billion of AUM, approximately 95% of which was invested in equities and the remaining 5% was invested in fixed income. We conduct our alternative investment management business through our 93.9% owned subsidiary, GSI, and Gabelli & Partners, a wholly owned subsidiary of GSI. GSI is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act. We also act as an underwriter and provide institutional research services through G.research, a broker-dealer subsidiary of GSI.

        GSI serves as the investment adviser to Investment Partnerships and separate accounts. Investment advisory fees, which are based on the amount and composition of the AUM in our client accounts, represent ACG's largest source of revenues. Advisory fees include both a management fee based on the level of AUM as well as an incentive allocation fee based on a percentage of the economic gain in the client accounts. Management fees are generally calculated on the assets at the beginning of the period, either monthly or quarterly, and incentive allocations are generally calculated on an annual basis. We recognize revenue only when the measurement period has been completed and when the incentive fees have been earned. Management fee rates for our event merger arbitrage products range from 1.0% to 1.5% and include a 20% incentive allocation. The event-driven value products carry a management fee of between 0.90% to 1.5% and an incentive allocation of 20%. Our other products have a management fee of 1% and an incentive allocation of either 10% or 20%. The following table shows the effective management fee rates for the products and dates indicated:

 
  2010   2011   2012   2013   2014  

Event Merger Arb

    1.00 %   1.00 %   1.02 %   1.00 %   1.01 %

Event Driven Value

    1.19 %   1.21 %   1.30 %   1.14 %   1.12 %

Other

    1.00 %   1.00 %   1.00 %   1.00 %   1.00 %

        The fluctuation in the average effective management fee rate for the Event Merger Arb product line and the Event Diven Value product line was due to the relative amount of AUM in each product

60


Table of Contents

within those categories as fees vary by product within the Event Merger Arb product line from 1.00% to 1.50% and within the Event Driven Value product line from 0.90% to 1.50%.

        Institutional research services revenues consist of brokerage commissions derived from securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of mutual funds, Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients as well as investment banking revenue, which consists of underwriting profits, selling concessions and management fees associated with underwriting activities. Commission revenues vary directly with account trading activity and new account generation. Investment banking revenues are directly impacted by the overall market conditions, which affect the number of public offerings which may take place.

        In addition to the general level and trends of the stock market, growth in our revenues depends on good investment performance, which influences the value of existing AUM as well as contributes to higher investment and lower redemption rates, and facilitates the ability to attract additional investors while maintaining current fee levels. Growth in AUM is also dependent on being able to access various distribution channels, which is usually based on several factors, including performance and service. Historically, we have depended on direct distribution of our products and services. However, in recent years we have utilized third parties to augment our internal distribution capabilities. As a separate company from GAMCO, we hope to be able to utilize more third parties to distribute our products, some of whom may be direct competitors of GAMCO in the mutual fund and private wealth management areas.

        Net gain/(loss) from investments includes realized and unrealized gains and losses on our proprietary assets, which include investments in stocks, mutual funds and both affiliated and unaffiliated partnerships and offshore funds.

        Interest and dividend income includes interest income earned from cash equivalents that were invested in a money market mutual fund managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GAMCO and a registered investment advisor.

Assets Under Management Highlights

        We reported assets under management as follows (dollars in millions):

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
  Year Ended December 31,    
 
 
  CAGR(a)
2015/2010
 
 
  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010  

Event Merger Arbitrage

  $ 855   $ 796   $ 691   $ 721   $ 513   $ 401     18.3 %

Event-Driven Value

    133     167     140     124     132     55     21.7 %

Other

    76     77     76     75     65     59     5.8 %

Total AUM

  $ 1,064   $ 1,040   $ 907   $ 920   $ 710   $ 515     17.5 %

        Our gross cash inflows by product line were as follows (in millions):

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010  

Event Merger Arbitrage

  $ 68   $ 162   $ 79   $ 248   $ 175   $ 183  

Event-Driven Value

    3     45     38     29     92     13  

Other

        5     6     23     3     5  

Total AUM

  $ 71   $ 212   $ 123   $ 300   $ 270   $ 201  

61


Table of Contents

        Our gross cash outflows by product line were as follows (in millions):

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010  

Event Merger Arbitrage

  $ (29 ) $ (68 ) $ (137 ) $ (58 ) $ (79 ) $ (23 )

Event-Driven Value

    (38 )   (21 )   (36 )   (42 )   (9 )   (7 )

Other

    (4 )   (5 )   (13 )   (20 )       (1 )

Total AUM

  $ (71 ) $ (94 ) $ (186 ) $ (120 ) $ (88 ) $ (31 )

        Our net appreciation and depreciation by product line were as follows (in millions):

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2015   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010  

Event Merger Arbitrage

  $ 20   $ 11   $ 28   $ 18   $ 16   $ 24  

Event-Driven Value

    1     3     14     5     (6 )   8  

Other

    3     1     8     7     3     8  

Total AUM

  $ 24   $ 15   $ 50   $ 30   $ 13   $ 40  

(a)
Compound annual growth rate.

        Our AUM at June 30, 2015 was $1.1 billion, an increase of $0.1 billion, or 10%, from $1.0 billion at December 31, 2014. Outflows of $71 million were offset by inflows of $71 million while market appreciation added $24 million. Our AUM increased to over $1.0 billion at December 31, 2014 from $907 million at December 31, 2013. This increase was due to market appreciation of $15 million and inflows of $212 million, offset partially by outflows of $94 million. Our AUM decreased to $907 million at December 31, 2013 from $920 million at December 31, 2012. This decrease was due to outflows of $186 million, offset partially by market appreciation of $50 million and inflows of $123 million.

Operating Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 as Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

Revenues

        Total revenues were $9.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, $1.0 million, or 12.8%, higher than total revenues of $8.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Total revenues by revenue component were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
  Increase
(decrease)
 
 
  2015   2014   $   %  

Investment advisory and incentive fees

  $ 4,437   $ 3,234   $ 1,203     37.2 %

Distribution fees and other income

    1,035     1,042     (7 )   (0.7 )

Institutional research services

    4,067     4,180     (113 )   (2.7 )

Total revenues

  $ 9,539   $ 8,456   $ 1,083     12.8  

62


Table of Contents

         Investment advisory and incentive fees :     Investment advisory income is directly influenced by the level and mix of average AUM. We earn advisory fees based on the level of average AUM in our products.

        Advisory fees were $4.4 million for the 2015 period compared to $3.2 million for the 2014 period, an increase of $1.2 million, or 37.2%. This increase is directly correlated to the increase in average AUM to $1.045 billion in first half of 2015 from $949 million in the first half of 2014, an increase of $96 million, or 10.1%. Additionally, the 2014 period's revenue is lower by $425,000 from the offset of advisory fees against investment gains from an offshore fund that was being consolidated during 2014 that ceased to be consolidated January 1, 2015.

        Incentive fees are directly related to the gains generated for our clients. We earn a percentage, usually 20%, of the economic gains of our clients' AUM. These fees are recorded at the end of the measurement period, which is typically year-end. For both the first half of 2015 and 2014 we did not record any incentive fee income.

         Institutional research services :     Institutional research services revenues in the 2015 period were $4.1 million, a $0.1 million, or 2.7%, decrease from $4.2 million in the 2014 period resulting from lower brokerage commissions derived from securities transactions executed on an agency basis.

         Distribution fees and other income :     Distribution fees and other income was $1.0 million for both the first half of 2015 and 2014.

Expenses

         Compensation :     Compensation costs, which include variable compensation, salaries, bonuses and benefits, were $12.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, a 15.5% increase from $11.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Fixed compensation costs, which include salaries, bonuses and benefits, increased 14.1% to $8.9 million in the 2015 period from $7.8 million in 2014 period due primarily to higher salaries in 2015 than 2014. The remainder of the compensation expenses represents variable compensation that fluctuates with management fee and incentive allocation revenues. For the first half of 2015, variable payouts on revenues were $2.6 million, or 27.3% of revenues, an increase of $0.4 million from the $2.2 million, or 26.3% of revenues in the first half of 2014. Variable payouts as a percent of revenues are impacted by the mix of products upon which performance fees are earned and the extent to which they may exceed their allocated costs.

         Stock based compensation :     Stock based compensation was $1.3 million in the 2015 period, an increase of $0.4 million, as compared to $0.9 million in the 2014 period. The increase results from the issuance by GAMCO of 158,600 RSAs during 2014.

         Management fees :     Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits, which is paid to Mario J. Gabelli pursuant to his employment agreement. In the first half of 2015 and 2014, ACG recorded a management fee expense of $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, as presented in the combined consolidated statements of income.

         Other operating expenses :     Our other operating expenses were $3.7 million in the 2015 period unchanged from $3.7 million in the 2014 period.

Other income/(expense)

         Net gain from investments :     Net gain from investments is directly related to the performance of our proprietary capital accounts. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, net gains from investments were $10.7 million, lower by $2.0 million, or 15.7%, from the prior year's $12.7 million and was largely

63


Table of Contents

impacted by the relative market performance during these two periods. In the first half of 2015, we realized gains in our trading portfolios of $11.4 million and gains from AFS securities of $25,000. In the first half of 2014, we realized gains in our trading portfolios of $0.8 million and gains from AFS securities of $2.7 million. Additionally, for the holdings in the proprietary portfolio that we held during each period, there were unrealized losses of $0.7 million in the 2015 period, while there were unrealized gains of $9.2 million in the 2014 period.

         Interest and dividend income :     Interest and dividend income decreased $0.1 million, or 5.3%, to $1.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2015 from $1.9 million in the six months ended June 30, 2014 due to lower dividend income.

         Interest expense :     Interest expense was unchanged at $0.7 million in both the first half of 2015 and 2014.

Income Taxes

        The U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") effective tax rate ("ETR") was 27.7% and 29.9% for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Noncontrolling Interest

        Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was a loss of $26,000 in the 2015 period compared to income of $0.4 million in the 2014 period.

Net Income

        Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $3.2 million versus $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 substantially the result of the higher gains from ACG's proprietary investments in the six months ended June 30, 2014 partially offset by increased operating losses.

Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2013

Revenues

        Total revenues were $21.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, $0.6 million, or 3.0%, higher than total revenues of $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Total revenues by revenue component were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 
  Year Ended
December 31,
  Increase
(decrease)
 
 
  2014   2013   $   %  

Investment advisory and incentive fees

  $ 9,779   $ 10,805   $ (1,026 )   (9.5 )%

Distribution fees and other income

    2,090     677     1,413     208.7  

Institutional research services

    9,160     8,940     220     2.5  

Total revenues

  $ 21,029   $ 20,422   $ 607     3.0  

         Investment advisory and incentive fees :     Investment advisory income is directly influenced by the level and mix of average AUM. We earn advisory fees based on the level of average AUM in our products.

        Advisory fees were $7.1 million for 2014 compared to $6.5 million for 2013, an increase of $0.6 million, or 9.2%. This increase is directly correlated to the increase in average AUM to $982 million in 2014 from $897 million in 2013, an increase of $85 million, or 9.5%.

64


Table of Contents

        Incentive fees are directly related to the gains generated for our clients. We earn a percentage, usually 20%, of the economic gains of our clients' AUM. Incentive fees were $2.7 million in 2014, down $1.6 million, or 37.2%, from $4.3 million in 2013 as market appreciation in our clients' accounts were lower in 2014 as compared to 2013.

         Institutional research services :     Institutional research services revenues in 2014 were $9.2 million, a $0.3 million, or 2.5%, increase from $8.9 million in 2013 resulting from higher brokerage commissions derived from securities transactions executed on an agency basis.

         Distribution fees and other income :     Other income was $2.1 million for 2014 versus $0.7 million for 2013, an increase of $1.4 million. This increase was primarily from initiating an annual fee charged to affiliated entities for research services provided which totaled $1.5 million during 2014. There was no such fee charged in 2013.

Expenses

         Compensation :     Compensation costs, which include variable compensation, salaries, bonuses and benefits, were $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, a 4.3% decrease from $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Fixed compensation costs, which include salaries, bonuses and benefits, increased 2.6% to $15.8 million in 2014 from $15.4 million in 2013 due primarily to higher salaries in 2014 than 2013. The remainder of the compensation expenses represents variable compensation that fluctuates with management fee and incentive allocation revenues. For 2014, variable payouts on revenues were $6.5 million, or 30.9% of revenues, down $1.4 million from the $7.9 million, or 38.7% of revenues in 2013. Variable payouts as a percent of revenues are impacted by the mix of products upon which performance fees are earned and the extent to which they may exceed their allocated costs.

         Stock based compensation :     Stock based compensation was $1.9 million in 2014, an increase of $1.4 million, as compared to $0.5 million in 2013. The increase results from the issuance by GAMCO of 576,950 RSAs in the second half of 2013 and 158,600 RSAs during 2014.

         Management fees :     Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits which is paid to Mario J. Gabelli pursuant to his employment agreement. In 2014 and 2013, ACG recorded a management fee expense of $0.0 million and $4.5 million, respectively, as presented in the combined consolidated statements of income.

         Other operating expenses :     Our other operating expenses were $6.8 million in 2014 compared to $6.6 million in 2013, an increase of $0.2 million, or 3.0%, which was spread among multiple categories of expense.

Other income/(expense)

         Net gain from investments :     Net gain from investments is directly related to the performance of our proprietary capital accounts. For the year ended December 31, 2014, net gains from investments were $6.5 million versus $50.9 million in the prior year. In 2014, we realized gains in our trading portfolios of $5.2 million and gains from AFS securities of $3.0 million. In 2013, we realized gains in our trading portfolios of $6.1 million and gains from AFS securities of $16.4 million. In an effort to diversify the Company's proprietary portfolio, in 2013 we sold $27.4 million of one AFS holding which resulted in gains of $16.3 million. During 2014 we continued to diversify the portfolio and sold an additional $4.3 million of the same security resulting in gains of $2.7 million. Additionally, for the holdings in the proprietary portfolio that we held during each period, there were unrealized losses of $1.7 million in 2014, compared to $28.4 million of unrealized gains in 2013. This year over year change was largely impacted by the relative market performance during each year.

65


Table of Contents

         Interest and dividend income :     Interest and dividend income decreased $1.5 million, or 25.4%, to $4.4 million in 2014 from $5.9 million in 2013 due to lower dividend income as interest income was $0.1 million in both periods.

         Interest expense :     Interest expense decreased to $1.4 million in 2014 from $1.9 million in 2013 primarily due to the paydown of $10 million of debt owed to GAMCO in March 2014.

Income Taxes

        In 2014, we recorded an income tax provision of $0.8 million despite a pretax loss of $0.4 million due to $4.2 million of losses attributable to noncontrolling interests. This results because income or losses attributable to noncontrolling interests are included in determining pretax earnings but provide no corporate tax provision or benefit. Excluding noncontrolling interests, the effective tax rate ("ETR") was 20.5% in 2014 and 33.0% in 2013. The decrease in ETR is due to the relative impact of book to tax differences on a lower taxable income in 2014.

Noncontrolling Interest

        Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was a loss of $4.2 million in 2014 compared to income of $0.5 million in 2013, the result of currency fluctuations on Euro denominated share classes in the underlying investment partnerships consolidated for GAAP purposes.

Net Income

        Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $3.0 million versus $26.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 substantially the result of the lower gains from ACG's proprietary investments offset by reduced operating losses.

Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2013 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2012

Revenues

        Total revenues were $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, $1.1 million, or 5.2%, below total revenues of $21.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Total revenues by revenue component were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 
  Year Ended
December 31,
  Increase
(decrease)
 
 
  2013   2012   $   %  

Investment advisory and incentive fees

  $ 10,805   $ 8,952   $ 1,853     20.7 %

Distribution fees and other income

    677     1,644     (967 )   (58.8 )

Institutional research services

    8,940     10,953     (2,013 )   (18.4 )

Total revenues

  $ 20,422   $ 21,549   $ (1,127 )   (5.2 )

         Investment advisory and incentive fees :     Investment advisory income is directly influenced by the level and mix of average AUM. We earn advisory fees based on the level of average AUM in our products.

        Advisory fees were $6.5 million for 2013 compared to $6.2 million for 2012, an increase of $0.3 million, or 4.8%. This increase is directly correlated to the increase in average AUM to $897 million in 2013 from $844 million in 2012, an increase of $53 million, or 6.3%.

66


Table of Contents

        Incentive fees are directly related to the gains generated for our clients. We earn a percentage, usually 20%, of the economic gains of our clients' AUM. Incentive fees were $4.3 million in 2013, increasing $1.6 million, or 59.3%, from $2.7 million in 2012 as market appreciation in our client's accounts was higher than in 2012.

         Institutional research services :     Institutional research services revenues in 2013 were $8.9 million, a $2.1 million, or 19.1%, decrease from $11.0 million in 2012 resulting from lower revenues from underwriting and syndicate activities. Brokerage commissions derived from securities transactions executed on an agency basis were higher, at $8.3 million in 2013 versus $7.9 million in 2012.

         Distribution fees and other income :     Other income was $0.7 million for 2013 versus $1.6 million for 2012, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 58.8%. This decrease was primarily related to lower distribution fees in 2013 as compared to 2012 of $1.0 million.

Expenses

         Compensation :     Compensation costs, which include variable compensation, salaries, bonuses and benefits, were $23.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, an 11.5% increase from $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Fixed compensation costs, which include salaries, bonuses and benefits, increased 4.8% to $15.4 million in 2013 from $14.7 million in 2012 due primarily to higher salaries in 2013 than 2012. The remainder of the compensation expenses represents variable compensation that fluctuates with management fee and incentive allocation revenues. For 2013, variable payouts on revenues were $7.9 million, or 38.7% of revenues, increasing $1.7 million from the $6.2 million, or 28.8% of revenues in 2012. Variable payouts as a percent of revenues are impacted by the mix of products upon which performance fees are earned and the extent to which they may exceed their allocated costs.

         Stock based compensation :     Stock based compensation was $0.5 million in 2013, a decrease of $2.9 million, as compared to $3.4 million in 2012. The decrease results from the acceleration of RSAs vesting in 2012 which resulted in additional expense recognized in 2012 that would have been recognized from 2013 through 2016.

         Management fees :     Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits which is paid to the Chairman (or his designee). In 2013 and 2012, ACG recorded a management fee expense of $4.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, as presented in the combined consolidated statements of income.

         Other operating expenses :     Our other operating expenses were $6.6 million in 2013 compared to $8.8 million in 2012, a decrease of $2.2 million, or 25.0%. Of this decrease, $0.9 million was the result of lower amortization of advanced commission during 2013 as compared to 2012.

Other income/(expense)

         Net gain from investments :     Net gain from investments is directly related to the performance of our proprietary capital accounts. For the year ended December 31, 2013, net gains from investments were $50.9 million, rising $29.9 million, or 142%, from the prior year's $21.0 million. In 2013, we realized gains in our trading portfolios of $6.1 million and gains from AFS securities of $16.4 million. In 2012, we realized gains in our trading portfolios of $7.7 million and gains from AFS securities of $0.2 million. Additionally, for the holdings in the proprietary portfolio that we held during each period there were unrealized gains of $28.4 million in 2013 as compared to $13.1 million in 2012.

         Interest and dividend income :     Interest and dividend income increased by $1.5 million, or 34.1%, to $5.9 million in 2013 from $4.4 million in 2012.

67


Table of Contents

Income Taxes

        Income tax expense was $13.2 million in 2013, versus $3.1 million in 2012. The ETR was 32.6% in 2013 and 28.8% in 2012. The increase in the ETR results from higher levels of taxable income.

Noncontrolling Interest

        Noncontrolling interest was an expense of $0.5 million in 2013 compared to $0.2 million in 2012.

Net Income

        Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $26.8 million versus $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 largely the result of increased gains earned on our proprietary investments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our principal assets consist of cash equivalents, a U.S. Treasury money market mutual fund, that is invested 100% in U.S. treasuries, managed by Gabelli Funds, Inc., an affiliate. Although investments in Investment Partnerships are subject to restrictions as to the timing of distributions, the underlying investments of such Investment Partnerships are, for the most part, liquid, and the valuations of these products reflect that underlying liquidity.

        Summary cash flow data is as follows (in thousands):

 
  Six Months
Ended June 30,
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2015   2014   2014   2013   2012  

Cash flows provided by (used in):

                               

Operating activities

  $ 50,500   $ (4,684 ) $ (58,642 ) $ 40,806   $ (2,772 )

Investing activities

    (40,338 )   4,292     3,839     29,402     1,867  

Financing activities

    65,367     97,280     140,797     (50,518 )   (88,439 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    75,529     96,888     85,994     19,690     (89,344 )

Increase in cash from consolidation

    10                  

Increase in cash from deconsolidation

    13                  

Cash and equivalents at beginning of year

    285,530     199,536     199,536     179,846     269,190  

Cash and equivalents at end of year

  $ 361,082   $ 296,424   $ 285,530   $ 199,536   $ 179,846  

        We require relatively low levels of capital expenditures and have a highly variable cost structure where costs increase and decrease based on the level of revenues we receive. Our revenues, in turn, are highly correlated to the level of AUM and to their investment performance. We anticipate that we will be able to continue to produce positive operating cash flows and that together with our available liquid assets should be sufficient to meet our cash requirements. At June 30, 2015, we had cash equivalents of $361.1 million, an increase of $75.6 million from the prior year-end.

        Net cash provided by operating activities was $50.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, principally resulting from net purchases of securities and partnership interests in our proprietary accounts of $17.4 million, $12.9 million from timing differences in the settlement of trading securities, net income of $3.2 million and a $17.0 million decrease in other assets offset by decreases in its compensation payable of $3.1 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $4.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, principally due to a decrease in compensation payable of $8.0 million.

68


Table of Contents

        Net cash used in investing activities was $40.3 million in 2015 primarily from purchases of AFS securities while net cash provided by investing activities was $4.3 million in 2014 largely due to proceeds from sales of AFS securities.

        Net cash provided by financing activities was $65.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, largely resulting from $0.1 million in net redemptions from noncontrolling interests and $65.5 million in cash transfers from its parent. Net cash provided by financing activities was $97.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014, due to $15.6 million in net contributions from noncontrolling interests and $91.7 million in cash transfers from its parent less $10.0 million for the repayment of a demand loan.

        Net cash used in operating activities was $58.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, principally resulting from net purchases of securities and partnership interests in our proprietary accounts of $38.8 million, decreases in its accrued expenses and payables of $9.5 million and a $16.0 million increase in other assets offset by net income of $3.0 million and $7.8 million from timing differences in the settlement of trading securities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $40.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, principally due to net income of $26.8 million.

        Net cash provided by investing activities was $3.8 million in 2014 and $29.4 million in 2013, in both years largely due to proceeds from sales of AFS securities.

        Net cash provided by financing activities was $140.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, largely resulting from $65.7 million in net contributions from noncontrolling interests and $85.1 million in cash transfers from its parent. Net cash used in financing activities was $50.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, due to $11.1 million in net redemptions from noncontrolling interests and net transfers to its parent of $38.9 million.

        G.research is registered with the SEC as broker-dealers and is regulated by FINRA. As such, G.research is subject to the minimum net capital requirements promulgated by the SEC. G.research's net capital exceeded these minimum requirements at June 30, 2015. G.research computes its net capital under the alternative method permitted by the SEC, which requires minimum net capital of the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. As of June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and 2013, G.research had net capital, as defined, of approximately $7.3 million, $1.6 million and $3.6 million, respectively, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $7.1 million, $1.4 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Net capital requirements for G.research may increase in accordance with rules and regulations to the extent it engages in other business activities.

        After the record date and before the distribution date and subject to the NYSE 19.99% Limit, GAMCO expects to issue to GSI up to $150 million worth of Former GAMCO Treasury Shares in exchange for the GSI Note. GAMCO will contribute the GSI Note to ACG at the time of the spin-off resulting in GSI owing ACG all amounts due pursuant to the GSI Note. The proceeds we receive pursuant to these transactions and our potential future sale of the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares may be used to, among other things, provide seed capital for Investment Partnerships that we expect to form and, possibly, acquisitions, alliances and lift-outs. See "The Spin-Off—The Formation Transactions" and "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Spin-Off—GAMCO Note."

69


Table of Contents

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        We are the general partner or co-general partner of various Investment Partnerships whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities.

        Our income from these Investment Partnerships consists of our share of the management fees and a 20% incentive allocation on profits earned by the limited partners. We also receive a pro rata return on any investment we have in the Investment Partnership. We earned management fees of $2.9 million, $2.8 million and $3.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and incentive fees of $1.0 million, $1.5 million and $1.2 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our pro rata gain on investments in these limited partnerships totaled $1.5 million, $1.9 million and $0.9 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

        We do not invest in any other off-balance sheet vehicles that provide financing, liquidity, market or credit risk support or engage in any leasing activities that expose us to any liability that is not reflected on our Combined Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contractual Obligations

        The following table sets forth our significant contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

Contractual Obligations:
  Total   2015   2016   2017   2018   2019   Thereafter  

Demand Notes(1)

    16,000     16,000                      

Occupancy charge

  $ 4,004   $ 312   $ 284   $ 284   $ 284   $ 284   $ 2,556  

Total

  $ 20,004   $ 16,312   $ 284   $ 284   $ 284   $ 284   $ 2,556  

(1)
The demand notes are due to GAMCO and are expected to be repaid in connection with the spin-off.

Market Risk

        Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in equity prices and interest rates. Because 100% of our AUM are equities, our financial results are subject to equity-market risk as revenues from our investment management services are sensitive to stock market dynamics. In addition, returns from our proprietary investment portfolio are exposed to interest rate and equity market risk.

        Historically, GAMCO's Chief Investment Officer has overseen our proprietary investment portfolios and allocations of proprietary capital among our various strategies, and he and the GAMCO Board reviewed our proprietary investment portfolios throughout the year. After the spin-off, it is expected that our Chief Investment Officer and our Board will perform these functions. Additionally, we will monitor our proprietary investment portfolios to ensure that they are in compliance with our guidelines.

Equity Price Risk

        We earn substantially all of our revenue as advisory and incentive fees from our Investment Partnership assets. Such fees represent a percentage of AUM, and the majority of these assets are in equity investments. Accordingly, since revenues are proportionate to the value of those investments, a substantial increase or decrease in equity markets overall will have a corresponding effect on our revenues.

70


Table of Contents

        With respect to our proprietary investment activities, included in investments in securities and investments in sponsored registered investment companies of $232.9 million, $260.1 million and $232.2 million at June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were investments in United States Treasury Bills and Notes of $7.0 million, $19.0 million and $38.0 million, respectively, mutual funds, largely invested in equity products, of $131.2 million, $44.4 million and $69.0 million, respectively, a selection of common and preferred stocks totaling $93.9 million, $195.0 million and $124.6 million, respectively, and other investments of approximately $0.8 million, $1.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

        Investments in mutual funds generally have lower market risk through the diversification of financial instruments within each mutual fund's portfolio. In addition, we may alter our investment holdings from time to time in response to changes in market risks and other factors considered appropriate by management. Of the approximately $93.9 million, $195.0 million and $124.6 million, invested in common and preferred stocks at June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, $68.1 million, $103.9 million and $32.3 million, respectively, was invested in risk arbitrage opportunities in connection with mergers, consolidations, acquisitions, tender offers or other similar transactions. Securities sold, not yet purchased are financial instruments purchased under agreements to resell and financial instruments sold under agreement to repurchase. These financial instruments are stated at fair value and are subject to market risks resulting from changes in price and volatility. At June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of securities sold, not yet purchased was $9.8 million, $10.6 million and $6.2 million, respectively. Investments in partnerships and affiliates totaled $108.9 million, $107.6 million and $96.0 million at June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, the majority of which consisted of investment partnerships and offshore funds which invest in risk arbitrage opportunities. These transactions generally involve announced deals with agreed upon terms and conditions, including pricing, which typically involve less market risk than common stocks held in a trading portfolio. The principal risk associated with risk arbitrage transactions is the inability of the companies involved to complete the transaction.

        The following table provides a sensitivity analysis for our investments in equity securities and partnerships and affiliates which invest primarily in equity securities, excluding arbitrage products for which the principal exposure is to deal closure and not overall market conditions, as of June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The sensitivity analysis assumes a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these investments (in thousands):

(unaudited)
  Fair Value   Fair Value
assuming
10% decrease in
equity prices
  Fair Value
assuming
10% increase in
equity prices
 

At June 30, 2015:

                   

Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value

  $ 210,687   $ 189,618   $ 231,756  

At December 31, 2014:

                   

Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value

  $ 204,779   $ 184,301   $ 225,257  

At December 31, 2013:

                   

Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value

  $ 248,300   $ 223,470   $ 273,130  

        Investment Partnership advisory fees are computed based on monthly or quarterly asset values. The incentive allocation or fee of 20% of the economic profit from Investment Partnerships is impacted by changes in the market prices of the underlying investments of these products and is not recognized until the end of the measurement period.

71


Table of Contents

Interest Rate Risk

        Our exposure to interest rate risk results, principally, from our investment of excess cash in a money market fund that holds U.S. Government securities. These investments are primarily short term in nature, and the carrying value of these investments generally approximates fair value. Based on June 30, 2015 cash and cash equivalent balance of $361.1 million, a 1% increase in interest rates would increase our interest income by $3.6 million annually. Given that our current annualized return on these investments is close to 0%, an analysis of a 1% decrease is not meaningful.

Critical Accounting Policies

        In the ordinary course of business, we make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of results of operations and financial condition in the preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. We base our estimates on historical experience, when available, and on other various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

        We believe the critical assumptions and estimates are those applied to revenue recognition, the accounting for and valuation of investments in securities, partnerships, and offshore funds, goodwill and other long-lived intangibles, income taxes and stock based compensation accounting.

Revenue Recognition

        Our revenues are derived primarily from advisory fee income, incentive allocation income and gain/(loss) from investments.

        Advisory fee income is directly influenced by the level and mix of AUM as fees are derived from a contractually-determined percentage of AUM for each account. Advisory fees from Investment Partnerships are computed either monthly or quarterly, and amounts receivable are included in receivable from affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. We derived approximately 34%, 32% and 29% of our total revenues from advisory fees, for the periods ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These revenues vary depending upon the level of sales compared with redemptions, financial market conditions, performance and the fee structure for AUM.

        Revenues from Investment Partnerships also generally include an incentive allocation on the absolute gain in a portfolio or a fee of 20% of the economic profit as defined in the partnership agreement. The incentive allocation or fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually, and amounts receivable are included in receivable from affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. There were $1.9 million and $2.7 million in incentive allocations or fees receivable as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We also receive incentive fees from separate accounts. These fees are based upon either meeting or exceeding a specific benchmark index or indices or 20% of the economic profit earned by the separate account and can be earned even if the return to the client is negative as long as the return exceeds the benchmark. These fees are recognized, for each respective account, at the end of the stipulated contract period, which is annually, and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. There were $0.8 million and $1.2 million in incentive fees receivable relating to separate accounts as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our incentive allocations or fees from either Investment Partnerships or separate accounts are not subject to any clawbacks. Some of our Investment Partnerships and separate accounts do have provisions to provide our clients a loss carryforward, whereby we would have to earn a return for the client in excess of the loss carryforward prior to earning an incentive allocation or fee. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 3% of our AUM has loss carryforwards upon which we will not earn any incentive allocation or fee until the client's account has earnings in excess of such loss carryforwards.

72


Table of Contents

Investments in Securities Transactions and Other Than Temporary Impairment

        Investments in securities are accounted for as either "trading securities" or "available for sale" and are stated at fair value. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designations as of each balance sheet date. U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are considered investments in securities. Securities that are not readily marketable are stated at their estimated fair values in accordance with GAAP. A substantial portion of investments in securities are held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements and therefore are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income. AFS investments are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of equity except for losses deemed to be other than temporary, which are recorded as realized losses on the combined consolidated statements of income. Securities transactions and any related gains and losses are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identified cost basis and are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income.

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

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

Investments in Partnerships and Affiliates

Affiliated Entities

        We are general partner or co-general partner of various sponsored limited partnerships and the investment manager of various sponsored offshore funds (collectively "affiliated entities"), whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities. In accordance with the consolidation assessment models set forth in ASC 810-10 and 810-20, we consolidate all investments in partnerships and affiliates in which we have a controlling financial interest.

        We first determine whether an entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE"). A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) the equity investors do not have the ability to make decisions about the entities' activities or obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity or (c) the voting rights are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity or their rights to receive the expected

73


Table of Contents

residual returns of the entity. We evaluate whether entities in which we have an interest are VIEs and whether we are the primary beneficiary of any VIEs identified in our analysis. We are determined to be the primary beneficiary if we absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses, expected residual returns, or both. If we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE, we consolidate that entity. If we are not the primary beneficiary, we account for our investment under the equity method.

        In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") amended the guidance on VIEs when it issued ASU 2009-17. This guidance requires that if a decision maker has a variable interest in a VIE, the decision maker is not solely acting in a fiduciary capacity and would be required to consolidate the VIE if it has both the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and economic exposure that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If we were to apply such guidance, we would be required to consolidate most of our affiliated entities. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-10, which indefinitely deferred the effective date of the amendments to ASC 810-10 made by ASU 2009-17, for a reporting entity's interest in certain entities. Currently, interests in entities that qualify for the deferral are evaluated by applying the VIE model in ASC 810-10 ( i.e. , before the amendments by ASU 2009-17), while interests in entities that do not qualify for the deferral must be evaluated under the amendments in ASU 2009-17. Because all of the entities with which we are involved that would have been subject to the guidance in ASU 2009-17 were determined to qualify for the FASB's deferral of such guidance, we apply the guidance for VIEs that existed prior to the issuance of ASU 2009-17.

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

        For those investments accounted for under the equity method, our share in net earnings or losses of these affiliated entities is reflected in income as earned and is included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income. Capital contributions are recorded as an increase in investments when paid, while withdrawals and distributions received are recorded as reductions of the investments. Depending on the terms of the investment, we may be restricted as to the timing and amounts of withdrawals.

        For consolidated feeder funds ("CFFs") that own 100% of their offshore master funds, we retain the feeder funds' specialized investment company accounting ( i.e. , the feeder funds accounts for its investment in the master fund at fair value).

        We record noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities for which our ownership is less than 100%.

Unaffiliated entities

        We also have investments in unaffiliated partnerships, offshore funds and other entities. We apply the same guidance to unaffiliated entities as we do for affiliated entities, first looking at the VIE criteria, then VOE criteria and finally applying the equity method, if applicable. Given that we are not a general partner or investment manager in any unaffiliated entities, we do not earn any management or incentive fees and we do not have a controlling financial interest, we do not currently consolidate any unaffiliated entities.

74


Table of Contents

        Our balance sheet caption "investments in partnerships" includes those investments, in both affiliated and unaffiliated entities, which we account for under the equity method of accounting and certain investments in consolidated feeder funds that we account for at fair value, as described above. We reflect the equity in earnings of these equity method investees and the change in fair value of the consolidated feeder funds under the caption net gain/(loss) from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

        Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the cost of the acquired business over the sum of the amounts assigned to assets acquired less the liabilities assumed. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, goodwill recorded on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition was $3.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively. We assess the recoverability of goodwill at least annually, or more often should events warrant, using a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an impairment has occurred to determine if a quantitative analysis is required.

Income Taxes

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

Recent Accounting Developments

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

        In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update clarifying that entities should treat performance targets that could be met after the requisite service period of a share-based payment award as performance conditions that affect vesting. Therefore, an entity would not record compensation expense (measured as of the grant date) for an award where transfer to the employee is contingent upon satisfaction of the performance target until it becomes probable that the performance

75


Table of Contents

target will be met. The guidance is effective for ACG beginning January 1, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our combined consolidated financial statements.

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

        In May 2015, the FASB issued new guidance amending the current disclosure requirement for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share. The guidance requires investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient be removed from the fair value hierarchy. Instead, those investment amounts shall be provided as a separate item to permit reconciliation of the fair value of investments included in the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the statement of financial position. This new guidance will be effective for the Company's first quarter of 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact on its combined condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Internal Controls and Procedures

        Prior to the spin-off, the Gabelli Securities Group has been part of GAMCO and relied upon GAMCO accounting personnel to adequately execute and supervise our accounting processes and our internal control over financial reporting. After discussions with our independent registered public accounting firm, we concluded that as a result of a restatement of our historical combined consolidated financial statements there was a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. This material weakness related specifically to the transfer of financial information from GAMCO to ACG during its formation process and not in the design or operation of controls related to the normal course recognition, valuation or reporting of investment transactions. Realized gains related to a single investment were inadvertently included in our combined consolidated statements of income when the investment itself was not one of the assets transferred to ACG from GAMCO as part of the spin-off. See Note B to our audited combined consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 for a description of the restatement resulting from this material weakness. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. To address this material weakness, we have enhanced our procedures to include a detailed review of the transactions relating to this one investment that will not be transferred as part of the spin-off to ensure that we are properly accounting for it.

        Pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement, we will rely on GAMCO for some of our internal control systems. In preparation to function as a separate public company from GAMCO, we have begun the process of evaluating our own internal control over financial reporting and are in the early phases of our review and will not complete our review until well after this spin-off is completed. We cannot predict the outcome of our review at this time. During the course of the review, we may identify additional control deficiencies, which may represent significant deficiencies and other material weaknesses, in addition to those previously identified, that require remediation. Our remediation efforts may not enable us to remedy or avoid material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the future.

        We are not currently required to comply with the SEC's rules implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and are therefore not required to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. Upon becoming a public company, we will be required to comply with the SEC's rules implementing Sections 302 and 404(a) of the Sarbanes-

76


Table of Contents

Oxley Act, which will require our management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports and provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. While we will be required to disclose material changes made to our internal control over financial reporting on a quarterly basis, we will not be required to make our first annual assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act until the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC. To comply with the requirements of being a public company, we will need to implement additional internal controls and reporting systems.

Seasonality and Inflation

        We do not believe our operations are subject to significant seasonal fluctuations. We do not believe inflation will significantly affect our compensation costs, as they are substantially variable in nature. However, the rate of inflation may affect our expenses, such as information technology and occupancy costs. To the extent inflation results in rising interest rates and has other effects upon the securities markets, it may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations by reducing our AUM, revenues or otherwise.

77


Table of Contents


ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN GAMCO AND ACG AFTER THE SPIN-OFF

General

        As of the date of this information statement, GAMCO owns 93.9% of GSI. On the distribution date, this interest, along with GAMCO's interest in the Select Energy Fund will be contributed to ACG. After the spin-off, GAMCO will not own any shares of ACG common stock and will not have any interest in the Select Energy Fund.

        We will enter into agreements with GAMCO prior to and concurrently with the spin-off to govern the terms of the spin-off and to define our ongoing relationship following the spin-off, allocating responsibility for obligations arising before and after the spin-off, including obligations with respect to liabilities relating to GAMCO's business and to ACG's business and obligations with respect to our employees and certain transitional services. We will enter into these agreements with GAMCO while GSI is still a majority-owned subsidiary of GAMCO, and certain terms of these agreements may not be as favorable to ACG as could have been negotiated between independent parties.

        The following descriptions are summaries of the terms of the agreements. These summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such agreements, the forms of which will be included as exhibits to our registration statement on Form 10 filed with the SEC, of which this information statement is a part. We encourage you to read, in their entirety, each of the material agreements when they become available. The terms of these agreements have not yet been finalized; changes, some of which may be material, may be made prior to the spin-off.

Separation and Distribution Agreement

        The Separation Agreement will contain the key provisions relating to the separation of our business from that of GAMCO and the distribution of the ACG common stock. The Separation Agreement will identify the assets to be transferred, liabilities to be assumed and contracts to be assigned to us by GAMCO and by us to GAMCO in the spin-off and describe when and how these transfers, assumptions and assignments will occur. The Separation Agreement will also include procedures by which GAMCO and we will become separate and independent companies. In addition, we will enter into certain ancillary agreements with GAMCO governing various interim and ongoing relationships between GAMCO and us following the distribution date. These ancillary agreements include:

        We and GAMCO intend to execute the Separation Agreement and the ancillary agreements on or before the distribution date; however, they will not be effective until the distribution date. The Separation Agreement may be amended if both parties agree in writing.

Recapitalization and Separation

        The Separation Agreement will provide that, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Separation Agreement and before the distribution,

78


Table of Contents

Distribution of Shares

        GAMCO will distribute to its stockholders all the shares of ACG common stock that it owns on the terms described in this information statement. GAMCO's obligation to consummate the distribution is subject to the following conditions:

Mutual Release

        As of the time of the distribution, each party will release the other party and their respective affiliates and their directors, officers, employees and agents from all claims, demands and liabilities, in law and in equity, against such other party, which such releasing party has or may have had relating to events, circumstances or actions taken by such other party prior to the distribution. This release does not apply to claims arising from the Separation Agreement.

Indemnification

        From and after the distribution, GAMCO will indemnify ACG and its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates (collectively, "ACG indemnitees") against all losses, liabilities and damages incurred or suffered by any of the ACG indemnitees arising out of:

79


Table of Contents

        From and after the distribution, ACG will indemnify GAMCO and its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates (collectively, "GAMCO indemnitees") against all losses, liabilities and damages incurred or suffered by any of the GAMCO indemnitees arising out of:

Further Assurances

        Each of the parties will agree to cooperate with the other and use commercially reasonable efforts to take or to cause to be taken all actions, and to do, or to cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable law or contractual obligations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement and the ancillary agreements.

Other Matters

        Other matters governed by the Separation Agreement include, without limitation, access to financial and other records and information, confidentiality and resolution of disputes between the parties relating to the Separation Agreement, the ancillary agreements and the agreements and transactions contemplated thereby.

Employee Matters

        Certain GAMCO employees will be transferred to ACG on an "at-will" basis. ACG will assume all the obligations relating to these employees arising on or after the distribution, including all obligations relating to employee benefits, vacation, health insurance and severance.

Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement

        Concurrently with our separation from GAMCO, we will enter into the Transitional Services Agreement pursuant to which GAMCO will provide ACG with a variety of services and ACG will

80


Table of Contents

provide payroll services to GAMCO following the spin-off. Among the principal services GAMCO will provide to us are:

        In providing the services pursuant to this agreement, GAMCO may, subject to the prior written consent of ACG, employ consultants and other advisers in addition to utilizing its own employees. In addition, Mr. Caterina, our Chief Financial Officer, will directly or indirectly supervise employees of GAMCO that may provide services to ACG pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement.

        Services provided by GAMCO to ACG or by ACG to GAMCO under the Transitional Services Agreement will be charged at cost.

        The Transitional Services Agreement has a term of twelve months, and may be extended in whole or in part by agreement of the parties. The Transitional Services Agreement is terminable by either party on 30 days' prior written notice to the other party.

Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement

        GAMCO and we expect to enter into a Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement effective as of the distribution date that will provide for certain agreements and covenants related to tax matters involving GAMCO and us. This agreement will cover time periods before and after the distribution. Among the matters to be addressed in the agreement are filing of tax returns, retention and sharing of books and records, cooperation in tax matters, control of possible tax audits and contests and tax indemnities. The agreement will also provide for limitations on certain corporate transactions that could affect the qualification of the spin-off as tax free under the Code.

GAMCO Note

        On or before the distribution date, GAMCO expects to issue the GAMCO Note to ACG. The GAMCO Note is a $250 million, 4.0%, five-year note with interest payable annually. Interest on the GAMCO note is payable in cash, or PIK, at GAMCO's option. The original $250 million principal will be paid off ratably over five years with any additional principal amount resulting from PIK interest being due five years from its issuance date. No interest on the GAMCO Note, including any additional principal resulting from PIK interest, may be paid via PIK with respect to any year after the fourth year from the issuance of the GAMCO Note.

81


Table of Contents

Service Mark and Name License Agreement

        On the distribution date, we will enter into the Service Mark and Name License Agreement with GAMCO pursuant to which we will have rights to use the "Gabelli" name and the "GAMCO" name. See "Business—Intellectual Property."

ACG Registration Rights Agreement

        We expect to enter into a registration rights agreement with GAMCO, which will become effective upon the distribution date (the "ACG Registration Rights Agreement"). The ACG Registration Rights Agreement will provide us with a resale shelf registration statement with respect to the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares. Without these registration rights, as an affiliate of GAMCO, ACG would be required to sell the Former GAMCO Treasury Shares within the volume limitations and other requirements of Rule 144 or use some other exemption under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which may not be available.

82


Table of Contents


MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers Following the Separation

        The following table sets forth the information as of October 19, 2015 regarding the individuals who are expected to serve as our executive officers following the spin-off.

Name
  Age   Title with Associated Capital Group, Inc.

Mario J. Gabelli

    73   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Marc Gabelli

    47   President

Kieran Caterina

    42   Chief Financial Officer

        The biographical information of each of our executive officers is set forth below:

         Mario J. Gabelli has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer—Value Portfolios and a director of GAMCO since November 1976. In connection with those responsibilities, he serves as director or trustee of registered investment companies managed by GAMCO and its affiliates. Mario J. Gabelli also serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Value Team of GAMCO Asset Management Inc., GAMCO's wholly owned subsidiary. Mario J. Gabelli has been a portfolio manager for Teton Advisors, Inc. ("Teton") since 1998 through the present. Teton is an asset management company which was spun-off from GAMCO in March 2009. Mario J. Gabelli has served as Chairman of LICT Corporation ("LICT"), a public company engaged in broadband transport and other communications services, from 2004 to the present and has been the Chief Executive Officer of LICT since December 2010. He has also served as a director of CIBL, Inc., a holding company with operations in broadcasting and telecommunications that was spun-off from LICT in 2007, from 2007 to the present, and as the Chairman of Morgan Group Holding Co., a public holding company, from 2001 to the present. Mario J. Gabelli was the Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Group Holding Co. from 2001 to November 2012. He has served as a director of ICTC Group, Inc., a rural telephone company serving southeastern North Dakota from July 2013 to the present. In addition, Mario J. Gabelli is the Chief Executive Officer, a director and the controlling shareholder of GGCP, a private company which owns a majority of the GAMCO Class B Stock (and, upon completion of the spin-off, a majority of ACG Class B Stock) through Holdings, an intermediate subsidiary, and the Chairman of MJG Associates, Inc., which acts as an investment manager of various investment funds and other accounts. Mario J. Gabelli serves as Overseer of the Columbia University Graduate School of Business and as a Trustee of Boston College and Trustee of Roger Williams University. He also serves as Director of The Winston Churchill Foundation, The E. L. Wiegand Foundation, The American-Italian Cancer Foundation and The Foundation for Italian Art & Culture. He is also Chairman of the Gabelli Foundation, Inc., a Nevada private charitable trust. Mario J. Gabelli also serves as Co-President of Field Point Park Association, Inc. It is expected that Mario J. Gabelli will resign as our Chief Executive Officer approximately one year after the date of the spin-off. However, it is expected that he will remain our Executive Chairman after he resigns as Chief Executive Officer.

         Marc Gabelli has been a director of GAMCO since November 2014. He has served as President and Managing Director of GGCP since GAMCO's initial public offering in February 1999. He is Co-Chairman of GSI, our majority controlled institutional research services and merger arbitrage investment partnerships business. Marc Gabelli's focus is global, catalyst-driven value investing across all market capitalizations and industry sectors. His portfolio assignments have included hedge fund management since 1990 and traditional asset management since 1994. He has managed several Morningstar five star mutual funds, and a Lipper #1 ranked global equity mutual fund in the United States. He helped lead GAMCO's initial public offering, built the GSI hedge fund platform, and expanded the business internationally, opening the Gabelli London and Tokyo offices. Marc Gabelli has also served as Chief Executive Officer of Gabelli Securities International Ltd. since 1994, Chairman of The LGL Group, Inc. since 2004, Managing Partner of Horizon Research since 2013, Managing

83


Table of Contents

Member of Commonwealth Management Partners LLC since 2008, and Director and Managing Partner of GAMA Funds Holdings GmbH since 2009. Marc Gabelli started his investment career in arbitrage at Lehman Brothers International. He holds an M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, and a B.A. from Boston College. He is a member of the New York Society of Securities Analysts. Marc Gabelli has been registered since 2011 with the FCA to undertake the controlled functions of a CF1 Director and CF3 Chief Executive. He is involved with various educational charities in the United States and Europe. Marc Gabelli is a son of Mario J. Gabelli.

         Kieran Caterina has served as the Finance Director and Co-Chief Accounting Officer of GAMCO since March 2012 and as a Vice President since January 2007 and will continue to serve in that position after the spin-off. He served as Finance Director and Co-Principal Accounting Officer of GAMCO from July 2008 to March 2012, as Acting Co-Chief Financial Officer from July 2007 to July 2008, as Chief Accounting Officer from January 2007 to July 2008 and as Controller from January 2002 to July 2008. Mr. Caterina joined GAMCO in March 1998 as a staff accountant.

Our Board Following the Separation

General

        Under Delaware law, the business and affairs of ACG will be managed under the direction of our Board. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will provide that the number of directors may be fixed by our Board from time to time, provided that there are always at least three and no more than twelve directors. As of the distribution date, our Board is expected to consist of the individuals listed below (ages as of October 19, 2015), three of whom are currently serving on the GAMCO Board. Richard L. Bready is expected to resign from the GAMCO Board on the distribution date. The present principal occupation or employment and five-year employment history of each individual is set forth below under "—Biographical Information Relating to Directors." Each of the individuals listed below is a citizen of the United States.

Name
  Age  

Mario J. Gabelli (Chairman)

    73  

Marc Gabelli

    47  

Richard L. Bready

    71  

Daniel R. Lee

    59  

Bruce M. Lisman

    68  

Salvatore F. Sodano (Vice Chairman)

    59  

Biographical Information Relating to Directors

        The present principal occupation or employment and five-year employment history of each of our directors is set forth below:

        Mario J. Gabelli.     For biographical information relating to Mario J. Gabelli, please refer to "—Executive Officers Following the Separation" above.

        Our Board believes that Mario J. Gabelli's qualifications to serve on the ACG board include his thirty-eight years of experience as CEO of GAMCO and his involvement with GSI since its inception and his control of ACG through his majority beneficial ownership.

        Marc Gabelli.     For biographical information relating to Marc Gabelli, please refer to "—Executive Officers Following the Separation" above.

        Our Board believes that Marc Gabelli's qualifications to serve on our Board include his extensive knowledge of ACG's business and industry, his financial and leadership expertise as an executive of various investment firms and as a director of other public companies.

84


Table of Contents

         Richard L. Bready has been a director of GAMCO since May 2006 and is expected to resign from the GAMCO Board on the distribution date. Mr. Bready previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nortek, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of building products for residential and commercial applications, from December 1990 until July 2011. He joined Nortek, Inc. in 1975 as Treasurer, was elected a director in 1976 and was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 1979. Prior to joining Nortek, Inc., Mr. Bready was an independent financial consultant and an audit manager with a major public accounting firm. He serves on the Board of Directors/Trustees of Professional Facilities Management, Inc., Providence Performing Arts Center, Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC), The International Yacht Restoration School, Saint Anselm College, Johnson & Wales University, as Chairman of Roger Williams University and is a Trustee Emeritus of Trinity Repertory Company. Mr. Bready has also served as a director of the Bank RI since 2007 and Bancorp Rhode Island, Inc. since 2007, and is on the Advisory Board of Sterling Investment Partners. He is a Corporation Member and serves on the National Council, Alumni Executive Forum and Audit Committee of Northeastern University. Mr. Bready is also a Corporation Member of Rhode Island Hospital. Nortek, Inc. filed for a prepackaged bankruptcy on October 21, 2009 and emerged from bankruptcy on December 17, 2009.

        Our Board believes that Mr. Bready's qualifications to serve on our Board include his former position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nortek, Inc. and his position as a director of other public companies and charitable organizations.

         Daniel R. Lee served as a director of GSI since August 2012 and as a director of Lynch Interactive Corporation from 2000-2005, and from January 2010 to July 2013. He has also served in a number of senior executive and financial positions over the course of a long and distinguished business career. Mr. Lee is currently the Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of Full House Resorts, Inc., a developer and manager of gaming properties headquartered in Las Vegas, NV. He has held these positions since December 1, 2014. Previously, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of F.P. Holdings, LP, the owner and operator of The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV, from September 2013 to July 2014. Prior to that, he was Managing Partner of Creative Casinos, LLC, a casino developer and operator of gaming casinos. He also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange listed company, from 2002-2009. He held the positions of Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Senior Vice President-Finance of Mirage Resorts, Inc., from 1992-1999. Previously, he was a Managing Director of a major brokerage firm and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

        Our Board believes that Mr. Lee's substantial financial experience and expertise, his experience in the financial services industry, and his executive management experience as CEO of a large public corporation make him well-qualified to serve on the Company's board.

         Bruce M. Lisman has served as a director of National Life Group, a mutual life insurance company with approximately $2 billion in revenues, since 2004. Mr. Lisman has also served as a director of PC Construction, an engineering and construction company with approximately $500 million in annual revenues, since August 2013. Mr. Lisman has served as a director of Merchants Bancshares (NasdaqGS: MBVT), a community bank with $1.8 billion of assets, since 2005. In addition, he serves on the boards of American Forests, Smithsonian Libraries, and the National Gardening Association. Mr. Lisman was Research Director (1984 to 1987) and Co-Head of the Institutional Equity Division (1987 to 2008) for Bear Stearns Companies Inc. With his leadership, revenues grew from $50 million to $2.47 billion; head count grew from 150 to 2,350; and product and distribution expanse from U.S.-only to operations in Europe, Latin America, Asia ex-China, and China. Pretax income reached $670 million in 2007. After Bear Stearns was acquired by JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) in 2008, he became Chairman of JP Morgan's Global Equity Division, retiring in 2009. He also was responsible for Equity Capital Markets and worked extensively with CEOs, CFOs, and boards of directors across a variety of industries. Earlier in his career Mr. Lisman was Director of Global Research at Lehman Brothers and before that he was an analyst covering banking companies (voted to Institutional Investor's Analyst All

85


Table of Contents

Star Team four times for banking industry analysis), as well as distribution, real estate, and capital goods companies. Mr. Lisman has served as a director of Myers Industries, Inc. (NYSE: MYE) since April 2015 and as a director of The Pep Boys—Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: PBY) since July 2015. He also served on the boards of Central Vermont Public Service, a public company from 2004 to 2009 and has also served on the boards of the Hewitt School, Pace University, HS Broadcasting, BRUT, Inc., Vermont Electric Power Company, Inc. (VELCO), STRYKE Trading, Shelburne Museum, and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Lisman graduated from the University of Vermont in 1969 and also served as its Chair for two years.

        Our Board believes that Mr. Lisman's qualifications to serve on our Board include his extensive board experience as a chair, vice chair, and committee chair/member in a broad range of businesses and civic organizations, in addition to his experience serving as an executive officer and his investment experience.

         Salvatore F. Sodano has served as chairman and chief executive officer of Worldwide Capital Advisory Partners, LLC ("Worldwide Capital") since April 2013. Worldwide Capital provides research and advisory services on corporate finance and investment activities, management, operations and technology matters. Since October 2012, Mr. Sodano has also served as a senior advisor to the chief executive officer of Burke & Quick Partners, where he previously served as chairman of strategy and business development from October 2012 to August 2013. Mr. Sodano has served as Vice Chairman and a member of the board of directors of GSI since September 2014 and has served as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the board of directors of GSI since January 2015. In January 2015, Mr. Sodano also became Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Executive Committee and the Executive Compensation Committee of Catholic Health Services, a 17,000-employee healthcare system. From June 2006 to June 2010, Mr. Sodano served as the Dean of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University. Mr. Sodano also served as Chairman of Hofstra University's Board of Trustees for the maximum three one-year terms from October 2002 through October 2005. From 1997 to 2004, Mr. Sodano held increasingly senior roles at the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") and its affiliated companies. Mr. Sodano was serving as Deputy Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the NASD in 1998 when the NASD acquired the American Stock Exchange (the "AMEX"). From 1999 to 2000, Mr. Sodano simultaneously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the AMEX and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the NASD. He served as a member of the Board of Governors of the NASD from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Sodano was appointed Vice Chairman of the NASD Board of Governors in 2000, at which point he relinquished his roles as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the NASD. Mr. Sodano served as Vice Chairman of the NASD Board of Governors and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the AMEX until it was sold in 2004. He remained Chairman of the AMEX until he retired in 2005. Mr. Sodano is the Sorin Distinguished Teaching Fellow at the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University.

        Our Board believes that Mr. Sodano's qualifications to serve on our Board include his business and academic experience, his financial expertise, including his audit committee experience, his experience as a member of the GSI board of directors and as the Chairman of the GSI Audit Committee.

Corporate Governance

General

        We expect ACG Class A Stock to be approved for listing on the NYSE under the symbol "AC." As a result, we expect that we will be subject to NYSE corporate governance listing standards.

86


Table of Contents

Controlled Company Exception

        Upon completion of the spin-off, Mario J. Gabelli and his affiliates will control a majority of the voting power of the ACG common stock. As a result, we will be a "controlled company" within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of the NYSE. Under these rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power in the election of directors is held by an individual, group or another company is a "controlled company" and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements, including the requirements (1) that a majority of our Board consist of independent directors, (2) that our Board have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee's purpose and responsibilities, (3) that our Board have a nominating/corporate governance committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee's purpose and responsibilities and (4) that our Board conduct an annual performance evaluation of the nominating/corporate governance committee and the compensation committee. For at least some period following the spin-off, we intend to utilize some of these exemptions. As a result, immediately following the spin-off, we do not expect that our Nominating Committee will be composed entirely of independent directors. Accordingly, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of these corporate governance requirements. In the event that we cease to be a "controlled company" and our shares continue to be listed on the NYSE, we will be required to comply with these provisions within the applicable transition periods.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

        Our Board will adopt Corporate Governance Guidelines. These guidelines will set forth our practices and policies with respect to, among other things, board composition, board member qualifications, responsibilities and education, management succession and self-evaluation. The full text of our Corporate Governance Guidelines will be available on our website at www.associated-capital-group.com on or prior to the distribution date. Any stockholder may also obtain a copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines upon request when they become available. Stockholders may address a written request for a printed copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines to our Secretary at Associated Capital Group, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.

Code of Business Conduct

        We will adopt a Code of Business Conduct (the "Code of Conduct") that applies to all of our officers, directors and staff members with additional requirements for our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Conduct will be available on our website at www.associated-capital-group.com on or prior to the distribution date. Any stockholder may also obtain a copy of the Code of Conduct upon request when it becomes available. Stockholders may address a written request for a printed copy of the Code of Conduct to our Secretary at Associated Capital Group, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or a waiver of, a provision of the Code of Conduct by posting such information on our website.

Leadership Structure; Meetings of Independent Directors

        Our Board believes that the most effective leadership structure is for our Chief Executive Officer to serve as Chairman given that Mario J. Gabelli is the controlling stockholder of ACG. By having Mario J. Gabelli serve as the Chief Executive Officer and as Chairman, our Board believes that it enables Mario J. Gabelli to ensure that our Board's agenda responds to strategic challenges, that our Board is presented with information required for it to fulfill its responsibilities, and that Board meetings are as productive and effective as possible.

87


Table of Contents

        Upon completion of the spin-off, our non-management directors will meet, without any management directors or employees present, immediately after our regular quarterly board meetings. At least once each year, our independent directors are expected to meet in a separate executive session. Mr. Sodano is expected to serve as lead independent director and chair the meetings of our non-management and independent directors.

Communications with Our Board

        Prior to the distribution date, our Board will establish a process for stockholders and other interested parties to send communications to our Board. Stockholders or other interested parties who wish to communicate with our Board, the non-management or independent directors, or a particular director may send a letter to our Secretary at Associated Capital Group, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422. The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a "Board Communication" or "Director Communication." All such letters must identify the author and clearly state whether the intended recipients are all members of our Board or just certain specified individual directors. The Secretary will make copies of all such letters and circulate them to the appropriate director or directors.

Transactions with Related Persons

        Our Board has adopted written procedures governing the review, approval or ratification of any transactions with related persons required to be reported pursuant to the rules of the SEC. The procedures require that all related party transactions, other than certain pre-approved categories of transactions, be reviewed and approved by our Governance Committee or our Board. Under the procedures, directors may not participate in any discussion or approval by our Board of related party transactions in which they or a member of their immediate family is a related person, except that they shall provide information to our Board concerning the transaction. Only transactions that are found to be in the best interests of ACG will be approved.

        Currently, we have a number of policies and procedures addressing conflicts of interest. Our Code of Conduct addresses the responsibilities of our officers, directors and staff to disclose conflicts of interest to our Legal/Compliance Department, which determines whether the matter constitutes a related party transaction that should be reviewed by our Governance Committee or our Board. Generally, matters involving employer-employee relationships, including compensation and benefits, ongoing arrangements that existed prior to our GAMCO's initial public offering and financial service relationships, including investments in our funds are not presented for review, approval or ratification by our Governance Committee or our Board.

        A description of certain related party transactions appears under the heading "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions." In addition, see "Description of Capital Stock—Corporate Opportunity and Conflict of Interest Policies" for information relating to provisions in our certificate of incorporation that address conflicts of interest that may arise and that limit the liability of Mario J. Gabelli, certain of his affiliates and immediate family members, including Marc Gabelli, as well as our other directors and officers for certain transactions that may involve conflicts of interest.

Committees of Our Board

        Our Board will have an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee a Nominating Committee and a Governance Committee, and each of these standing committees will adopt a charter. Our Audit Committee will be composed exclusively of independent directors, as defined by the listing standards of the stock exchange on which ACG common stock will be listed, which we expect to be the NYSE. The Compensation Committee will be composed exclusively of individuals referred to as "non-employee directors" in Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and "outside directors" in Section 162(m) of the Code. It

88


Table of Contents

is expected that all members of each of the Compensation Committee and the Governance Committee will meet the independence criteria set forth in the listing standards of the NYSE.

Audit Committee

        At the time of the distribution, our Audit Committee will consist of at least three members each of whom will be independent and financially literate under the rules of the stock exchange on which our stock will be listed, which we expect to be the NYSE, and at least one of whom will be an "audit committee financial expert," as that term is defined by the SEC. We expect that the initial members of our Audit Committee will be Messrs. Salvatore F. Sodano, Richard L. Bready and Bruce M. Lisman. Mr. Sodano is expected to serve as Chairperson of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be responsible for, among other things, engaging an independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, considering the range of audit and non-audit fees and assisting our Board in its oversight of our internal controls over financial reporting.

        On or prior to the distribution date, our Audit Committee charter will be available on our website at www.associated-capital-group.com and will also be available without charge to stockholders upon written request to our Secretary at Associated Capital Group, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.

Governance Committee

        The Governance Committee will be responsible for, among other things, reviewing and recommending to our Board corporate governance policies and procedures, including our Corporate Governance Guidelines. It is also responsible for reviewing, approving or ratifying related party transactions. It will annually report to our Board on the performance and effectiveness of the Board to assist our directors in fulfilling their responsibilities in a manner that serves the interests of the stockholders. It is expected that all Governance Committee members will meet the independence criteria set forth in the listing standards of the NYSE.

        On or prior to the distribution date, our Governance Committee charter will be available on our website at www.associated-capital-group.com and will also be available without charge to stockholders upon written request to our Secretary at Associated Capital Group, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.

Compensation Committee

        The Compensation Committee will be responsible for, among other things, determining compensation for our executive officers, administering and monitoring our equity compensation plans, evaluating the performance of our executive officers and producing an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our annual meeting proxy statement. The Compensation Committee will make recommendations to our Board regarding director compensation. The Compensation Committee may delegate some or all of its duties to a subcommittee comprising one or more members of the Compensation Committee. It is expected that all Compensation Committee members will meet the independence criteria set forth in the listing standards of the NYSE.

        On or prior to the distribution date, our Compensation Committee charter will be available on our website at www.associated-capital-group.com and will also be available without charge to stockholders upon written request to our Secretary at Associated Capital Group, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.

89


Table of Contents

Nominating Committee

        The Nominating Committee will be responsible for, among other things, identifying, interviewing and recruiting qualified candidates for election as directors and recommending a slate of nominees for election as directors at the annual meeting. As a controlled company, we will rely upon the exemption from the requirement that we have a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors.

        On or prior to the distribution date, our Nominating Committee charter will be available on our website at www.associated-capital-group.com and will also be available without charge to stockholders upon written request to our Secretary at Associated Capital Group, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422.

Compensation of Directors

        Our executive officers that serve on our Board do not receive compensation for such service. It is expected that all non-executive directors will receive annual cash retainers and meeting fees in amounts to be determined. In addition, it is expected that our directors will receive annual equity awards in a form and in amounts to be determined. Mr. Sodano currently receives quarterly director fees of $33,000 for serving as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Audit Committee of GSI, and Mr. Lee currently receives quarterly director fees of $3,000 for serving as a director of GSI. From and after the distribution date, Mr. Sodano and Mr. Lee are not expected to receive fees for serving as members of the board of directors of GSI and will only receive fees and equity awards for serving as directors of ACG.

Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

        See "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."

90


Table of Contents


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

        Set forth below is the initial annual base salary or other compensation information for our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and our only other executive officer (the "named executive officers"). We expect to make restricted stock awards to the named executive officers, the number of which is expected to be determined subsequently in 2015.

Name and Position
  Annual Base Salary(1)  

Mario J. Gabelli, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

      (2)

Marc Gabelli, President and Director

  $ 315,000 (3)

Kieran Caterina, Chief Financial Officer

  $ 137,500  

(1)
Amounts of annual compensation for 2015 are annualized projections of salary for the year ending December 31, 2015 based on the expected salaries to be paid to our named executive officers.

(2)
Mario J. Gabelli will not receive any salary for his services to ACG. He will be paid pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, as described below.

(3)
It is expected that Marc Gabelli will also earn certain variable fees and compensation. The percentage of revenues or net operating contribution to be received by Marc Gabelli will generally be the same as is received by other professionals at ACG performing similar services.

Equity Award Adjustment

        At the time of the spin-off, all RSAs under GAMCO's 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan will be supplemented by the awarding of ACG equity awards such that each GAMCO award's pre-spin-off value will equate to the post-spin-off combined value of the GAMCO and associated ACG equity awards. Specifically, outstanding RSAs relating to GAMCO will remain unchanged, with each RSA holder also receiving an equal number of RSAs relating to ACG. The terms of the new ACG RSAs will be substantially the same as the terms of the pre-spin-off GAMCO RSAs.

Employment Agreement with Mario J. Gabelli

        In connection with the spin-off, we expect to enter into an employment agreement with Mario J. Gabelli (the "ACG Employment Agreement"), pursuant to which he will serve as Executive Chairman and, initially, as Chief Executive Officer. The ACG Employment Agreement is expected to provide for, among other things, the payment of a management fee in the amount 10% of our aggregate pre-tax profits, before consideration of this fee and before consideration of the various consolidated feeder funds and partnerships, to Mario J. Gabelli or his designees. Pursuant to the ACG Employment Agreement, Mario J. Gabelli is entitled to this management fee as long as he is providing any services to ACG. Mario J. Gabelli is currently entitled to a 10% management fee with respect to GAMCO pursuant to his employment agreement with GAMCO (the "GAMCO Employment Agreement"). Pursuant to the GAMCO Employment Agreement, Mario J. Gabelli was paid $(36,614), $4,485,913 and $1,202,864 by GAMCO for his 10% management fee with respect to the Gabelli Securities Group in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

        In addition to the management fee noted above, for managing or overseeing the management of investment companies or partnerships, attracting investors for collective investment funds or partnership investments, attracting or managing separate accounts, providing investment banking services or otherwise generating revenues for ACG, Mario J. Gabelli will be paid a percentage of the revenues or net operating contribution related to or generated by such business activities, in a manner and at payment rates as agreed to from time to time by Mario J. Gabelli and ACG, which rates have been and generally will be the same as those received by other professionals at ACG performing similar services.

        The term of the ACG Employment Agreement will commence on the distribution date and will continue through the end of the third anniversary of the distribution date (the "Expiration Date"). On each anniversary of the distribution date commencing on the first anniversary (each, an "Anniversary Date"), the ACG Employment Agreement will automatically be renewed and the term extended for an

91


Table of Contents

additional one-year period, unless such renewal is objected to by either ACG or Mario J. Gabelli on written notice delivered to the other not less than ninety days prior to an Anniversary Date. The last day of each such extension will become the new Expiration Date. Pursuant to the terms of the ACG Employment Agreement, Mario J. Gabelli may not provide investment management services for compensation other than in his capacity as an officer or employee of ACG, GAMCO or Teton Advisors, Inc. or their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. The ACG Employment Agreement does, however, permit Mario J. Gabelli to serve as a director or officer of other entities, with or without compensation.

Stock Award and Incentive Plan

General

        We expect to adopt, with the approval of our sole stockholder, the Associated Capital Group, Inc. 2015 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), which is substantially similar to the current GAMCO stock award and incentive plan. A summary of the expected terms of the Plan is included below.

Purpose of the Plan

        The purpose of the Plan will be to afford an incentive to selected employees, directors and independent contractors of ACG and its affiliates to acquire a proprietary interest in ACG, to continue to perform their roles for ACG, to increase their efforts on behalf of ACG and to promote the success of ACG's business.

Administration of the Plan

        The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board. Our Compensation Committee will consist of non-employee directors and will be organized in a manner so as to satisfy the provisions of the federal securities and tax laws applicable to such plans. Our Compensation Committee will have the authority, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to determine the individuals to whom awards will be granted, the types of awards to be granted, the number of shares to be made subject to particular awards and the terms, conditions, restrictions and performance criteria relating to the awards as well as to interpret the Plan and prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan.

Eligibility

        In general, awards may be granted at the discretion of our Compensation Committee to officers, independent contractors, employees and directors of ACG or of any of its subsidiaries and affiliates at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. In determining the individuals to whom awards are granted and the type of any award (including the number of shares to be covered by such award), our Compensation Committee will take into account such factors as our Compensation Committee considers to be relevant in connection with accomplishing the purposes of the Plan. Incentive stock options may not be granted to independent contractors.

Shares Available For Awards

        The Plan will provide for an aggregate of not more than 2,000,000 shares of ACG Class A Stock, par value $0.001, to be reserved for issuance under the Plan, subject to adjustment as described below. The 2,000,000 shares will represent approximately        % of the number of shares of ACG common stock outstanding based on the number of shares of GAMCO common stock outstanding as of the date of this information statement. Generally, shares subject to an award that remain unissued upon expiration or cancellation of awards will be available for other awards under the Plan.

92


Table of Contents

Adjustment for Change in Capitalization

        In the event that our Compensation Committee determines that any dividend or other distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, share repurchase or exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the ACG Class A Stock such that an adjustment would be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants under the Plan, then our Compensation Committee will make such equitable changes or adjustments as it deems necessary to the number and kind of shares of ACG Class A Stock or other property which may thereafter be issued in connection with awards, the number and kind of shares of ACG Class A Stock subject to each outstanding award, and the exercise price, grant price or purchase price of each award.

Types of Awards

        The Plan will provide for the grant of stock options (including "incentive stock options" and "nonqualified stock options"), stock appreciation rights (either in connection with options granted under the Plan or independently of options), restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents and other stock- or cash-based awards. These awards are discussed in more detail below. The Plan will not be subject to any provisions of ERISA, nor will the Plan be a qualified plan within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code.

Stock Options and Appreciation Rights

        Stock options may be either "incentive stock options," as such term is defined in Section 422 of the Code, or nonqualified stock options ("NSOs"). The exercise price of any stock option may be above or at (but not below) the fair market value per share of ACG Class A Stock on the date of grant. Subject to the terms of individual award agreements, the exercise price may be paid in cash, by the surrender of ACG Class A Stock, through a "net" exercise involving the surrender of shares subject to the award, or through a "broker's cashless exercise" procedure meeting the requirements of applicable securities rules.

        Our Compensation Committee may grant stock appreciation rights alone or in tandem with stock options. A stock appreciation right is a right to be paid an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of ACG Class A Stock on the date the stock appreciation right is exercised over either the fair market value of a share of ACG Class A Stock on the date of grant (in the case of a free standing stock appreciation right) or the exercise price of the related stock option (in the case of a tandem stock appreciation right), with payment to be made in cash, ACG Class A Stock or both, as specified in the award agreement or determined by our Compensation Committee.

        Stock options and stock appreciation rights will be exercisable at such times and upon such conditions as our Compensation Committee may determine, as reflected in the applicable award agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in an award agreement, all stock options and stock appreciation rights will become exercisable in the event of a change in control of ACG, which our Board may determine in their discretion. The exercise period will be determined by our Compensation Committee except it may not exceed ten years from the date of grant of such incentive stock option.

        Except to the extent that the applicable award agreement will provide otherwise, the participant's right to exercise stock options and stock appreciation rights will also cease shortly after the employment of the participant terminates.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

        A restricted stock award is an award of actual shares of ACG Class A Stock ("restricted stock") and a restricted stock unit award is an award of the right to receive cash or shares of ACG Class A Stock ("restricted stock unit"). These awards are called "restricted" because they are subject to such restrictions on transferability, maintenance of employment and other matters as our Compensation Committee may impose at the date of grant, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination

93


Table of Contents

at such times, under such circumstances, in such installments or otherwise, as our Compensation Committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the award agreement relating to the restricted stock, a participant granted restricted stock will have all of the rights of a stockholder, including without limitation the right to vote and the right to receive dividends thereon. Our Compensation Committee has the authority to cancel all or any portion of any outstanding restrictions at any time. In addition, all restrictions affecting the awarded shares or units will lapse in the event of a "change in control" of ACG.

        Upon termination of the participant's relationship with ACG during the applicable restriction period, restricted stock, restricted stock units and any accrued and unpaid dividends or dividend equivalents that are at that time subject to restrictions will be forfeited unless our Compensation Committee determines, as a general matter or in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to restricted stock will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes. Our Compensation Committee may also waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of restricted stock in other circumstances.

Other Awards

        Our Compensation Committee may grant to a participant the right to receive cash equal to the amount of dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of ACG Class A Stock ("dividend equivalents"). Dividend equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another award, and may be paid currently or on a deferred basis. Our Compensation Committee is expected to also be authorized to grant ACG Class A Stock as a bonus or on a tax-deferred basis or to grant other awards in lieu of our commitments to pay cash under other plans or compensatory arrangements, on such terms as are determined by our Compensation Committee.

Nontransferability

        Unless otherwise determined by our Compensation Committee and provided in an agreement evidencing the grant of an award, awards may not be transferred by the grantee except by will or the laws of descent and distribution and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the grantee only by the grantee or his or her guardian or legal representative.

Withholding of Taxes

        The Plan will provide that ACG or any subsidiary or affiliate may withhold from any award granted, any payment relating to an award under the Plan or any other payment to a grantee, amounts of withholding and other taxes due in connection with any transaction involving an award. Our Compensation Committee may also take whatever action it considers advisable to enable us and grantees to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any award.

No Stockholder Rights

        The holder of an award granted under the Plan will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of ACG Class A Stock covered by an award until the date of issuance of a stock certificate to him or her for such shares related to such award.

Effect of Change in Control

        In the event of a change in control and unless otherwise determined by our Board, all outstanding options and stock appreciation rights not then exercisable will become fully exercisable, and all outstanding restricted stock, restricted stock unit, dividend equivalent or other stock- or cash-based awards not then fully vested will become fully vested.

94


Table of Contents

Amendment or Termination of the Plan

        Our Board may alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan, in whole or in part, except that no amendment that requires stockholder approval in order for the Plan to reprice stock options or stock appreciation rights, to avoid the application of Section 162(m) of the Code for federal income tax purposes, or for the Plan to comply with state law, stock exchange requirements or other applicable law will be effective unless such amendment has received the requisite approval of stockholders. In addition, no amendment may be made which adversely affects any of the rights of a participant under any award previously granted, without such participant's consent.

Certain Federal Income Tax Effects

        The following discussion of certain relevant federal income tax effects that will be applicable to stock options and other stock-based awards granted under the Plan is a summary only, focuses on their tax consequences to ACG, and reference is made to the Code for a complete statement of all relevant federal tax provisions. Generally, ACG will become entitled to tax deductions at the same time and in the same amount that the award grantee recognizes as ordinary income, with no such income or ACG deduction occurring at the time a grant occurs.

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

        At the time of exercise of such NSO (and in the case of an untimely exercise of an Incentive Stock Option (an "ISO")), the grantee will recognize ordinary income for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares purchased over the option price, and ACG will generally be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction. Similarly, with respect to the exercise of a stock appreciation rights, ACG's tax deduction will equal the grantee's ordinary income from the ACG shares or other property that the grantee receives, at the time of exercise. On the other hand, ACG will not be entitled to a tax deduction if an ISO is exercised while the grantee remains an employee of ACG or a subsidiary at all times during the period beginning on the date of grant of the ISO and ending on the date three months before the date of exercise (or one year before the date of exercise in the case of a disabled grantee), and if stock acquired pursuant to the timely exercise of an ISO is not disposed of by the grantee prior to the expiration of two years from the date of grant of the ISO or within one year from the date such stock is transferred to the grantee upon exercise. In the case of a disqualifying disposition by a grantee, ACG may claim a federal income tax deduction at the time of such disqualifying disposition for the amount taxable to the grantee as ordinary income.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards

        A grantee of restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards generally will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of shares of ACG Class A Stock subject to the award at the time the shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (as defined in the Code), at which time ACG will be entitled to a deduction in the amount that the grantee recognizes ordinary income. However, a grantee may elect (not later than 30 days after acquiring such shares) to recognize ordinary income at the time the restricted shares are awarded in an amount equal to their fair market value at that time, notwithstanding the fact that such shares are subject to restrictions and a substantial risk of forfeiture. If this election is made, no additional taxable income will be recognized by the grantee at the time the restrictions lapse. ACG will be entitled to a tax deduction at the time when, and to the extent that, income is recognized by the grantee.

95


Table of Contents


DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

         Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will be amended and restated prior to the spin-off. The following is a summary of the material terms of our capital stock that will be contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws. The summaries and descriptions below do not purport to be complete statements of the relevant provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws to be in effect at the time of the spin-off and are qualified in their entirety by reference to these documents, which you should read (along with the applicable provisions of Delaware law) for complete information on our capital stock as of the time of the spin-off. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws to be in effect at the time of the spin-off will be included as exhibits to our registration statement on Form 10, of which this information statement forms a part, and this summary is qualified in its entirety by such exhibits.

General

        We are currently authorized to issue 100 shares of common stock. Prior to the distribution, we will amend and restate our certificate of incorporation to provide authorization for us to issue 210,000,000 shares of ACG common stock, consisting of: (i) 100,000,000 shares of ACG Class A Stock; (ii) 100,000,000 shares of ACG Class B Stock; and (i) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock.

        The ACG Class B Stock is not being registered on the Form 10, of which this information statement is a part.

ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock

Voting Rights

        The holders of ACG Class A Stock and the ACG Class B Stock have identical voting rights except that:

    holders of ACG Class A Stock are entitled to one vote per share while holders of ACG Class B Stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters to be voted on by stockholders; and

    holders of ACG Class A Stock are not eligible to vote on matters relating exclusively to ACG Class B Stock and vice versa.

        Holders of shares of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes that are entitled to be cast by the holders of all shares of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock present in person or represented by proxy, voting together as a single class, subject to any voting rights granted to holders of any preferred stock. Except as otherwise provided by law, and subject to any voting rights granted to holders of any outstanding preferred stock, amendments to the certificate of incorporation generally must be approved by a majority of the combined voting power of all ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock voting together as a single class. Amendments to the certificate of incorporation that would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the ACG Class A Stock or the ACG Class B Stock so as to affect them adversely also must be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the shares affected by the amendment, voting as a separate class.

Dividends

        Holders of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock will receive an equal amount per share in any dividend declared by our Board, subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred

96


Table of Contents

stock. Dividends consisting of shares of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock may be paid only as follows:

    shares of ACG Class A Stock may be paid only to holders of ACG Class A Stock and shares of ACG Class B Stock may be paid only to holders of ACG Class B Stock; and

    shares will be paid proportionally with respect to each outstanding share of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock.

Conversion of ACG Class B Stock

        Holders of ACG Class B Stock may convert their shares of ACG Class B Stock into shares of ACG Class A Stock on a one-for-one basis pursuant to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation.

Other Rights

        On liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ACG, after payment in full of the amounts required to be paid to holders of preferred stock, if any, all holders of ACG common stock, regardless of class, are entitled to share ratably in any assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. No shares of ACG common stock are subject to redemption or have preemptive rights to purchase additional shares of ACG common stock.

        In the event of any corporate merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of property or stock, or other reorganization in which any consideration is to be received by the holders of ACG Class A Stock or the holders of ACG Class B Stock as a class, the holders of ACG Class A Stock and the holders of ACG Class B Stock will receive the same consideration on a per share basis; except that, if such consideration shall consist in any part of voting securities (or of options or warrants to purchase, or of securities convertible into or exchangeable for, voting securities), the holders of ACG Class B Stock may receive, on a per share basis, voting securities with up to ten times the number of votes per share as those voting securities to be received by the holders of ACG Class A Stock (or options or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, voting securities with up to ten times the number of votes per share as those voting securities issuable upon exercise of the options or warrants, or into which the convertible or exchangeable securities may be converted or exchanged, received by the holders of ACG Class A Stock). Accordingly, except with respect to voting rights, the holders of ACG Class B Stock will not receive greater value than the holders of ACG Class A Stock in an extraordinary corporate transaction involving ACG.

Special Stockholder Meetings

        Our bylaws provide that special meetings of its stockholders may be called by the Chairman, the President or a resolution of our Board.

No Cumulative Voting for Directors

        Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.

Amendments to ACG's Bylaws

        Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that our Board shall have the power to make, alter or repeal our bylaws, subject to the power of the stockholders to alter or repeal the bylaws made or altered by our Board.

97


Table of Contents

Anti-Takeover Provisions

        In our certificate of incorporation, we have elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 of the DGCL generally provides that if a person acquires 15% or more of the voting stock of a Delaware corporation, such person is an "interested stockholder" and may not engage in certain "business combinations" with the corporation for a period of three years from the time such person became an interested stockholder, unless one of the following exceptions applies: (1) prior to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (2) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or (3) at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2 / 3 % of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Liability of Directors; Indemnification

        Our certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, no director of ACG shall be liable to ACG or its stockholders for monetary damages for the breach of fiduciary duty in such capacity. Under the DGCL, such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL (unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions), or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

        As a result of this provision, ACG and its stockholders may be unable to obtain monetary damages from a director for breach of that director's duty of care. Although stockholders may continue to seek injunctive or other equitable relief for an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by a director, stockholders may not have any effective remedy against the challenged conduct if equitable remedies are unavailable.

        Our bylaws provide that ACG will indemnify any person who was or is a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding because he or she is or was a director or officer of ACG or is or was serving at the request of ACG as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership or other enterprise. Our bylaws provide that indemnification will be from and against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement by the indemnitee. However, this indemnification will only be provided if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of ACG, and with respect to a criminal action or proceeding, if the indemnitee had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that ACG will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless and advance expenses to any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of ACG or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director or officer at the request of ACG or any subsidiary or affiliate of ACG.

98


Table of Contents

Corporate Opportunity and Conflict of Interest Policies

Overview and Definitions

        The following is a summary of the corporate opportunity and conflict of interest policies contained in our certificate of incorporation. These policies recognize the fact that certain of our directors may have fiduciary duties to us and to GAMCO and its affiliates.

        For purposes of these provisions, which are summarized below,

              (i)  a "Gabelli" includes Mario J. Gabelli, any member of his immediate family (which shall include Mr. Gabelli's spouse, parents, children and siblings) who is at the time an officer or director of ACG and any entity in which one or more Gabellis beneficially own a controlling interest of the outstanding voting securities or comparable interests.

             (ii)  "ACG" includes its subsidiaries and other entities in which ACG beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities or comparable interests, and

            (iii)  "Trigger Date" means the date on which Mario J. Gabelli "beneficially" owns (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) less than a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock.

        Before the Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the ACG's outstanding voting stock, voting together as a single class, will be required to alter, amend or repeal any of these conflict of interest or corporate opportunity provisions in a manner adverse to the interests of any Gabelli. After the Trigger Date, such vote will be increased to 80% to alter, amend, repeal or replace any of the conflict of interest and corporate opportunity provisions.

Corporate Opportunity Policy

        Our charter acknowledges that ACG may have overlapping directors and officers with other entities (including GAMCO and its affiliates) that compete with our businesses and that ACG may engage in material business transactions with such other entities. ACG has renounced its rights to certain business opportunities and our certificate of incorporation will provide that no director or officer of ACG will breach their fiduciary duty and therefore be liable to ACG or its stockholders by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity to another person or entity (including GAMCO) instead of ACG, or does not refer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to ACG, unless (x) such opportunity was expressly offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of ACG or as a director or officer of any of our subsidiaries, and (y) such opportunity relates to a line of business in which ACG or any of its subsidiaries is then directly engaged; provided, however , if the conditions specified in the immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) are satisfied, any officer or director of ACG may pursue such corporate opportunity (or direct it to another person or entity) if either (i) ACG renounces its interest in the potential business opportunity in writing or (ii) ACG does not within a reasonable period of time, begin to pursue, or thereafter continue to pursue, such corporate opportunity diligently and in good faith. [For purposes of this corporate opportunity policy, a corporate opportunity would be offered solely to a person in his or her capacity as a director or officer of ACG if, for example, such opportunity was presented in the form of letter addressed to an officer of ACG in his capacity as an officer of ACG and expressly indicated that the opportunity related to ACG. In addition, to the extent any of our officers or directors has his or her own idea with respect to a corporate opportunity that may be attractive to ACG and another entity or person, including a Gabelli, such officer will have no duty to direct that corporate opportunity to ACG. Any renouncement of a corporate opportunity by ACG would be made either by disinterested members of our Board or our management, depending on the magnitude of the opportunity.

99


Table of Contents

Conflict of Interest Policy

        Our certificate of incorporation provides that no contract, agreement, arrangement or transaction, or any amendment, modification or termination thereof, or any waiver of any right thereunder, (each, a "Transaction") between ACG and

              (i)  a Gabelli,

             (ii)  any customer or supplier or any entity in which a director of ACG has a financial interest (a "Related Entity"),

            (iii)  one or more of the directors or officers of ACG or any Related Entity.

will be voidable solely because any of the persons or entities listed in (i) through (iii) above are parties thereto, if the standard specified below is satisfied.

        Further, no Transaction will be voidable solely because any such directors or officers are present at or participate in the meeting of our Board or the committee thereof that authorizes the Transaction or because their votes are counted for such purpose, if the standard specified is satisfied. That standard will be satisfied, and such Gabelli, the Related Entity, and the directors and officers of ACG or the Related Entity (as applicable) will be deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith (to the extent such standard is applicable to such person's conduct) and fully to have satisfied any duties of loyalty and fiduciary duties they may have to ACG and its stockholders with respect to such Transaction if any of the following four requirements are met:

              (i)  the material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the Transaction are disclosed or known to our Board or the committee thereof that authorizes the Transaction, and our Board or such committee in good faith approves the Transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested directors on our Board or such committee, even if the disinterested directors are less than a quorum;

             (ii)  the material facts as to the relationship or interest and as to the Transaction are disclosed or known to the holders of our voting stock entitled to vote thereon, and the Transaction is specifically approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock not owned by such Gabelli or such Related Entity, voting together as a single class;

            (iii)  the Transaction is effected pursuant to guidelines that are in good faith approved by a majority of the disinterested directors on our Board or the applicable committee thereof or by vote of the holders of a majority of our then outstanding voting stock not owned by such Gabelli or such Related Entity, voting together as a single class; or

            (iv)  the Transaction is fair to ACG as of the time it is approved by our Board, a committee thereof or the stockholders of ACG.

        Our certificate of incorporation also provides that any such Transaction authorized, approved, or effected, and each of such guidelines so authorized or approved, as described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, will be deemed to be entirely fair to ACG and its stockholders, except that, if such authorization or approval is not obtained, or such Transaction is not so effected, no presumption will arise that such Transaction or guideline is not fair to ACG and its stockholders. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law and our certificate of incorporation, a Gabelli will not be liable to ACG or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty that a Gabelli may have as a director of ACG by reason of the fact that a Gabelli takes any action in connection with any transaction between such Gabelli and ACG. For purposes of these provisions, interests in an entity that are not equity or ownership interests or that constitute less than 10% of the equity or ownership

100


Table of Contents

interests of such entity will not be considered to confer a financial interest on any person who beneficially owns such interests.

Litigation Forum Selection Clause

        Our certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of ACG to ACG or its stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware).

Our Board

        ACG's bylaws provide that directors shall be elected at each annual stockholder meeting by a plurality of the votes cast and shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders, with each director to hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified. All vacancies on our Board, including those created by an increase in the size of the board, shall be filled by vote of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

        Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for the ACG common stock. Our stockholders can contact the transfer agent and registrar at:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
250 Royall Street
Canton, Massachusetts 02021-1011
Telephone: (877) 282-1168 or
(781) 575-2879 (outside the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico)

101


Table of Contents


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        Following the distribution, we will be a public company, and GAMCO will have no ownership interest in us. However, GGCP, through Holdings, will own a majority of the ACG Class B Stock and 32,000 shares of the ACG Class A Stock, together representing approximately 93.9% of the combined voting power and approximately 72.7% of the outstanding shares of ACG common stock. Mario J. Gabelli serves as the Chief Executive Officer, a director and is the controlling shareholder of GGCP. Marc Gabelli (a son of Mario J. Gabelli and a member of the GAMCO Board), is President of GGCP. Various other family members of Mario J. Gabelli are shareholders of GGCP, including Marc Gabelli. Mario J. Gabelli is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAMCO.

        Mario J. Gabelli and GGCP will enter into a registration rights agreement with ACG, which will become effective upon the distribution date (the "Gabelli Registration Rights Agreement"). Under the Gabelli Registration Rights Agreement, ACG will provide Mario J. Gabelli and GGCP with certain demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to their shares of ACG Class A Stock (including those issued upon conversion of their shares of ACG Class B Stock). The Gabelli Registration Rights Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this information statement forms a part, prior to the distribution date, and the foregoing discussion of the Gabelli Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to Gabelli Registration Rights Agreement that will be filed prior to the distribution date.

        GAMCO has historically performed many corporate functions for the Gabelli Securities Group. Also, in connection with the spin-off, ACG has entered into certain other agreements with GAMCO to define ACG's ongoing relationship with GAMCO after the spin-off. These other agreements define responsibility for obligations arising before and after the distribution date, including obligations relating to ACG's employees, certain transitional services and taxes. See "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Spin-Off."

        GSI invests a substantial amount of its cash equivalents in a money market mutual fund managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which is owned 100% by GAMCO. ACG had $361.0 million, $285.5 million, $199.0 million and $179.7 million in these money market funds at June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and earned $0, $3,838, $17,723 and $49,677 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

        GSI is charged or incurs certain overhead expenses that are also attributable to other affiliates. These overhead expenses are allocated to ACG by GAMCO, if general and administrative related, and by GSI to other affiliates, if payroll or expense reimbursement related, as the expenses are incurred, based upon methodologies periodically reviewed by the management of ACG and the affiliates for reasonableness. The methodologies of the allocation are based on usage of shared services, whether personnel, administrative or other. Each service is analyzed by management as to the users of the service and is allocated in proportion to that usage at the cost of the particular service.

        ACG entered into a $15,000,000 demand loan with GAMCO on March 15, 2004 at a rate of 5.5% per year. Of the $15,000,000 borrowed, $5,000,000 was paid back to GAMCO on February 28, 2007. ACG entered into an additional demand loan for $16,000,000 with GAMCO on August 17, 2010 at a rate of 5.5% per year. On March 7, 2014, ACG repaid $10,000,000 of the loan to GAMCO. The balances on these demand loans were $16,000,000, $16,000,000, $26,000,000 and $26,000,000 as of June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These loans are due on demand by GAMCO, and ACG has a prepayment option. The interest paid was $440,000, $980,833, $1,430,000 and $1,430,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, and for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The largest aggregate amount outstanding any time since January 1, 2012 was $26,000,000. We expect that these demand loans will be repaid in connection with the spin-off.

102


Table of Contents

        We had an aggregate investment in affiliated partnerships and offshore funds of approximately $95.3 million, $94.2 million, $82.0 million and $83.9 million at June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

        Gabelli Securities International Limited ("GS International") was formed in 1994 to provide management and investment advisory services to offshore funds and accounts. Marc Gabelli (a son of Mario J. Gabelli and a member of the GAMCO Board) owns 55% of GS International, and ACG owns the remaining 45%. In 1994, Gabelli International Gold Fund Limited ("GIGFL"), an offshore investment company investing primarily in securities of issuers with gold-related activities, was formed and GS International entered into an agreement to provide management services to GIGFL. ACG in turn entered into an agreement with GS International to provide investment advisory services to GIGFL in return for receiving all investment management fees paid by GIGFL. Pursuant to such agreement, ACG received investment management fees of $3,304 and no incentive fees for the six months ended June 30, 2015, investment management fees of $11,096 and no incentive fees for 2014, investment management fees of $13,478 and no incentive fees for 2013 and investment management fees of $23,192 and no incentive fees for 2012. As of June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were $10,072, $2,936, $50,639 and $11,957, respectively, payable to GIGFL included in payables to affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition relating to management fees.

        In April 1999, Gabelli Global Partners, Ltd. ("GGP Ltd."), an offshore investment fund, was incorporated. GS International and Gemini Capital Management, LLC ("Gemini"), an entity owned by Marc Gabelli, a director of ACG and GAMCO and the son of ACG's and GAMCO's Chairman, were engaged by GGP Ltd. as investment advisors as of July 1, 1999. GGP Ltd. paid all of the management fees for the six months ended June 30, 2015, and for 2014, 2013 and 2012 in the amounts of $32,301, $286,360, $148,909 and $80,761, respectively, to GS International. For 2014 and 2013, GGP Ltd. paid all of the incentive fees in the amount of $20,886 and $31,217, respectively, to GS International. There was no incentive fee earned for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and in 2012.

        In April 1999, GSI formed Gabelli Global Partners, L.P., an investment limited partnership for which GSI and Gemini are the general partners. In March 2002, Gabelli Global Partners, L.P. changed its name to Gemini Global Partners, L.P. Gemini and GSI each received half of the management fee paid by the partnership to the general partners in the amount of $36,732, $78,288, $76,776 and $76,548 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In 2014 and 2013, the incentive fees earned were $178 and $16,740, respectively. There was no incentive fee earned for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and in 2012. As of June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were $134,697, $98,144, $19,678 and $36,257, respectively, receivable from Gemini Global Partners, L.P. included in receivables from affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition.

        Mario J. Gabelli and GSI serve as co-general partners of Gabelli Associates Fund, LP ("GAF"). Mario J. Gabelli receives portfolio manager and relationship manager compensation through an incentive allocation directly from GAF. In 2014, Mario J. Gabelli earned $348,274 in incentive fees from GAF, of which he allocated $107,172 to other professional staff, and his net compensation was $241,102. In 2013, Mario J. Gabelli earned $487,353 in incentive fees from GAF, of which he allocated $148,328 to other professional staff, and his net compensation was $339,025. In 2012, Mario J. Gabelli earned $419,077 in incentive fees from GAF, of which he allocated $128,171 to other professional staff, and his net compensation was $290,906. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, there were no incentive fees earned.

        At June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately $52 million, $80 million, $81 million and $85 million, respectively, of our proprietary investment accounts were managed by our analysts or portfolio managers other than Mario J. Gabelli. The individuals managing these accounts

103


Table of Contents

receive 20% of the net profits, if any, earned on the accounts; however, some of the analysts are required to meet a hurdle rate of 5% before earning this 20% payout. In August 2006, Matthew Gabelli, a son of Mario J. Gabelli, was given responsibility for managing a proprietary investment account on which he would be paid, on an annual basis, 20% of any net profits earned on the account for the year. The account was initially funded with approximately $40 million during 2006. During the period from inception through June 30, 2015, market appreciation totaled $14 million and redemptions totaling $40 million were transferred from the account managed by the Chairman's son back to the Gabelli Securities Group's proprietary account and is no longer subject to the 20% payout. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, and for 2014, 2013 and 2012, this account was up 5.5%, 1.6%, 41.9% and 14.3%, respectively, and therefore he earned approximately $0.2 million, $0.1 million, $1.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for managing this account. At June 30, 2015, there was $14 million in this account.

        At June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Gabelli Securities Group had investments of $361.0 million, $285.5 million, $199.0 million and $179.7 million, respectively, invested in the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, which is a fund operated by a subsidiary of GAMCO. Investments in affiliated equity mutual funds ("Funds"), which are advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a subsidiary of GAMCO, and Teton Advisors, Inc., which is majority-owned by GGCP Holdings LLC, which is also the majority stockholder of GAMCO, at June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 totaled $127.6 million, $40.9 million, $45.7 million and $63.6 million, respectively. The Gabelli Securities Group earned $0, $3,838, $17,723 and $49,677 for the six months ended June 30, 2015, and in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in interest income from the investment in the money market mutual fund. Dividend income earned from the Funds, excluding the money market mutual fund, was $0.8 million, $2.1 million, $2.3 million and $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

        As required by our Code of Ethics, our staff members are required to maintain their brokerage accounts at G.research unless they receive permission to maintain an outside account. G.research offers all of these staff members the opportunity to engage in brokerage transactions at discounted rates. Accordingly, many of our staff members, including the executive officers or entities controlled by them, have brokerage accounts at G.research and have engaged in securities transactions through it at discounted rates.

        In connection with his employment agreement, Mario J. Gabelli will enter into a service restrictive covenant according to which Mr. Gabelli shall not provide investment management services for compensation other than in his capacity as an officer or employee of ACG or GAMCO or their subsidiaries except as to certain funds which were in existence at the time of the GAMCO initial public offering and which are subject to performance fee arrangements (collectively "Permissible Accounts"). The Permissible Accounts may include new investors, provided that all of the performance fees, less expenses, earned on assets attributable to these investors ("Post-IPO AUM") are paid to ACG. Post-IPO AUM in Permissible Accounts totaled $105.3 million, $104.9 million, $63.2 million and $29.2 million as of June 30, 2015, December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Performance fees, less expenses, earned on Post-IPO AUM totaled $58,567, $393,924 and $82,541 for the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. There were no performance fees earned for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

        See "The Spin-Off—Formation Transactions" and "Arrangements Between GAMCO and ACG After the Split" for information regarding certain related party transactions that will take place in connection with the spin-off and thereafter.

104


Table of Contents


LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Limitation of Liability of Directors

        ACG's certificate of incorporation limits the liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability:

    for any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;

    for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

    under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law relating to unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or

    for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

        The limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal or state securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies, such as injunctive relief or rescission.

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

        ACG's certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that each person who was or is a director or officer shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including those circumstances in which indemnification would otherwise be discretionary, and states that ACG may advance expenses to its officers and directors as incurred in connection with proceedings against them for which they may be indemnified.

        We expect to obtain directors and officers liability insurance for the benefit of our directors and officers.

105


Table of Contents


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

        The following table sets forth information with respect to the anticipated beneficial ownership of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock by:

    each stockholder who is expected following the spin-off to beneficially own more than 5% of ACG common stock;

    each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table;

    each person expected to serve on our Board as of the distribution date; and

    all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

        We have based the percentage of class amounts set forth below on each indicated person's beneficial ownership of GAMCO common stock as of October 19, 2015, unless we indicate some other basis for the share amounts, and based on the distribution of one share of ACG Class A Stock for each one share of GAMCO Class A Stock outstanding as of the record date and one share of ACG Class B Stock for each one share of GAMCO Class B Stock outstanding as of the record date. To the extent our directors and executive officers own shares of GAMCO common stock or GAMCO restricted stock awards at the time of the spin-off, they will participate in the distribution of shares of ACG common stock in the spin-off on the same terms as other holders of GAMCO common stock. Following the spin-off, we expect to have an aggregate of approximately 25,460,736 shares of ACG common stock outstanding, based on 25,460,736 shares of GAMCO common stock outstanding on October 19, 2015. The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder, director or officer is determined according to the rules of the SEC and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Unless otherwise indicated, to our knowledge, the persons or entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares indicated as beneficially owned by those persons.

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Percentage of
Combined
Voting Power
of All
Classes
of Stock(2)
 
 
  Number of Shares Beneficially Owned   Percentage of Shares
Beneficially Owned(1)
 
Name of Beneficial Owner*
  Class A   Class B   Total   Class A   Class B   Total  

5% or More Stockholders

                                           

Frederick J. Mancheski

    1,705,974 (3)       1,705,974     27.2 %       6.7 %   **  

Keeley Asset Management Corp. 

    345,000 (4)       345,000     5.5 %       1.4 %   **  

E.S. Barr & Company

    392,988 (5)       392,988     6.3 %       1.5 %   **  

Directors and Executive Officers

   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Mario J. Gabelli

    20,000 (6)   18,767,036 (7)   18,787,036     **     97.8 %   73.8 %   94.7 %

Marc Gabelli

    20,766 (8)   3,018     23,784     **     **     **     **  

Kieran Caterina

    8,389 (9)       8,389     **         **     **  

Richard L. Bready

    11,000         11,000     **         **     **  

Daniel R. Lee

                             

Bruce M. Lisman

    5,000 (10)       5,000     **         **     **  

Salvatore F. Sodano

                **         **     **  

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (7 persons)

    65,155     18,770,054     18,835,209     1.0 %   97.8 %   74.0 %   94.7 %

(*)
The address of each beneficial owner of more than 5% of the ACG Class A Stock or ACG Class B Stock is as follows: Frederick J. Mancheski, 1060 Vegas Valley Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89109; Keeley Asset Management Corp., 111 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 810, Chicago, IL 60604: E.S. Barr & Company, 1999 Richmond Road, Suite 1B, Lexington, KY 40502 and Mario J. Gabelli, GAMCO Investors, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580.

106


Table of Contents

(**)
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

(1)
Based on 6,263,964 shares of GAMCO Class A Stock and 19,196,792 shares of GAMCO Class B Stock outstanding as of October 19, 2015.

(2)
These percentages reflect the combined voting rights of ACG Class A Stock and ACG Class B Stock. On all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, ACG Class A Stock entitles its holders to one vote per share and ACG Class B Stock entitles its holders to ten votes per share.

(3)
As reported in Amendment No. 6 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC by Frederick J. Mancheski on July 2, 2015 and a Form 4 filed by Mr. Mancheski with the SEC on September 28, 2015 (the "Mancheski Form 4"), Mr. Mancheski beneficially owns 1,705,974 shares of Class A Stock. According to Mancheski Form 4, 791,585 of the shares are held by Mr. Mancheski individually, 758,397 shares are held by Mancheski, LLC and 155,992 shares are owned by the Frederick J. Mancheski 2009 Irrevocable Trust.

(4)
As reported in Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13G that was filed with the SEC by Keeley Asset Management Corp., Keeley Small Cap Value Fund and John L. Keeley, Jr., on February 9, 2015. According to this filing, Keeley Asset Management Corp. and Keeley Small Cap Value Fund share beneficial ownership over the same 345,000 shares. Keeley Asset Management Corp. holds the sole voting and investment power with respect to these shares.

(5)
As reported in Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13G that was filed with the SEC by E.S. Barr & Company on February 17, 2015. According to this filing, E.S. Barr & Company beneficially owns 392,988 shares, Edward S. Barr beneficially owns 396,603 shares (6.06% of the shares) which includes 3,615 shares he holds individually (or through retirement accounts for his benefit), and E.S. Barr Holdings, LLC beneficially owns 392,988 shares. E.S. Barr & Company, Edward S. Barr and E.S. Barr Holdings, LLC hold no voting power and a shared investment power with respect to 392,988 shares. Edward S. Barr holds the sole voting and investment power with respect to 3,615 shares he holds individually.

(6)
Owned by Holdings via GGCP. Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the ACG Class A Stock held by Holdings on the basis of his position as the Chief Executive Officer of, a director of, and the controlling shareholder of GGCP, which is the manager and the majority member of Holdings. Mario J. Gabelli disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by Holdings except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(7)
Of this amount, 343,295 are owned directly by Mario J. Gabelli and 18,423,741 of these shares are owned by Holdings via GGCP. Mario J. Gabelli may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the ACG Class B Stock held by Holdings on the basis of his position as the Chief Executive Officer of, a director of, and the controlling shareholder of GGCP, which is the manager and the majority member of Holdings. Mario J. Gabelli disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by Holdings except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(8)
Includes 10,000 ACG RSAs that Marc Gabelli will receive in the spin-off with respect to the 10,000 GAMCO RSAs he currently owns.

(9)
Includes 7,000 ACG RSAs that Kieran Caterina will receive in the spin-off with respect to the 7,000 GAMCO RSAs he currently owns.

(10)
Shares are held through a family trust.

107


Table of Contents


WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form 10 under the Exchange Act relating to the ACG common stock being distributed in the spin-off. This information statement forms a part of that registration statement but does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information relating to us and the shares of ACG common stock, reference is made to the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules. Statements made in this information statement relating to any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement for copies of the actual contract or document. You may review a copy of the registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, at the SEC's Public Reference Room, located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov . You may obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC's Public Reference Room upon payment of prescribed fees. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.

        As a result of the spin-off, we will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, we will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Those periodic reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the SEC's Public Reference Room and the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov .

        We intend to furnish holders of ACG common stock with annual reports containing financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and audited and reported on, with an opinion expressed, by an independent registered public accounting firm.

        We plan to make available free of charge on our website, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such materials to the SEC. All of these documents will be made available free of charge on our website, www.associated-capital-group.com , and will be provided free of charge to any stockholders requesting a copy by writing to: Associated Capital Group, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1422, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

        The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this information statement or incorporated into any other filings we make with the SEC.

        No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representations with respect to the matters described in this information statement other than those contained in this information statement or in the documents incorporated by reference in this information statement and, if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us or GAMCO. Neither the delivery of this information statement nor consummation of the spin-off shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs or those of GAMCO since the date of this information statement, or that the information in this information statement is correct as of any time after its date.

108


Table of Contents


Index to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

 
  Page  

Combined financial statements for Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

       

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-3  

Audited Combined Financial Statements:

   
 
 

Combined Consolidated Statements of Income

    F-4  

Combined Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

    F-5  

Combined Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

    F-6  

Combined Consolidated Statements of Equity

    F-7  

Combined Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    F-10  

Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-11  

Combined financial statements for Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)

   
 
 

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

    F-45  

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

    F-46  

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

    F-47  

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

    F-48  

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    F-50  

Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-51  

F-1


Table of Contents


COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

F-2


Table of Contents

GRAPHIC


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Boards of Directors of GAMCO Investors, Inc., and Gabelli Securities Group
Rye, New York

        We have audited the accompanying combined consolidated balance sheets of GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s subsidiary, Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries (the "Company"), as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related combined consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, such combined consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

        As discussed in Note A to the combined consolidated financial statements, the Company is comprised of the assets and liabilities used in managing and operating the Company. The combined consolidated financial statements also include certain cash accounts, investments in securities, investments in investment partnerships and offshore funds owned by GAMCO Investors, Inc. that were transferred to the Company as well as certain investments in investment partnerships and offshore funds in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. These combined consolidated financial statements may not be reflective of the actual level of assets, liabilities, or costs which would have been incurred had the Company operated as a separate entity apart from GAMCO Investors, Inc.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York
May 12, 2015 (August 6, 2015 as to the effect of the restatement discussed in Note B)

F-3


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands)

 
  For the year ended December 31,  
 
  2014   2013   2012  

Revenues

                   

Investment advisory and incentive fees

  $ 9,779   $ 10,805   $ 8,952  

Distribution fees and other income

    2,090     677     1,644  

Institutional research services

    9,160     8,940     10,953  

Total revenues

    21,029     20,422     21,549  

Expenses

                   

Compensation

    22,298     23,322     20,864  

Stock based compensation

    1,921     510     3,432  

Management fee

    (37 )   4,486     1,203  

Other operating expenses

    6,771     6,624     8,771  

Total expenses

    30,953     34,942     34,270  

Operating loss

    (9,924 )   (14,520 )   (12,721 )

Other income (expense)

                   

Net gain from investments

    6,502     50,949     21,012  

Interest and dividend income

    4,416     5,865     4,419  

Interest expense

    (1,376 )   (1,908 )   (1,928 )

Total other income (expense), net

    9,542     54,906     23,503  

Income/(loss) before income taxes

    (382 )   40,386     10,782  

Income tax provision

    775     13,157     3,106  

Net income/(loss) before noncontrolling interests

    (1,157 )   27,229     7,676  

Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (4,157 )   463     170  

Net income

  $ 3,000   $ 26,766   $ 7,506  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-4


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in thousands)

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2014   2013   2012  

Net income/(loss) before noncontrolling interests

  $ (1,157 ) $ 27,229   $ 7,676  

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:

                   

Net unrealized gains/(losses) on securities available for sale(a)

    (2,426 )   (2,961 )   2,584  

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

    (2,426 )   (2,961 )   2,584  

Comprehensive income/(loss)

   
(3,583

)
 
24,268
   
10,260
 

Less: Comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    4,157     (463 )   (170 )

Comprehensive income attributable to Gabelli Securities Group

  $ 574   $ 23,805   $ 10,090  

(a)
Net of income tax expense (benefit) of ($1,424), ($1,739) and $1,518 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

   

See accompanying notes.

F-5


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(in thousands)

 
  December 31,  
 
  2014   2013  

ASSETS

             

Cash and cash equivalents

 
$

285,530
 
$

199,536
 

Investments in securities

    220,595     188,182  

Investments in sponsored registered investment companies

    39,537     44,042  

Investments in partnerships

    107,646     95,989  

Receivable from brokers

    74,407     48,850  

Investment advisory fees receivable

    4,145     5,251  

Receivable from affiliates

    402     826  

Goodwill

    3,254     3,254  

Other assets

    19,178     2,790  

Total assets

  $ 754,694   $ 588,720  

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

             

Payable to brokers

 
$

43,397
 
$

10,001
 

Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities

    16,363     22,465  

Compensation payable

    9,179     14,457  

Securities sold, not yet purchased

    10,595     6,178  

Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests

    1,302     1,355  

Payable to affiliates

    20,733     29,346  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    1,864     2,792  

Total liabilities

    103,433     86,594  

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

   
68,334
   
6,751
 

Equity

   
573,749
   
483,771
 

Accumulated comprehensive income

    9,178     11,604  

Total equity

    582,927     495,375  

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 754,694   $ 588,720  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-6


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Consolidated Statements of Equity

(in thousands)

 
  Equity   Accumulated
Comprehensive
Income
  Total
Equity
  Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
 

Balance at December 31, 2011

  $ 584,561   $ 11,981   $ 596,542   $ 6,071  

Redemptions from noncontrolling interest

                (13,069 )

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest

                24,190  

Net income

    7,506         7,506     170  

Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of income tax benefit ($1,518)

        2,584     2,584      

Stock based compensation expense

    3,432         3,432      

Net transfers to Parent

    (99,560 )       (99,560 )    

Balance at December 31, 2012

  $ 495,939   $ 14,565   $ 510,504   $ 17,362  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-7


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Consolidated Statements of Equity (Continued)

(in thousands)

 
  Equity   Accumulated
Comprehensive
Income
  Total
Equity
  Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
 

Balance at December 31, 2012

  $ 495,939   $ 14,565   $ 510,504   $ 17,362  

Redemptions from noncontrolling interest

    (523 )       (523 )   (16,224 )

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest

                5,150  

Net income

    26,766         26,766     463  

Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of income tax ($4,280)

        7,287     7,287      

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax benefit ($6,019)

        (10,248 )   (10,248 )    

Stock based compensation expense

    510         510      

Net transfers to Parent

    (38,921 )       (38,921 )    

Balance at December 31, 2013

  $ 483,771   $ 11,604   $ 495,375   $ 6,751  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-8


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Consolidated Statements of Equity (Continued)

(in thousands)

 
  Equity   Accumulated
Comprehensive
Income
  Total
Equity
  Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
 

Balance at December 31, 2013

  $ 483,771   $ 11,604   $ 495,375   $ 6,751  

Redemptions from noncontrolling interest

                (6,353 )

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest

                72,093  

Net income (loss)

    3,000         3,000     (4,157 )

Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of income tax benefit ($328)

        (559 )   (559 )    

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax benefit ($1,096)

        (1,867 )   (1,867 )    

Stock based compensation expense

    1,921         1,921      

Net transfers from Parent

    85,057         85,057      

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 573,749   $ 9,178   $ 582,927   $ 68,334  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-9


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2014   2013   2012  

Operating activities

                   

Net income/(loss) before noncontrolling interests

  $ (1,157 ) $ 27,229   $ 7,676  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                   

Equity in net gains/(losses) from partnerships

    (1,169 )   (5,663 )   (6,034 )

Depreciation

    14     17     10  

Stock based compensation expense

    1,921     510     3,432  

Other-than-temporary loss on available for sale securities

    69     97     20  

Fair value of donated securities

    56     37     35  

Gains on sales of available for sale securities

    (2,978 )   (16,364 )   (237 )

(Increase) decrease in operating assets:

                   

Trading investments in securities

    (28,328 )   101     17,174  

Contributions to partnerships

    (20,998 )   (12,257 )   (27,443 )

Distributions from partnerships

    10,510     19,562     36,735  

Receivable from brokers

    (25,557 )   1,819     (29,935 )

Investment advisory fees receivable

    1,106     (1,295 )   (246 )

Other assets

    (15,977 )   3,571     797  

Increase (decrease) in liabilities:

                   

Payable to brokers

    33,396     (4,345 )   3,633  

Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities

    (4,677 )   19,092     (1,492 )

Payable to affiliates

    1,386     (139 )   (7,021 )

Compensation payable

    (5,278 )   10,784     (276 )

Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests

    (53 )   13     (44 )

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    (928 )   (1,963 )   444  

Total adjustments

    (57,485 )   13,577     (10,448 )

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (58,642 )   40,806     (2,772 )

Investing activities

                   

Purchases of available for sale securities

    (1,428 )   (4,683 )   (1,268 )

Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities

    4,748     32,626     604  

Return of capital on available for sale securities

    519     1,459     2,531  

Net cash provided by investing activities

    3,839     29,402     1,867  

Financing activities

                   

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests

    72,093     5,150     24,190  

Redemptions of redeemable noncontrolling interests

    (6,353 )   (16,224 )   (13,069 )

Buyback of subsidiary noncontrolling interests

        (523 )    

Repayment of demand loan

    (10,000 )        

Net transfer (to) / from Parent

    85,057     (38,921 )   (99,560 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    140,797     (50,518 )   (88,439 )

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    85,994     19,690     (89,344 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    199,536     179,846     269,190  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 285,530   $ 199,536   $ 179,846  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                   

Cash paid for interest

  $ 981   $ 1,430   $ 1,430  

Cash paid for taxes

  $ 2   $ 2   $ 5  

   

See accompanying notes

F-10


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements

A. Organization and Business Description

        Gabelli Securities Group ("GSG," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our" or similar terms refer to Gabelli Securities Group) is comprised of certain subsidiaries and accounts of GAMCO Investors, Inc. ("GAMCO" or "Parent"). These combined consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GSG and Gabelli Securities, Inc. ("GSI") and GSI's wholly-owned subsidiaries, G.research, Inc. ("G.research"), d.b.a. Gabelli & Company, Gabelli & Partners, LLC ("Gabelli & Partners"), Gabelli Direct, Inc. ("Gabelli Direct"), Gabelli Convertible Holdings, LLC ("Gabelli Convertible"), and certain cash accounts, investments in securities, investment partnerships and offshore funds owned by GAMCO that were transferred to GSG as well as certain investment partnerships and offshore funds in which we have a controlling financial interest. The consolidation of these partnerships and offshore funds has the effect of increasing our investments in securities, receivables from brokers and clearing organizations, accrued expenses and other liabilities and recognizing redeemable noncontrolling interest on our combined consolidated statements of financial condition. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date the Company obtains control and continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases.

        The Company manages investment partnerships, which consist primarily of limited partnerships and offshore funds through which GSI or Gabelli & Partners is the general partner or investment manager and earns an advisory fee and either an incentive fee or allocation on the absolute gain in a portfolio or a fee of 20% of the economic profit.

        G.research acts as an introducing broker, and all securities transactions for the Company and its customers are cleared through and carried by two New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") member firms on a fully disclosed basis. G.research has Proprietary Accounts of Introducing Brokers ("PAIB") agreements with these firms. Accordingly, open customer transactions are not reflected in the accompanying combined consolidated statements of financial condition. G.research is exposed to credit losses on these open transactions in the event of nonperformance by its customers, pursuant to conditions of its clearing agreements with its clearing brokers. This exposure is reduced by the clearing brokers' policy of monitoring the collateral and credit of the counterparties until the transaction is completed.

        The Company provides institutional investors with investment ideas on numerous industries and special situations, with a particular emphasis on small-cap and mid-cap companies. Our research analysts are industry focused, following sectors that stem from our core competencies. They research companies of all market capitalizations on a global basis. The primary function of the research team is to gather data, array the data, and then project and interpret data from which investment decisions can be made. Analysts publish their insights in the form of research reports and daily notes. In addition, we host numerous conferences each year which bring together industry leaders and institutional investors. The objective of the institutional research services is to provide superior investment ideas to investment decision makers.

        The Company provides institutional research services and earns revenues from securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of institutional clients and mutual funds, private wealth management clients and retail customers of affiliate companies. The Company is involved in syndicated underwriting activities. It participates in the offerings of certain closed-end funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GAMCO, earns distributions fees as outlined in "Distribution Fees and Distribution Costs" in Note B, and has investment income generated from its proprietary trading activities.

        The Company's principal market is in the United States.

F-11


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

         Restatement —Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's combined consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 that were included in the Form 10 Registration Statement filed on May 12, 2015, it was determined that realized gains and gains related to donations of a specific investment were included in the Company's combined consolidated statements of income, when the investment itself was not transferred to the Company from GAMCO. As a result, the prior periods in the accompanying combined consolidated financial statements have been corrected to appropriately reflect the removal of these gains on the affected financial statement line items in the combined consolidated statements of income, combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income, combined consolidated statments of financial condition, combined consolidated statements of equity and combined consolidated statements of cash flows. The impact of this error had no impact on the Company's reported investments, cash or total assets.

        The following changes have been made to our combined consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):

 
  For the year ended December 31,  
 
  2014   2013   2012  
 
  As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated  

Statements of Income:

                                     

Management fee

    392     (37 )   4,998     4,486     1,380     1,203  

Total expenses

    31,382     30,953     35,454     34,942     34,447     34,270  

Operating loss

    (10,353 )   (9,924 )   (15,032 )   (14,520 )   (12,898 )   (12,721 )

Net gain from investments

    10,784     6,502     56,070     50,949     22,786     21,012  

Total other income, net

    13,824     9,542     60,027     54,906     25,277     23,503  

Income/(loss) before income taxes

    3,471     (382 )   44,995     40,386     12,379     10,782  

Income tax provision

    2,127     775     14,774     13,157     3,666     3,106  

Net income/(loss) before noncontrolling interests

    1,344     (1,157 )   30,221     27,229     8,713     7,676  

Net income

    5,501     3,000     29,758     26,766     8,543     7,506  

 

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2014   2013   2012  
 
  As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated  

Statements of Comprehensive Income:

                                     

Net income/(loss) before noncontrolling interests

    1,344     (1,157 )   30,221     27,229     8,713     7,676  

Comprehensive income/(loss)

    (1,082 )   (3,583 )   27,260     24,268     11,297     10,260  

Comprehensive income attributable to Gabelli Securities Group

    3,075     574     26,797     23,805     11,127     10,090  

F-12


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

 
  December 31,    
   
 
 
  2014   2013    
   
 
 
  As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated    
   
 

Statements of Financial Condition:

                                     

Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities

    16,363     15,011     22,836     22,465              

Compensation payable

    9,607     9,179     14,969     14,457              

Total liabilities

    103,861     102,081     87,476     86,594              

Equity

    573,321     575,101     482,889     483,771              

Total equity

    582,499     584,279     494,493     495,375              

 

 
  For the year ended December 31,  
 
  2014   2013   2012  
 
  As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated  

Statements of Equity

                                     

Net income

    5,501     3,000     29,758     26,766     8,543     7,506  

Net transfer (to)/from Parent

    83,010     85,057     (42,058 )   (38,921 )   (101,334 )   (99,560 )

 

 
  Year ended December 31,  
 
  2014   2013   2012  
 
  As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated   As Previously
Reported
  Restated  

Statements of Cash Flows:

                                     

Net income/(loss) before noncontrolling interests

    1,344     (1,157 )   30,221     27,229     8,713     7,676  

Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities

    (5,048 )   (4,677 )   18,902     19,092     (933 )   (1,492 )

Compensation payable

    (5,361 )   (5,278 )   11,119     10,784     (98 )   (276 )

Total adjustments

    (57,939 )   (57,485 )   13,722     13,577     (9,711 )   (10,448 )

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    (56,595 )   (58,642 )   43,943     40,806     (998 )   (2,772 )

Net transfer (to)/from Parent

    83,010     85,057     (42,058 )   (38,921 )   (101,334 )   (99,560 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    138,750     140,797     (53,655 )   (50,518 )   (90,213 )   (88,439 )

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Investments in Securities

        Investments in securities are accounted for as either "trading securities" or "available for sale" and are stated at fair value. Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designations as of each balance sheet date. U.S.

F-13


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are considered investments in securities. Securities that are not readily marketable are stated at their estimated fair values in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). A substantial portion of investments in securities are held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements and therefore are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income. Available for sale ("AFS") investments are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of other comprehensive income on the combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income except for losses deemed to be other than temporary which are recorded as realized losses on the combined consolidated statements of income. Securities transactions and any related gains and losses are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identified cost basis and are included in net gain from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income.

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

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

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

        All of the instruments within investments in securities are measured at fair value. Certain investments in partnerships are also measured at fair value.

        The Company's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") guidance on fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy and their applicability to the Company are described below:

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

F-14


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

    Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly-quoted intervals. Assets that generally are included in this category may include certain limited partnership interests in private funds and over the counter derivatives that have inputs to the valuations that can generally be corroborated by observable market data.

    Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Assets included in this category generally include equities that trade infrequently and direct private equity investments held within consolidated partnerships.

        In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Investments are transferred into or out of any level at their beginning period values.

        The availability of observable inputs can vary from instrument to instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of instrument, whether the instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized as Level 3.

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

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

         Cash equivalents —Cash equivalents primarily consist of an affiliated money market mutual fund which is invested solely in U.S. Treasuries and valued based on the net asset value of the fund. Cash equivalents are valued using unadjusted quoted market prices. Accordingly, cash equivalents are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

         Investments in securities —Investments in securities are generally valued based on quoted prices from an exchange. To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Securities categorized in Level 2 investments are valued using other observable inputs. Nonpublic and infrequently traded

F-15


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because significant inputs to measure fair value are unobservable.

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

Receivables from Affiliates and Payables to Affiliates

        Receivables from affiliates consist primarily of incentive fees/allocation and advisory fees due from certain affiliated partnerships. Payables to affiliates primarily consist of loans payable to GAMCO. See Note G.

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers

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

Consolidation

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

Variable Interest Entities

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

        In June 2009, the FASB amended the guidance on VIEs when it issued ASU 2009-17. This guidance requires that if a decision maker has a variable interest in a VIE, the decision maker is not solely acting in a fiduciary capacity and would be required to consolidate the VIE if it has both the power to direct the most significant activities of the VIE and economic exposure that could potentially

F-16


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

be significant to the VIE. The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various sponsored partnerships and the investment manager of various sponsored offshore funds whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities (the "affiliated entities"). If the Company were to apply such guidance, it would be required to consolidate most of its affiliated entities. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-10, which indefinitely deferred the effective date of the amendments to Codification 810-10 made by ASU 2009-17, for a reporting entity's interest in certain entities. Currently, interests in entities that qualify for the deferral are evaluated by applying the VIE model in Codification 810-10 ( i.e. , before the amendments by ASU 2009-17), while interests in entities that do not qualify for the deferral must be evaluated under the amendments in ASU 2009-17. Because all of the entities with which the Company is involved which would have been subject to the guidance in ASU 2009-17 were determined to qualify for the FASB's deferral of such guidance, the Company applies the guidance for VIEs that existed prior to the issuance of ASU 2009-17.

Voting Interest Entities

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

Equity Method Investments

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

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

Investments in Partnerships and Affiliates

        The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various affiliated entities. We also have investments in unaffiliated partnerships, offshore funds and other entities ("unaffiliated entities"). Given that we are not a general partner or investment manager in any unaffiliated entities, we do not earn any management or incentive fees/allocation and we do not have a controlling financial interest, we do not currently consolidate any unaffiliated entities.

F-17


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

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

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

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

Derivative Financial Instruments

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

Securities Transactions

        The Company also generates investment gains or losses from its proprietary trading activities which are included in net gain from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income.

Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition

        Advisory fees from investment partnerships and offshore funds are computed either monthly or quarterly, and amounts receivable are included in receivables from affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition.

        Revenues from investment partnerships and offshore funds also generally include either an incentive fee/allocation on the absolute gain in a portfolio or a fee of 20% of the economic profit as defined in the partnership agreement and is included in investment advisory and incentive fees on the combined consolidated statements of income. The incentive allocation or fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually, and amounts receivable are included in either receivables from affiliates or investment advisory fees receivable on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition.

        Institutional research services includes commission revenues, sales manager fees and underwriting fees and amounts receivable are included in receivables from brokers and clearing organizations on the

F-18


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

combined consolidated statements of financial condition. Related clearing charges are recorded on a trade-date basis, and are included in other operating expenses on the combined consolidated statements of income. Underwriting fees include underwriting revenues and syndicate profits and are accrued as earned. Underwriting fees include gains, losses, selling concessions and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising from securities offerings in which the Company acts as underwriter or agent.

        Effective January 1, 2014, the Company, through G.research, entered into agreements with two affiliates, GAMCO Asset Management Inc. and Gabelli Funds, LLC, to provide each affiliate with the same types of research services that it provides to its other clients. The agreements call for the two affiliates to pay a research services fee. The annual fee amounts are determined by negotiations between the Company and each entity that utilizes the Company's research.

        Other revenue is primarily comprised of a retention payment received from one of the Company's clearing firms that is deferred and recognized over four years. It is netted against reimbursed distribution costs in distribution fees and other income on the combined consolidated statements of income. See Note G.

Distribution Fees and Distribution Costs

        Distribution plan fees are computed daily based on average net assets and accrued for during the period in which they are earned. See Note C. Effective August 1, 2011, the mutual fund distributor component of the Company's operations was transferred to an affiliate, G.distributors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO. On July 27, 2011, the Company entered into a selected dealer and stockholder servicing agreement ("Distribution Agreement") with G.distributors. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Company receives distribution fees on ongoing client relationships which certain of its registered representatives continue to provide stockholder services for and for which it is the broker of record.

        Prior to the transfer of the mutual fund distributor component of GSI's operations, distribution costs were accrued as they were incurred. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, GSI reversed distribution costs totaling $598,503, $746,445 and $845,252, respectively, for which there is no longer an obligation to pay the broker due to the expiry of statute of limitations which is six years. These expenses were initially recorded within other operating expenses on the combined consolidated statements of income in previous years, and the reversal of these costs is included in other operating expenses on the combined consolidated statements of income.

Depreciation

        Fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of four to seven years. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, depreciation was $13,966, $16,712 and $10,031, respectively, on fixed assets with a cost of $60,649, $72,424 and $68,705, respectively, and a net book value of $30,344, $40,523 and $38,978, respectively. We estimate that depreciation will be approximately $14,000 annually over the next three years. As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company wrote off assets in the amount of $15,563, $16,369 and $1,527, respectively, that were fully depreciated and had been retired.

F-19


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Allocated Expenses

        The Company is charged or incurs certain overhead expenses that are paid by, or paid on our behalf by other affiliates and are included in other operating expenses on the combined consolidated statements of income. These overhead expenses primarily relate to centralized functions including finance and accounting, legal, compliance, treasury, tax, internal audit, information technology, human resources and risk management functions. These overhead expenses are allocated to the Company by other affiliates or allocated by the Company to other affiliates as the expenses are incurred, based upon direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated based on revenue, headcount, space or other methodologies periodically reviewed by the management of the Company and the affiliates. In addition, the Company serves as paymaster under a compensation payment sharing agreement. This includes compensation expense and related payroll taxes and benefits which are fully paid by the Company for professional staff performing duties related to the Company and affiliates. These compensation expenses are included in compensation on the combined consolidated statements of income. All of the allocations and estimates in these financial statements are based on assumptions that management of GSG believes are reasonable. However, these allocations may not be indicative of the actual expenses we would have incurred or may incur in the future.

Management Fee

        Management fee expense in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits, before consideration of this fee and before consideration of the various consolidated feeder funds and partnerships, is paid to the Chairman of GAMCO or his designated assignees in accordance with his employment agreement.

Stock Based Compensation

        GAMCO has granted restricted stock awards ("RSAs") and stock options to staff members which were recommended by GAMCO's Chairman, who has never received an RSA or option award, and approved by the Compensation Committee of GAMCO's Board of Directors. GAMCO uses a fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation provided to our employees.

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

F-20


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

        As the stock-based compensation plans have been established by GAMCO and not the Company, compensation expense recognized in the accompanying combined consolidated statements of income is reflected as a contribution to equity in the combined consolidated statements of equity.

Goodwill

        Goodwill is initially measured as the excess of the cost of the acquired business over the sum of the fair value assigned to assets acquired less the liabilities assumed. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, goodwill recorded on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition relates to the exchange of certain shares of the Company with its parent in a prior year.

        Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually on November 30th and whenever certain triggering events are met. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill for our annual impairment test on November 30, 2014 and 2013, we performed a qualitative assessment of whether it was more likely than not that an impairment has occurred and concluded that a quantitative analysis was not required. As part of this assessment, it was also determined that there was no risk of failing the quantitative impairment testing step that compares GSI's fair value to its carrying value. No impairment was recorded during 2014.

Income Taxes

        For purposes of the preparation of the combined consolidated financial statements, the Company accounts for income taxes as if it followed the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income tax expense/benefit in the period that includes the enactment date of the change in tax rate.

        The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. A valuation allowance would be recorded to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination of whether a valuation allowance is necessary, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In the event the Company were to determine that the Company would be able to realize the Company's deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

        The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with Codification Topic 740 on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company recognizes the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions and penalties in income tax provision on the combined consolidated statements of income. Accrued

F-21


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are included within accrued expenses and other liabilities on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition.

Noncontrolling Interests

        Noncontrolling interests that are mandatorily redeemable upon a certain date or event occurring are classified as liabilities and relate to certain stockholders of GSI who are employed by GAMCO, or its affiliates, who are required to sell their shares back to GSI at book value once they cease being employed by GAMCO, or its affiliates. Noncontrolling interests in investment partnerships and offshore funds that are redeemable at the option of the holder are classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of the combined consolidated statements of financial condition between liabilities and equity.

        For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests on the combined consolidated statements of income represents income attributable to certain limited partners of investment partnerships and offshore funds that are consolidated. The income attributable to the mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests classified as liabilities is included in other operating expenses on the combined consolidated statements of income.

Use of Estimates

        The Company's combined consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the combined consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of Credit Risk

        Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and receivable from brokers. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents primarily in the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, which invests fully in instruments issued by the U.S. Government, and has receivables from brokers with various brokers and financial institutions, where these balances can exceed the federally insured limit. The concentration of credit risk with respect to advisory fees and incentive fees/allocation, which are included in receivables from affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition, is generally limited due to the short payment terms extended to clients by the Company. All investments in securities are held at third party brokers or custodians.

Net transfer to / from Parent

        Net transfer to / from Parent in the combined consolidated financial statements represents the net effect of transactions with and allocations from GAMCO.

Business Segment

        The Company operates in one business segment, the investment advisory and asset management business. The Company conducts its investment advisory business principally through GSI. The

F-22


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Company also provides institutional research through G.research, the Company's broker-dealer subsidiary.

Recent Accounting Developments

        In December 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-12, Definition of a Public Business Entity , which defines the term "public business entity." It defines a public business entity as any entity required to file or furnish financial statements to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or does file or furnish financial statements (including voluntary filers) with the SEC or who files or furnishes financial statements with a regulatory agency other than the SEC. Whereas the Company does not file or furnish financial statements with a regulatory agency or the SEC, it does not meet the definition. However, because the entity is a majority-owned subsidiary of a public company, in most cases, the definition of a public business entity will be used in considering the scope of new accounting and reporting guidance and in identifying whether the guidance does or does not apply to the Company. ASU 2013-12 does not contain an effective date but requires entities to apply the definition of a public business entity in connection with its adoption of the first new ASU that uses the term. The Company adopted the guidance for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and this adoption did not have a material impact on the Company.

        In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in the Codification Topic 605,

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

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

F-23


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

C. Investments in Securities

        Investments in securities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

 
  2014   2013  
(In thousands)
  Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value  

Trading securities:

                         

Government obligations

  $ 18,994   $ 18,996   $ 37,986   $ 37,994  

Common stocks

    170,977     195,029     96,225     124,634  

Mutual funds

    2,432     3,498     21,074     23,285  

Other investments

    743     1,704     287     582  

Total trading securities

    193,146     219,227     155,572     186,495  

Available for sale securities:

                         

Mutual funds

    681     1,368     843     1,687  

Total available for sale securities

    681     1,368     843     1,687  

Total investments in securities

  $ 193,827   $ 220,595   $ 156,415   $ 188,182  

        Securities sold, not yet purchased at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

 
  2014   2013  
(In thousands)
  Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value  

Trading securities:

                         

Common stocks

  $ 9,835   $ 9,960   $ 5,319   $ 6,023  

Other investments

    1     635         155  

Total securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 9,836   $ 10,595   $ 5,319   $ 6,178  

        Investments in sponsored registered investment companies at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:

 
  2014   2013  
(In thousands)
  Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value  

Trading securities:

                         

Mutual funds

  $ 1   $ 1   $ 19   $ 10  

Total trading securities

    1     1     19     10  

Available for sale securities:

                         

Closed-end funds

    21,962     36,323     23,100     40,624  

Mutual funds

    1,898     3,213     1,951     3,408  

Total available for sale securities

    23,860     39,536     25,051     44,032  

Total investments in sponsored registered investment companies

  $ 23,861   $ 39,537   $ 25,070   $ 44,042  

F-24


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

C. Investments in Securities (Continued)

        The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income/(loss) for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

Amount Reclassified
from AOCI
   
   
Twelve months ended
December 31,
   
   
  Affected Line Item in in the
Statements Of Income
   
2014   2013   Reason for Reclassification from AOCI
$ 2,978   $ 16,364   Net gain/(loss) from investments   Realized gain / (loss) on sale of AFS securities
  54       Other operating expenses   Donation of AFS securities
  (69 )   (97 ) Net gain/(loss) from investments   Other than temporary impairment of AFS securities
  2,963     16,267   Income before income taxes    
  (1,096 )   (6,019 ) Income tax provision    
$ 1,867   $ 10,248   Net income    

        The Company is a party to enforceable master netting arrangements for swaps entered into as part of the Company's investment strategy. They are typically not used as hedging instruments. These swaps, while settled on a net basis with the counterparties, major U.S. financial institutions, are shown gross in assets and liabilities on the condensed combined consolidated statements of financial condition. The swaps have a firm contract end date and are closed out and settled when each contract expires.

 
   
   
  Net Amounts
of Assets
Presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
  Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Financial Condition
 
 
   
  Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
 
 
  Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets
 
 
  Financial
Instruments
  Cash
Collateral
Received
  Net
Amount
 
 
  (In thousands)
 

Swaps:

                                     

December 31, 2014

  $ 896   $   $ 896   $ (634 ) $   $ 262  

December 31, 2013

  $ 275   $   $ 275   $ (155 ) $   $ 120  

 

 
   
   
  Net Amounts
of Liabilities
Presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
  Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Financial Condition
 
 
   
  Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
 
 
  Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
 
 
  Financial
Instruments
  Cash
Collateral
Pledged
  Net
Amount
 
 
  (In thousands)
 

Swaps:

                                     

December 31, 2014

  $ 634   $   $ 634   $ (634 ) $   $  

December 31, 2013

  $ 155   $   $ 155   $ (155 ) $   $  

F-25


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

C. Investments in Securities (Continued)

        The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of AFS investments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 
  December 31, 2014  
 
  Cost   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
 
 
  (In thousands)
 

Closed-end Funds

  $ 21,962   $ 14,398   $ (37 ) $ 36,323  

Mutual funds

    2,579     2,030     (28 )   4,581  

Total available for sale securities

  $ 24,541   $ 16,428   $ (65 ) $ 40,904  

 

 
  December 31, 2013  
 
  Cost   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
 
 
  (In thousands)
 

Closed-end Funds

  $ 23,100   $ 17,654   $ (130 ) $ 40,624  

Mutual funds

    2,794     2,325     (24 )   5,095  

Total available for sale securities

  $ 25,894   $ 19,979   $ (154 ) $ 45,719  

        Increases in unrealized losses, net of taxes, for AFS securities for the years ended December 31, 2014 of $0.6 million have been included in other comprehensive income at December 31, 2014. Increases in unrealized gains, net of taxes, for AFS securities for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 of $17.3 million and $3.8 million have been included in other comprehensive income at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

        The amount reclassified from other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $4.6 million and $13.4 million respectively. Return of capital on AFS securities were $0.5 million, $1.5 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale were approximately $8.6 million, $37.9 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $3.6 million, $17.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively, and were reclassed from other comprehensive income into the combined consolidated statements of income. Gross losses on the sale of AFS securities was $49,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. There were no losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012. The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined is specific identification. Accumulated other comprehensive income on the combined consolidated statements of equity is primarily comprised of unrealized gains/losses, net of taxes, for AFS securities.

        The Company has an established accounting policy and methodology to determine other-than-temporary impairment. Under this policy, AFS securities are evaluated for other than temporary impairments and any impairment charges are recorded in net gain from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income. Management reviews all AFS securities whose cost exceeds their market value to determine if the impairment is other than temporary. Management uses qualitative factors such as diversification of the investment, the amount of time that the investment has

F-26


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

C. Investments in Securities (Continued)

been impaired, the intent to sell and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment is other than temporary.

        Investments classified as AFS that are in an unrealized loss position for which other-than-temporary impairment has not been recognized consisted of the following:

 
  December 31, 2014   December 31, 2013  
(in thousands)
  Cost   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Cost   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
 

Closed-end Funds

  $ 812   $ (37 ) $ 775   $ 912   $ (130 ) $ 782  

Mutual Funds

    303     (28 )   275     303     (24 )   279  

Total available for sale securities

  $ 1,115   $ (65 ) $ 1,050   $ 1,215   $ (154 ) $ 1,061  

        At December 31, 2014, there were four holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations. In these specific instances, the investments at December 31, 2014 were mutual funds and closed-end funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and across multiple industries. One holding was impaired for one month, one for three months and two for four months at December 31, 2014. The value of these holdings at December 31, 2014 was $1.1 million. If these holdings were to continue to be impaired, we may need to record an impairment in a future period on the condensed combined consolidated statement of income for the amount of unrealized loss, which at December 31, 2014 was $0.1 million.

        At December 31, 2013, there were four holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations. In these specific instances, the investments at December 31, 2013 were mutual funds and closed-end funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and across multiple industries. One holding was impaired for one month, one for two months, one for four months and one for seven months at December 31, 2013. The value of these holdings at December 31, 2013 was $1.1 million.

        For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were $69,000, $97,000 and $20,000 of losses, respectively, on AFS securities deemed to be other than temporary.

D. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities

        The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various affiliated entities, in which the Company had investments totaling $94.2 million and $82.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities (the "affiliated entities"). We also had investments in unaffiliated partnerships, offshore funds and other entities of $13.4 million and $14.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively (the "unaffiliated entities"). We evaluate each entity for the appropriate accounting treatment and disclosure. Certain of the affiliated entities, and none of the unaffiliated entities, are consolidated, as discussed in Note B.

        For those entities where consolidation is not deemed appropriate, we report them in our combined consolidate statements of financial condition under the caption "Investments in partnerships." The caption includes those investments, in both affiliated and unaffiliated entities, which the Company accounts for under the equity method of accounting, as well as certain investments that the feeder

F-27


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

D. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities (Continued)

funds hold that are carried at fair value, as described in Note B. The Company reflects the equity in earnings of these equity method investees and the change in fair value of the consolidated feeder funds under the caption net gain from investments on the combined consolidated statements of income.

        The following table highlights the number of entities, including VOEs that we consolidate as well as under which accounting guidance they are consolidated, including CFFs which retain their specialized investment company accounting, and partnerships and offshore funds which we consolidate as described in Note B.

Entities consolidated

 
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Total  
 
  VIEs   VOEs   VIEs   VOEs   VIEs   VOEs   VIEs   VOEs  

Entities consolidated at December 31, 2011

    1     2     -     1     -     1     1     4  

Additional consolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Deconsolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Entities consolidated at December 31, 2012

    1     2     -     1     -     1     1     4  

Additional consolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Deconsolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Entities consolidated at December 31, 2013

    1     2     -     1     -     1     1     4  

Additional consolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Deconsolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Entities consolidated at December 31, 2014

    1     2     -     1     -     1     1     4  

        At and for the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, one CFF VIE is consolidated, as the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has an equity interest and absorbs the majority of the expected losses and/or expected gains. At and for the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, two CFF VOEs, and the one Partnership VOE are consolidated because the unaffiliated partners or stockholders lack substantive rights, and the Company, as either the general partner or investment manager, is deemed to have control.

        The following table breaks down the investments in partnerships line by accounting method, either fair value or equity method, and investment type (in thousands).

 
  December 31, 2014
Investment Type
 
 
  Affiliated   Unaffiliated    
 
Accounting method
  Consolidated
Feeder Funds
  Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Total  

Fair Value

  $ 23,815   $   $   $   $   $ 23,815  

Equity Method

        34,382     36,033     6,552     6,864     83,831  

Total

  $ 23,815   $ 34,382   $ 36,033   $ 6,552   $ 6,864   $ 107,646  

F-28


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

D. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities (Continued)

 

 
  December 31, 2013
Investment Type
 
 
  Affiliated   Unaffiliated    
 
Accounting method
  Consolidated
Feeder Funds
  Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Total  

Fair Value

  $ 25,253   $   $   $   $   $ 25,253  

Equity Method

        21,666     35,030     6,509     7,531     70,736  

Total

  $ 25,253   $ 21,666   $ 35,030   $ 6,509   $ 7,531   $ 95,989  

        The following table includes the net impact by line item on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition for each category of entity consolidated:

 
  December 31, 2014  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As
Reported
 

Assets

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 285,455   $ (11 ) $ 86   $   $ 285,530  

Investments in securities

    201,038         7,801     51,293     260,132  

Investments in partnerships

    111,389     4,438     (8,181 )       107,646  

Receivable from brokers

    22,629         623     51,155     74,407  

Investment advisory fees receivable

    4,375     (6 )   (2 )   (222 )   4,145  

Other assets

    22,683             151     22,834  

Total assets

  $ 647,569   $ 4,421   $ 327   $ 102,377   $ 754,694  

Liabilities and equity

                               

Securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 9,991   $   $   $ 604   $ 10,595  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    54,651     22     24     38,141     92,838  

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

        4,399     303     63,632     68,334  

Total equity

    582,927                 582,927  

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 647,569   $ 4,421   $ 327   $ 102,377   $ 754,694  

F-29


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

D. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities (Continued)

 
  December 31, 2013  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As Reported  

Assets

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 198,752   $ 450   $ 334   $   $ 199,536  

Investments in securities

    233,198         7,473     (8,447 )   232,224  

Investments in partnerships

    98,491     6,517     (9,019 )       95,989  

Receivable from brokers

    34,540             14,310     48,850  

Investment advisory fees receivable

    6,254     (24 )   (14 )   (965 )   5,251  

Other assets

    7,498     (2,339 )   1,592     119     6,870  

Total assets

  $ 578,733   $ 4,604   $ 366   $ 5,017   $ 588,720  

Liabilities and equity

                               

Securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 6,049   $   $   $ 129   $ 6,178  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    77,309     165     29     2,913     80,416  

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

        4,439     337     1,975     6,751  

Total equity

    495,375                 495,375  

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 578,733   $ 4,604   $ 366   $ 5,017   $ 588,720  

        The CFFs, Partnerships and Offshore Funds columns above include only affiliated entities as no unaffiliated entities are consolidated.

        The following table includes the net impact by line item on the combined consolidated statements of income for each category of entity consolidated (in thousands):

 
  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As Reported  

Total revenues

  $ 22,027   $ (28 ) $ (3 ) $ (967 ) $ 21,029  

Total expenses

    29,920     62     44     927     30,953  

Operating income

    (7,893 )   (90 )   (47 )   (1,894 )   (9,924 )

Total other income (expense), net

    11,668     13     50     (2,189 )   9,542  

Income before income taxes

    3,775     (77 )   3     (4,083 )   (382 )

Income tax provision

    775                 775  

Net income before NCI

    3,000     (77 )   3     (4,083 )   (1,157 )

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

        (77 )   3     (4,083 )   (4,157 )

Net income

  $ 3,000   $   $   $   $ 3,000  

F-30


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

D. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities (Continued)

 

 
  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As Reported  

Total revenues

  $ 22,425   $ (53 ) $ (15 ) $ (1,935 ) $ 20,422  

Total expenses

    33,945     175     47     775     34,942  

Operating income

    (11,520 )   (228 )   (62 )   (2,710 )   (14,520 )

Total other income, net

    51,443     475     111     2,877     54,906  

Income before income taxes

    39,923     247     49     167     40,386  

Income tax provision

    13,157                 13,157  

Net income before NCI

    26,766     247     49     167     27,229  

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

        247     49     167     463  

Net income

  $ 26,766   $   $   $   $ 26,766  

 

 
  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2012  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As Reported  

Total revenues

  $ 23,463   $ 2   $ (6 ) $ (1,910 ) $ 21,549  

Total expenses

    33,432     132     39     667     34,270  

Operating income

    (9,969 )   (130 )   (45 )   (2,577 )   (12,721 )

Total other income, net

    20,581     216     67     2,639     23,503  

Income before income taxes

    10,612     86     22     62     10,782  

Income tax provision

    3,106                 3,106  

Net income before NCI

    7,506     86     22     62     7,676  

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

        86     22     62     170  

Net income

  $ 7,506   $   $   $   $ 7,506  

        The CFFs, Partnerships and Offshore Funds columns above include only affiliated entities as no unaffiliated entities are consolidated.

Variable Interest Entities

        We also have sponsored a number of investment vehicles where we are the general partner or investment manager. These vehicles are VIEs, but we are not the primary beneficiary, in all but one case, because we do not absorb a majority of the entities' expected losses or expected returns, and they are therefore, not consolidated. We consolidate the one VIE where we are the primary beneficiary. The Company has not provided any financial or other support to these entities. The total assets of these non-consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $71.6 million and $72.7 million, respectively. Our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with the VIEs is limited to the investment in one VIE and the deferred carried interest that we have in one another.

        On December 31, 2014, we had an investment in two of the non-consolidated VIE offshore funds of approximately $10.6 million which was included in investment in partnerships on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. On December 31, 2013, we had an investment in one of

F-31


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

D. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities (Continued)

the non-consolidated VIE offshore funds of approximately $10.0 million which was included in investments in partnerships on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. On December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had a deferred carried interest in one of the VIE offshore funds of approximately $42,742 and $44,890, respectively, which was included in investments in partnerships on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. Additionally, as the general partner or investment manager to these VIEs the Company earns fees in relation to these roles, which given a decline in AUMs of the VIEs would result in lower fee revenues earned by the Company which would be reflected on the combined consolidated statements of income, combined consolidated statements of comprehensive income, combined consolidated statements of financial condition and combined consolidated statements of cash flows.

        The assets of these VIEs may only be used to satisfy obligations of the VIEs. The following table presents the balances related to these VIEs that are consolidated and were included on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition as well as the Company's net interest in these VIEs. Only one VIE is consolidated at both December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

(In thousands)
  December 31,
2014
  December 31,
2013
 

Investments in partnerships

  $ 13,434   $ 15,540  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    (12 )   (2,022 )

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

    (794 )   (1,120 )

The Company's net interests in consolidated VIEs

  $ 12,628   $ 12,398  

Equity Method Investments

        The Company's equity method investments include its investments in partnerships and offshore funds. These equity method investments are not consolidated but on an aggregate basis exceed 10% of the Company's combined consolidated total assets or income. No single equity method investment held by the Company exceeded 20% of the Company's combined consolidated total assets or income. As such, the Company is not required to present separate financial statements for any of its equity method investees.

        The summarized financial information of the Company's equity method investments for December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

(In millions)
  December 31,
2014
  December 31,
2013
  December 31,
2012
 

Total assets

  $ 2,436   $ 1,951   $ 1,577  

Total liabilities

    293     344     191  

Total equity

    2,143     1,607     1,386  

 

 
  For the year  
 
  2014   2013   2012  

Net income

  $ 49   $ 192   $ 81  

F-32


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

E. Fair Value

        The following tables present information about the Company's assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2014

 
  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31,
2014
 

Assets

                         

Cash equivalents

  $ 285,504   $   $   $ 285,504  

Investments in partnerships

        23,803         23,803  

Investments in securities:

                         

AFS—Mutual funds

    1,368             1,368  

Trading—Gov't obligations

    18,996             18,996  

Trading—Common stocks

    193,735     1     1,293     195,029  

Trading—Mutual funds

    3,498             3,498  

Trading—Other

    513     897     294     1,704  

Total investments in securities

    218,110     898     1,587     220,595  

Investments in sponsored registered
investment companies:

                   

AFS—Closed-end Funds

    36,323             36,323  

AFS—Mutual Funds

    3,213             3,213  

Trading—Mutual funds

    1             1  

Total investments in sponsored registered investment companies

    39,537             39,537  

Total investments

    257,647     24,701     1,587     283,935  

Total assets at fair value

  $ 543,151   $ 24,701   $ 1,587   $ 569,439  

Liabilities

                         

Trading—Common stocks

  $ 9,960   $   $   $ 9,960  

Trading—Other

        635         635  

Securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 9,960   $ 635   $   $ 10,595  

F-33


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

E. Fair Value (Continued)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2013

 
  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31,
2013
 

Assets

                         

Cash equivalents

  $ 199,044   $   $   $ 199,044  

Investments in partnerships

        25,253         25,253  

Investments in securities:

                         

AFS—Mutual funds

    1,687             1,687  

Trading—Gov't obligations

    37,994             37,994  

Trading—Common stocks

    123,927     7     700     124,634  

Trading—Mutual funds

    23,285             23,285  

Trading—Other

    23     275     284     582  

Total investments in securities

    186,916     282     984     188,182  

Investments in sponsored registered
investment companies:

                   

AFS—Closed-end Funds

    40,624             40,624  

AFS—Mutual Funds

    3,408             3,408  

Trading—Mutual funds

    10             10  

Total investments in sponsored registered investment companies

    44,042             44,042  

Total investments

    230,958     25,535     984     257,477  

Total assets at fair value

  $ 430,002   $ 25,535   $ 984   $ 456,521  

Liabilities

                         

Trading—Common stocks

  $ 6,023   $   $   $ 6,023  

Trading—Other

        155         155  

Securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 6,023   $ 155   $   $ 6,178  

F-34


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

E. Fair Value (Continued)

        The following table presents additional information about assets by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:

Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the year ended December 31, 2014

 
   
   
   
  Total
Unrealized
Gains or
(Losses)
Included in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
  Total Realized and
Unrealized Gains or
(Losses) in Income
  Total
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains or
(Losses)
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
  Net
Transfers
In and/or
(Out) of
Level 3
   
 
 
  December 31,
2013
Beginning
Balance
   
   
   
 
Asset
  Trading   AFS
Investments
  Purchases   Sales   Ending
Balance
 

Financial instruments owned:

                                                       

Trading—Common stocks

  $ 700   $ 41   $   $   $ 41   $   $ (343 ) $ 895   $ 1,293  

Trading—Other

    284                     10             294  

Total

  $ 984   $ 41   $   $   $ 41   $ 10   $ (343 ) $ 895   $ 1,587  

Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the year ended December 31, 2013

 
   
   
   
  Total
Unrealized
Gains or
(Losses)
Included in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
  Total Realized and
Unrealized Gains or
(Losses) in Income
  Total
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains or
(Losses)
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
  Net
Transfers
In and/or
(Out) of
Level 3
   
 
 
  December 31,
2012
Beginning
Balance
   
   
   
 
Asset
  Trading   AFS
Investments
  Purchases   Sales   Ending
Balance
 

Financial instruments owned:

                                                       

Trading—Common stocks

  $ 675   $ 25   $   $   $ 25   $   $   $   $ 700  

Trading—Other

    362     (2 )           (2 )   3     (79 )       284  

Total

  $ 1,037   $ 23   $   $   $ 23   $ 3   $ (79 ) $   $ 984  

        During the years ended December 31, 2013, the Company did not reclassify investments across any levels. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 holdings. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company reclassed approximately $895,000 of investments from Level 1 to Level 3. The reclassifications were due to decreased availability of market price quotations and were based on the values at the beginning of the period in which the reclass occurred.

F. Income Taxes

        We calculate the provision for income taxes by using a "separate return" method. Under this method, we are assumed to file a separate return with the tax authority, thereby reporting our taxable income or loss and paying the applicable tax or receiving the appropriate refund from GAMCO. Our current provision is the amount of tax payable or refundable on the basis of a hypothetical current-year separate return. We provide deferred taxes on temporary differences and on any carryforwards that we could claim on our hypothetical return and assess the need for a valuation allowance.

F-35


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

F. Income Taxes (Continued)

        Any difference between the tax provision or benefit allocated to us under the separate return method and payments to be made to or received from GAMCO for tax expense are treated as either dividends or capital contributions. Accordingly, the amount by which our tax liability under the separate return method exceeds the amount of tax liability ultimately settled as a result of using incremental expenses of GAMCO is periodically settled as a capital contribution from GAMCO to us.

        The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:

(in thousands)
  2014   2013   2012  

Current income tax

                   

Federal

  $ 5,775   $ 7,023   $ (2,797 )

State

    39     (38 )   (9 )

Subtotal

    5,814     6,985     (2,806 )

Deferred income taxes

                   

Federal

    (5,003 )   6,193     5,926  

State

    (36 )   (21 )   (14 )

Subtotal

    (5,039 )   6,172     5,912  

Total Provision for income taxes

  $ 775   $ 13,157   $ 3,106  

        The Company has separate state net operating losses of $107,000 which will expire in 2030 through 2034. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from the separate state net operating loss carryforwards will not be realized. In recognizing this risk, we have provided a valuation allowance of $107,000 on the deferred assets relating to these net operating losses.

        Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

(in thousands)
  2014   2013  

Deferred tax assets:

             

Stock based compensation expense

  $ 847   $ 179  

Deferred compensation expense

    835     254  

Other assets

    193     191  

Total deferred tax assets

    1,875     624  

Deferred tax liabilities:

             

Investments in securities available for sale

    (1,510 )   (2,333 )

Investments in securities and partnerships

    (14,911 )   (18,534 )

Deferred gain

    (2,000 )   (2,173 )

Other liabilities

    (34 )   (27 )

Total deferred tax liabilities

    (18,455 )   (23,067 )

Net deferred tax liabilities

  $ (16,580 ) $ (22,443 )

F-36


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

F. Income Taxes (Continued)

        A reconciliation of the Federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate is set forth below:

 
  2014   2013   2012  

Statutory Federal income tax rate

    35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

State income tax, net of Federal benefit

    (0.5 )   (0.1 )   (0.1 )

Dividends received deduction

    133.0     (2.3 )   (8.7 )

Donation of appreciated securities

    13.5         (0.2 )

Noncontrolling interests

    (377.0 )        

Other

    (6.9 )       2.8  

Total Provision for income taxes

    (202.9 )%   32.6 %   28.8 %

        A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions is as follows:

(in thousands)
   
 

Balance January 1, 2012

  $ 109.8  

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

    (11.4 )

Additions based on tax positions related to the prior year

    9.1  

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

    9.9  

Settlements

     

Balance at December 31, 2012

    117.4  

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

    (29.0 )

Additions based on tax positions related to the prior year

    17.3  

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

    (13.0 )

Settlements

     

Balance at December 31, 2013

    92.7  

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

    (34.2 )

Additions based on tax positions related to the prior year

     

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

    (1.4 )

Settlements

     

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 57.1  

        The Company records penalties and interest related to tax uncertainties in income taxes. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company's had gross unrecognized tax liabilities of $57,054 and $92,735 respectively, of which $37,085 and $60,278, respectively, if recognized, would impact the Company's effective tax rate. The Company has accrued liability of $78,689 and $68,972 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for interest and penalties. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

        The Company is subject the tax indemnity agreement for tax audits as a member of GAMCO's consolidated Federal and combined state tax returns, as well as separate filed state tax returns. GAMCO is currently being audited by New York State for years 2001 through 2006, but we do not expect that any potential assessments will be material to our results of operations. GAMCO is subject to future audits by New York State for all years after 2006. GAMCO's remaining state tax returns and the Company's separately filed state tax returns are subject to audit for all years after 2008. GAMCO's Federal tax returns are subject to future audit for years after 2010.

F-37


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

G. Related Party Transactions

Loan with GAMCO

        The Company entered into a $15,000,000 demand loan with GAMCO on March 15, 2004 at a rate of 5.5% per year. $5,000,000 was paid back to GAMCO on February 28, 2007. GSI entered into an additional demand loan for $16,000,000 with GAMCO on August 17, 2010 at a rate of 5.5% per year. On March 7, 2014, the Company repaid $10,000,000 of the loan to GAMCO. The balances, which approximate the fair value, on these demand loans were $16,000,000 and $26,000,000 as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and were included in payable to affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. These loans, which are level 2 valuations, are due on demand by GAMCO, and the Company has a prepayment option. The interest was $980,833, $1,430,000 and $1,430,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in interest expense on the combined consolidated statements of income.

Investment in Securities

        At December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately $80 million and $81 million, respectively, of our proprietary investment accounts, which were included in investments in securities on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition, were managed by our analysts or portfolio managers other than Mr. Mario Gabelli. The individuals managing these accounts receive 20% of the net profits, if any, earned on the accounts; however, some of the analysts are required to meet a hurdle rate of 5% before earning this 20% payout. In August 2006, a son of the Chairman was given responsibility for managing a proprietary investment account on which he would be paid, on an annual basis, 20% of any net profits earned on the account for the year. The account was initially funded with approximately $40 million during 2006. During 2014 and 2013, $2 million and $2 million, respectively, was transferred from the account managed by the Chairman's son back to the firm's proprietary account and is no longer subject to the 20% payout. For 2014, 2013 and 2012, this account was up 1.6%, 41.9% and 14.3%, respectively, and therefore he earned approximately $0.1 million, $1.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for managing this account.

        At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had investments of $285.5 million and $199.0 million, respectively, invested in the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, which is recorded in cash and cash equivalents on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. Investments in affiliated equity mutual funds ("Funds"), which are advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC and Teton Advisors, Inc., which is majority-owned by GGCP Holdings LLC, which is also the majority stockholder of GAMCO, at December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $40.9 million and $45.7 million, respectively, and are included in investments in securities on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company earned $3,838, $17,723 and $49,677 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in interest income from the investment in the money market mutual fund which is included within interest and dividend income on the combined consolidated statements of income. Dividend income earned from the Funds, excluding the money market mutual fund, is included within interest and dividend income on the combined consolidated statements of income in the amounts of $2.1 million, $2.3 million and $1.8 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Investment in Partnerships

        We had an aggregate investment in affiliated partnerships and offshore funds of approximately $94.2 million and $82.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

F-38


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

G. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

Investment Advisory Services

        Gabelli Securities International Limited ("GS International") was formed in 1994 to provide management and investment advisory services to offshore funds and accounts. Marc Gabelli, a director of GAMCO owns 55% of GS International, and GSI owns the remaining 45%. In 1994, Gabelli International Gold Fund Limited ("GIGFL"), an offshore investment company investing primarily in securities of issuers with gold-related activities, was formed and GS International entered into an agreement to provide management services to GIGFL. GSI in turn entered into an agreement with GS International to provide investment advisory services to GIGFL in return for receiving all investment advisory fees paid by GIGFL. Pursuant to such agreement, GSI earned investment advisory fees of $11,096 and no incentive fees for 2014. Comparable amounts for 2013 were $13,478 and no incentive fee. Comparable amounts for 2012 were $23,192 and no incentive fee. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $2,936, and $50,639, respectively, payable to GIGFL included in payables to affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition relating to advisory fees.

        In April 1999, Gabelli Global Partners, Ltd. ("GGP Ltd."), an offshore investment fund, was incorporated. GS International and Gemini Capital Management, LLC ("Gemini"), an entity owned by a son of GAMCO's Chairman, were engaged by GGP Ltd. as investment advisors as of July 1, 1999. GGP Ltd. paid all of the advisory fees for 2014, 2013 and 2012 in the amounts of $286,360, $148,909 and $80,761, respectively, to GS International. For 2014 and 2013, GGP Ltd. paid all of the incentive fees in the amount of $20,886 and $31,217, respectively, to GS International. There was no incentive fee in 2012.

        In April 1999, GSI formed Gabelli Global Partners, L.P., an investment limited partnership for which GSI and Gemini are the general partners. In March 2002, Gabelli Global Partners, L.P. changed its name to Gemini Global Partners, L.P. Gemini and GSI each received half of the advisory fee paid by the partnership to the general partners in the amount of $78,288, $76,776 and $76,548 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In 2014 and 2013, the incentive fee earned was $178 and $16,740, respectively. There was no incentive fee in 2012. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $98,144 and $19,678, respectively, receivable from Gemini Global Partners, L.P. included in receivables from affiliates on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition.

        As general partner or co-general partner of various affiliated limited partnerships, the Company receives an advisory fee based on a percentage of each partnership's net assets and a 20% incentive allocation based on economic profits.

Compensation

        The Company pays the Chairman, or his designated assignee, a monthly management fee equal to 10% of the Company's pretax profits before consideration of this fee and before consolidation of the various consolidated feeder funds and partnerships discussed in Note D. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company paid the Chairman $0.0 million, $4.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. These fees are recorded as management fee on the combined consolidated statements of income. The Company also pays GAMCO an administrative management fee of 2.75% of total brokerage income (as defined in an agreement between the parties). In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the administrative management fee amounted to $235,920, $229,967, and $217,925, respectively. These fees are recorded as other operating expenses on the combined consolidated statements of income. The Company also pays or receives from GAMCO the amount of its portion of the consolidated current tax expense or benefit, respectively. See Note F for details.

F-39


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

G. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

Intercompany Balances

        At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the receivables from affiliates consist primarily of expenses paid on behalf of affiliates by the Company.

        At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the payables to affiliates primarily consisted of the loans payable to GAMCO of $16,000,000, and $26,000,000, respectively, and compensation and administrative expenses of $4,712,772 and $3,442,698, respectively, which is payable on demand.

GAMCO Capital Lease

        On December 5, 1997, GAMCO entered into a fifteen-year lease, expiring on April 30, 2013, of office space at 401 Theodore Fremd Ave, Rye, NY from M4E, LLC, an entity owned by the adult children of the GAMCO Chairman, one of whom joined the Company's board of directors as Co-Chairman in June 2014. On September 15, 2008, GAMCO modified and extended this lease to December 31, 2023, and on June 11, 2013, GAMCO further modified and extended this lease to December 31, 2028. The Company paid $312,014, $288,721 and $286,667 to GAMCO in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, for its use of the Rye location. The amounts are included within other operating expenses on the combined consolidated statements of income.

Other

        In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company earned $4,663,109, $4,810,055 and $4,769,020, respectively, or 54%, 58% and 61%, respectively, of its commission revenue, which is included in institutional research services on the combined consolidated statements of income, from transactions executed on behalf of Funds and private wealth management clients advised by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO.

        GAMCO Asset Management Inc. and Gabelli Funds, LLC paid $724,929 and $803,656, respectively, to the Company pursuant to research services agreements (see Note B) for the year ended December 31, 2014. There were no such similar agreements in 2013 or 2012.

        During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company participated as agent in the at the market offerings of The Gabelli Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust ("GGN"). Pursuant to sales agreements between the parties, the Company earned sales manager fees related to these offerings of $564,357, $574,710 and $3,022,058 during 2014, 2103 and 2012, respectively, which is included in institutional research services on the combined consolidated statements of income.

        In September 2014, the Company acted as co-underwriter in The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust 5.875% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock ("GRX Series B") offering. Underwriting fees and selling concessions, net of expenses, related to the GRX Series B launch were $18,995 and are included in institutional research services in the combined consolidated statements of income.

        During 2014, the Company also acted as Dealer Manager for The Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust, The Gabelli Multimedia Trust, and The Gabelli Equity Trust common stock rights offerings. During 2014, the Company earned no revenue for this role.

        In May 2013, the Company acted as co-manager in the GGN 5% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock ("GGN Series B") offering. Underwriting fees and selling concessions, net of expenses, related to the GGN Series B launch were $196,482 and are included in institutional research services in the combined consolidated statements of income.

F-40


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

G. Related Party Transactions (Continued)

        During 2013, the Company also acted as Dealer Manager for The Gabelli Global Utility and Income Trust's ("GLU") Series A Preferred Share Rights Offering. The offering closed on June 11, 2013. GLU agreed to pay the Company a fee for its financial structuring, marketing and solicitation services equal to $0.25 per three rights exercised pursuant to the rights offering. The Dealer Manager reallowed the fees to other broker-dealers that had executed and delivered a soliciting dealer agreement and had solicited the exercise of rights solicitation fees equal to $0.25 for each preferred share issued, subject to a maximum fee of $10,000. Those fees related to broker-dealers that did not execute soliciting dealer agreements were remitted to GLU. The net amount of fees retained by the Company, which related entirely to the rights solicitation fee earned by the Company on the exercise of rights by its own clients, was $3,211 and is included in distribution fees and other income on the combined consolidated statements of income.

        Underwriting fees on the combined consolidated statements of income is comprised of syndicate revenue of $18,995, $257,697, and $123,658 related to the offering of certain Funds for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

        On July 27, 2011, the Company entered into a Distribution Agreement with G.distributors. As stated in the Distribution Agreement, the Company is the broker of record for certain ongoing client relationships for which it earns distribution fees. Subsequent to July 31, 2011, the Company recorded distribution fees revenue of $537,611, $517,118, and $1,489,290 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in relation to this role. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, distribution fees of $44,460 and $46,389, respectively, are due from G.distributors and are included in the other assets on the combined consolidated statements of financial condition.

H. Stockholder's Equity

        On August 1, 2011, the Company transferred all of the rights and obligations in respect to certain Distribution and 12b-1 Plan Agreements to GAMCO. In consideration for the transfer, GAMCO paid $7,000,000 to the Company which was subsequently contributed to G.research. In accordance with Codification 740 in 2011, the Company recorded a deferred tax liability and a corresponding deduction from additional paid-in capital of $2,592,856 representing a deferred gain associated with the sale of its mutual fund distribution business to G.distributors as if the Company were filing a separate tax return. The deferred gain associated with the sale of its mutual fund distribution business will be recognized on a book basis if and when the business is dissolved or sold to an unaffiliated entity. On a tax basis, the deferred gain is amortized over fifteen years which gives rise to a timing difference between book and tax.

        On May 31, 2013, the Company redeemed 5,000 shares of GSI common stock from a stockholder at a book value of $523,350. This amount is reflected on the combined consolidated statements of stockholders' equity as a reduction of $523,350 of equity.

        During 2014, 2013 and 2012, GAMCO issued 158,600, 576,950 and 105,300 RSAs, respectively, at grant date fair values of $80.23, $63.82 and $43.49 per share, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were 710,750 RSA shares and 566,950 RSA shares, respectively, outstanding that were issued at an average grant price of $67.45 per share and $63.93 per share, respectively. There were no RSA shares outstanding at December 31, 2012.

F-41


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

H. Stockholder's Equity (Continued)

        The total compensation costs related to non-vested awards not yet recognized is approximately $8.9 million as of December 31, 2014. This will be recognized as expense in the following periods (in thousands):

2015   2016   2017   2018   2019  
$ 2,510   $ 2,255   $ 1,571   $ 1,132   $ 655  

 

2020   2021   2022   2023   2024  
$ 324   $ 217   $ 133   $ 58   $ 10  

        For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded approximately $1.9 million, $0.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, in stock based compensation expense which resulted in the recognition of tax benefits of approximately $0.7 million, $0.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, includes $2.4 million in stock compensation expense as a result of accelerating all outstanding RSAs. There were no comparable accelerations in the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

I. Retirement Plan

        The Company participates in an incentive savings plan (the "Plan"), covering substantially all employees. Company contributions to the Plan are determined annually by management of the Company and GAMCO's Board of Directors but may not exceed the amount permitted as a deductible expense under the Internal Revenue Code. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company used unvested contributions that were forfeited from prior year's matching to satisfy the current year's contribution. Amounts recovered for allocated contributions to this Plan amounted to approximately $5,228 in 2013 and are included as income in compensation on the combined consolidated statements of income. Amount expensed for allocated contributions to this Plan amounted to approximately $16,342 in 2012 and is included in compensation on the combined consolidated statements of income.

J. Guarantees, Contingencies, and Commitments

        G.research has agreed to indemnify the clearing brokers for losses they may sustain from the customer accounts that trade on margin introduced by G.research. At December 31, 2014, the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification ( i.e.,  unsecured margin debits) was immaterial. G.research also has entered into arrangements with various other third parties, many of which provide for indemnification of the third parties against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of G.research's obligations under the agreements. G.research has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements, and management believes the likelihood of a claim being made is remote, and therefore, an accrual has not been made on the combined consolidated financial statements.

        G.research agreed to resolve an outstanding matter from 2012 through the payment of $1 million to FINRA regarding lapses in the G.research's supervision of certain registered representatives of the Company in their role as general partners of unaffiliated outside private partnerships. The $1 million expense was recorded in 2012 and paid in June 2013.

        From time to time, the Company is named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The

F-42


Table of Contents


Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

J. Guarantees, Contingencies, and Commitments (Continued)

examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief. The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of such matters. The financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exists losses which may be reasonably possible and, if material, the necessary disclosures. Such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not considered material to the Company's financial condition, operations or cash flows.

K. Net Capital Requirements

        G.research is a registered broker-dealer, and is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the "Rule"), which specifies, among other requirements, minimum net capital requirements for registered broker-dealers. G.research computes its net capital under the alternative method as permitted by the Rule, which requires that minimum net capital be the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3. G.research, Inc. is exempt from Rule 15c3-3 pursuant to paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of that rule which exempts all customer transactions cleared through another broker-dealer on a fully disclosed basis. In addition, our assets at the clearing broker-dealer are treated as allowable assets for net capital purposes as we have in place PAIB agreements pursuant to Rule 15c3-3. These requirements also provide that equity capital may not be withdrawn, advances to affiliates may not be made or cash dividends paid if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. G.research had net capital, as defined, of $1,647,403 and $3,641,621, exceeding the required amount of $250,000 by $1,397,403 and $3,391,621, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There was one subordinated borrowing during the years ended December 31, 2014. There was no subordinated borrowing during the year ended December 31, 2013.

        On September 12, 2014, the Company and G.research entered into a subordinated loan agreement to support its underwriting activity with respect to the GRX Series B offering. The Company lent G.research $1,000,000, which was repaid in full including accrued interest of 2.25% per annum or $2,813 on the October 27, 2014 due date.

L. Regulatory Developments

        Beginning with fiscal years ending on or after June 1, 2014, broker-dealers are required to file one of two new supplemental reports: a Compliance Report or an Exemption Report. Carrying broker-dealers that have custody of customer assets are required to file the new Compliance Report, and non-carrying broker-dealers are required to file the new Exemption Report. Since G.research is an introducing broker-dealer who does not carry customer accounts, the new Exemption Report is what is required and will be separately filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies.

M. Subsequent Events

        The Company has evaluated the impact of subsequent events through May 12, 2015, which is the date the combined consolidated financial statements were available to be issued, and determined there were no additional subsequent events requiring adjustment to or further disclosure on the combined consolidated financial statements.

F-43


Table of Contents


COMBINED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

F-44


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 
  Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
 
  2015   2014  

Revenues

             

Investment advisory and incentive fees

  $ 4,437   $ 3,234  

Distribution fees and other income

    1,035     1,042  

Institutional research services

    4,067     4,180  

Total revenues

    9,539     8,456  

Expenses

             

Compensation

    11,476     10,063  

Stock based compensation

    1,265     895  

Management fee

    496     773  

Other operating expenses

    3,650     3,649  

Total expenses

    16,887     15,380  

Operating loss

    (7,348 )   (6,924 )

Other income (expense)

             

Net gain from investments

    10,705     12,701  

Interest and dividend income

    1,752     1,889  

Interest expense

    (661 )   (727 )

Total other income, net

    11,796     13,863  

Income before income taxes

    4,448     6,939  

Income tax provision

    1,234     2,073  

Net income before noncontrolling interests

    3,214     4,866  

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (26 )   429  

Net income

  $ 3,240   $ 4,437  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-45


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 
  Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
 
  2015   2014  

Net income before noncontrolling interests

  $ 3,214   $ 4,866  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

             

Net unrealized gains/(losses) on securities available for sale(a)

    194     (1,066 )

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

    194     (1,066 )

Comprehensive income

    3,408     3,800  

Less: Comprehensive (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    26     (429 )

Comprehensive income attributable to Gabelli Securities Group

  $ 3,382   $ 4,229  

(a)
Net of income tax expense (benefit) of $114 and ($626) for 2015 and 2014, respectively.

   

See accompanying notes.

F-46


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 
  June 30,
2015
  December 31,
2014
 

ASSETS

             

Cash and cash equivalents

 
$

361,082
 
$

285,530
 

Investments in securities

    106,579     220,595  

Investments in sponsored registered investment companies

    126,305     39,537  

Investments in partnerships

    108,947     107,646  

Receivable from brokers

    56,384     74,407  

Investment advisory fees receivable

    1,595     4,145  

Receivable from affiliates

    291     402  

Goodwill

    3,254     3,254  

Other assets

    2,186     19,178  

Total assets

  $ 766,623   $ 754,694  

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

             

Payable to brokers

 
$

48,885
 
$

43,397
 

Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities

    16,556     16,363  

Compensation payable

    6,077     9,179  

Securities sold, not yet purchased

    9,825     10,595  

Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests

    1,281     1,302  

Payable to affiliates

    23,190     20,733  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    1,768     1,864  

Total liabilities

    107,582     103,433  

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

   
5,943
   
68,334
 

Equity

   
643,726
   
573,749
 

Accumulated comprehensive income

    9,372     9,178  

Total equity

    653,098     582,927  

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 766,623   $ 754,694  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-47


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 
  Equity   Accumulated
Comprehensive
Income
  Total
Equity
  Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
 

Balance at December 31, 2013

  $ 483,771   $ 11,604   $ 495,375   $ 6,751  

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests

                16,095  

Redemption of noncontrolling interests          

                (470 )

Net income

    4,437         4,437     429  

Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale, net of income tax ($353)

        602     602      

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax benefit ($979)

        (1,668 )   (1,668 )    

Stock based compensation expense

    895         895      

Net transfers from Parent

    91,655         91,655      

Balance at June 30, 2014

  $ 580,758   $ 10,538   $ 591,296   $ 22,805  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-48


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (Continued)

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 
  Equity   Accumulated
Comprehensive
Income
  Total
Equity
  Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
 

Balance at December 31, 2014

  $ 573,749   $ 9,178   $ 582,927   $ 68,334  

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests

                336  

Redemptions from noncontrolling interest

                (441 )

Consolidation of consolidated feeder fund

                996  

Deconsolidation of offshore fund

                (63,256 )

Net income (loss)

    3,240         3,240     (26 )

Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of income tax ($123)

        210     210      

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax benefit ($9)

        (16 )   (16 )    

Stock based compensation expense

    1,265         1,265      

Net transfers from Parent

    65,472         65,472      

Balance at June 30, 2015

  $ 643,726   $ 9,372   $ 653,098   $ 5,943  

   

See accompanying notes.

F-49


Table of Contents


Gabelli Securities Group and Subsidiaries

Combined Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
  2015   2014  

Operating activities

             

Net income before noncontrolling interests

  $ 3,214   $ 4,866  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

             

Equity in net gains from partnerships

    (3,655 )   (2,884 )

Depreciation

    6     7  

Stock based compensation expense

    1,265     895  

Other-than-temporary loss on available for sale securities

        69  

Cost basis of donated securities

    50     34  

Gains on sales of available for sale securities

    (25 )   (2,662 )

(Increase) decrease in assets:

             

Trading investments in securities

    14,686     9,899  

Contributions to partnerships

    (12,369 )   (12,098 )

Distributions from partnerships

    15,060     3,077  

Receivable from brokers

    (29,883 )   (10,108 )

Investment advisory fees receivable

    2,353     3,996  

Other assets

    17,029     (3,063 )

Increase (decrease) in liabilities:

             

Payable to brokers

    42,753     9,118  

Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities

    79     (1,051 )

Payable to affiliates

    2,457     391  

Compensation payable

    (3,102 )   (8,023 )

Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests

    (20 )   (16 )

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    602     2,869  

Total adjustments

    47,286     (9,550 )

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

    50,500     (4,684 )

Investing activities

             

Purchases of available for sale securities

    (41,603 )   (534 )

Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities

    1,013     4,265  

Return of capital on available for sale securities

    252     561  

Net cash provided by investing activities

    (40,338 )   4,292  

Financing activities

             

Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests

    336     16,095  

Redemptions of redeemable noncontrolling interests

    (441 )   (470 )

Repayment of demand loan

        (10,000 )

Net transfer from Parent

    65,472     91,655  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    65,367     97,280  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

    75,529     96,888  

Increase in cash from consolidation

    10      

Increase in cash from deconsolidation

    13      

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    285,530     199,536  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 361,082   $ 296,424  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

             

Cash paid for interest

  $ 681   $ 742  

Cash paid for taxes

  $ 2   $ 2  

Non-cash activity:


On January 1, 2015, Gabelli Securities Group, Inc. was no longer deemed to have control over a certain offshore fund and a certain consolidated feeder fund which resulted in the deconsolidation of that offshore fund and consolidated feeder fund and an increase of approximately $13 of cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of approximately $63,280 of net assets and a decrease of approximately $63,267 of noncontrolling interests.


On April 1, 2015, Gabelli Securities Group, Inc. was deemed to have control over a certain offshore fund and a certain partnership which resulted in the consolidation of that one offshore fund and one partnership and an increase of approximately $10 of cash and cash equivalents, an increase of approximately $986 of nets assets and an increase of approximately $996 of noncontrolling interest.

See accompanying notes.

F-50


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

A. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

        Unless we have indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to "Gabelli Securities Group, Inc.," "Gabelli," "the Company," "GSG," "we," "us" and "our" or similar terms are to Gabelli Securities Group, Inc., its predecessors and its subsidiaries.

        The unaudited interim combined condensed consolidated financial statements of GSG included herein have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in the United States for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim combined condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows of GSG for the interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year's results.

        The combined condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gabelli Securities Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries and certain cash accounts, investments in securities, investments in partnerships and offshore funds owned by GAMCO that were transferred to GSG as well as certain investment partnerships and offshore funds in which we have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.

        These combined condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited combined condensed consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 included in the Registration Statement on Form 10 of which this information statement is a part and from which the accompanying combined condensed consolidated financial statements were derived.

Use of Estimates

        The Company's combined condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the combined condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Developments

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

F-51


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

A. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

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

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

        In May 2015, the FASB issued new guidance amending the current disclosure requirement for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share. The guidance requires investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient be removed from the fair value hierarchy. Instead, those investment amounts shall be provided as a separate item to permit reconciliation of the fair value of investments included in the fair value hierarchy to the line items presented in the statement of financial position. This new guidance will be effective for the Company's first quarter of 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact on its combined condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

B. Investments in Securities

        Investments in securities at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

 
  June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014  
(In thousands)
  Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value  

Trading securities:

                         

Government obligations

  $ 6,998   $ 7,000   $ 18,994   $ 18,996  

Common stocks

    75,995     93,874     170,977     195,029  

Mutual funds

    2,505     3,623     2,432     3,498  

Other investments

    505     789     743     1,704  

Total trading securities

    86,003     105,286     193,146     219,227  

Available for sale securities:

                         

Mutual funds

    627     1,293     681     1,368  

Total available for sale securities

    627     1,293     681     1,368  

Total investments in securities

  $ 86,630   $ 106,579   $ 193,827   $ 220,595  

F-52


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Investments in Securities (Continued)

        Securities sold, not yet purchased at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

 
  June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014  
(In thousands)
  Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value  

Trading securities:

                         

Common stocks

  $ 9,705   $ 9,715   $ 9,835   $ 9,960  

Other investments

    3     110     1     635  

Total securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 9,708   $ 9,825   $ 9,836   $ 10,595  

        Investments in sponsored registered investment companies at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:

 
  June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014  
(In thousands)
  Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value  

Trading securities:

                         

Mutual funds

  $ 42,416   $ 45,406   $ 1   $ 1  

Total trading securities

    42,416     45,406     1     1  

Available for sale securities:

                         

Closed-end funds

    62,780     77,616     21,962     36,323  

Mutual funds

    1,887     3,283     1,898     3,213  

Total available for sale securities

    64,667     80,899     23,860     39,536  

Total investments in sponsored registered investment companies

  $ 107,083   $ 126,305   $ 23,861   $ 39,537  

        The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income/(loss) for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):

Amount Reclassified
from AOCI
   
   
Six months ended
June 30,
   
   
  Affected Line Item in in the
Statements of Income
   
2015   2014   Reason for Reclassification from AOCI
$ 25   $ 2,647   Net gain/(loss) from investments   Realized gain / (loss) on sale of AFS securities
  25     2,647   Income before income taxes    
  (9 )   (979 ) Income tax provision    
$ 16   $ 1,668   Net income    

        The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value and includes them in either investments in securities or securities sold, not yet purchased on the combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. From time to time, the Company and/or the partnerships and offshore funds that the Company consolidates will enter into hedging transactions to manage their exposure to foreign currencies and equity prices related to their proprietary investments. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we held derivative contracts on 288,000 equity shares and

F-53


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Investments in Securities (Continued)

3.8 million equity shares, respectively, that are included in investments in securities or securities sold, not yet purchased on the combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. We had two and one foreign exchange contracts outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, that are included in receivable from brokers or payable to brokers on the combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Aside from one foreign exchange contract, these transactions are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and therefore changes in fair values of these derivatives are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the condensed consolidated statements of income. The one foreign exchange contract that is designated as a hedge was for a short of British Pounds to hedge the long investment that we have in our London Stock Exchange listed Gabelli Value Plus+ Trust Ltd. closed-end fund which is denominated in British Pounds. As the underlying investment that is being hedged is an available for sale security, the portion of the change in value of the closed-end fund that is currency related is recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the combined condensed consolidated statements of income and not in accumulated comprehensive income.

        The following tables identify the fair values and gains and losses of all derivatives held by the Company (in thousands):

 
  Asset Derivatives   Liability Derivatives  
 
   
  Fair Value    
  Fair Value  
 
  Balance Sheet
Location
  June 30,
2015
  December 31,
2014
  June 30,
2014
  Balance Sheet
Location
  June 30,
2015
  December 31,
2014
  June 30,
2014
 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20

                                             

Foreign exchange contracts

  Receivable from brokers   $   $   $   Payable to brokers   $ 41,676   $   $  

Sub total

      $   $   $       $ 41,676   $   $  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-20

 

 

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

 

   
 
   
 
   
 
 

Equity contracts

  Investments in securities   $ 174   $ 896   $ 156   Securities sold, not yet purchased   $ 110   $ 635   $ 456  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Receivable from brokers               Payable to brokers     5,103     5,470     6,823  

Sub total

      $ 174   $ 896   $ 156       $ 5,213   $ 6,105   $ 7,279  

Total derivatives

      $ 174   $ 896   $ 156       $ 46,889   $ 6,105   $ 7,279  

 

 
   
  Six Months ended June 30,  
Type of Derivative   Income Statement Location   2015   2014  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Net gain/(loss) from investments   $ (100 ) $ 59  

Equity contracts

  Net gain/(loss) from investments     172     (167 )

Total

      $ 72   $ (108 )

        The Company is a party to enforceable master netting arrangements for swaps entered into as part of the Company's investment strategy. They are typically not used as hedging instruments. These swaps, while settled on a net basis with the counterparties, major U.S. financial institutions, are shown gross in assets and liabilities on the condensed combined condensed consolidated statements of financial

F-54


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Investments in Securities (Continued)

condition. The swaps have a firm contract end date and are expected to be closed out and settled when each contract expires.

 
   
   
  Net Amounts
of Assets
Presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
  Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Financial Condition
 
 
   
  Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
 
 
  Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets
 
 
  Financial
Instruments
  Cash
Collateral
Received
  Net
Amount
 
 
  (In thousands)
 

Swaps:

                                     

June 30, 2015

  $ 174   $   $ 174   $ (107 ) $   $ 67  

December 31, 2014

  $ 896   $   $ 896   $ (634 ) $   $ 262  

 

 
   
   
  Net Amounts
of Liabilities
Presented
in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
  Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Financial Condition
 
 
   
  Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statements of
Financial
Condition
 
 
  Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
 
 
  Financial
Instruments
  Cash
Collateral
Pledged
  Net
Amount
 
 
  (In thousands)
 

Swaps:

                                     

June 30, 2015

  $ 107   $   $ 107   $ (107 ) $   $  

December 31, 2014

  $ 634   $   $ 634   $ (634 ) $   $  

        The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of AFS investments as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 
  June 30, 2015  
 
  Cost   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Closed-end Funds

  $ 62,780   $ 14,864   $ (28 ) $ 77,616  

Mutual funds

    2,514     2,096     (34 )   4,575  

Total available for sale securities

  $ 65,294   $ 16,960   $ (62 ) $ 82,191  

 

 
  December 31, 2014  
 
  Cost   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  
 
  (In thousands)
 

Closed-end Funds

  $ 21,962   $ 14,398   $ (37 ) $ 36,323  

Mutual funds

    2,579     2,030     (28 )   4,581  

Total available for sale securities

  $ 24,541   $ 16,428   $ (65 ) $ 40,904  

        Increases in unrealized gains, net of taxes, for AFS securities for the period ended June 30, 2015 of $0.2 million have been included in other comprehensive income at June 30, 2015. Increases in unrealized gains, net of taxes, for AFS securities for the period ended June 30, 2014 of $0.6 million have been included in other comprehensive income at June 30, 2014.

F-55


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Investments in Securities (Continued)

        The amount reclassified from other comprehensive income for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $16,000 and $1.7 million respectively. Return of capital on AFS securities was $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale were approximately $1.0 million and $4.3 million for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $25,000 and $2.6 million, respectively, and were reclassed from other comprehensive income into the combined condensed consolidated statements of income. There were no losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined is specific identification. Accumulated other comprehensive income on the combined condensed consolidated statements of equity is primarily comprised of unrealized gains/losses, net of taxes, for AFS securities.

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

        Investments classified as AFS that are in an unrealized loss position for which other-than-temporary impairment has not been recognized consisted of the following:

 
  June 30, 2015   December 31, 2014  
(in thousands)
  Cost   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value   Cost   Unrealized
Losses
  Fair Value  

Closed-end Funds

  $ 146   $ (28 ) $ 118   $ 812   $ (37 ) $ 775  

Mutual Funds

    303     (34 )   269     303     (28 )   275  

Total available for sale securities

  $ 449   $ (62 ) $ 387   $ 1,115   $ (65 ) $ 1,050  

        At June 30, 2015, there were three holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations. In these specific instances, the investments at June 30, 2015 were mutual funds and closed-end funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and across multiple industries. One holding was impaired for one month, one holding was impaired for eight months and one holding was impaired for ten months at June 30, 2015. The value of these holdings at June 30, 2015 was $0.4 million.

        At December 31, 2014, there were four holdings in loss positions which were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to the length of time that they had been in a loss position and because they passed scrutiny in our evaluation of issuer-specific and industry-specific considerations. In these specific instances, the investments at December 31, 2014 were mutual funds and closed-end funds with diversified holdings across multiple companies and across multiple industries. One holding was impaired for one month, one for three months and two for four months at December 31, 2014. The value of these holdings at December 31, 2014 was $1.1 million.

F-56


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

B. Investments in Securities (Continued)

        There were no losses recognized on AFS securities for the six months ended June 30, 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, there were $69,000 of losses on AFS securities deemed to be other than temporary and a loss has been recorded in net gain from investments.

C. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs")

        The Company is general partner or co-general partner of various affiliated entities, in which the Company had investments totaling $95.4 million and $94.2 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, whose underlying assets consist primarily of marketable securities (the "affiliated entities"). We also had investments in unaffiliated partnerships, offshore funds and other entities of $13.6 million and $13.4 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively (the "unaffiliated entities"). We evaluate each entity for the appropriate accounting treatment and disclosure. Certain of the affiliated entities, and none of the unaffiliated entities, are consolidated.

        For those entities where consolidation is not deemed appropriate, we report them in our combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition under the caption "Investments in partnerships." The caption includes those investments, in both affiliated and unaffiliated entities, which the Company accounts for under the equity method of accounting, as well as certain investments that the feeder funds hold that are carried at fair value, as described in Note B. The Company reflects the equity in earnings of these equity method investees and the change in fair value of the consolidated feeder funds ("CFFs") under the caption net gain from investments on the combined condensed consolidated statements of income.

        The following table highlights the number of entities, including VOEs that we consolidate as well as under which accounting guidance they are consolidated, including CFFs which retain their specialized investment company accounting, and partnerships and offshore funds which we consolidate as described in Note B.

Entities consolidated

 
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Total  
 
  VIEs   VOEs   VIEs   VOEs   VIEs   VOEs   VIEs   VOEs  

Entities consolidated at December 31, 2013

    1     2     -     1     -     1     1     4  

Additional consolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Deconsolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Entities consolidated at June 30, 2014

    1     2     -     1     -     1     1     4  

Additional consolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Deconsolidated entities

    -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  

Entities consolidated at December 31, 2014

    1     2     -     1     -     1     1     4  

Additional consolidated entities

    -     1     -     1     1     -     1     2  

Deconsolidated entities

    -     (1 )   -     -     -     (1 )   -     (2 )

Entities consolidated at June 30, 2015

    1     2     -     2     1     -     2     4  

        At and for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the one CFF VIE is consolidated, as the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary because it has an equity interest and absorbs the majority of the expected losses and/or expected gains. At and for the six months ended June 30, 2015,

F-57


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

C. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") (Continued)

the one CFF VOE and one Partnership VOE are consolidated because the unaffiliated partners or shareholders lack substantive kick-out rights, and the Company, as either the general partner or investment manager, is deemed to have control. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, it was determined that an additional Partnership VOE should be consolidated when the Partnership was created on April 1, 2015 without unaffiliated capital and an Offshore Fund VIE should be consolidated as the last unaffiliated investor withdrew during the second quarter. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2015, an Offshore Fund VOE was deconsolidated as the Company's ownership percentage fell below 50%, a CFF VOE was deconsolidated when it was closed and a different CFF VOE was consolidated as the last unaffiliated investor withdrew on March 31, 2015.

        At and for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and at December 31, 2014, one CFF VIE is consolidated, as the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary because it has an equity interest and absorbs the majority of the expected losses and/or expected gains. At and for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and at December 31, 2014, two CFF VOEs, one Partnership VOE and one Offshore Fund VOE are consolidated because the unaffiliated partners or shareholders lack substantive rights, and the Company, as either the general partner or investment manager, is deemed to have control.

        The following table breaks down the investments in partnerships line by accounting method, either fair value or equity method, and investment type (in thousands).

 
  June 30, 2015
Investment Type
 
 
  Affiliated   Unaffiliated    
 
Accounting method
  Consolidated
Feeder Funds
  Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Total  

Fair Value

  $ 21,526   $   $   $   $   $ 21,526  

Equity Method

        38,512     35,311     6,349     7,249     87,421  

Total

  $ 21,526   $ 38,512   $ 35,311   $ 6,349   $ 7,249   $ 108,947  

 

 
  December 31, 2014
Investment Type
 
 
  Affiliated   Unaffiliated    
 
Accounting method
  Consolidated
Feeder Funds
  Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  Total  

Fair Value

  $ 23,815   $   $   $   $   $ 23,815  

Equity Method

        34,382     36,033     6,552     6,864     83,831  

Total

  $ 23,815   $ 34,382   $ 36,033   $ 6,552   $ 6,864   $ 107,646  

F-58


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

C. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") (Continued)

        The following table includes the net impact by line item on the combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition for each category of entity consolidated:

 
  June 30, 2015  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As Reported  

Assets

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 361,002   $ 9   $ 66   $ 5   $ 361,082  

Investments in securities

    223,431         8,535     918     232,884  

Investments in partnerships

    107,517     11,287     (9,391 )   (466 )   108,947  

Receivable from brokers

    54,520         1,804     60     56,384  

Investment advisory fees receivable

    1,548     5     32     10     1,595  

Other assets

    11,703     (5,985 )   8     5     5,731  

Total assets

  $ 759,721   $ 5,316   $ 1,054   $ 532   $ 766,623  

Liabilities and equity

                               

Securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 9,413   $   $ 146   $ 266   $ 9,825  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    97,210     53     326     168     97,757  

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

        5,263     582     98     5,943  

Total equity

    653,098                 653,098  

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 759,721   $ 5,316   $ 1,054   $ 532   $ 766,623  

 

 
  December 31, 2014  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As Reported  

Assets

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 285,455   $ (11 ) $ 86   $   $ 285,530  

Investments in securities

    201,038         7,801     51,293     260,132  

Investments in partnerships

    111,389     4,438     (8,181 )       107,646  

Receivable from brokers

    22,629         623     51,155     74,407  

Investment advisory fees receivable

    4,375     (6 )   (2 )   (222 )   4,145  

Other assets

    22,683             151     22,834  

Total assets

  $ 647,569   $ 4,421   $ 327   $ 102,377   $ 754,694  

Liabilities and equity

                               

Securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 9,991   $   $   $ 604   $ 10,595  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    54,651     22     24     38,141     92,838  

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

        4,399     303     63,632     68,334  

Total equity

    582,927                 582,927  

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 647,569   $ 4,421   $ 327   $ 102,377   $ 754,694  

        The CFFs, Partnerships and Offshore Funds columns above include only affiliated entities as no unaffiliated entities are consolidated.

F-59


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

C. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities (Continued)

        The following table includes the net impact by line item on the combined condensed consolidated statements of income for each category of entity consolidated (in thousands):

 
  Six Months Ended June 30, 2015  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As Reported  

Total revenues

  $ 9,571   $ (16 ) $ (2 ) $ (14 ) $ 9,539  

Total expenses

    16,756     72     30     29     16,887  

Operating loss

    (7,185 )   (88 )   (32 )   (43 )   (7,348 )

Total other income, net

    11,659     91     18     28     11,796  

Income before income taxes

    4,474     3     (14 )   (15 )   4,448  

Income tax provision

    1,234                 1,234  

Net income before NCI

    3,240     3     (14 )   (15 )   3,214  

Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

        3     (14 )   (15 )   (26 )

Net income

  $ 3,240   $   $   $   $ 3,240  

 

 
  Six Months Ended June 30, 2014  
 
  Prior to
Consolidation
  CFFs   Partnerships   Offshore
Funds
  As Reported  

Total revenues

  $ 8,897   $ (14 ) $ (2 ) $ (425 ) $ 8,456  

Total expenses

    14,870     14     26     470     15,380  

Operating loss

    (5,973 )   (28 )   (28 )   (895 )   (6,924 )

Total other income, net

    12,483     206     37     1,137     13,863  

Income before income taxes

    6,510     178     9     242     6,939  

Income tax provision

    2,073                 2,073  

Net income before NCI

    4,437     178     9     242     4,866  

Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

        178     9     242     429  

Net income

  $ 4,437   $   $   $   $ 4,437  

        The CFFs, Partnerships and Offshore Funds columns above include only affiliated entities as no unaffiliated entities are consolidated.

Variable Interest Entities

        We also have sponsored a number of investment vehicles where we are the general partner or investment manager. Certain of these vehicles are VIEs, but we are not the primary beneficiary, in all but two cases, because we do not absorb a majority of the entities' expected losses and/or expected returns, and they are, therefore, not consolidated. We consolidate the two VIEs where we are the primary beneficiary. The Company has not provided any financial or other support to those VIEs where we are not the primary beneficiary. The total net assets of these non-consolidated VIEs at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $68.0 million and $71.6 million, respectively. On June 30, 2015, the maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with the non-consolidated VIEs is

F-60


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

C. Investment in Partnerships, Offshore Funds and Variable Interest Entities (Continued)

limited to the investment in one VIE of $9.8 million and the deferred carried interest that we have in another of $41,000 which was included in investments in partnerships on the combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. On December 31, 2014, our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement with the non-consolidated VIEs is limited to the investment in two VIEs of $10.6 million and the deferred carried interest that we have in another of $43,000 which was included in investments in partnerships on the combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Additionally, as the general partner or investment manager to these VIEs the Company earns fees in relation to these roles, which given a decline in AUMs of the VIEs would result in lower fee revenues earned by the Company which would be reflected on the combined condensed consolidated statement of income, combined condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and combined condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

        The assets of these VIEs may only be used to satisfy obligations of the VIEs. The following table presents the balances related to these VIEs that are consolidated and were included on the combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as well as the Company's net interest in these VIEs. Only one VIE is consolidated at both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(In thousands)
  June 30,
2015
  December 31,
2014
 

Cash and cash equivalents

    5      

Investment in securities

    918      

Investment in partnerships

    11,665     13,434  

Receivable from brokers

    60      

Other assets

    6      

Payable to brokers

    (144 )    

Securities sold, not yet purchased

    (266 )    

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    (6,027 )   (12 )

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

    (812 )   (794 )

The Company's net interest in consolidated VIEs

  $ 5,405   $ 12,628  

D. Fair Value

        The following tables present information about the Company's assets and liabilities by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and

F-61


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

D. Fair Value (Continued)

indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value (in thousands):

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of June 30, 2015

 
  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
  Balance as of
June 30,
2015
 

Assets

                         

Cash equivalents

  $ 360,949   $   $   $ 360,949  

Investments in partnerships

        21,526         21,526  

Investments in securities:

                         

AFS—Mutual funds

    1,293             1,293  

Trading—Gov't obligations

    7,000             7,000  

Trading—Common stocks

    92,954         920     93,874  

Trading—Mutual funds

    3,623             3,623  

Trading—Other

    318     173     298     789  

Total investments in securities

    105,188     173     1,218     106,579  

Investments in sponsored registered
investment companies:

                   

AFS—Closed-end Funds

    77,616             77,616  

AFS—Mutual Funds

    3,283             3,283  

Trading—Mutual funds

    45,406             45,406  

Total investments in sponsored registered investment companies

    126,305             126,305  

Total investments

    231,493     21,699     1,218     254,410  

Total assets at fair value

  $ 592,442   $ 21,699   $ 1,218   $ 615,359  

Liabilities

                         

Trading—Common stocks

  $ 9,715   $   $   $ 9,715  

Trading—Other

        110         110  

Securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 9,715   $ 110   $   $ 9,825  

F-62


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

D. Fair Value (Continued)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2014

 
  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
  Balance as of
December 31,
2014
 

Assets

                         

Cash equivalents

  $ 285,504   $   $   $ 285,504  

Investments in partnerships

        23,803         23,803  

Investments in securities:

                         

AFS—Mutual funds

    1,368             1,368  

Trading—Gov't obligations

    18,996             18,996  

Trading—Common stocks

    193,735     1     1,293     195,029  

Trading—Mutual funds

    3,498             3,498  

Trading—Other

    513     897     294     1,704  

Total investments in securities

    218,110     898     1,587     220,595  

Investments in sponsored registered
investment companies:

                   

AFS—Closed-end Funds

    36,323             36,323  

AFS—Mutual Funds

    3,213             3,213  

Trading—Mutual funds

    1             1  

Total investments in sponsored registered investment companies

    39,537             39,537  

Total investments

    257,647     24,701     1,587     283,935  

Total assets at fair value

  $ 543,151   $ 24,701   $ 1,587   $ 569,439  

Liabilities

                         

Trading—Common stocks

  $ 9,960   $   $   $ 9,960  

Trading—Other

        635         635  

Securities sold, not yet purchased

  $ 9,960   $ 635   $   $ 10,595  

F-63


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

D. Fair Value (Continued)

        The following table presents additional information about assets by major categories measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value (in thousands):

Changes in Level 3 Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the period ended June 30, 2015

 
   
   
   
  Total
Unrealized
Gains or
(Losses)
Included in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
  Total Realized and
Unrealized Gains or
(Losses) in Income
  Total
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gains or
(Losses)
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
  Net
Transfers
In and/or
(Out) of
Level 3
   
 
 
  December 31,
2014
Beginning
Balance
   
   
   
 
Asset
  Trading   AFS
Investments
  Purchases   Sales   Ending
Balance
 

Financial instruments owned:

                                                       

Trading—Common stocks

  $ 1,293   $ (21 ) $   $   $ (21 ) $ 6   $ (358 ) $   $ 920  

Trading—Other

    294     83             83     5     (84 )       298  

Total

  $ 1,587   $ 62   $   $   $ 62   $ 11   $ (442 ) $   $ 1,218  

        There were securities with a value of $0.4 million that were transferred out of Level 3 as a result of the deconsolidation of an offshore fund during the first half of 2015 which are reflected in sales above. There were no transfers between Levels 1 or 2 during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

E. Income Taxes

        The effective tax rate ("ETR") was 27.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 29.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2014.

F. Stockholder's Equity

        On December 23, 2014, September 15, 2014 and January 9, 2014, GAMCO issued 73,000 RSA shares, 83,500 RSA shares and 2,100 RSA shares, respectively, at a grant date fair value of $87.99 per share, $73.41 per share and $81.99 per share, respectively. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were 704,050 RSA shares and 710,750 RSA shares, respectively, outstanding that were issued at an average grant price of $67.39 per share and $67.45 per share, respectively.

        The total compensation costs related to non-vested awards not yet recognized is approximately $7.6 million as of June 30, 2015. This will be recognized as expense in the following periods (in thousands):

2015   2016   2017   2018   2019  
$ 2,510   $ 2,255   $ 1,571   $ 1,132   $ 655  

 

2020   2021   2022   2023   2024  
$ 324   $ 217   $ 133   $ 58   $ 10  

        For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded approximately $1.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in stock based compensation expense which resulted in the recognition of tax benefits of approximately $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

F-64


Table of Contents


Notes to Unaudited Combined Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

G. Goodwill

        At June 30, 2015, $3.3 million of goodwill is reflected on the combined condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill at least annually, or more often should events warrant, using a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that an impairment has occurred to determine if a quantitative analysis is required. There were no indicators of impairment for the six months ended June 30, 2015 or June 30, 2014, and as such there was no impairment analysis performed or charge recorded.

H. Commitments and Contingencies

        G.research has agreed to indemnify the clearing brokers for losses they may sustain from the customer accounts that trade on margin introduced by G.research. At June 30, 2015, the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification ( i.e. , unsecured margin debits) was immaterial. G.research also has entered into arrangements with various other third parties, many of which provide for indemnification of the third parties against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of G.research's obligations under the agreements. G.research has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements, and management believes the likelihood of a claim being made is remote, and therefore, an accrual has not been made on the combined condensed consolidated financial statements.

        From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief for which the Company may not be able to predict the ultimate outcome of such matters. These financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exists losses which may be reasonably possible and, if material, the necessary disclosures. Such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not considered material to the Company's financial condition, operations or cash flows.

I. Subsequent Events

        The Company has evaluated the impact of subsequent events through September XX, 2015, which is the date the combined condensed consolidated financial statements were available to be issued, and determined there were no additional subsequent events requiring adjustment to or further disclosure on the combined condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-65