10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[x] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

or

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to ______

Commission file number 001-14761

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	13-4007862
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
140 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT One Corporate Center, Rye, NY	06830 10580-1422
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (203) 629-2726

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Yes ☐ No ☒.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act Yes ☐ No ☒.

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

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K ☐.

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

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company ☐	Emerging growth company ☐

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

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

The aggregate market value of the class A common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2018 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $161,467,218.

As of March 1, 2019, 9,886,444 shares of class A common stock and 19,024,117 shares of class B common stock were outstanding. 18,313,741 shares of class B common stock were held by a subsidiary of GGCP, Inc.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this report.

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GAMCO Investors, Inc.
Annual Report on Form 10-K For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018
Part I
	Item 1	Business	4
		Overview	4
		Business Strategy	6
		Business Description	8
		Assets Under Management	10
		Open-End Fund Distribution	12
		Competition	13
		Intellectual Property	13
		Regulation	13
		Personnel	15
	Item 1A	Risk Factors	15
	Item 1B	Unresolved Staff Comments	23
	Item 2	Properties	23
	Item 3	Legal Proceedings	23
	Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	23
Part II
	Item 5	Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
		Purchases of Equity Securities	23
	Item 6	Selected Financial Data	26
	Item 7	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	28
	Item 7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	46
	Item 8	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	46
	Item 9	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	82
	Item 9A	Controls and Procedures	82
	Item 9B	Other Information	82
Part III
	Item 10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	83
	Item 11	Executive Compensation	83
	Item 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
		Stockholder Matters	83
	Item 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	83
	Item 14	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	83
Part IV
	Item 15	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	84
	Item 16	Form 10-K Summary	87
		Signatures	88
		Power of Attorney	89
		Subsidiaries of GAMCO Investors, Inc.
		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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PART I

Forward-Looking Statements

Our disclosure and analysis in this report and in documents that are incorporated by reference contain some forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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.  You should not place undue reliance on these statements.  They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning.  They also appear in any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance of our products, expenses, the outcome of any legal proceedings, and financial results.

Although we believe that we are basing our expectations and beliefs on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of what we currently know about our business and operations, the economy, the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other conditions, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from what we expect or believe. Some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations or beliefs include, without limitation: the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets; a decline in the performance of our products; a general downturn in the economy; the ongoing impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act with respect to tax rates and the non-deductibility of certain portions of NEO compensation; changes in government policy or regulation; changes in our ability to attract or retain key employees; and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations. We also direct your attention to any more specific discussions of risk contained in Item 1A below and in our other public filings or in documents incorporated by reference here or in prior filings or reports.

We are providing these statements as permitted by the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We do not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements if we subsequently learn that we are unlikely to achieve our expectations or if we receive any additional information relating to the subject matters of our forward-looking statements.

ITEM 1:  BUSINESS

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

Overview

GAMCO Investors, Inc. (New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”): GBL), a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware, is a widely-recognized provider of investment advisory services to open-end funds, closed-end funds, Exchange Traded Managed Funds (“ETMFs”), and institutional and private wealth management investors principally in the United States.   We generally manage assets on a fully discretionary basis and invest in a variety of U.S. and international securities through various investment styles including value, growth, non-market correlated, and convertible securities.  Our revenues are based primarily on the Company’s levels of assets under management (“AUM”) and fees associated with our various investment products.

Since our inception in 1977, we are identified with our research driven approach to equity investing and our proprietary Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst™ investment approach.  

As of December 31, 2018, we had $34.4 billion of AUM, of which 94% is invested in equities, principally through our two registered investment advisers: Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Funds Advisor”) and GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“Institutional and Private Wealth Management”).  G.distributors, LLC (“G.distributors”), our limited purpose broker-dealer subsidiary, acts as an underwriter and distributor of our open-end funds and ETMFs.

Our AUM are organized into three groups:

·  Open and Closed-End Funds: We provide advisory services to twenty-two open-end funds, sixteen closed-end funds and four exchange traded managed funds under the Gabelli, GAMCO and Comstock brands (collectively, the “Funds”).  The Funds had $19.7 billion of AUM on December 31, 2018.  Additionally, we provide administrative services to eleven open-end funds, with AUM of $2.0 billion on December 31, 2018, under the TETON Westwood and Keeley brands.

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·  Institutional and Private Wealth Management: We provide advisory services to a broad range of investors, including corporate retirement plans, foundations, endowments, jointly-trusteed plans and public funds, private wealth clients and also serve as sub-advisor to third party investment funds including registered investment companies (“Institutional and Private Wealth Management”).   On December 31, 2018, we had $14.1 billion of Institutional and Private Wealth Management AUM.  Over the last 40 years, the firm has generated over $25.6 billion in investment returns for our institutional and private wealth management clients.  

·  SICAV: We provide advisory services to one fund under the GAMCO brand, the GAMCO International SICAV (the “SICAV”).  The SICAV has two sub-fund strategies, the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage Fund and the GAMCO All Cap Value Fund.   The GAMCO Merger Arbitrage strategy is sub-advised by Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) and had $477 million of AUM at December 31, 2018.  The GAMCO All Cap Value strategy had $30 million of AUM on December 31, 2018.

GBL is a holding company incorporated in April 1998 in advance of our initial public offering (“Offering”) in February 1999.  GGCP Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”), which is majority-owned by Mr. Mario J. Gabelli (“Mr. Gabelli”), owns a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock (“Class B Stock”) of GBL.  Such ownership represented approximately 91% of the combined voting power of the outstanding common stock and approximately 63% of the equity interest on December 31, 2018.   On December 31, 2018, AC and its subsidiaries, own 3,016,501 shares of Class A Common Stock (“Class A Stock”) representing approximately 10% of the equity interest and approximately 2% of the combined voting power.  AC is majority-owned by GGCP Holdings, LLC.  Accordingly, Mr. Gabelli is deemed to control GBL.

Our executive offices are located at 140 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT, 06830 and One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580.  Our telephone number is (203) 629-2726.  We post or provide a link on our website, www.gabelli.com, to the following filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission” or “SEC”): our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All such filings on our website are available free of charge.

On March 20, 2009, we distributed our ownership in Teton Advisors, Inc. (“Teton”), the advisor to the TETON Westwood funds, to our shareholders.  At the time of the distribution the stock price of Teton was $2.75 per share.  At December 31, 2018 the stock price of Teton was $51.65 per share.

On November 30, 2015 (the “Spin-Off Date”), we distributed our ownership in AC along with certain cash and other assets to our shareholders (the “Spin-off”).  AC owns and operates, directly or indirectly, the alternatives and the institutional research businesses previously owned and operated by GBL.  Subsequent to the Spin-off, GAMCO no longer consolidates the financial results of AC for the purposes of its own financial reporting and the historical financial results of AC have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations for 2015 within this report.  Historical AUM have similarly been adjusted to remove AUM managed by AC.  At the time of the distribution, the stock price of AC was $29.50 per share.  At December 31, 2018, the stock price of AC was $35.23 per share.

During 2018, we returned $12.9 million to shareholders through dividends and our stock buyback program.  We paid $2.3 million, or $0.08 per share, in cash dividends to our common shareholders and repurchased 419,995 shares at an average investment of $25.25 per share or $10.6 million.

Since the Offering in February 1999, when GBL shares were sold at $17.50 per share and total shares outstanding were 30 million for a market capitalization of $525 million, we have returned to shareholders $2.0 billion in total, of which $1.0 billion was in the form of spin-offs of AC and Teton, $493.3 million was from dividends and $463.7 million was through stock buybacks.

Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

As part of GAMCO’s stewardship of investments on behalf of clients, we have historically viewed Governance, active ownership, proxy voting and engagement as important ways to protect shareholder value.  To that end, the firm has been a leading voice on certain governance matters since May 1988 when it initiated its Magna Carta of Shareholder Rights.  We actively vote our own proxies and regularly file shareholder proposals on issues that we believe increase shareholder value.  Such activity is part of our incorporation of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) considerations as long term investors.

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Since its formation in April 1989, the Proxy Voting Committee of the Company has formulated guidelines and reviewed proxy statements for the purpose of determining how to vote proxies related to portfolio securities held by our clients.  The main driver of these guidelines is to vote in the best economic interest of our clients.  As we state in our Magna Carta of Shareholder Rights, we are neither for or against management.  We are for shareholders.  We do not consider any issue routine.  We take into consideration all of our research on the company, its directors, and their short and long-term goals for the company.  In cases where issues that we generally do not approve of are combined with other issues, the negative aspects of the issues will be factored into the evaluation of the overall proposals but will not necessitate a vote in opposition to the overall proposals.

Giving Back

Our firm has long held the belief that generating returns for our stakeholders, while important, is not the only factor in measuring our corporate success.  To underscore our principle, we have been involved in the field of responsible investing since 1987. 

One of the ways in which we, as a Firm, give back is through our Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution Program that we established in 2013.  In our program of corporate giving, GAMCO shareholders select which organizations will be recipients of charitable grants.  In May 2018, the Board approved a $0.20 per share designation for shareholders of record on June 30^th.  For this distribution a majority of our shareholders registered their shares and we were able to distribute $4.9 million to numerous 501(c)(3) organizations designated by our shareholders.  In November 2018, the Board approved an additional $0.20 per share designation for shareholders of record as of December 31, 2018.  Based on the number of shareholders who qualified for this designation, we expect that we will distribute an additional $4.8 million.  Since the inception of this program our shareholders have designated approximately $27 million to over 150 charities across the United States, which brings the total charitable contributions since our IPO to $52 million.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy targets global growth of the franchise through continued leveraging of our proven asset management strengths including our brands, 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:

·  Gabelli “Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst^TM” Investment Approach.  While we have expanded our investment product offerings, our “value investing” approach remains the core of our business.  This method is based on and has evolved from the value investing principles articulated by Graham & Dodd in 1934 and enhanced by Roger Murray and Bruce Greenwald, and has been further augmented by Mr. Gabelli, CFA, with his development in 1979 of Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst^TMvalue investment methodology.

Private Market Value (PMV) with a Catalyst^TM investing is a disciplined, research-driven approach based on intensive security analysis.  In this process, we generally select stocks whose intrinsic value, based on our estimate of current asset value and future growth and earnings power, is significantly different from the value reflected in the public market.  We then calculate the stock’s PMV, which is defined as the price an informed industrial buyer would likely pay to acquire the business.

In general, our Institutional and Private Wealth Management AUM are managed to meet the specific needs and objectives of each client by utilizing investment strategies that are within our areas of expertise: “all cap value”, “ESG”, “small cap value”, “large cap growth”, “international growth” and “convertible”.

·  Establishing Relationship Offices. We have eight offices including New York, Chicago, Greenwich, London, Morristown, Palm Beach, Reno, and Tokyo.  We will continue to evaluate adding additional offices throughout the world.

·  Incentive Fees. As of December 31, 2018, approximately $1.8 billion of our AUM are managed on a performance fee basis including $661 million of preferred issues of closed-end funds, $507 million of SICAV assets, $315 million in The GDL Fund, $192 million of Institutional and Private Wealth Management assets, and $100 million in the Gabelli Merger Plus⁺ Trust Plc.

·  Expanding Mutual Fund Distribution.  We continue to expand our distribution network primarily through national and regional brokerage firms and have developed additional classes of shares for most of our mutual funds for sale through these firms and other third party distribution channels.  We have increased our wholesaling efforts to market the multi-class shares, which have been designed to meet the needs of investors who seek advice through financial consultants.  We launched our first actively managed exchange traded managed fund in 2016 (The Gabelli Media Mogul NextShares^TM), our second in 2017 (The Gabelli Food of All Nations NextShares^TM) and two additional funds in 2018 (The Gabelli RBI NextShares^TM and The Gabelli Pet Parents’^TM NextShares^TM).

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·  Increasing Presence in Private Wealth Management Market.  Our private wealth management business focuses, in general, on serving clients who have established an account relationship of $2.5 million or more with us.  According to industry estimates, the number of households with over $2.5 million in investable assets will continue to grow, subject to ups and downs in the equity and fixed income markets.  With our 41-year history of serving this segment, long-term performance record, customized portfolios tax-sensitive investment strategy, brand name recognition and broad array of product offerings, we believe that we are well-positioned to capitalize on the growth opportunities in this market.

·  Increasing Marketing for Institutional and Private Wealth Management.  The Institutional and Private Wealth Management business was principally developed through direct marketing channels.  We plan to augment our institutional sales force through the addition of staff to market directly to the consultant community as well as through our traditional marketing channels.

 ·  Attracting and Retaining Experienced Professionals.  We offer significant variable compensation that provides opportunities to our staff.  The 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.

·  Hosting of Institutional Investor Symposiums.  We have a tradition of sponsoring institutional investor symposiums that bring together prominent portfolio managers, members of academia and other leading business professionals to present, discuss and debate current issues and topics in the investment industry.  These symposiums have included:

-2017 -2015	“Digital Evolution in Financial Services” “Capital Allocation – The Tug of War”
-2013	“Value Investing 20 Years Later: A Celebration of the Roger Murray Lecture Series”
-2006	“Closed-End Funds: Premiums vs. Discounts, Dividends and Distributions”
-2003	“Dividends, Taxable versus Non-Taxable Issues”
-2001 -1998	“Virtues of Value Investing” “The Role of Hedge Funds as a Way of Generating Absolute Returns”
-1997	“Active vs. Passive Stock Selection”

·  Capitalizing on Acquisitions, Alliances and Lift-outs.  We intend to selectively and opportunistically pursue acquisitions, alliances and lift-outs that will broaden our product offerings and add new sources of distribution.   In May 2000, we added Comstock Partners Funds, Inc., (renamed Comstock Funds, Inc.).  The Comstock funds are part of our Non-Market Correlated mutual fund product line.  In November 2002, we completed our alliance with Woodland Partners LLC, a Minneapolis-based investment advisor focused on investing in small capitalization companies.  On March 11, 2008, Funds Advisor assumed the role of investment advisor to the AXA Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund, subsequently renamed Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund, a fund that had been sub-advised by GAMCO since the fund’s inception on February 28, 2001.  On August 1, 2010, the clients of Florida-based NMF Asset Management became part of the Institutional and Private Wealth Management operation of GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO Asset”).  On November 2, 2015, the investment team of Dinsmore Capital, a specialist in convertible bond investing and formerly the manager of The Bancroft Fund and the Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund joined Funds Advisor.  During 2018, the clients of Trevor, Stewart, Burton & Jacobsen and Loeb Partners Corporation joined GAMCO Asset.

We believe that our growth to date is traceable to the following factors:

● Strong Industry Fundamentals: According to data compiled by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the investment management industry has grown faster than more traditional segments of the financial services industry, including the banking and insurance industries. Since GBL began managing assets for institutional and private wealth management clients in 1977, world equity markets have grown at a 9.6% compound annual growth rate through December 31, 2018 to approximately $69.6 trillion^(a).  The U.S. equity market comprises about $26.9 trillion^(a) or roughly 39% of world equity markets.  We believe that demographic trends and the growing role of money managers in the placement of capital compared to the traditional role played by banks and life insurance companies will result in continued growth of the investment management industry.

● Long-Term Performance:We have a superior long-term record of achieving relatively high returns for our Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients.  We believe that our performance record represents a competitive advantage and a recognized component of our franchise.

(a) Source: Birinyi Associates, LLC

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● Stock Market Gains:Since we began managing for institutional and private wealth management clients in 1977, our traditional value-oriented Institutional and Private Wealth Management composite has earned a compound annual return of 15.4% gross and 14.6% net of fees versus a compound annual return of 11.3% for theS&P 500 through December 31, 2018.  For 2018, the GAMCO composite declined 12.2% gross and 12.6% net of fees versus a loss of 4.4% for the S&P 500.

● Widely-Recognized “Gabelli” and “GAMCO” Brand Names:  For much of our history, our portfolio managers and investment products have been featured in a variety of financial print media, including both U.S. and international publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Money Magazine, Barron's, Fortune, Business Week, Nikkei Financial News, Forbes Magazine, Consumer Reports and Investor's Business Daily.  We also underwrite publications written by our investment professionals, including  Deals…Deals…and More Deals, which examines the history and current practice of merger arbitrage and is published in English, Japanese, Chinese and Italian, and Global Convertible Investing: The Gabelli Way, a comprehensive guide to effective investing in convertible securities.

AC most recently published Merger Masters the follow up book to Deals…Deals…and More Deals: tales of how the best arbitrageurs of our time earn a non-market correlated return by investing in announced takeovers.

● Diversified Product Offerings: Since the inception of our investment management activities, we have sought to expand the breadth of our product offerings.  We currently offer a wide spectrum of investment products and strategies, including product offerings in U.S. equities, U.S. fixed income, global and international equities, and convertible securities.

Business Description

Our AUM’s are clustered in two groups:  Funds and Institutional & Private Wealth Management.

Funds:  We provide advisory services to twenty-two open-end funds, sixteen closed-end funds and four actively managed exchange traded managed funds.  At December 31, 2018, we had $19.7 billion of AUM in Fund AUM, representing 57.3% of our total AUM.  Our equity funds and closed-end funds were $17.5 billion in AUM on December 31, 2018, 19.7% below the $21.8 billion on December 31, 2017.  We also are the advisor to a SICAV with AUM of $507 million at December 31, 2018, compared to the $510 million in AUM at December 31, 2017.

Open-end Funds

On December 31, 2018, we had $10.6 billion of AUM in twenty-one open-end equity funds and $2.2 billion in our Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund.  We market our open-end funds primarily through third party distribution programs, including no-transaction fee (“NTF”) programs, and have developed additional share classes for many of our funds for distribution through additional third party distribution channels.  At December 31, 2018, third party distribution programs accounted for approximately 76% of all assets in open-end equity funds, and, approximately 24% of our AUM in open-end equity funds were sourced through direct sales relationships.

Closed-end Funds

We act as investment advisor to sixteen closed-end funds, fourteen of which trade on the NYSE or its affiliated exchange: Gabelli Equity Trust (GAB), GDL Fund (GDL), Gabelli Multimedia Trust (GGT), Gabelli Healthcare & Wellness ^Rx Trust (GRX), Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund (GCV), Gabelli Utility Trust (GUT), Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (GDV), Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (GLU), GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust (GGN), GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (GNT), The Gabelli Global Small and Mid Cap Value Trust (GGZ), the Bancroft Fund Ltd. (BCV), the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. (ECF), and the Gabelli Go Anywhere Trust (GGO).  We launched the Gabelli Value Plus+ Trust Plc (GVP) in 2015 and the Gabelli Merger Plus⁺ Trust Plc (GMP) in 2017, both of which trade on the London Stock Exchange.  As of December 31, 2018, the sixteen closed-end funds had total assets of $7.0 billion, representing 35.2% of the total assets in our Funds business.

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Exchange Traded Managed Funds

During 2016, we launched our first exchange traded managed fund.  The Gabelli Media Mogul NextShares^TM trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “MOGLC” and was the first member of the Gabelli NextShares Trust offered under an agreement with NextShares Solutions, LLC.  The Gabelli Food of All Nations NextShares^TM was launched in 2017 and trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “FOANC”.  During 2018, we launched The Gabelli RBI NextShares^TM which trades under the symbol “GRBIC” and The Gabelli Pet Parents’^TM NextShares^TM which trades under the symbol “PETZC”.  As of December 31, 2018, the four ETMFs had AUM of $8.6 million.  On November 14, 2018, the Board of Trustees for each of the Gabelli Media Mogul NextShares^TM and the Gabelli Pet Parents’^TM NextShares^TM determined that it would be in the best interest of shareholders of the funds to approve an agreement and plan of reorganization and termination for each fund, pursuant to which substantially all of the assets and liabilities of each fund would be transferred to a new series of a new trust to be created at a future date and shareholders of the funds would become shareholders of the new funds.  It is expected that each new fund will be structured and operate as a no-load, open-end mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, instead of an exchange traded managed fund.  In February 2019, the Board of Trustees of the NextShares^TM funds approved a plan of liquidation for the Gabelli Food of All Nations NextShares^TM and the Gabelli RBI NextShares^TM, pursuant to which each fund will be liquidated on or about March 28, 2019.

SICAV

We provide advisory services to one fund under the GAMCO brand, the GAMCO International SICAV.  The SICAV has two sub-fund strategies, the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage Fund and the GAMCO All Cap Value Fund.  Total AUM in the SICAV was $507 million at December 31, 2018.

Institutional and Private Wealth Management:   At December 31, 2018, we had $14.1 billion of AUM in approximately 1,600 Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, representing 41.0% of our total AUM.  The Private Wealth Management clients – defined as individuals generally having minimum investable assets of $2.5 million comprised approximately 81% of the total number of management accounts and approximately $3.8 billion, or 27%, of the Institutional and Private Wealth Management assets as of December 31, 2018.  We believe that Private Wealth Management clients for the taxable portion of their assets are attracted to us by our returns and the tax efficient nature of the underlying investment process.  As of December 31, 2018, institutional client accounts represented approximately $4.8 billion, or 34%, of the Institutional and Private Wealth Management assets and 9% of the accounts.  Foundation and endowment fund assets represented 10% of the number of Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts and approximately $1.2 billion, or 8%, of the Institutional and Private Wealth Management AUM.  The sub-advisory clients, (where we act as sub-advisor to third party investment funds) held approximately $4.3 billion, or 31%, of total Institutional and Private Wealth Management assets with 1% of the total number of accounts.

The ten largest Institutional and Private Wealth Management relationships comprised approximately 48% of GAMCO Asset Management AUM and approximately 20% of our total AUM and approximately 27% of GAMCO Asset Management revenues and approximately 8% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Investment advisory agreements for our Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients are typically subject to termination by the client without penalty on 30 days’ notice or less.

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Assets Under Management

The following table sets forth total AUM by product type as of the dates shown:

Assets Under Management

By Product Type

(Dollars in millions)

											%
	At December 31,										Change
	2014 (c)		2015		2016		2017		2018			2018/2017
Equity:
Open-end Funds	$	17,684	$	13,811	$	13,462	$	13,747	$	10,589		(23.0	%)
Closed-end Funds		6,949		6,492		7,150		8,053		6,959		(13.6	)
Institutional & Private Wealth
Management		20,301		16,767		17,224		18,852		14,078		(25.3	)
SICAV (a)		135		178		320		510		507		(0.6	)
Total Equity		45,069		37,248		38,156		41,162		32,133		(21.9	)
Fixed Income:
Money Market Mutual Fund (b)		1,455		1,514		1,767		1,870		2,195		17.4
Institutional & Private Wealth Management		58		38		31		31		26		(16.1	)
Total Fixed Income		1,513		1,552		1,798		1,901		2,221		16.8
Total AUM	$	46,582	$	38,800	$	39,954	$	43,063	$	34,354		(20.2	)
Breakdown of Total AUM:
Funds		26,088		21,817		22,379		23,670		19,743		(16.6	)
Institutional & Private Wealth
Management		20,359		16,805		17,255		18,883		14,104		(25.3	)
SICAV		135		178		320		510		507		(0.6	)%
Total AUM	$	46,582	$	38,800	$	39,954	$	43,063	$	34,354		(20.2	%)

(a) Adjusted to include assets of $135 million, $141 million, and $270 million at December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively.

(b) The Fund is 100% invested in short-term U.S. Treasury obligations which have remaining maturities of 397 days or less.

(c) Historical AUM has been restated to remove the AUM managed by AC.

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Summary of Investment Products

We manage assets in the following wide spectrum of investment products and strategies:

U.S. Equities: (90.5% of AUM)	Global and International Equities: (1.7% of AUM)
All Cap Value	International Growth
Large Cap Value	International Small Cap Growth
Large Cap Growth	Global Growth
Mid Cap Value	Global Value
Small Cap Value	Global Content & Connectivity
Small Cap Growth	Global Utilities
Micro Cap	Gold
Natural Resources	Small and Mid Cap
Income
Utilities	U.S. Fixed Income: (6.4% of AUM)
Non-Market Correlated	Corporate
Option Income	Government
Multimedia	Asset-backed
ESG	Intermediate
Healthcare	Short-term
Convertible Securities: (1.4% of AUM)
Convertible Securities

Additional Information on Mutual Funds

Through Funds Advisor, we act as advisor to all of the Funds, except with respect to the GAMCO Mathers Fund for which GAMCO Asset Management Inc. acted as the advisor.

Shareholders of the open-end funds are allowed to exchange shares among the same class of shares of the other open-end funds as economic and market conditions and investor needs change at no additional cost.  However, as noted below, certain open-end funds impose a 2% redemption fee on shares redeemed within seven days or less after a purchase.  We periodically introduce new funds designed to complement and expand our investment product offerings, respond to competitive developments in the financial marketplace and meet the changing needs of investors.

Our marketing efforts for the open-end funds are currently focused on increasing the distribution and sales of our existing funds as well as creating new products for sale through our distribution channels.  We believe that our marketing efforts for the funds will continue to generate additional revenues from investment advisory fees.  We had traditionally distributed most of our open-end funds by using a variety of direct response marketing techniques, including telemarketing and advertising, and as a result we maintain direct relationships with many of our no-load open-end fund shareholders.  Beginning in late 1995, we expanded our product distribution by offering several of our open-end funds through third party distribution programs, including NTF programs.  In 1998 and 1999, we further expanded these efforts to include substantially all of our open-end funds in third party distribution programs.  Approximately 24% of the AUM in the open-end equity funds are still attributable to our direct response marketing efforts.  Third party distribution programs have become an increasingly important source of asset growth for us.  Of the $10.6 billion of AUM in the open-end equity funds as of December 31, 2018, approximately 76% were generated through third party distribution programs.  We are responsible for paying the service and distribution fees charged by many of the third party distribution programs, although a portion of such service fees under certain circumstances are payable by the funds.  The multi-class shares are available in all of the Gabelli Funds, with the exception of the Gabelli Capital Asset Fund.  We believe that the use of multi-class shares expands the distribution of our open-end funds into the advised sector of the mutual fund investment community.  We introduced Class I shares, which are no-load shares with higher minimum initial investment and without distribution fees available directly through G.distributors or through brokers that have entered into selling agreements with respect to Class I shares.  The no-load shares are designated as Class AAA shares and are available for new and current investors.  In general, distribution through third party programs has greater variable cost components and lower fixed cost components than distribution through our traditional direct sales methods.

We provide investment advisory and management services pursuant to an investment management agreement with each fund.  The investment management agreements with the funds generally provide that we are responsible for the overall investment and administrative services, subject to the oversight of each fund's Board of Directors or Trustees and in accordance with each fund's fundamental investment objectives and policies.  The investment management agreements permit us to enter into separate agreements for sub-administrative and accounting services on behalf of the respective funds.

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Our affiliated advisor provides the funds with administrative services pursuant to the management contracts.  Such services include, without limitation, supervision of the calculation of net asset value, preparation of financial reports for shareholders of the funds, internal accounting, tax accounting and reporting, regulatory filings and other services.  Most of these administrative services are provided through sub-contracts with independent third parties.  Transfer agency and custodial services are provided directly to the funds by independent third parties.

Our funds’ investment management agreements may continue in effect from year to year only if specifically approved at least annually by (i) the fund's Board of Directors or Trustees or (ii) the fund's shareholders and, in either case, the vote of a majority of the fund's independent or non-interested directors or trustees who are not parties to the agreement or “interested persons” of any such party, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended (the “Company Act”).  Each fund may terminate its investment management agreement at any time upon 60 days' written notice by (i) a vote of the majority of the Board of Directors or Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such termination or (ii) a vote at a meeting of shareholders of the lesser of either 67% of the voting shares represented in person or by proxy (if at least 50% of the shares are present at the meeting) or 50% of the outstanding voting shares of such Fund.  Each investment management agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the Company Act.  We may terminate an investment management agreement without penalty on 60 days' written notice.

Open-End Fund Distribution

G.distributors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GBL, is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is regulated by FINRA.  G.distributors' revenues are derived primarily from the distribution of our open-end funds.  G.distributors distributes our open-end funds pursuant to distribution agreements with each fund.  It also distributes funds managed by Teton and its affiliates.  Under each distribution agreement with an open-end fund, G.distributors offers and sells such open-end fund's shares on a continuous basis and pays the majority of the costs of marketing and selling the shares, including printing and mailing prospectuses and sales literature, advertising and maintaining sales and customer service personnel and sales and services fulfillment systems, and payments to the sponsors of third party distribution programs, financial intermediaries and G.distributors sales personnel.  G.distributors receives fees for such services pursuant to distribution plans adopted under provisions of Rule 12b-1 (“12b-1”) of the Company Act.  Distribution fees from the open-end funds are computed daily based on average net assets.  Distribution fees from the open-end funds amounted to $35.1 million, $39.7 million and $41.0 million while payments to third-parties for selling the open-end funds totaled $32.3 million, $37.3 million and $39.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  G.distributors is the principal underwriter for funds distributed in multiple classes of shares which carry either a front-end, back-end or no sales charge.  Underwriting fees and sales charges retained amounted to $0.9 million, $1.5 million and $1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Under the distribution plans, the open-end Class AAA shares of the funds (except The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, Gabelli Capital Asset Fund and The Gabelli ABC Fund) and the Class A and ADV shares of various funds pay G.distributors a distribution or service fee of .25% per year (except the Class A shares of the TETON Westwood Funds and Gabelli Enterprise Mergers & Acquisition Fund which pay .50% and 0.45% per year, respectively, and the TETON Westwood Intermediate Bond Fund which pays .35%) on the average daily net assets of the fund.  Class C shares have a 12b-1 distribution plan with a service and distribution fee totaling 1%.   G.distributors’ distribution agreements with the funds may continue in effect from year to year only if specifically approved at least annually by (i) the fund's Board of Directors or Trustees or (ii) the fund's shareholders and, in either case, the vote of a majority of the fund's directors or trustees who are not parties to the agreement or “interested persons” of any such party, within the meaning of the Company Act.  Each fund may terminate its distribution agreement, or any agreement thereunder, at any time upon 60 days' written notice by (i) a vote of the majority of its directors or trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such termination or (ii) a vote at a meeting of shareholders of the lesser of either 67% of the voting shares represented in person or by proxy (if at least 50% of the shares are present at the meeting) or 50% of the outstanding voting shares of such fund. Each distribution agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the Company Act.  G.distributors may terminate a distribution agreement without penalty upon 60 days' written notice.

G.distributors also offers our open-end fund products through our website, www.gabelli.com, where directly registered mutual fund investors can access their personal account information and buy, sell, and exchange Fund shares.  Fund prospectuses, quarterly reports, fund applications, daily net asset values and performance charts are all available online.  

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Competition

We compete with other investment management firms and mutual fund companies, insurance companies, banks, brokerage firms and other financial institutions that offer products that have similar features and investment objectives.  Many of these investment management firms are subsidiaries of large diversified financial companies.  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.  Other trends affecting the investment management business includes the widespread popularity of exchange traded products which have tax and cost advantages over traditional investment companies.

The market for providing investment management services to Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients is also highly competitive.  Approximately 33% of our investment advisory fee revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 was derived from our Institutional and Private Wealth Management business.  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 in 1977.

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.  We have registered certain service marks in the United States and will continue to do so as new trademarks and service marks are developed or acquired.  We have rights to use the “Gabelli” name, the “GAMCO” name, and other names.  Pursuant to an assignment agreement, Mr. Gabelli has assigned to us all of his rights, title and interests in and to the “Gabelli” name for use in connection with investment management services, mutual funds and securities brokerage services.  However, under the agreement, Mr. Gabelli will retain 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 Mr. Gabelli or members of his family and (ii) entities engaged in private investment activities for Mr. Gabelli or members of his family.  In addition, the funds managed by Mr. Gabelli outside GBL have entered into a license agreement with us permitting them to continue limited use of the “Gabelli” name under specified circumstances.  We have taken, and will continue to take, action to protect our interests in these service marks.

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 shareholders of investment funds. 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.

Our business is subject to extensive regulation at the federal, state and foreign level by the SEC and other regulatory bodies.  Certain of our subsidiaries are registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”), and the funds are registered with the SEC under the Company Act.  We also have a subsidiary that is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC and is subject to regulation by FINRA and various states.

The subsidiaries of GBL that are registered with the Commission under the Advisers Act (Funds Advisor, Gabelli Fixed Income LLC and GAMCO Asset) are 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 Commission 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 an advisory subsidiary 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.  Under the Company Act, advisory agreements with registered investment companies such as our Funds terminate automatically upon assignment.  The term “assignment” is broadly defined and includes direct as well as assignments that may be deemed to occur, under certain circumstances, upon the transfer, directly or indirectly, of a controlling interest in GBL.

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In its capacity as a broker-dealer, G.distributors 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.distributors’ net capital, as defined, met or exceeded all minimum requirements as of December 31, 2018.  As a registered broker-dealer, G.distributors is also subject to periodic examination by FINRA, the SEC and the states.

Subsidiaries of GBL are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“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 Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (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.

Investments by GBL and on behalf of our advisory clients and investment funds often represent a significant equity ownership position in an issuer's class of stock.  As of December 31, 2018, we had five percent or more beneficial ownership with respect to 102 equity securities.  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' shareholder rights plans or “poison pills,” and various federal and state regulatory limitations, including state gaming laws and regulations, federal communications laws and regulations and federal and state public utility laws and regulations, as well as federal proxy rules governing shareholder communications and federal laws and regulations regarding the reporting of beneficial ownership positions.  Foreign country regulations may have different levels of ownership limitations.  Our failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on us.

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, mutual funds 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 U.S. contain some similar provisions.  Our failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on us.

We and certain of our affiliates are subject to the laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions and non-U.S. regulatory agencies or bodies.  In connection with our office in London and our plans to market certain products in Europe, we are required to comply with the laws of the United Kingdom and other European countries regarding these activities.  Our subsidiary, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited, is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”).  In connection with our registration in the United Kingdom, we have minimum capital requirements that have been consistently met or exceeded.  We opened an office in Tokyo and therefore are subject to national and local laws in that jurisdiction.  We are subject to requirements in numerous jurisdictions regarding reporting of beneficial ownership positions in securities issued by companies whose securities are publicly-traded in those countries.

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 Commission has substantially increased its use of focused inquiries which request information from investment advisors and a number of fund complexes regarding particular practices or provisions of the securities laws.  We participate in some of these inquiries in the normal course of our business.  Changes in laws, regulations and administrative practices by regulatory authorities, and the associated compliance costs, have increased our cost structure and could in the future have a material 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.

See Item 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS below.

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Personnel

On February 28, 2019, we had a full-time staff of 172 individuals, of whom 54 served in the portfolio management, portfolio management support and trading areas (including 20 portfolio managers for the Funds, Institutional and Private Wealth Management), 59 served in the marketing and shareholder servicing areas and 59 served in the administrative area.

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

We caution the reader that the following risks and those risks described elsewhere in this report and in our other SEC filings could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow or could cause a decline in the Company’s stock price.

Risks Related to Our Industry

We earn substantially all of our revenue based on assets under management and therefore a reduction in assets under management would reduce our revenues and profitability.  Assets under management fluctuate based on many factors including: market conditions, investment performance, and terminations of investment contracts.

Substantially all of our revenues are directly related to the amount of our AUM. Under our investment advisory contracts with our clients, the investment advisory fees we receive are typically based on the market value of AUM.  In addition, we receive asset-based distribution and/or service fees with respect to the open-end funds managed by Funds Advisor or Teton and its affiliates over time pursuant to distribution plans adopted under provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the Company Act.  Rule 12b-1 fees typically are based on the average AUM and represented approximately 10.3%, 11.0% and 11.6% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  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 and Rule 12b-1 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 U.S.), acts of terrorism, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, inflation rates, the yield curve, defaults by derivative counterparties, bond default risks, sovereign debt crisis and other factors that are difficult or impossible to predict.  If a decline in securities prices caused our revenues to decline, it could have a material adverse effect on our earnings.

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 Company Act and the Advisers Act as well as other securities laws, by the Department of Labor under ERISA, and regulation by FINRA and state regulators. The Funds managed by Funds Advisor are registered with the SEC as investment companies under the Company Act.  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.  The Company Act imposes similar obligations, as well as additional detailed operational requirements, on registered investment companies and investment advisors.  In addition, our businesses are also subject to regulation by the Financial Services Authority 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 U.S. and in other nations.  Changes in laws or regulations or in governmental policies could limit the sources and amounts of our revenues including but not limited to distribution revenue under the Company Act, increase our costs of doing business, decrease our profitability and materially and adversely affect our business.

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To the extent that provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) affect the deductibility of named executive officer (“NEO”) compensation, we may be impacted.

The Act eliminates the performance based compensation exception for NEO compensation deductibility.  To the extent that some of the compensation of our NEOs is affected by this change, we would have a lower amount of deductible compensation in future years and a higher effective tax rate than we would have had without this potential loss of deductibility.  We continue to evaluate the impact of the Act’s provisions, regarding NEO compensation and otherwise, and whether and if so, by how much, the Act’s provisions will impact us.

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 advisory 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 advisory 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.  In addition, the board of directors or trustees of each fund managed by Funds Advisor must make certain findings as to the reasonableness of its 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.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from investment advisory contracts that may be terminated on short notice or may not be renewed by clients.

A substantial majority of our revenues are derived from investment management agreements and distribution arrangements.  Investment management agreements and distribution arrangements with the Funds are terminable without penalty on 60 days' notice (subject to certain additional procedural requirements in the case of termination by a Fund) and must be specifically approved at least annually, as required by law.  Such annual renewal requires, among other things, approval by the disinterested members of each Fund's board of directors or trustees.  Investment advisory agreements with our Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients are typically terminable by the client without penalty on 30 days' notice or less.  Any failure to renew or termination of a significant number of these agreements or arrangements would have a material adverse effect on us.

Investors in the open-end funds can redeem their investments in these funds at any time without prior notice, which could adversely affect our earnings.

Open-end fund investors may redeem their investments in those funds at any time without prior notice.  Investors may reduce the aggregate amount of AUM for any number of reasons, including investment performance, changes in prevailing interest rates and financial market performance.  In a declining stock market, the pace of mutual fund redemptions could accelerate.  Poor performance relative to other asset management firms tends to result in decreased purchases of mutual fund shares and increased redemptions of mutual fund shares.  The redemption of investments in mutual funds managed by Funds Advisor would adversely affect our revenues, which are substantially dependent upon the AUM in our funds.  If redemptions of investments in mutual funds caused our revenues to decline, it could have a material adverse effect on our earnings.

Certain changes in control of our company would automatically terminate our investment management agreements with our clients, unless our Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients consent and, in the case of Fund clients, the Funds’ boards of directors and shareholders vote to continue the agreements, and could prevent us for a two-year period from increasing the investment advisory fees we are able to charge our mutual fund clients.

Under the Company Act, an investment management agreement with a fund must provide for its automatic termination in the event of its assignment. The fund’s board and shareholders must vote to continue the agreement following its assignment, the cost of which ordinarily would be borne by us.  Under the Advisers Act, a client’s investment management agreement may not be “assigned” by the investment advisor without the client’s consent.  An investment management agreement is considered to be assigned to another party when a controlling block of the advisor’s ownership is transferred.  In our case, an assignment of our investment management agreements may occur if, among other things, we sell or issue a certain number of additional common shares in the future.  We cannot be certain that our clients will consent to assignments of our investment management agreements or approve new agreements with us if an assignment occurs.  Under the Company Act, if a fund’s investment advisor engages in a transaction that results in the assignment of its investment management agreement with the fund, the advisor may not impose an “unfair burden” on that fund as a result of the transaction for a two-year period after the transaction is completed.  The term “unfair burden” has been interpreted to include certain increases in investment advisory fees.  This restriction may discourage potential purchasers from acquiring a controlling interest in our company.

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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 U.S.), 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 U.S., 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.

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, or 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 the Company’s revenues and earnings.

Risks Related to Our Business

Control by Mr. Gabelli of a majority of the combined voting power of our common stock may give rise to conflicts of interests.

Since our Offering in 1999, Mr. Gabelli, through his control and majority ownership of GGCP, has beneficially owned a majority of our outstanding Class B Stock, representing 91% of voting control.  As long as Mr. Gabelli indirectly beneficially owns a majority of the combined voting power of our common stock, he will have the ability to elect all of the members of our Board of Directors and thereby control our management and affairs, including determinations with respect to acquisitions, dispositions, borrowings, issuances of common stock or other securities, and the declaration and payment of dividends on the common stock.  In addition, Mr. Gabelli will be able to determine the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders for approval and will be able to cause or prevent a change in control of our company.  As a result of Mr. Gabelli's control, none of our agreements with Mr. Gabelli and other companies controlled by him can be assumed to have been arrived at through “arm's-length” negotiations, although we believe that 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.

On February 6, 2008, Mr. Gabelli entered into an amended and restated employment agreement (the “2008 Employment Agreement”) with the Company, which was initially approved by the Company’s shareholders on November 30, 2007 and approved again on May 6, 2011 and May 5, 2015, and which limits his activities outside of the Company.  Under the 2008 Employment Agreement, the manner of computing Mr. Gabelli’s remuneration from GAMCO is unchanged.   

Mr. Gabelli has agreed that while he is employed by us he will not provide investment management services outside of GAMCO, AC, and GGCP, except for certain permitted accounts.  These permitted accounts, excluding personal accounts, held assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 of approximately $239.0 million and $267.7 million, respectively.  Mr. Gabelli continues to be a member of the team that manages the TETON Westwood Mighty Mites^SM Fund, whose advisor, Teton, was spun-off from GBL in March 2009.  Effective February 27, 2017, Funds Advisor became the sub-advisor to the TETON Westwood Mighty Mites^SM Fund.  The assets in the TETON Westwood Mighty Mites^SM Fund at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $1.1 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively.  The 2008 Employment Agreement may not be amended without the approval of the Compensation Committee and Mr. Gabelli.

We depend on Mr. Gabelli and other key personnel.

We are dependent on the efforts of Mr. Gabelli, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and the primary portfolio manager for a significant majority of our AUM.  The loss of Mr. Gabelli's services could have a material adverse effect on us.

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In addition to Mr. Gabelli, our future success depends to a substantial degree on our ability to retain and attract other qualified personnel to conduct our investment management business including, Christopher Marangi and Kevin Dreyer, the other Co-Chief Investment Officers of the Value team.  The market for qualified portfolio managers is extremely competitive.  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 personnel.  In addition, our investment professionals and senior marketing personnel have direct contact with our Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients, which can lead to strong client relationships.  The loss of these personnel could jeopardize our relationships with certain Institutional and Private Wealth Management 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.

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.  The securities markets in general have experienced significant volatility, and such volatility may continue or increase in the future.  At December 31, 2018, approximately 94% of our AUM were invested in portfolios consisting primarily of 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.

Since the separation, certain of our directors and officers may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their positions or relationships with AC.

Since the separation of AC from GAMCO, Mario J. Gabelli has continued to serve as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and also serves as Executive Chairman of AC.  Marc Gabelli, a son of Mario J. Gabelli, continues to have responsibilities relating to GAMCO.  Kevin Handwerker, GAMCO’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, also serves AC in the same capacities.  Douglas R. Jamieson has continued to serve as President and Director of GAMCO Asset Management Inc. and also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer and Director of AC.  Agnes Mullady has continued to serve as President and COO of the Fund Division of Gabelli Funds, LLC and also serves as an Executive Vice President of AC.  In addition, certain of our portfolio managers and teammates will provide services to AC pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement with AC and will be officers or employees of AC.  Such dual assignments could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when our and AC’s officers and directors face decisions that could have different implications for the two companies.

Also, some of our directors, executive officers, portfolio managers and teammates own shares of AC common stock.

Mario J. Gabelli is deemed to control AC by his control of GGCP Holdings, LLC, an intermediate subsidiary of GGCP, Inc., a private company controlled by Mario J. Gabelli.  Marc Gabelli is President of GGCP, Inc.

In addition, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute that may arise between GAMCO and AC regarding the terms of the agreements governing the separation and the relationship thereafter between the companies. The executive officers and other personnel of AC who serve as directors or executive management of GAMCO may interpret these agreements in their capacity as AC employees in a manner that would adversely affect the business of GAMCO.

Also, certain subsidiaries of AC are investment advisers.  The executive officers and other personnel of AC who also serve as directors or executive management of GAMCO may be confronted with the possibility of making decisions in their AC capacity that would adversely affect the business of GAMCO.

Both GAMCO and AC 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 GAMCO may not be adversely affected at some point by such a conflict.

Our reputation is critical to our success.

Our reputation is critical to acquiring, maintaining and developing relationships with our clients, Mutual Fund shareholders and third party intermediaries.   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.  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.

18

There is a possibility of losses associated with proprietary investment activities.

Currently, we maintain a proprietary investment position in a few 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.

Future investment performance could reduce revenues and other income.

Success in the investment management and mutual fund businesses 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 advisory 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 in the case of the open-end Funds, and in the loss of Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients, with corresponding decreases in revenues to us.  Many analysts of the mutual fund industry believe that investment performance is the most important factor for the growth of open and closed-end funds, such as those we offer.  Failure of our investment products to perform well or failure of the Funds to maintain ratings or rankings 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.

Loss of significant Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts could affect our revenues.

We had approximately 1,600 Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts as of December 31, 2018, of which the ten largest accounts generated approximately 8% of our total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2018.  Account turnover for any reason would have an adverse effect on our revenues.  Notwithstanding performance, we have from time to time experienced account turnover of large Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts as a result of corporate mergers and restructurings, and we could continue to lose accounts under these or other circumstances.

A decline in the market for closed-end funds could reduce our ability to raise future assets to manage.

Market conditions may preclude us from increasing the assets we manage in closed-end funds.  A significant portion of our recent growth in the assets we manage has resulted from public offerings of the common and preferred shares of closed-end funds.  We have raised approximately $5.7 billion in gross assets through closed-end fund offerings since January 2004.  The market conditions for these offerings may not be as favorable in the future, which could adversely impact our ability to grow our AUM and our revenue.

We rely on third party distribution programs.

A significant share of sales of our open-end funds come through third party distribution programs, which are programs sponsored by third party intermediaries that offer their mutual fund customers a variety of competing products and administrative services.  A substantial component of sales growth is from third party distribution programs with no transaction fees payable by the customer, which we refer to as NTF programs.  Approximately $3.1 billion of our AUM in the open-end equity funds as of December 31, 2018 are held through NTF programs.  The cost of participating in third party distribution programs is higher than our direct distribution costs, and it is anticipated that the cost of third party distribution programs will increase in the future.  Any increase would be likely to have an adverse effect on our profit margins and results of operations.  In addition, there can be no assurance that the third party distribution programs will continue to distribute the Funds.  At December 31, 2018, approximately 92% of the NTF program net assets in the Gabelli/GAMCO families of funds are attributable to two NTF programs.  The decision by these third party distribution programs to discontinue distribution of the funds, or a decision by us to withdraw one or more of the funds from the programs, could have an adverse effect on our growth of AUM.

19

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 employees 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 the Company’s productivity and growth.  Additionally, failure to implement effective information and cyber security policies, procedures and capabilities could disrupt operations and cause financial losses that could result in a decrease in the Company’s earnings or stock price.

The Company’s infrastructure, including its information systems and technology, is vital to the competitiveness of its business.  The failure 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.  We outsource 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. Breach of our technology systems could result in 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. 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, 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. 

Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks.  We may be the target of cyber-attacks, including denial-of-service attacks, and must continuously monitor and develop our systems to protect our technology infrastructure and data from misappropriation or corruption.  Although we take protective measures and endeavor to modify them as circumstances warrant, our computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code and other events that could have a security impact.  If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize our or our clients’ or counterparties’ confidential and other information processed and stored in our, our clients’, our counterparties’ or third parties’ operations, which could impact their ability to transact with us or otherwise result in significant losses or reputational damage.  The increased use of mobile technologies can heighten these and other operational risks.  We expect to expend significant additional resources on an ongoing basis to modify our protective measures and to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by us.

We routinely transmit and receive personal, confidential and proprietary information by email and other electronic means.  We have discussed and worked with clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties to develop secure transmission capabilities and protect against cyber-attacks, but we do not have, and may be unable to put in place, secure capabilities with all of our clients, vendors, service providers, counterparties and other third parties and we may not be able to ensure that these third parties have appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of the information.  An interception, misuse or mishandling of personal, confidential or proprietary information being sent to or received from a client, vendor, service provider, counterparty or other third party could result in legal liability, regulatory action and reputational harm.

The failure of one of our vendors to fulfill its obligations to us could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its products.

The Company depends on a number of key vendors for various fund administration, accounting, custody and transfer agent roles and other operational needs. The failure or inability of the Company to diversify its sources for key services or the failure of any key vendors to fulfill their obligations could lead to operational issues for the Company and in certain products, which could result in financial losses for the Company and its clients.

20

Our ability to meet cash needs may be adversely affected by a number of factors.

Our ability to meet anticipated cash needs is affected by factors such as the market value of our assets, our operating cash flows and our creditworthiness as perceived by lenders. Adverse developments in any of these areas could have significantly adverse effects on our business.  If we are unable to obtain funds and financing in a timely manner or on acceptable terms, we may be forced to incur unanticipated costs or revise our business plans. Further, our access to the capital markets depends significantly on our credit ratings. A reduction in our credit ratings could increase our borrowing costs and limit our access to the capital markets. Volatility in the U.S., regional or global financing markets may also impact our ability to access the capital markets should we seek to do so, and we may be forced to incur unanticipated costs or experience other adverse effects on our business.  We currently have a credit rating of investment grade with one rating agency and one below investment grade with another rating agency.  We believe that if our credit rating was below investment grade with both credit agencies it would increase our long-term borrowing costs, on future borrowings, by 65 basis points, while a two notch downgrade would increase our long-term borrowing costs, on future borrowings, by approximately 80-85 basis points. Our current outstanding debt issuances would not be impacted by any changes in our ratings.

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, in connection with the operation of the Funds 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, and our Mutual Fund business involves compliance with numerous investment, asset valuation, liquidity, distribution, and tax requirements.  A failure to comply with these guidelines or contractual requirements could result in damage to the Company’s reputation or in its clients seeking to recover losses, withdrawing their AUM or terminating their contracts, any of which could cause the Company’s 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.

We face strong competition from numerous and, in many instances, larger companies.

The asset management business is intensely competitive.  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, business reputation, investment performance, product mix and offerings, service quality and innovation, distribution relationships and fees charged.  Our competitive success in any or all of these areas cannot be assured. Additionally, competing securities dealers whom we rely upon to distribute our mutual funds also sell their own proprietary funds and 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.

Fee pressures could reduce our profit margins.

There has been a trend toward lower fees in some segments of the investment management industry.  In order for us to maintain our fee structure in a competitive environment, we must be able to provide clients with investment returns and service that will encourage them to be willing to pay such fees.  Expense limitations and reimbursements have been put in place for certain classes of certain funds.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our current fee structure.  Fee reductions on existing or future new business could have an adverse effect on our profit margins and results of operations.

21

Mr. Gabelli, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, may receive enhanced compensation under his various deferred compensation agreements in the event we repurchase shares under our Stock Repurchase Program.  

GAMCO has entered into three separate deferred compensation agreements with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for fiscal 2016 and certain periods of fiscal 2017 (each such period, an “employment period”) will be in the form of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), payable at the end of a specified deferral period (each, a “Lapse Date”).  On each Lapse Date, the RSUs can be settled in either stock or cash, in an amount determined by the lesser of (x) the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s Class A Stock during the applicable employment period and (y) the VWAP of the Class A Stock on the Lapse Date.  On July 2, 2018, the RSU for the first half of 2017 vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment in the amount of $28.3 million was made to Mr. Gabelli.

From time to time, the Company repurchases shares of its Class A Stock under a Stock Repurchase Program authorized by the Board.  Share repurchases reduce the number of shares in a company held by the public, which increases earnings per share.  As a result, the stock price may rise because shareholders know that a buyback will immediately boost earnings per share. 

Since the amount of RSUs payable under Mr. Gabelli’s deferred compensation agreements are tied to the Company’s stock price, an increase in the amount of shares the Company repurchases under its Stock Repurchase Program may have the effect of increasing Mr. Gabelli’s overall compensation.  

Risks Related to the Company

The disparity in the voting rights among the classes of shares may have a potential adverse effect on the price of our Class A Stock.

The holders of Class A Common Stock (“Class A Stock”) and Class B Stock have identical rights except that (i) holders of Class A Stock are entitled to one vote per share, while holders of Class B Stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters to be voted on by shareholders in general, and (ii) holders of Class A Stock are not eligible to vote on matters relating exclusively to Class B Stock and vice versa.  Since our Offering in 1999, Mr. Gabelli, through his control and majority ownership of GGCP, has beneficially owned a majority of our outstanding Class B Stock, representing approximately 91% of voting control.  As long as Mr. Gabelli indirectly beneficially owns a majority of the combined voting power of our common stock, he will have the ability to elect all of the members of our Board of Directors 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 common stock.  The differential in voting rights and the ability of our company to issue additional Class B Stock could adversely affect the value of the Class A Stock to the extent the investors, or any potential future purchaser of our company, view the superior voting rights of the Class B Stock to have value.  On May 3, 2017, Class A Stock shareholders approved an advisory proposal for the Board of Directors to consider the conversion and reclassification of our shares of Class B Stock into Class A Stock at a ratio in the range of 1.15 to 1.25 shares of Class A Stock for each share of Class B Stock.  The Board of Directors has made no decision on this matter.

Future sales of our Class A Stock in the public market or sales or distributions of our 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 Class A Stock in subsequent public offerings.  We also may issue additional shares of Class A Stock or convertible debt securities.  On March 5, 2018, AC completed a tender offer in which tendering AC shareholders received  an aggregate of approximately 660,000 shares of our registered Class A Stock constituting approximately 7% of the Class A Stock outstanding.  On October 29, 2018, AC completed another tender offer in which tendering AC shareholders received  an aggregate of approximately 710,000 shares of our registered Class A Stock constituting approximately 7% of the Class A Stock outstanding.  The market price of our Class A Stock could decline as a result of sales of Class A Stock by such shareholders.  Any such sales as well as sales by our other current shareholders could be perceived negatively.

No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales or distributions of Class B Stock owned by GGCP Holdings LLC will have on the market price of the Class A Stock from time to time.  Sales or distributions of substantial amounts of Class A Stock or Class B Stock, or the perception that such sales or distributions are likely to occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price for the Class A Stock.

22

Our common stock has relatively limited trading volume, and ownership of a large percentage is concentrated with a small number of shareholders, which could increase the volatility in our stock trading and dramatically affect our share price.

A large percentage of our common stock is held by a limited number of shareholders.  If our larger shareholders decide to liquidate their positions, it could cause significant fluctuation in the share price of our common stock.

There has been no authoritative determination as to whether the distribution of shares of Associated Capital Group, Inc. to GAMCO stockholders in 2015 qualified 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.

While at the time of the distribution GAMCO received an opinion from its tax advisors substantially to the effect that the distribution wouldbe tax-free to GAMCO and its stockholders under Section 355 of the Code, neither GAMCO nor ACG ever 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  was taxable to GAMCO, ACG or GAMCO stockholders. If that were to happen, among other things, each GAMCO stockholder who received shares of ACG common stock in the Spin-off may be treated ashaving received a taxable distribution, and GAMCO would realize taxable income to the extent the distribution consists of appreciated property distributed by GAMCO.

ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2: PROPERTIES

Since 1997, our principal offices, consisting of a single 60,000 square foot building, are located at 401 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye, New York, under a lease agreement which expires on December 31, 2028 from an entity controlled by members of Mr. Gabelli's immediate family.  In addition we lease office space in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada and, internationally, in London and Tokyo.

ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings.  These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief.  For any such matters, the consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable.  Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and, if material, makes the necessary disclosures.

ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5: MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our shares of Class A Stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbol GBL.

As of February 1, 2019, there were 435 Class A Stockholders of record and 21 Class B Stockholders of record.  These figures do not include approximately 3,400 stockholders with shares held under beneficial ownership in nominee name.

23

As of December 31, 2018, since the Offering, we have returned to shareholders $2.0 billion in total of which $1.0 billion was in the form of the Spin-offs of AC and Teton, $493.3 million was from dividends and $463.7 million was through our stock buyback program.

The following table provides information with respect to the shares of our Class A Stock we repurchased during the three months ended December 31, 2018:

						Total Number of		Maximum
	Total		Average			Shares Repurchased as		Number of Shares
	Number of		Price Paid Per			Part of Publicly		That May Yet Be
	Shares		Share, net of			Announced Plans		Purchased Under
Period	Repurchased		Commissions			or Programs		the Plans or Programs
10/01/18 - 10/31/18		-		$	-		-		941,949
11/01/18 - 11/30/18		18,597			20.70		18,597		923,352
12/01/18 - 12/31/18		58,542			19.25		58,542		864,810
Totals		77,139		$	19.60		77,139

In 1999, the Board of Directors established the stock repurchase program.  Our stock repurchase program is not subject to an expiration date.

24

We are required to provide a comparison of the cumulative total return on our Class A Stock as of December 31, 2018 with that of a broad equity market index and either a published industry index or a peer group index selected by us.  The following chart compares the return on the Class A Stock with the return on the S&P 500 Index and an index comprised of public asset managers (“SNL Asset Manager”).  The comparison assumes that $100 was invested in the Class A Stock and in each of the named indices, including the reinvestment of dividends, on December 31, 2013.  This chart is not intended to forecast future performance of our common stock.

	Dec. 31,		Dec. 31,		Dec. 31,		Dec. 31,		Dec. 31,		Dec. 31,
	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018
GAMCO Investors, Inc.		100.00		102.89		67.37		67.17		64.69		36.98
SNL Asset Manager		100.00		105.50		89.97		95.18		126.39		95.35
S&P 500 Index		100.00		113.69		115.26		129.05		157.22		150.33

The following table shows information regarding outstanding options and shares reserved for future issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018.

	Number of Securities to be
	Issued upon Exercise of		Weighted-Average Exercise
	Outstanding Options,		Price of Outstanding Options,
Plan Category	Warrants and Rights		Warrants and Rights
Equity compensation plans approved
by security holders:
Stock options		10,000		$	25.55
Restricted stock awards		427,650		$	24.93
Equity compensation plans not approved
by security holders:		-			n/a
Total		437,650		$	24.94

The number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column above) is 1,087,717.

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ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

General

The selected historical 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” included in Item 7 and “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included in Item 8 of this report.  Amounts included in the tables related to income statement data and balance sheet data are derived from audited financial statements.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Income Statement Data (in thousands)
Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$	302,651		$	316,705		$	308,459		$	329,965		$	360,498
Distribution fees and other income		38,804			43,819			44,541			51,011			61,438
Total revenues		341,455			360,524			353,000			380,976			421,936
Expenses:
Compensation costs		83,768			134,170			86,572			146,371			156,533
Management fee		9,014			13,666			6,518			15,503			18,663
Distribution costs		39,194			44,447			44,189			51,990			59,746
Other operating expenses		22,692			23,221			23,925			19,163			17,542
Total expenses		154,668			215,504			161,204			233,027			252,484
Operating income		186,787			145,020			191,796			147,949			169,452
Other income (expense), net
Net gain from investments		(25,173	)		3,115			1,594			4,953			4,282
Extinguishment of debt		-			(3,300	)		-			(1,067	)		(84	)
Interest and dividend income		2,241			2,350			1,511			2,222			2,154
Interest expense		(3,525	)		(10,160	)		(12,674	)		(8,636	)		(7,653	)
Charitable contributions		(5,671	)		(4,137	)		-			(6,396	)		(134	)
Total other income (expense), net		(32,128	)		(12,132	)		(9,569	)		(8,924	)		(1,435	)
Income before income taxes		154,659			132,888			182,227			139,025			168,017
Income tax provision		37,463			55,079			65,106			51,726			61,734
Income from continuing operations		117,196			77,809			117,121			87,299			106,283
Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes		-			-			-			(3,887	)		3,107
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196		$	77,809		$	117,121		$	83,412		$	109,390
Net income per share attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders:
Basic - Continuing operations	$	4.08		$	2.68		$	4.01		$	3.43		$	4.20
Basic - Discontinued operations		-			-			-			(0.15	)		0.12
Basic - Total	$	4.08		$	2.68		$	4.01		$	3.28		$	4.32
Diluted - Continuing operations	$	4.07		$	2.60		$	3.92		$	3.40		$	4.16
Diluted - Discontinued operations		-			-			-			(0.15	)		0.12
Diluted - Total	$	4.07		$	2.60		$	3.92		$	3.24		$	4.28
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		28,744			28,980			29,182			25,425			25,335
Diluted		28,777			30,947			30,170			25,711			25,558
Actual shares outstanding at December 31st (a)		28,982			28,974			29,463			29,821			25,855
Dividends declared per share:	$	0.08		$	0.08		$	0.08		$	0.28		$	0.50

(a) Includes unvested RSAs of 427,650, 19,400, 424,340, 553,100 and 710,750 at December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

26

	December 31,
	2018			2017				2016				2015				2014
Balance Sheet Data (in thousands)
Total assets (a)		$	134,612		$	128,286			$	149,229			$	103,899			$	865,803
Long-term obligations (a)			28,962			79,087				239,021				279,267				116,789
Other liabilities and noncontrolling interest			96,040			145,472				76,855				100,959				221,219
Total liabilities and noncontrolling interest			125,002			224,559				315,876				380,226				338,008
Total equity (deficit)		$	9,610		$	(96,273	)		$	(166,647	)		$	(276,327	)		$	527,795

(a) Total assets and long-term obligations have been decreased by $128 and $627 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for the adoption of ASU 2015-03 to present the debt issuance costs as a reduction of the related debt rather than as an asset.

	December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Assets Under Management
(at year end, in millions):
Open-end Funds		$	12,784		$	15,617		$	15,229		$	15,325		$	19,139
Closed-end Funds			6,959			8,053			7,150			6,492			6,949
Institutional & PWM Separate Accounts			14,104			18,883			17,255			16,805			20,359
SICAV (a)			507			510			320			178			135
Total		$	34,354		$	43,063		$	39,954		$	38,800		$	46,582

(a) Adjusted to include assets of $135 million, $141 million and $270 million at December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively.

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ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 8 to this report.

Introduction

On the Spin-Off Date, GBL distributed to its stockholders all of the outstanding common stock of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) and its subsidiaries along with certain cash and other assets.  AC owns and operates, directly or indirectly, the alternatives and the institutional research businesses previously owned and operated by GBL.  In the Spin-off, each holder of GAMCO’s Class A Common Stock (“Class A Stock”) of record as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on November 12, 2015 (the “Record Date”), received one share of AC Class A common stock for each share of GAMCO Class A Stock held on the Record Date.  Each record holder of GAMCO’s Class B Stock received one share of AC Class B common stock for each share of GAMCO Class B Stock held on the Record Date.  Subsequent to the Spin-off, GAMCO no longer consolidates the financial results of AC for the purposes of its own financial reporting and the historical financial results of AC have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations for all periods presented through the Spin-off Date.  Historical AUM have similarly been adjusted to remove AUM managed by AC.

Our revenues are highly correlated to the level of AUM and fees associated with our various investment products, rather than our own corporate assets.  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.  Since various equity products have different fees, changes in our business mix may also affect revenues.  At times, the performance of our equity products may differ markedly from popular market indices, and this can also impact our revenues.  It is our belief that general stock market trends will have the greatest impact on our level of AUM and hence, revenues.  

As of December 31, 2018, we had $34.4 billion of AUM.  We conduct our investment advisory business principally through: Funds Advisor (Funds) and GAMCO (Institutional and Private Wealth Management). We also are a distributor of our open-end funds through our broker-dealer subsidiary G.distributors.

Organizational Chart

Subsequent to the Spin-off, this is the current organizational chart of the Company.

2018 Business and Investment Highlights

· In May, the Gabelli Utility Trust completed a significantly over-subscribed rights offering raising $48.5 million.

· We launched our fourth exchange traded managed fund, the Gabelli Pet Parents’^TM Fund (the “Fund”).  The Fund invests primarily in companies that actively participate in the companion animal food, therapeutics, diagnostics, product distribution and related services.

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· Ian Lapey joined in October 2018 as the Portfolio Manager for the launch of the Gabelli Global Financial Services Fund.  Prior to joining Moerus, Ian was a Partner, Research Analyst, and Portfolio Manager at Third Avenue Management.  In 2009 he was appointed Co-Manager of the firm’s flagship Third Avenue Value Fund, and was subsequently named sole Portfolio Manager of that fund in 2012.

· On August 27, 2018, Trevor, Stewart, Burton & Jacobson (“TSB&J”), an RIA firm, agreed to assign their private wealth clients to GAMCO Asset Management.  Carl Kempner, Jr. and Melody Bryant joined GAMCO to manage the portfolios for the former TSB&J clients.

· On September 28, 2018, Fitch Ratings gave the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Fund its highest rating, AAAmmf.

· In October, we launched the Gabelli Global Mini Mites Fund, which invests on a global basis in equity securities that have a market capitalization of $250 million or less.

· In October, the Gabelli Convertible and Income Securities Fund completed a common share rights offering raising $23 million.

· On October 30, 2018, we announced that Theresa Pope joined GAMCO’s institutional team as Vice President, Consultant Relations.  This role underscores GAMCO’s commitment to serving this important distribution channel and delivering superior risk adjusted returns and best in class service to our institutional clients.

· On November 19, 2018, we announced that Peter Tcherepnine, CEO of Loeb Partners Corporation, joined GAMCO as a Senior Vice President along with the private wealth clients that will be assigning their assets to GAMCO subject to the completion of documentation.

· In November, the Company announced that both the Gabelli Media Mogul NextShares^TM and the Gabelli Pet Parents’^TM NextShares^TM would be starting as no-load open-end mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 with timing subject to the Federal government shutdown.

· In December, the Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust completed a common and preferred share rights offering raising $85 million.

Overview

Consolidated Statements of Income

Investment advisory and incentive fees, which are based on the amount and composition of AUM in our Funds, Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, represent our largest source of revenues.  In addition to the general level and trends of the stock market, growth in revenues depends on good investment performance, which influences the value of existing AUM as well as contributes to higher investment and lower redemption rates and facilitates the ability to attract additional investors while maintaining current fee levels.  Growth in AUM is also dependent on being able to access various distribution channels, which is usually based on several factors, including performance and service.  A majority of our cash inflows to mutual fund products have come through third party distribution programs, including NTF programs.  We have also been engaged to act as a sub-advisor for other much larger financial services companies with much larger sales distribution organizations.  These sub-advisory clients are subject to business combinations that may result in the termination of the relationship.  The loss of a sub-advisory relationship could have a significant impact on our financial results in the future.

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

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

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

Compensation costs include variable and fixed compensation and related expenses paid to officers, portfolio managers, sales, trading, research and all other professional staff.  Variable compensation paid to sales personnel and portfolio management generally represents 40% of revenues and is the largest component of total compensation costs.  Distribution costs include marketing, product distribution and promotion costs.  Management fee is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits which is paid to Mr. Gabelli or his designee for acting as CEO pursuant to his 2008 Employment Agreement so long as he is an executive of GBL and devotes the substantial majority of his working time to the business.  Other operating expenses include general and administrative operating costs.

Other income and expenses includes net gains and losses from investments (which include both realized and unrealized gains and losses from trading securities), interest and dividend income, and interest expense.  Net gains and losses from investments are derived from our proprietary investment portfolio consisting of various public and private investments.

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests represents the share of net income attributable to the minority stockholders, as reported on a separate company basis, of our consolidated majority-owned subsidiaries and net income attributable to third party limited partners of certain partnerships and offshore funds we consolidate.  Please refer to Note A in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Income/(loss) on discontinued operations, net of taxes represents the results of the businesses and assets that were part of the Spin-off of AC.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

We ended the 2018 year with approximately $75.0 million in cash and investments.  The $75.0 million consists of $41.2 million cash and cash equivalents, primarily invested in our 100% U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund and $33.8 million invested in common stocks, mutual funds and closed-end funds.  Of the $33.8 million of common stocks, mutual funds, and closed-end funds, $18.8 million represent our investment in shares of Westwood Holdings Group.

The face value of our debt consisted of $24.2 million of 5.875% senior notes due June 1, 2021.

Deferred compensation owed totaled $48.1 million as of December 31, 2018.  The balance sheet includes $36.8 million as of December 31, 2018.  $9.0 million is payable on April 1, 2019 and $39.1 million is payable on January 1, 2020.  We will receive a tax benefit upon payment of the deferred compensation equal to Federal and State rates in effect at the time of payment.

Equity was $9.6 million on December 31, 2018 compared to a negative $96.3 million on December 31, 2017.

We filed a shelf registration with the SEC in 2018 which, among other things, provides us the flexibility to sell any combination of senior and subordinate debt securities, convertible debt securities, equity securities (including common and preferred stock), and other securities up to a total amount of $500 million.  The shelf is available through April 10, 2021, at which time it may be renewed.

Our short-term focus has been to use our cash flow to pay down our existing debt.  During 2018, we repaid the $15 million 1.6% AC note and $50 million of the 4% AC Note.  We continue to opportunistically and strategically grow operating income.

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Assets Under Management Highlights

We reported assets under management as follows (dollars in millions):

	Year Ended December 31,										CAGR (a)
	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014			2018/2014
Equities:
Open-End	$	10,589	$	13,747	$	13,462	$	13,811	$	17,684		(12.0	)%
Closed-End		6,959		8,053		7,150		6,492		6,949		-
Institutional & PWM		14,078		18,852		17,224		16,767		20,301		(8.7	)
SICAV (b)		507		510		320		178		135		39.2
Total Equities		32,133		41,162		38,156		37,248		45,069		(8.1	)
Fixed Income:
Money-Market Fund		2,195		1,870		1,767		1,514		1,455		10.8
Institutional & PWM		26		31		31		38		58		(18.2	)
Total Fixed Income		2,221		1,901		1,798		1,552		1,513		10.1
Total AUM	$	34,354	$	43,063	$	39,954	$	38,800	$	46,582		(7.3	)%

(a) Compound annual growth rate.

(b) Adjusted to include assets of $135 million, $141 million, and $270 million at December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively.

Our net cash inflows or outflows by product line were as follows (in millions):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Equities:
Open-End	$	(2,160	)	$	(1,347	)	$	(1,832	)	$	(3,053	)	$	(355	)
Closed-End (a)		(501	)		(91	)		(55	)		(87	)		(137	)
Institutional & PWM		(2,464	)		(1,079	)		(1,797	)		(2,510	)		(1,096	)
SICAV(b)		28			149			133			49			42
Total Equities		(5,097	)		(2,368	)		(3,551	)		(5,601	)		(1,546	)
Fixed Income:
Money-Market Fund		290			89			249			59			(280	)
Institutional & PWM		(5	)		-			(7	)		(20	)		(4	)
Total Fixed Income		285			89			242			39			(284	)
Total Net Cash In (Out) Flows	$	(4,812	)	$	(2,279	)	$	(3,309	)	$	(5,562	)	$	(1,830	)

(a) Our net cash inflows or outflows for Closed-End equity funds includes distributions, net of reinvestments, to fund holders of $522 million, $483 million, $500 million, $461 million, and $479 million in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

(b) Adjusted to include inflows or outflows of $125 million, $10 million, and $42 million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

	Closed-End Fund flows
	Offerings, net		Distributions, net of
	of repurchases		reinvestments			Net
2018	$	21	$	(522	)	$	(501	)
2017		392		(483	)		(91	)
2016		445		(500	)		(55	)
2015		374		(461	)		(87	)
2014		342		(479	)		(137	)

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Our net appreciation and depreciation by product line were as follows (in millions):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017		2016		2015			2014
Equities
Open-End	$	(998	)	$	1,632	$	1,483	$	(820	)	$	961
Closed-End		(593	)		994		713		(370	)		141
Institutional & PWM		(2,310	)		2,707		2,254		(1,024	)		1,114
SICAV(a)		(31	)		41		9		(6	)		(3	)
Total Equities		(3,932	)		5,374		4,459		(2,220	)		2,213
Fixed Income
Money-Market Fund		35			14		4		-			-
Institutional & PWM		-			-		-		-			-
Total Fixed Income		35			14		4		-			-
Total Net Appreciation/(Depreciation)	$	(3,897	)	$	5,388	$	4,463	$	(2,220	)	$	2,213

(a) Adjusted to include appreciation and depreciation of $4 million, ($4) million, and ($3) million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

AUM at December 31, 2018 were $34.4 billion, a decrease of 20.2% from AUM of $43.1 billion at December 31, 2017.  Equity AUM were $32.1 billion on December 31, 2018, 22.1% below the $41.2 billion on December 31, 2017.  We earn incentive fees for certain institutional client assets, assets attributable to certain preferred issues for our closed-end funds, our GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL), the Gabelli Merger Plus⁺ Trust Plc (LSE: GMP), and the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage Fund.  As of December 31, 2018, assets with incentive based fees were $1.8 billion, 41.9% below the $3.1 billion on December 31, 2017.  The majority of these assets have calendar year-end measurement periods; therefore, our incentive fees are primarily recognized in the fourth quarter when the uncertainty is removed at the end of the annual measurement period.

Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2017

Revenues

Total revenues were $341.5 million in 2018, $19.0 million or 5.3% lower than the total revenues of $360.5 million in 2017.  The change in total revenues by revenue component was as follows (dollars in millions):

	Year Ended December 31,						Increase (decrease)
	2018			2017			$				%
Investment advisory		$	299.6		$	307.6		$	(8.0	)	(2.6	)
Incentive fees			3.1			9.1			(6.0	)	(65.9	)
Distribution fees and other income			38.8			43.8			(5.0	)	(11.4	)
Total revenues		$	341.5		$	360.5		$	(19.0	)	(5.3	)

Investment Advisory and Incentive Fees:Investment advisory fees, which comprised 88.6% of total revenues in 2018, are directly influenced by the level and mix of average AUM.  Average total AUM decreased 4.0% to $40.3 billion in 2018 as compared to $42.0 billion in 2017.  Average equity AUM decreased 4.7% to $38.3 billion in 2018 from $40.2 billion in 2017, primarily from market depreciation.  Incentive fees, which comprised 0.9% of total revenues in 2018, result from our ability to either generate an absolute return in a portfolio or meet or exceed a specific benchmark index or indices and can vary significantly from one period to another.  Incentive fees were lower in 2018 as a fewer number of portfolios exceeded their respective benchmarks as compared to 2017.

Fund revenues decreased $12.1 million or 5.9%, to $194.7 million, driven by lower average AUM.  Revenue from open-end funds decreased $6.7 million, or 5.0%, to $127.3 million from the prior year as average AUM in 2018 decreased $0.5 billion, or 3.0%, to $16.1 billion from the $16.6 billion in 2017.  Closed-end fund revenues decreased $5.4 million, or 7.4%, to $67.4 million from the prior year and were comprised of a decrease of $8.6 million in incentive fees on certain closed-end fund AUM, offset by an increase of $3.2 million in investment advisory fees attributable to higher average AUM.  Revenue from Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, excluding incentive fees, which are generally billed on beginning quarter AUM, decreased $5.6 million, or 5.3%, principally due to lower billable AUM levels throughout the course of 2018.  There were $1.7 million in incentive fees earned in 2018 and none earned in 2017.  In 2018, average AUM in our equity Institutional and Private Wealth Management business decreased $1.6 billion, or 9.1%, for the year to $15.9 billion.

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Distribution Fees and Other Income:Distribution fees and other income decreased $5.0 million, or 11.4%, to $38.8 million in 2018 from $43.8 million in 2017 primarily from lower average open-end equity AUM .  Lower distribution fees of $35.1 million in 2018 versus $39.7 million for the prior year and $0.6 million less fees from the sale of load shares of mutual funds offset slightly by $0.2 million in increased other revenue.

Expenses

Compensation:  Total compensation costs, which are largely variable in nature, decreased $43.4 million, or 34.6%, to $82.1 million in 2018 from $125.5 million in 2017.  Variable compensation costs, principally portfolio manager and relationship manager fees, decreased $48.6 million to $48.8 million in 2018 from $97.4 million in 2017 and decreased as a percent of revenues to 14.3% in 2018 from 27.0% in 2017.  The main driver of this decrease was the $46.6 million of compensation that was waived by the CEO.  On February 23, 2018, the Company announced that the CEO would be waiving all of his compensation that he otherwise would have been entitled to for the period from March 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.  Additionally, the accounting for the vesting of the Deferred Cash Compensation Agreements (“DCCAs”) reduced 2018 compensation by $3.6 million.  Compensation expense without the impact of the CEO compensation waiver and the DCCAs, was $132.3 million in 2018 as compared to $133.1 million in 2017.

The DCCAs granted to the CEO are required to be amortized over their respective vesting periods.  The 2016 DCCA is being amortized over four years, the First Half 2017 DCCA was amortized over eighteen months, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA is being amortized over eighteen months.  In the third quarter 2017, there was no DCCA.  In 2016, the full amount of the compensation was deferred, and expense was recorded for the 25% vesting in that year.  In 2017, an additional 25% of the deferred compensation from 2016 was recorded as well as 67% of the First Half 2017 DCCA and 17% of the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA.  In 2018, an additional 25% of the deferred compensation from 2016 was recorded as well as 33% of the First Half 2017 DCCA and 66% of the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA.  The effect of the DCCAs and current non deferred compensation being recorded resulted in a $4.1 million decrease in compensation in 2018 compared to 2017.  Variable compensation is also driven by revenue levels which decreased in 2018 from 2017.  Fixed compensation costs increased slightly to $33.4 million in 2018 from $28.1 million in 2017.

Stock Based Compensation:  Stock based compensation was $1.6 million in 2018, a decrease of $7.1 million, as compared to $8.7 million in 2017.  The decrease primarily results from the acceleration of all but 19,400 RSAs during 2017 for an additional expense of $6.8 million that would have been recognized in future years.

Management Fee:  In 2018, management fee expense decreased to $9.0 million versus $13.7 million in 2017.  Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits which is paid to Mr. Gabelli (or his designee) in accordance with his employment agreement.  During 2018, the CEO compensation waiver reduced management fee expense by $9.9 million while the amortization of the DCCAs increased it by $7.2 million.  Management fee expense for 2018 without the impact of the CEO compensation waiver and amortization of the DCCAs was $11.7 million.

Distribution Costs:Distribution costs, which include marketing, promotion and distribution costs decreased $5.2 million, or 11.7%, to $39.2 million in 2018 from $44.4 million in 2017, driven by a decrease in average open-end equity mutual funds AUM of 6.6%.

Other Operating Expenses:Our other operating expenses were $22.7 million in 2018 compared to $23.2 million in 2017, a decrease of $0.5 million or 2.2%.  Lower research service fee of $2.5 million was slightly offset by an increase to the advisory fee paid to GCIA for the SICAV of $1.1 million, legal expense of $0.4 million and other operating expense of $0.5 million.

Operating Income and Margin

Operating income increased $41.8 million, or 28.8%, to $186.8 million for 2018 versus $145.0 million in the prior year period.  This increase was primarily due to the CEO compensation waiver of $56.5 million in 2018.  Operating margin was 54.7% for the year ended December 31, 2018, versus 40.2% in the prior year period.  The increase in operating margin was due primarily to lower variable compensation costs and management fee expense related to the CEO compensation waiver in 2018.

Operating income before management fee was $195.8 million for the year ended of 2018, versus $158.7 million in the prior year. Operating margin before management fee was 57.3% in the 2018 period versus 44.0% in the 2017 period.  The reconciliation of operating income before management fee and operating margin before management fee, both of which are non-GAAP measures to their respective GAAP measures, is provided at the end of this section.

Other Income and Expense

Total other income (expense), net of interest expense, was an expense of $32.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to an expense of $12.1 million in 2017.  This is comprised of net loss from investments of $25.2 million in 2018 as compared to a net gain from investments of $3.1 million in 2017; interest and dividend income of $2.2 million in 2018 versus $2.4 million in 2017; interest expense of $3.5 million in 2018 as compared to $10.2 million in 2017 and charitable contributions expense of $5.7 million in 2018 and $4.1 million in 2017. There was no loss on extinguishment of debt in 2018.  2017 included a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.3 million.

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Income Taxes

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) was 24.2% for the year ended December 31, 2018, versus 41.4% for the year ended December 31, 2017.  The ETR for 2017 included a net $8.2 million write down for net deferred tax assets resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) in December 2017.  The Act had the effect of increasing the ETR for 2017 by 6.1%.

Shareholder Compensation and Initiatives

During 2018, we returned $12.9 million of our earnings to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.  We returned to shareholders a total of $0.08 per share in regular quarterly cash dividends in 2018 totaling $2.3 million.  During 2017, we returned $16.7 million of our earnings to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.  We returned to shareholders a total of $0.08 per share in regular quarterly cash dividends in 2017 totaling $2.4 million.

Through our stock buyback program, we repurchased 419,995 shares and 484,526 shares in 2018 and 2017, respectively, for approximately $10.6 million and $14.3 million, respectively, or $25.25 per share and $29.56 per share, respectively.  Approximately 865,000 shares remain authorized under our stock buyback program at December 31, 2018.

Weighted average shares outstanding on a diluted basis in 2018 and 2017 were 28.8 million and 30.9 million, respectively.  

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

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP:

	2018			2017
Revenues	$	341,455		$	360,524
Operating Income		186,787			145,020
Add back: management fee expense		9,014			13,666
Operating income before management fee	$	195,801		$	158,686
Operating margin		54.7	%		40.2	%
Operating margin before management fee		57.3	%		44.0	%

Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2016

Revenues

Total revenues were $360.5 million in 2017, $7.5 million or 2.1% higher than the total revenues of $353.0 million in 2016.  The change in total revenues by revenue component was as follows (dollars in millions):

	Year Ended December 31,						Increase (decrease)
	2017			2016				$				%
Investment advisory		$	307.6		$	293.1			$	14.5		4.9
Incentive fees			9.1			15.4				(6.3	)	(40.9)
Distribution fees and other income			43.8			44.5				(0.7	)	(1.6)
Total revenues		$	360.5		$	353.0			$	7.5		2.1

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Investment Advisory and Incentive Fees:Investment advisory fees, which comprised 87.9% of total revenues in 2017, are directly influenced by the level and mix of average AUM.  Average total AUM rose 8.0% to $42.0 billion in 2017 as compared to $38.9 billion in 2016.  Average equity AUM increased 8.1% to $40.2 billion in 2017 from $37.2 billion in 2016, primarily from market appreciation.  Incentive fees, which comprised 2.5% of total revenues in 2017, result from our ability to either generate an absolute return in a portfolio or meet or exceed a specific benchmark index or indices and can vary significantly from one period to another.  Incentive fees were lower in 2017 as a fewer number of portfolios exceeded their respective benchmarks as compared to 2016.

Fund revenues increased $7.5 million or 3.8%, to $206.8 million, driven by higher average AUM.  Revenue from open-end funds rose $4.0 million, or 3.1%, to $134.0 million from the prior year as average AUM in 2017 increased $1.4 billion, or 9.2%, to $16.6 billion from the $15.2 billion in 2016.  Closed-end fund revenues increased $3.4 million, or 4.9%, to $72.8 million from the prior year and were comprised of an increase of $6.3 million in investment advisory fees attributable to higher average AUM, offset by a decrease of $2.9 million in incentive fees on certain closed-end fund AUM.  Revenue from Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, excluding incentive fees, which are generally billed on beginning quarter AUM, increased $2.1  million, or 2.1%, principally due to higher billable AUM levels throughout the course of 2017.  There were no incentive fees earned in 2017. In 2017, average AUM in our equity Institutional and Private Wealth Management business increased $0.8 billion, or 4.8%, for the year to $17.5 billion.

Distribution Fees and Other Income:Distribution fees and other income decreased $0.7 million, or 1.6%, to $43.8 million in 2017 from $44.5 million in 2016.  Lower distribution fees of $39.7 million in 2017 versus $41.0 million for the prior year, were partially offset by an increase of $0.5 million in fees from the sale of load shares of mutual funds and other income.

Expenses

Compensation:  Total compensation costs, which are largely variable in nature, increased $42.9 million, or 51.9%, to $125.5 million in 2017 from $82.6 million in 2016.  Variable compensation costs, principally portfolio manager and relationship manager fees, increased $40.8 million to $97.4 million in 2017 from $56.6 million in 2016 and increased as a percent of revenues to 27.0% in 2017 from 16.0% in 2016.  This is primarily due to the accounting for the vesting of the Deferred Cash Compensation Agreements (“DCCAs”).  Absent the DCCAs, compensation expense was $133.1 million in 2017 as compared to $128.3 million in 2016.

The DCCAs granted to the CEO are required to be amortized over their respective vesting periods.  The 2016 DCCA will be amortized over four years, the First Half 2017 DCCA will be amortized over eighteen months, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA will be amortized over eighteen months.  In the third quarter 2017, there was no DCCA.  In 2016, the full amount of the compensation was deferred, and expense was recorded for the 25% vesting in that year.  In 2017, an additional 25% of the deferred compensation from 2016 was recorded as well as 67% of the First Half 2017 DCCA and 17% of the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA.  The effect of the DCCAs and current non deferred compensation being recorded resulted in a $38.1 million increase in compensation in 2017 compared to 2016.  Variable compensation is also driven by revenue levels which increased in 2017 from 2016. Fixed compensation costs increased slightly to $28.1 million in 2017 from $26.0 million in 2016.

Stock Based Compensation:  Stock based compensation was $8.7 million in 2017, an increase of $4.7 million, as compared to $4.0 million in 2016.  The increase primarily results from the acceleration of all but 19,400 RSAs during 2017 for an additional expense of $6.8 million that would have been recognized in future years.

Management Fee:  In 2017, management fee expense increased to $13.7 million versus $6.5 million in 2016.  Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits which is paid to Mr. Gabelli (or his designee) in accordance with his employment agreement.  Most importantly, the DCCA agreements reduced the management fee by $7.8 million in 2016 while 2017 was virtually unchanged. (see page 36)

Distribution Costs:Distribution costs, which include marketing, promotion and distribution costs increased $0.2 million, or 0.5%, to $44.4 million in 2017 from $44.2 million in 2016 driven by an increase in average open-end equity mutual funds AUM of 0.4%.

Other Operating Expenses:Our other operating expenses were $23.2 million in 2017 compared to $23.9 million in 2016, a decrease of $0.7 million or 2.9%.  Lower donated securities expense of $1.7 million and legal expense of $0.7 million were slightly offset by an increase to the research services fee of $1.5 million.

Operating Income and Margin

Operating income decreased $46.8 million, or 24.4%, to $145.0 million for 2017 versus $191.8 million in the prior year period.  This decrease was primarily due to increased variable compensation expense relating to the DCCA agreements of $45.9 million.   Operating margin was 40.2% for the year ended December 31, 2017, versus 54.3% in the prior year period.  The decrease in operating margin was due primarily to higher variable compensation costs and management fee expense related to the DCCA agreements. (see page 36)

35

Operating income before management fee was $158.7 million for the year ended of 2017, versus $198.3 million in the prior year. Operating margin before management fee was 44.0% in the 2017 period versus 56.2% in the 2016 period.  The reconciliation of operating income before management fee and operating margin before management fee, both of which are non-GAAP measures to their respective GAAP measures, is provided at the end of this section.

Other Income and Expense

Total other income (expense), net of interest expense, was an expense of $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to an expense of $9.6 million in 2016.  This is comprised of net gain from investments of $3.1 million in 2017 as compared to $1.6 million in 2016; loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.3 million in 2017; interest and dividend income of $2.4 million in 2017 versus $1.5 million in 2016; interest expense of $10.2 million in 2017 as compared to $12.7 million in 2016 and charitable contributions expense of $4.1 million in 2017.

Interest expense decreased $2.5 million to $10.2 million in 2017, from $12.7 million in 2016 primarily related to the higher average amount of debt outstanding in 2016 versus 2017.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate (“ETR”) was 41.4% for the year ended December 31, 2017, versus 35.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The ETR for 2017 included a net $8.2 million write down for net deferred tax assets resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) in December 2017.  The Act had the effect of increasing the ETR for 2017 by 6.1%.  The ETR for 2016 benefitted by 1.4% due to the reversal of tax accruals related to the closing out of a state audit.

Shareholder Compensation and Initiatives

During 2017, we returned $16.7 million of our earnings to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.  We returned to shareholders a total of $0.08 per share in regular quarterly cash dividends in 2017 totaling $2.4 million.  During 2016, we returned $13.2 million of our earnings to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.  We returned to shareholders a total of $0.08 per share in regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $2.4 million.

Through our stock buyback program, we repurchased 484,526 and 348,687 shares in 2017 and 2016, respectively, for approximately $14.3 million and $10.8 million, or $29.56 and $30.88 per share, respectively.  Approximately 674,000 shares remain authorized under our stock buyback program at December 31, 2017.  Since our IPO we have repurchased 10,385,866 shares for a total investment of $453.1 million, or $43.63 per share.

Weighted average shares outstanding on a diluted basis in 2017 and 2016 were 30.9 million and 30.2 million, respectively.  

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

Reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP:

	2017			2016
Revenues	$	360,524		$	353,000
Operating income		145,020			191,796
Add back: management fee expense		13,666			6,518
Operating income before management fee	$	158,686		$	198,314
Operating margin		40.2	%		54.3	%
Operating margin before management fee		44.0	%		56.2	%

36

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

As previously disclosed, the Company has deferred the cash compensation of the Chief Executive Officer relating to all of 2016 (“2016 DCCA”), the first half of 2017 (“First Half 2017 DCCA”) and the fourth quarter of 2017 (“Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA”) to provide the Company with flexibility to pay down debt and enhance our ability to execute lift-outs, make acquisitions, and seed new products.  We have made substantial progress toward this objective, having reduced our debt since the November 2015 Spin-off of AC, resulting in Standard & Poor’s July 2018 reaffirmation of our investment grade rating of BBB- and stable outlook.

Notwithstanding its ability to settle these agreements in stock, GAMCO currently intends to make cash payments to Mr. Gabelli on the respective vesting dates.  While the agreements did not change Mr. Gabelli’s compensation, GAAP reporting for his compensation did change due to the ratable vesting.

The DCCAs defer the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation expense by amortizing it over each DCCA’s respective vesting period.  The Chief Executive Officer is not entitled to receive the compensation until the end of the vesting period, so GAAP specifies this treatment of the expense.  The 2016 DCCA is expensed ratably over 4 years, the First Half 2017 DCCA is expensed ratably over 18 months, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA is expensed ratably over 18 months.

Because the GAAP reporting of the DCCAs granted to the CEO tracks vesting, compensation expense and management fee expense in the year of grant is lower than compensation expense and management fee expense in future periods to the extent that future periods contain the vesting of the prior year’s DCCA compensation in addition to normal non-deferred compensation for the current year period.  In 2016, the full amount of the compensation was deferred, and expense was recorded for the 25% vesting in that year.  In the first six months of 2017, the ratable vesting continued for the 2016 compensation, and the new First Half 2017 DCCA grant resulted in compensation for the first six months of 2017 being deferred and expense being recorded for 33% vesting in that period.  The CEO’s third quarter 2017 compensation was not deferred so 100% of the CEO’s compensation for that period was recorded together with the ratable portions of the vestings of the 2016 DCCA and the First Half 2017 DCCA.  This results in a compounding effect in future periods when non-deferred current period compensation and prior period deferred compensation is ratably vested.  On May 23, 2018, the CEO waived receipt of $6 million of the First Half 2017 DCCA, and a reduction in expense was recognized in 2018.  On July 2, 2018, the First Half 2017 DCCA vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment in the amount of $28.3 million was made to the CEO.

Accordingly, this vesting schedule resulted in a $4.0 million decrease in compensation expense in 2018 versus 2017 as well as a $7.1 million decrease in management fee expense in 2018 as compared to 2017.

The following tables show the amortization and EPS impact of the DCCAs by quarter.  The amortization amount of future periods assumes that the stock price of GBL of $16.89 is unchanged from December 31, 2018.  For every $1.00 change in the GBL stock price, up to a GBL stock price of $32.8187, the 2016 DCCA would increase by $2,314,695, while the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA would increase by $530,662, up to a GBL stock price of $29.1875.

		2017			2018			2019		2020				2017			2018			2019		2020
		(amounts in thousands)
	Q1	$	(8,126	)	$	979		$	3,937	$	-		Q1	$	0.16		$	(0.03	)	$	0.10	$	-
	Q2		(7,389	)		11,232			2,443		-		Q2		0.15			(0.29	)		0.06		-
	Q3		9,805			183			2,443		-		Q3		(0.20	)		-			0.06		-
	Q4		(1,857	)		(8,764	)		2,443		-		Q4		0.04			(0.23	)		0.06		-
Year		$	(7,567	)	$	3,630		$	11,266	$	-	Year		$	0.15		$	(0.55	)	$	0.28	$	-

The GAAP based balance sheets are also impacted as only the vested portion of the compensation subject to the DCCAs is included in compensation payable.  At December 31, 2018, the amount of unrecognized compensation was $11.3 million.

The following tables show a reconciliation of our results for 2018 and 2017, and our balance sheet at December 31, 2018 between the GAAP basis and a non-GAAP adjusted basis as if all of the 2016 DCCA, the First Half 2017 DCCA, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA expense were recognized in 2017 and 2018, respectively, without regard to the vesting schedule.  We believe the non-GAAP financial measures below provide relevant and meaningful information to investors about our core operating results.  These measures have been established in order to increase transparency for the purpose of evaluating our core business, for comparing results with prior period results, and to enable comparisons with industry peers.  However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be calculated differently by other companies.  The following schedules reconcile U.S. GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP measures for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 as well as at December 31, 2018.

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	Year Ended December 31, 2018
				Impact of			Impact of
	Reported			Fourth Quarter			First Half			Impact of
	GAAP			2017 DCCA			2017 DCCA			2016 DCCA			Non-GAAP
Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$	302,651		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	302,651
Distribution fees and other income		38,804			-			-			-			38,804
Total revenues		341,455			-			-			-			341,455
Expenses
Compensation		83,768			(3,210	)		(2,335	)		9,113			87,336
Management fee		9,014			(1,676	)		(1,401	)		(4,120	)		1,817
Distribution costs		39,194			-			-			-			39,194
Other operating expenses		22,692			-			-			-			22,692
Total expenses		154,668			(4,886	)		(3,736	)		4,993			151,039
Operating income		186,787			4,886			3,736			(4,993	)		190,416
Other income (expense)
Net gain (loss) from investments		(25,173	)		-			-			-			(25,173	)
Interest and dividend income		2,241			-			-			-			2,241
Interest expense		(3,525	)		-			-			-			(3,525	)
Charitable contributions		(5,671	)		-			-			-			(5,671	)
Total other expense, net		(32,128	)		-			-			-			(32,128	)
Income before income taxes		154,659			4,886			3,736			(4,993	)		158,288
Income tax provision		37,463			1,222			934			(1,249	)		38,370
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196		$	3,664		$	2,802		$	(3,744	)	$	119,918
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
per share:
Basic	$	4.08		$	0.13		$	0.10		$	(0.13	)	$	4.17
Diluted	$	4.07		$	0.13		$	0.10		$	(0.13	)	$	4.17

	Year Ended December 31, 2017
				Impact of			Impact of
	Reported			Fourth Quarter			First Half			Impact of
	GAAP			2017 DCCA			2017 DCCA			2016 DCCA			Non-GAAP
Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$	316,705		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	316,705
Distribution fees and other income		43,819			-			-			-			43,819
Total revenues		360,524			-			-			-			360,524
Expenses
Compensation		134,170			10,318			9,619			(12,322	)		141,785
Management fee		13,666			1,064			1,775			(2,887	)		13,618
Distribution costs		44,447			-			-			-			44,447
Other operating expenses		23,221			-			-			-			23,221
Total expenses		215,504			11,382			11,394			(15,209	)		223,071
Operating income		145,020			(11,382	)		(11,394	)		15,209			137,453
Other income (expense)
Net gain (loss) from investments		(185	)		-			-			-			(185	)
Interest and dividend income		2,350			-			-			-			2,350
Interest expense		(10,160	)		-			-			-			(10,160	)
Charitable contributions		(4,137	)		-			-			-			(4,137	)
Total other expense, net		(12,132	)		-			-			-			(12,132	)
Income before income taxes		132,888			(11,382	)		(11,394	)		15,209			125,321
Income tax provision		55,079			(4,325	)		(4,442	)		5,818			52,130
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	77,809		$	(7,057	)	$	(6,952	)	$	9,391		$	73,191
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders
per share:
Basic	$	2.68		$	(0.24	)	$	(0.24	)	$	0.32		$	2.53
Diluted	$	2.60		$	(0.23	)	$	(0.22	)	$	0.30		$	2.45

38

	December 31, 2018
				Impact of
	Reported			Fourth Quarter			Impact of
	GAAP			2017 DCCA			2016 DCCA			Non-GAAP
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	41,202		$	-		$	-		$	41,202
Investments in securities		33,789			-			-			33,789
Receivable from brokers		3,423			-			-			3,423
Investment advisory fees receivable		25,677			-			-			25,677
Receivable from affiliates		4,194			-			-			4,194
Income tax receivable		15,001			374			2,444			17,819
Other assets		11,326			-			-			11,326
Total assets	$	134,612		$	374		$	2,444		$	137,430
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Payable to brokers		112			-			-			112
Income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilities		2,388			-			-			2,388
Capital lease obligation		4,794			-			-			4,794
Compensation payable		60,408			1,494			9,774			71,676
Payable to affiliates		1,041			-			-			1,041
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		32,091			-			-			32,091
Sub-total		100,834			1,494			9,774			112,102
5.875% Senior notes (due June 1, 2021)		24,168			-			-			24,168
Total liabilities		125,002			1,494			9,774			136,270
Equity
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
Class A Common Stock		14			-			-			14
Class B Common Stock		19			-			-			19
Additional paid-in capital		14,192			-			-			14,192
Retained earnings (deficit)		282,928			(1,120	)		(7,330	)		274,478
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(240	)		-			-			(240	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(287,303	)		-			-			(287,303	)
Total GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity (deficit)		9,610			(1,120	)		(7,330	)		1,160
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)	$	134,612		$	374		$	2,444		$	137,430

39

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal assets are highly liquid in nature and consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and securities held for investment purposes.  Cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of 100% U.S. Treasury money market funds managed by GAMCO.

Summary cash flow data derived from our audited consolidated statements of cash flows are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Cash flows provided by (used in) from continuing operations:
Operating activities	$	117,882		$	126,691		$	115,737
Investing activities		(2,388	)		237			(1,435	)
Financing activities		(92,029	)		(148,902	)		(88,247	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations		23,465			(21,974	)		26,055
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(84	)		(17	)		38
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		23,381			(21,991	)		26,093
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		17,821			39,812			13,719
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	41,202		$	17,821		$	39,812

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

At December 31, 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $41.2 million, an increase of $23.4 million from the prior year-end primarily due to the Company’s financing activities described below.  Face value third party debt outstanding at December 31, 2018 was $24.1 million, consisting of 5.875% senior notes due 2021.  It is anticipated that the majority of our cash flow will go towards servicing our deferred compensation payable next year.

Cash provided by operating activities was $117.9 million in 2018 and $126.7 million in 2017.  Our largest source of cash comes from net earnings as adjusted for non-cash expenses.  In 2018, this totaled $117.2 million versus $77.8 million in 2017.  Other sources of cash included a decrease in unrealized value for available for sale securities of $18.6 million, a decrease in investment advisory fees receivable of $8.0 million, a decrease in deferred income taxes of $5.0 million, an increase of $4.0 million of accrued expenses and other liabilities, and an increase of $0.7 million in payable to affiliates.  Cash uses included a decrease in compensation payable of $63.0 million, an increase in investments in trading securities of $13.6 million, a decrease in stock based compensation expense of $7.0 million, an increase in receivable from brokers of $0.7 million, and $0.2 million from other changes in net assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in investing activities of $2.4 million in 2018 is due to purchases of securities of $2.4 million. Net cash provided by investing activities of $0.2 million in 2017 is due to $4.1 million in proceeds from sales of available for sale securities less purchases of available for sale securities of $3.9 million. 

Net cash used in financing activities of $92.0 million in 2018 principally resulted from the $50 million in prepayments of our AC 4% PIK Note due November 30, 2020, $25.1 million in margin loan payments, $15 million in prepayments of our AC 1.6% Note due February 28, 2018, $10.6 million of repurchases of our Class A Stock under the Stock Repurchase Program, and $2.3 million in dividends paid offset partially by $11.0 million in margin loan borrowings.  Net cash used in financing activities of $148.9 million in 2017 principally resulted from the $113.3 million repayment of the 4.5% Convertible note due August 15, 2021, the $50 million in prepayments of our AC 4% PIK Note due November 30, 2020, $14.3 million of repurchases of our Class A Stock under the Stock Repurchase Program, $5.0 million in margin loan payments, and $2.3 million in dividends paid offset slightly by margin loan borrowings of $20.9 million and the issuance of the $15 million 1.6% note due February 28, 2018.

Under the terms of the lease of our Rye, New York office, we are obligated to make minimum total payments of $11.0 million through December 2028.  For our Greenwich, Connecticut office we are obligated to make payments of approximately $0.1 million through July 2019.

On November 25, 2015, Moody’s Investors Services downgraded the Company to Ba1 from Baa3.  We continue to maintain an investment grade rating of BBB- with Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services.  We believe that our ability to maintain our investment grade rating will provide greater access to the capital markets, enhance liquidity and lower overall borrowing costs.

40

G.distributors is registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer and is regulated by FINRA.  As such, it is subject to the minimum net capital requirements promulgated by the SEC.  G.distributors’ net capital exceeded these minimum requirements at December 31, 2018.  G.distributors 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  At December 31, 2018 and 2017, G.distributors had net capital, as defined, of approximately $3.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, exceeding the regulatory requirement by approximately $3.4 million and $1.8 million, respectively.  Net capital requirements for our affiliated broker-dealer may increase in accordance with rules and regulations to the extent they engage in other business activities.

Our subsidiary, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited is authorized and regulated by the FCA.  In February 2011, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited increased its permitted license with the FCA’s predecessor, the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and has held Total Capital of £671,000 and £632,000 ($852,000 and $853,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) and had a Financial Resources Requirement of £154,000 and £216,000 ($195,000 and $291,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively).  We have consistently met or exceeded these minimum requirements.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) enacted in December 2017 contains provisions that affect the deductibility of named executive officer (“NEO”) compensation.  Specifically, the Act eliminates the performance based compensation exception for NEO compensation deductibility.  To the extent that some of the compensation of our NEOs is affected by this change, we would have a lower amount of deductible compensation in future years and a higher effective tax rate than we would have had without this potential loss of deductibility.  We continue to evaluate the impact of the Act’s provisions, regarding NEO compensation and otherwise, and whether and if so, by how much, the Act’s provisions will impact us.

Market Risk

Our primary market risk exposure is to changes in equity prices and interest rates.  Since approximately 94% 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.

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

Equity Price Risk

The Company earns substantially all of its revenue as advisory and distribution fees from our affiliated open-end and closed-end funds, Institutional and Private Wealth Management, and 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 the Company's revenues.

With respect to our proprietary investment activities, included in investments in securities of $33.8 million and $36.8 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were investments in common stocks totaling $32.4 million and $36.7 million, respectively, and closed-end funds of $1.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  Of the $32.4 million and $36.7 million, invested in common stocks at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, $18.8 million and $36.6 million, respectively, was related to our investment in Westwood Holdings Group Inc. (NYSE: WHG).  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 December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no securities sold, not yet purchased.

41

The following table provides a sensitivity analysis for our investments in equity securities as of December 31, 2018.  The sensitivity analysis assumes a 10% increase or decrease in the value of these investments (in thousands):

				Fair Value			Fair Value
				assuming			assuming
				10% decrease in			10% increase in
	Fair Value			equity prices			equity prices
At December 31, 2018:
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value		$	33,789		$	30,410		$	37,168
At December 31, 2017:
Equity price sensitive investments, at fair value		$	36,790		$	33,111		$	40,470

Investment advisory fees for mutual funds and sub-advisory relationships are based on average daily or weekly asset values.  Advisory fees earned on Institutional and Private Wealth Management assets, for any given quarter, are generally determined based on asset values at the beginning of a quarter with any significant increases or decreases in market value of assets managed which occur during a quarter resulting in a relative increase or decrease in revenues for the following quarter.

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 December 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalent balance of $41.2 million a 1% increase in interest rates would increase our interest income by $4.1 million annually while a 1% decrease would reduce our interest income by $4.1 million annually.

Contractual Obligations

We are obligated to make future payments under various contracts such as debt agreements and capital and operating lease agreements.  The following table sets forth our significant contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands):

	Total		2019		2020		2021		2022		2023		Thereafter
Contractual Obligations:
5.875% Senior notes	$	24,225	$	-	$	-	$	24,225	$	-	$	-	$	-
Interest on 5.875% Senior notes		3,439		1,423		1,423		593		-		-		-
Capital lease obligations		10,973		1,253		1,080		1,080		1,080		1,080		5,400
Non-cancelable operating lease obligations		809		616		121		68		4		-		-
Total	$	39,446	$	3,292	$	2,624	$	25,966	$	1,084	$	1,080	$	5,400

The capital lease contains an escalation clause tied to the change in the New York Metropolitan Area Consumer Price Index which may cause the future minimum payments to exceed $1,080,000 annually.  Any increases to the base rental will be accounted for prospectively. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

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 the Consolidated Financial Statements.

42

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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, income taxes, and stock based compensation accounting.

Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition

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

Investment advisory and incentive fees are directly influenced by the level and mix of AUM as fees are derived from a contractually-determined percentage of AUM for each account as well as incentive fees earned on certain accounts.  Advisory fees from the open-end funds, closed-end funds and sub-advisory accounts are computed daily or weekly based on average net assets and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  Advisory fees from Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts are generally computed quarterly based on account values as of the end of the preceding quarter, and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  The Company derived approximately 89%, 88% and 87% of its total revenues from advisory fees, including incentive fees, for the periods ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  These revenues vary depending upon the level of sales compared with redemptions, financial market conditions, performance and the fee structure for AUM.  Revenues derived from the equity-oriented portfolios generally have higher advisory fee rates than fixed income portfolios.

The Company earns incentive fees from certain Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, which are based upon meeting or exceeding a specific benchmark index or indices.  Incentive fees refer to fees earned when the return generated for the client exceeds the benchmark and can be earned even if the return to the client is negative as long as the return exceeds the benchmark.  These fees are recognized, for each respective account, at the end of the stipulated contract period which is either quarterly or annually and varies by account.  Receivables due for incentive fees earned are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.    There were no incentive fees receivable as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.

For The GDL Fund, there is an incentive fee earned as of the end of the calendar year and varies to the extent the total return of the fund is in excess of the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index total return.  This fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually on a calendar year basis.  Receivables due on incentive fees relating to The GDL Fund are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $1.4 million as of December 31, 2017.  There were no incentive fees receivable at December 31, 2018.

For the Gabelli Merger Plus⁺ Trust Plc, there is an incentive fee which is earned and recognized at the end of the measurement period, June 30^th and varies to the extent the total return of the fund is in excess of twice the rate of return of the 13 week Treasury Bills over the performance period.  There was no performance fee receivable as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.

Advisory fees on a majority of the closed-end preferred shares are earned at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the closed-end fund for the calendar year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares.  These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually.  Receivables due for advisory fees on closed-end preferred shares are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  There were $7.1 million in advisory fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares as of December 31, 2017.  There were no advisory fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares at December 31, 2018.

For the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV, there is an incentive fee earned as of the end of the calendar year equal to twenty percent of the gross return of the fund.  This fee is recognized as the end of the measurement period, which is annually on a calendar year basis, or earlier if there is a redemption.  Receivables due on incentive fees relating to the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $1.3 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

43

Distribution fees revenues are derived primarily from the distribution of Gabelli, GAMCO, Comstock, TETON and Teton-Keeley open-end funds (“Funds”) advised by a subsidiary of GBL, Funds Advisor and a subsidiary of GGCP, Teton.  G.distributors distributes these open-end Funds pursuant to distribution agreements with each Fund.  Under each distribution agreement with an open-end Fund, G.distributors offers and sells such open-end Fund shares on a continuous basis and pays all of the costs of marketing and selling the shares, including printing and mailing prospectuses and sales literature, advertising and maintaining sales and customer service personnel and sales and services fulfillment systems, and payments to the sponsors of third party distribution programs, financial intermediaries and G.distributors’ sales personnel.  G.distributors receives fees for such services pursuant to distribution plans adopted under provisions of Rule 12b-1 of the Company Act.  G.distributors is the principal underwriter for funds distributed in multiple classes of shares which carry front-end or back-end sales charge or no-load to certain investors.

Under the distribution plans, the open-end Class AAA shares of the Funds (except The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, Gabelli Capital Asset Fund and The Gabelli ABC Fund), the Class A shares of certain Funds pay G.distributors a distribution or service fee of .25% per year (except the Class A shares of the TETON Westwood Funds which pay .50% per year, except for the TETON Westwood Intermediate Bond Fund which pays .35%, and the Class A shares of the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund which pay .45% per year) on the average daily net assets of the fund.  Class B and Class C shares have a 12b-1 distribution plan with a service and distribution fee totaling 1%.

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

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

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.  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 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, and effective January 1, 2018, with the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-01, available for sale (“AFS”) investments, are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Prior to January 1, 2018, AFS investments were stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of other comprehensive income except for losses deemed to be other than temporary which were recorded as realized losses on the consolidated statements of income.  Securities transactions and any related gains and losses are recorded on a trade date basis.  Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identified cost basis and are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income. 

Prior to January 1, 2018, AFS securities were evaluated for other than temporary impairments each reporting period and any impairment charges were recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Management reviewed all available for sale securities whose cost exceeds their fair value to determine if the impairment was other than temporary.  Management used qualitative factors such as the intent to hold the investment, the amount of time that the investment had been impaired and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment was other than temporary.

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

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts on the consolidated financial statements using the statutory tax rates in effect for the year when the reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled, respectively.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.  As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, the Company recorded an increase in expense of $8.2 million reflecting the net write-down to its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.  In accordance with SEC SAB 118, this revaluation could have been provisional but the Company had the requisite information to complete the evaluation and finalize the December 22, 2017 adjustment.  A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying values of deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  For each tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation.  A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize.  The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.  The Company recognizes the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions and penalties in income tax provision on the consolidated statements of income.

44

Stock Based Compensation

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

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

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

In connection with the Spin-off of AC, the unvested RSA expense relating to the existing GBL RSAs at November 30, 2015 was split between GBL and AC based on the allocation of time of the underlying employees who held the RSAs.

The Company has entered into three deferred compensation agreements with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for 2016, the first half of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017 was in the form of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) determined by the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s Class A Stock during those respective periods.  The 2016 DCCA will vest 100% on January 1, 2020, the First Half 2017 DCCA vested 100% on July 1, 2018, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA will vest 100% on April 1, 2019.  The Company settled the First Half 2017 DCCA award in cash and intends to settle the unvested awards in cash at their vesting.  The Company, however, reserves the right to issue shares of the Company’s Class A Stock in lieu of such cash payment.  Under the terms of the agreement the Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the applicable period or the value on the lapse date or, if not a trading day, then the first trading date thereafter.

Under GAAP, for the 2016 DCCA only 25% of this deferred compensation expense is being recognized in 2016 with the remainder amortized ratably over 2017, 2018, and 2019.  Similarly, under GAAP, for the First Half 2017 DCCA 67% of the expense is recognized in 2017 with the remaining 33% expensed in 2018.  For the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA 17% of the expense is recognized in 2017, 66% in 2018 and the remaining 17% in 2019.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, given the Company’s intent to settle it in cash, in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the awards are accounted for as liability-classified awards and not as equity-classified awards.  The liability is remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from December 31, 2016 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for each respective period, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using each period’s respective VWAP price.

45

Recent Accounting Developments

See Footnote A. Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Developments.

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.

ITEM 7A: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Reference is made to the information contained under the heading “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Market Risk.”

ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	47
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting	48
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016	49
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016	50
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2018 and 2017	51
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016	52
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016	55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	57

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission that are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable have been omitted.

46

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Greenwich, Connecticut

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”).  In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 11, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits.  We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks.  Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

March 11, 2019

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2009.

47

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

Greenwich, Connecticut

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 of the Company and our report dated March 11, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

March 11, 2019

48

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Revenues
Investment advisory and incentive fees	$	302,651		$	316,705		$	308,459
Distribution fees and other income		38,804			43,819			44,541
Total revenues		341,455			360,524			353,000
Expenses
Compensation		83,768			134,170			86,572
Management fee		9,014			13,666			6,518
Distribution costs		39,194			44,447			44,189
Other operating expenses		22,692			23,221			23,925
Total expenses		154,668			215,504			161,204
Operating income		186,787			145,020			191,796
Other income (expense)
Net gain/(loss) from investments		(25,173	)		3,115			1,594
Extinguishment of debt		-			(3,300	)		-
Interest and dividend income		2,241			2,350			1,511
Interest expense		(3,525	)		(10,160	)		(12,674	)
Charitable contributions		(5,671	)		(4,137	)		-
Total other income (expense), net		(32,128	)		(12,132	)		(9,569	)
Income before income taxes		154,659			132,888			182,227
Income tax provision		37,463			55,079			65,106
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196		$	77,809		$	117,121
Net income per share attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s
shareholders:
Basic	$	4.08		$	2.68		$	4.01
Diluted	$	4.07		$	2.60		$	3.92
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		28,744			28,980			29,182
Diluted		28,777			30,947			30,170
Actual shares outstanding		28,982			28,974			29,463

See accompanying notes.

49

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017		2016
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196		$	77,809	$	117,121
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation		(6	)		82		(164	)
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale (a)		-			523		2,320
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(6	)		605		2,156
Comprehensive income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc. shareholders	$	117,190		$	78,414	$	119,277

(a) Net of income tax expense of $0, $290 and $1,363 for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

     Effective January 1, 2018, upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the Company no longer recognizes unrealized gains or losses on equity securities through other comprehesive income/(loss).  See Note C.

See accompanying notes.

50

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(In thousands)

	December 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	41,202		$	17,821
Investments in securities		33,789			36,790
Receivable from brokers		3,423			1,578
Investment advisory fees receivable		25,677			38,712
Receivable from affiliates		4,194			5,635
Capital lease		2,095			2,304
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets		3,765			3,765
Income taxes receivable and deferred tax assets, net		15,001			15,615
Other assets		5,466			6,066
Total assets	$	134,612		$	128,286
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Payable to brokers	$	112		$	14,926
Income taxes payable		2,388			3,128
Capital lease obligation		4,794			4,943
Compensation payable		60,408			82,907
Payable to affiliates		1,041			855
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		32,091			28,656
Sub-total		100,834			135,415
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020) (Note G)		-			50,000
5.875% Senior notes (net of issuance costs of $57 and $81, respectively) (due June 1, 2021) (Note G)		24,168			24,144
AC 1.6% Note Payable (due February 28, 2018) (Note G)		-			15,000
Total liabilities		125,002			224,559
Commitments and contingencies (Note J)
Equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding		-			-
Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 15,969,303 and 15,541,489
shares issued, respectively; 9,957,301 and 9,949,482 shares outstanding, respectively		14			14
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 24,000,000 shares issued
and 19,024,240 and 19,024,404 shares outstanding, respectively		19			19
Additional paid-in capital		14,192			12,572
Retained earnings		282,928			155,939
Accumulated comprehensive income		(240	)		11,876
Treasury stock, at cost (6,012,002 and 5,592,007 shares, respectively)		(287,303	)		(276,693	)
Total equity/(deficit)		9,610			(96,273	)
Total liabilities and equity	$	134,612		$	128,286

See accompanying notes.

51

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(In thousands)

	GAMCO Investors, Inc. shareholders
			Additional			Retained			Accumulated
	Common		Paid-in			Earnings			Comprehensive			Treasury
	Stock		Capital			(Deficit)			Income			Stock			Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	33	$	345		$	(34,224	)	$	9,115		$	(251,596	)	$	(276,327	)
Net income		-		-			117,121			-			-			117,121
Net unrealized gains on
securities available for sale,
net of income tax expense ($1,857)		-		-			-			3,111			-			3,111
Amounts reclassified from
accumulated other
comprehensive income,
net of income tax benefit ($464)		-		-			-			(791	)		-			(791	)
Foreign currency translation		-		-			-			(164	)		-			(164	)
Dividends declared ($0.08 per
share)		-		-			(2,382	)		-			-			(2,382	)
Stock based compensation
expense		-		3,959			-			-			-			3,959
Reduction of deferred tax asset for excess of
recorded RSA tax benefit over actual tax
benefit		-		(401	)		-			-			-			(401	)
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-			-			-			(10,773	)		(10,773	)
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	33	$	3,903		$	80,515		$	11,271		$	(262,369	)	$	(166,647	)

See accompanying notes.

52

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(continued) (In thousands)

	GAMCO Investors, Inc. shareholders
			Additional		Retained			Accumulated
	Common		Paid-in		Earnings			Comprehensive			Treasury
	Stock		Capital		(Deficit)			Income			Stock			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	33	$	3,903	$	80,515		$	11,271		$	(262,369	)	$	(166,647	)
Net income		-		-		77,809			-			-			77,809
Net unrealized gains on
securities available for sale,
net of income tax expense ($1,446)		-		-		-			2,492			-			2,492
Amounts reclassified from
accumulated other
comprehensive income,
net of income tax benefit ($1,156)		-		-		-			(1,969	)		-			(1,969	)
Foreign currency translation		-		-		-			82			-			82
Dividends declared ($0.08 per
share)		-		-		(2,385	)		-			-			(2,385	)
Stock based compensation
expense		-		8,669		-			-			-			8,669
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-		-			-			(14,324	)		(14,324	)
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	33	$	12,572	$	155,939		$	11,876		$	(276,693	)	$	(96,273	)

See accompanying notes.

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GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(continued) (In thousands)

	GAMCO Investors, Inc. shareholders
			Additional		Retained			Accumulated
	Common		Paid-in		Earnings			Comprehensive			Treasury
	Stock		Capital		(Deficit)			Income			Stock			Total
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	33	$	12,572	$	155,939		$	11,876		$	(276,693	)	$	(96,273	)
Net income		-		-		117,196			-			-			117,196
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU
2016-01, net of tax ($7,095)		-		-		12,110			(12,110	)		-			-
Foreign currency translation		-		-		-			(6	)		-			(6	)
Dividends declared ($0.08 per
share)		-		-		(2,317	)		-			-			(2,317	)
Stock based compensation
expense		-		1,620		-			-			-			1,620
Purchase of treasury stock		-		-		-			-			(10,610	)		(10,610	)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	33	$	14,192	$	282,928		$	(240	)	$	(287,303	)	$	9,610

See accompanying notes.

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GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Operating activities
Net income	$	117,196		$	77,809		$	117,121
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		562			595			625
Stock based compensation expense		1,620			8,669			3,959
Deferred income taxes		(487	)		(5,451	)		(5,537	)
Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)		(6	)		82			(164	)
Donated securities		325			1,124			499
Unrealized on available for sale securities		18,632			-			-
Gains on sales of available for sale securities		-			(62	)		(4	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		-			3,300			-
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Investments in trading securities		(13,568	)		8			186
Receivable from affiliates		1,532			329			(927	)
Receivable from brokers		(1,845	)		(1,125	)		638
Investment advisory fees receivable		13,035			5,024			(12,688	)
Income tax receivable and deferred tax assets		615			(1,105	)		(2,562	)
Other assets		234			(73	)		(69	)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Payable to affiliates		186			(557	)		(6,275	)
Payable to brokers		(698	)		(990	)		54
Income taxes payable		(252	)		(689	)		2,768
Compensation payable		(22,496	)		40,517			17,969
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		3,297			(714	)		144
Total adjustments		686			48,882			(1,384	)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	117,882		$	126,691		$	115,737

55

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(continued) (In thousands)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Investing activities
Purchases of available for sale securities	$	(2,388	)	$	(3,932	)	$	(1,843	)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities		-			4,169			408
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(2,388	)		237			(1,435	)
Financing activities
Dividends paid		(2,328	)		(2,315	)		(2,333	)
Purchase of treasury stock		(10,610	)		(14,324	)		(10,773	)
Repurchases of AC 4% PIK Note due November 30, 2020		(50,000	)		(50,000	)		(150,000	)
Proceeds from 4.5% Convertible note due August 15, 2021		-			-			109,826
Repayment of 4.5% Convertible note due August 15, 2021		-			(113,300	)		-
Repayment of GGCP loan due December 28, 2016		-			-			(35,000	)
Repayment of AC 1.6% Note due February 28, 2018		(15,000	)		-			-
Proceeds from AC 1.6% Note due February 28, 2018		-			15,000			-
Margin loan borrowings		11,000			20,850			-
Margin loan repayments		(25,115	)		(5,000	)		-
Amortization of debt issuance costs		24			187			33
Net cash used in financing activities		(92,029	)		(148,902	)		(88,247	)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(84	)		(17	)		38
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		23,381			(21,991	)		26,093
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		17,821			39,812			13,719
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	41,202		$	17,821		$	39,812
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	3,622		$	12,180		$	11,274
Cash paid for taxes	$	36,400		$	62,259		$	75,238

Non-cash activity:

- For 2018, 2017 and 2016 the Company accrued restricted stock award dividends of $20, $23 and $35, respectively.

- For 2016, the Company recorded $402 as a reduction to its deferred tax asset and additional paid-in capital for the excess of recorded restricted stock award tax benefit over the actual tax benefit.

See accompanying notes.

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A. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL”, “We” or the “Company”) was incorporated in April 1998 in the state of New York, with no significant assets or liabilities and did not engage in any substantial business activities prior to the initial public offering (“Offering”) of our shares.  On February 9, 1999, we exchanged 24 million shares of our Class B Common Stock (“Class B Stock”), representing all of our then issued and outstanding common stock, with Gabelli Funds, Inc. (“GFI”) and two of its subsidiaries in consideration for substantially all of the operating assets and liabilities of GFI, relating to its institutional and retail asset management, mutual fund advisory, underwriting and brokerage business (the “Reorganization”).   GFI, which was renamed Gabelli Group Capital Partners, Inc. in 1999, is the majority shareholder of GBL and was renamed GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”) in 2005.  During 2010, the shares of GBL owned by GGCP were transferred to GGCP Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of GGCP.  In 2014, the Company changed its state of incorporation from New York to Delaware in a tax-free reorganization.  On November 30, 2015 (the “Spin-Off Date”), GBL distributed to its stockholders all of the outstanding common stock of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) and its subsidiaries along with certain cash and other assets (the “Spin-off”).  AC owns and operates, directly or indirectly, the alternatives and the institutional research businesses previously owned and operated by GBL.  In the Spin-off, each holder of GAMCO’s Class A Common Stock (“Class A Stock”) of record as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on November 12, 2015 (the “Record Date”), received one share of AC Class A common stock for each share of GAMCO Class A Stock held on the Record Date.  Each record holder of GAMCO’s Class B Stock received one share of AC Class B common stock for each share of GAMCO Class B Stock held on the Record Date.  Subsequent to the Spin-off, GAMCO no longer consolidates the financial results of AC or certain investment partnerships and offshore funds in which we had a direct or indirect controlling financial interest for the purposes of GAMCO’s financial reporting and the historical financial results of AC and certain investment partnerships and offshore funds have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations for all periods presented through the Spin-off Date.

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

·  GBL;

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

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

Use of Estimates

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

Nature of Operations

GAMCO, Funds Advisor, and Gabelli Fixed Income LLC (“Fixed Income LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fixed Income, are registered investment advisors under the Advisers Act of 1940. G.distributors is a registered broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).  Refer to Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition section within Note A for additional discussion of GBL's business.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

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Securities Transactions

Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase.  U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are considered investments in securities.  Securities that are not readily marketable are stated at their estimated fair values in accordance with GAAP.  Securities transactions and any related gains and losses are recorded on a trade date basis.  Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identified cost basis and are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income. 

Prior to January 1, 2018, investments in equity securities were accounted for as either “trading securities” or “available for sale” and were stated at fair value.  A portion of investments in securities are held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements and therefore were, prior to January 1, 2018, classified as trading securities.  Trading securities were stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Available for sale (“AFS”) investments were stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of other comprehensive income except for losses deemed to be other than temporary which were recorded as realized losses on the consolidated statements of income.

Prior to January 1, 2018, AFS securities were evaluated for other than temporary impairments each reporting period and any impairment charges were recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Management reviewed all available for sale securities whose cost exceeded their fair value to determine if the impairment was other than temporary.  Management used qualitative factors such as the intent to hold the investment, the amount of time that the investment had been impaired and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment was other than temporary.

Effective January 1, 2018, investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.

For 2018, because all changes in fair value of investments in our securities with readily determinable fair values are recognized in the consolidated statements of income, no evaluation for impairment was necessary.  There were no investments in equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at any time during 2018.  Such investments would require the application of impairment testing.

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

Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition

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

Investment advisory and incentive fees are directly influenced by the level and mix of assets under management (“AUM”) as fees are derived from a contractually-determined percentage of AUM for each account as well as incentive fees earned on certain accounts.  Advisory fees from the open-end funds, closed-end funds and sub-advisory accounts are computed daily or weekly based on average net assets and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  Advisory fees from Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts are generally computed quarterly based on account values as of the end of the preceding quarter, and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.    The Company derived approximately 89%, 88% and 87% of its total revenues from advisory fees, including incentive fees, for the periods ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These revenues vary depending upon the level of sales compared with redemptions, financial market conditions, performance and the fee structure for the Fund or account.  Revenues derived from the equity-oriented portfolios generally have higher advisory fee rates than fixed income portfolios.

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The Company receives incentive fees from certain Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, which are based upon meeting or exceeding a specific benchmark index or indices.  Incentive fees refer to fees earned when the return generated for the client exceeds the benchmark and can be earned even if the return to the client is negative as long as the return exceeds the benchmark.  These fees are recognized, for each respective account, at the end of the stipulated contract period which is either quarterly or annually and varies by account.  Receivables due for incentive fees earned are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  There were no incentive fees receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

For The GDL Fund, there is an incentive fee earned as of the end of the calendar year and varies to the extent the total return of the fund is in excess of the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index total return. This fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period. Receivables due on incentive fees relating to The GDL Fund are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $1.4 million as of December 31, 2017.  There were no incentive fees receivable at December 31, 2018.

For the Gabelli Merger Plus⁺ Trust Plc, there is an incentive fee which is earned and recognized at the end of the measurement period, June 30^th and varies to the extent the total return of the fund is in excess of twice the rate of return of the 13 week Treasury Bills over the performance period.  There was no performance fee receivable as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.

Advisory fees on a majority of the closed-end preferred shares are earned at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the closed-end fund for the calendar year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares. These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually. Receivables due for advisory fees on closed-end preferred shares are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. There were $7.1 million in advisory fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares as of December 31, 2017.  There were no advisory fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares at December 31, 2018.

For the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV, there is an incentive fee earned as of the end of the calendar year equal to twenty percent of the gross return of the fund.  This fee is recognized as the end of the measurement period, which is annually on a calendar year basis, or earlier if there is a redemption.  Receivables due on incentive fees relating to the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $1.3 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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

Under the distribution plans, the open-end Class AAA shares of the Funds (except The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, Gabelli Capital Asset Fund and The Gabelli ABC Fund), the Class A shares of certain Funds pay G.distributors a distribution or service fee of 0.25% per year (except the Class A shares of the TETON Westwood Funds which pay 0.50% per year, except for the TETON Westwood Intermediate Bond Fund which pays .35%, and the Class A shares of the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund which pays 0.45% per year) on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Class C shares have a 12b-1 distribution plan with a service and distribution fee totaling 1%.

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

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

Distribution Costs

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

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Dividends and Interest Income and Interest Expense

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

Depreciation and Amortization

Fixed assets other than leasehold improvements, with net book value of$362,000 and $421,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives from four to seven years. Accumulated depreciation was $2.8 million and $2.7 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Leasehold improvements, with net book value of $1.3 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or lease terms, whichever is shorter. The leased property under the capital lease is depreciated utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the lease, which expires on December 31, 2028.  The capital lease was extended on June 11, 2014 to December 31, 2028 from December 31, 2023.  For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, depreciation and amortization were $562,000, $595,000 and $632,000, respectively. We estimate that depreciation and amortization will be approximately $550,000 annually over the next three years.

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, 2018 and 2017, goodwill recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition relates to G.distributors.  At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the identifiable intangible assets are the investment advisory contracts for the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisition Fund, for the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd., all of which relate to Funds Advisor.  Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually on November 30^th and whenever certain triggering events are met.  In assessing the recoverability of the identifiable intangible asset for 2018 and 2017, projections regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors are made to determine the fair value of the asset.  No impairment was recorded during 2018, 2017, or 2016.

In assessing the recoverability of goodwill for our annual impairment test on November 30, 2018 and 2017, we performed a qualitative assessment of whether it was more likely than not that an impairment had occurred and concluded that a quantitative analysis was not required.  No impairment was recorded during 2018, 2017, or 2016.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts on the consolidated financial statements using the statutory tax rates in effect for the year when the reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled, respectively.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, the Company recorded an increase in expense of $8.2 million reflecting the net write-down to its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.  A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying values of deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  For each tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation.  A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize.  The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.  The Company recognizes the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions and penalties in income tax provision on the consolidated statements of income.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

All of the instruments within cash and cash equivalents, investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are measured at fair value.

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:

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-   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 funds, closed-end funds and equities.

-   Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly-quoted intervals. Assets that generally are included in this category may include certain limited partnership interests in private funds and over the counter derivatives that have inputs to the valuations that can generally be corroborated by observable market data.

-   Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.  Assets included in this category generally include equities that trade infrequently and direct private equity investments held within consolidated partnerships.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Investments are transferred into or out of any level at their beginning period values.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from instrument to instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of instrument, whether the instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized as Level 3.

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

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

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

Investments in securities and Securities sold, not yet purchased – Investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are generally valued based on quoted prices from an exchange.  To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  Securities categorized in Level 2 investments are valued using other observable inputs.  Nonpublic and infrequently traded investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because significant inputs to measure fair value are unobservable.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period less unvested restricted stock.  Diluted earnings per share is based on basic shares plus the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of in-the-money stock options and unvested restricted stock using the treasury stock method, and, if dilutive, assumes the conversion of the convertible note for the periods outstanding since the issuance in August 2016 through the repayment in November 2017 using the if converted method.

Management Fee

Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits before management fee which is paid to Mr. Gabelli or his designee for acting as CEO pursuant to his 2008 Employment Agreement so long as he is an executive of GBL and devotes the substantial majority of his working time to the business. In accordance with his 2008 Employment Agreement, he has allocated $0.9 million, $1.4 million and $2.2 million of his management fee to certain other employees of the Company in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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Stock Based Compensation

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

The estimated fair value of RSAs is determined by using the closing price of Class A Common Stock (“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.

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

In connection with the Spin-off of AC and in accordance with GAAP, the Company allocated the stock compensation costs between GBL and AC based upon each employee’s individual allocation of their responsibilities between GBL and AC.  See note H. Equity for further details.

The Company has entered into three deferred compensation agreements with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for 2016, the first half of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017 was in the form of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) determined by the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s Class A Stock during those respective periods.  The 2016 Deferred Cash Compensation Agreement (“DCCA”) will vest 100% on January 1, 2020, the First Half 2017 DCCA vested 100% on July 1, 2018, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA will vest 100% on April 1, 2019.  On May 23, 2018, the CEO waived receipt of $6 million of the First Half 2017 DCCA, and a reduction in expense was recognized in 2018.  The Company settled the First Half 2017 DCCA award in cash and intends to settle the two other unvested awards in cash at their vesting.  The Company, however, reserves the right to issue shares of the Company’s Class A Stock in lieu of such cash payment.  Under the terms of the agreement the Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the applicable period or the value on the lapse date or, if not a trading day, then the first trading date thereafter.

Under GAAP, for the 2016 DCCA only 25% of this deferred compensation expense was being recognized in 2016 with the remainder amortized ratably over 2017, 2018, and 2019.  Similarly, under GAAP, for the First Half 2017 DCCA 67% of the expense was recognized in 2017 with the remaining 33% expensed in 2018.  For the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA 17% of the expense was recognized in 2017, 66% in 2018 and the remaining 17% will be recognized in 2019.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, given the Company’s intent to settle it in cash, in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the awards are accounted for as liability-classified awards and not as equity-classified awards.  The liability is remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from December 31, 2016 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for each respective period, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using each period’s respective VWAP price.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and receivable from brokers.  The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents primarily in the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, which invests fully in instruments issued by the U.S. government, and has receivables from brokers with various brokers and financial institutions, where these balances can exceed the federally insured limit.  The concentration of credit risk with respect to advisory fees receivable is generally limited due to the short payment terms extended to clients by the Company.  In addition, the credit risk is further limited by virtue of the fact that no single advisory relationship provided over 10% of the total revenue of the Company during the years 2018, 2017, or 2016.  All investments in securities are held at third party brokers or custodians.

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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: Funds Advisor (Funds) and GAMCO (Institutional and Private Wealth Management).  The distribution of our open-end funds and underwriting of those Funds is conducted through G.distributors.

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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 to receive 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 Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 and adopted the modified retrospective approach.  The Company’s implementation analysis has been completed, and we have identified similar performance obligations under this guidance as compared with deliverables and separate units of account previously identified under Topic 605.  As a result, the timing of the recognition of our revenue remains the same as under Topic 605, and therefore the adoption does not have any effect on the timing of the recognition of revenue.  See Note B. Revenue Recognition for the disclosures required by ASU 2014-09.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the ASU retains many current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities. To adopt the amendments, entities will be required to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the guidance is effective.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 and reclassed $12.1 million out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income and into Retained Earnings.  Effective January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of the Company’s available for sale investments will be reported through earnings rather than through other comprehensive income.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP for the accounting for leases.  ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from most operating leases in the consolidated statement of financial position. It requires these operating leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as right of use assets and offsetting lease liability obligations.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019 and we have elected the transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11, which does not require restatement of comparative periods but instead requires a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings at the January 1, 2019 adoption date.  The Company has performed the analysis on the transition to this new guidance, and we do not expect it to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  This guidance is intended to unify the currently diverse presentations and classifications, and address eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 to simplify the process used to test for goodwill impairment.  A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

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On May 10, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements.  The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718.  Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification.  For all entities, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 to address constituent concerns related to the application of ASC 740 to certain provisions of the new tax reform legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  Specifically, the ASU addressed concerns about the requirement in ASC 740 that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities be included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that contains that enactment date of the change.  That guidance applies even in situations in which the tax effects were initially recognized directly to other comprehensive income at the previous rate, resulting in “stranded” amounts in accumulated comprehensive income (AOCI) related to the income tax rate differential.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company has elected not to early adopt for the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 contained in this Form 10-K.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, which clarifies and simplifies the disclosure requirements for fair value transfers and measurements.  This new guidance will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

B.  Revenue Recognition

The revenue streams in the discussion below and in the table at the end of this Note include those that are within the scope of ASU 2014-09.  In all cases for all revenue streams discussed below, the revenue generated is from a single transaction price, and there is no need to allocate the amounts across more than a single revenue stream.  The customer for all revenues derived from open-end and closed-end funds described in detail below has been determined to be the fund itself and not the ultimate underlying investor in the fund.  The Company has identified similar performance obligations under ASU 2014-09 as compared with ASC Topic 605.  As a result, the timing of the recognition of our revenue remains the same under this new guidance as it was under ASC Topic 605.

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

The Company’s analysis of the timing of revenue recognition for each revenue stream is based upon an analysis of current contract terms.  Performance obligations could, however, change from time to time if and when existing contracts are modified or new contracts are entered into.  These changes could potentially affect the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, the determination of the transaction price, and the allocation of the price to performance obligations.  In the case of the revenue streams discussed below, the performance obligation is satisfied either at a point in time or over time.  For performance correlated and conditional revenues, the performance obligation (advising a client portfolio) is satisfied over time, while recognition of revenues effectively occurs at the end of the measurement period as defined within the contract, as such amounts are subject to reduction to zero on the date where the measurement period ends even if the performance benchmarks were exceeded during the intervening period.  The judgments outlined below, where the determination as to these factors is discussed in detail, are continually reviewed and monitored by the Company when new contracts or contract modifications occur.  Transaction price is in all instances formulaic and not subject to significant (or any) judgment at the current time.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is subject to judgment.  There were no impairment losses (allowance for doubtful accounts) on any receivables from any revenue stream at the end of the full year ended December 31, 2018.

Advisory Fee Revenues

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

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

Performance Correlated and Conditional Revenues

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

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

One fund within the SICAV structure charges a performance fee.  That fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period which coincides with the calendar year or upon redemption.  The fee would also be earned and the contract period ended at any interim point in time that the client terminated its relationship with us.  That fee is received in cash after the end of the measurement period, within 30 days.

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

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

Distribution Fees and Other Income

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

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Revenue Disaggregated

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by account type:

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2018		2017
Advisory Fees:
Open-end Funds	$	122,804	$	130,543
Closed-end Funds		67,418		64,198
Sub-advisory accounts		4,479		3,434
Institutional & Private Wealth Management		99,180		104,760
SICAVs		5,625		4,628
Performance-based		1,495		9,142
Conditional		1,650		-
Distribution and other income		38,804		43,819
Total revenues	$	341,455	$	360,524

C. Investments in Securities

Investments in securities at December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2018					2017
	Cost		Fair Value			Cost		Fair Value
Securities carried at FVTNI:					Trading securities:
Common stocks	$	38,865	$	32,414	Common stocks	$	26	$	34
Closed-end funds		1,414		1,337	Closed-end funds		-		-
Mutual funds		44		38	Mutual funds		11		11
Total securities at FVTNI		40,323		33,789	Total trading securities		37		45
					Available for sale securities:
					Common stocks		17,441		36,637
					Closed-end funds		99		108
					Total available for sale securities		17,540		36,745
Total investments in securities	$	40,323	$	33,789	Total investments in securities	$	17,577	$	36,790

There were no securities sold, not yet purchased at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, which changed the accounting for equity securities and resulted in the reclassification of $12.1 million, net of tax, out of accumulated comprehensive income and into retained earnings in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.  As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company carries all investments in equity securities at fair value through net income (“FVTNI”) which approximates market value and all changes in the fair value of the Company’s entire investment portfolio are now recorded in the net gain/(loss) from investments line in the consolidated statements of income rather than through other comprehensive income.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an unrealized loss of $25.0 million related to equity securities still held at December 31, 2018.

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The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

Amount				Affected Line Item in	Reason for
Reclassified				in the Statements	Reclassification
from AOCI				Of Income	from AOCI
For the year ended
December 31, 2017
	$	62		Net gain from investments	Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
		3,063		Other operating expenses	Donation of AFS securities
		3,125		Income before income taxes
		(1,156	)	Income tax provision
	$	1,969		Net income

The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investments in securities as of December 31, 2017:

	December 31, 2017
				Gross			Gross
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
	Cost			Gains			Losses			Value
	(In thousands)
Common stocks		$	17,441		$	19,196		$	-		$	36,637
Closed-end funds			99			9			-			108
Total available for sale securities		$	17,540		$	19,205		$	-		$	36,745

Increases in unrealized gains, net of taxes, for AFS securities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 of $0.5 million and $2.3 million have been included in other comprehensive income at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The amount reclassified from other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale were approximately $4.2 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $62,000 and $4,000, respectively, and were reclassed from other comprehensive income into the consolidated statements of income. There were no losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined is specific identification.  For 2017, accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of equity is primarily comprised of unrealized gains/losses, net of taxes, for AFS securities.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, GBL had an established accounting policy and methodology to determine other-than-temporary impairment on available for sale securities.  Under this policy, available for sale securities were evaluated for other than temporary impairments and any impairment charges were recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Management reviewed all available for sale securities whose cost exceeds their market value to determine if the impairment was other than temporary.  Management used qualitative factors such as diversification of the investment, the amount of time that the investment had been impaired, the intent to sell and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment was other than temporary.  

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 there were no losses on available for sale securities that were deemed to be other than temporary.

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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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 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, 2018 (in thousands)

	Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant		Balance as of
	Markets for Identical		Observable		Unobservable		December 31,
Assets	Assets (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		2018
Cash equivalents	$	40,905	$	-	$	-	$	40,905
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		32,414		-		-		32,414
Closed-end Funds		38		-		-		38
Mutual Funds		1,337		-		-		1,337
Total investments in securities		33,789		-		-		33,789
Total assets at fair value	$	74,694	$	-	$	-	$	74,694

During the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands)

	Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant		Balance as of
	Markets for Identical		Observable		Unobservable		December 31,
Assets	Assets (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		2017
Cash equivalents	$	17,475	$	-	$	-	$	17,475
Investments in securities:
AFS - Common stocks		36,637		-		-		36,637
AFS - Closed-end Funds		108		-		-		108
Trading - Common stocks		34		-		-		34
Trading - Mutual Funds		11		-		-		11
Total investments in securities		36,790		-		-		36,790
Total assets at fair value	$	54,265	$	-	$	-	$	54,265

During the year ended December 31, 2017, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

E. Income Taxes

GBL and its operating subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Accordingly, the income tax provision represents the aggregate of the amounts provided for all companies.

ASU 2016-09, which was issued in March 2016 and became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, simplifies several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, our accounting for excess tax benefits has changed and was adopted prospectively, resulting in recognition of excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies against income tax expenses rather than additional paid-in capital.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the ETR was higher by 0.7% as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits.

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The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:

	2018			2017			2016
(In thousands)
Federal:
Current	$	32,979		$	54,318		$	63,991
Deferred		(604	)		(3,670	)		(4,424	)
State and local:
Current		4,971			6,212			6,652
Deferred		117			(1,781	)		(1,113	)
Total	$	37,463		$	55,079		$	65,106

A reconciliation of the Federal statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate is set forth below:

	2018		2017		2016
Statutory Federal income tax rate	21.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income tax, net of Federal benefit	2.6		0.5		1.0
Impact of Tax Act	-		6.2		-
Other	0.6		(0.3)		(0.3)
Effective income tax rate	24.2	%	41.4	%	35.7	%

Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	2018			2017
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Investments in securities	$	1,567		$	-
Stock compensation expense		344			110
Deferred compensation		8,830			14,740
Capital lease obligation		648			633
Other		211			238
Total deferred tax assets		11,600			15,721
Deferred tax liabilities:
Investments in securities available for sale		-			(4,609	)
Contingent deferred sales commissions		(107	)		(189	)
Intangible asset amortization		(313	)		(233	)
Other		(13	)		(10	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(433	)		(5,041	)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	11,167		$	10,680

As a result of the vesting of RSAs, and in accordance with GAAP, a decrease of $0.4 million was recorded in additional paid in capital for the year ended December 31, 2016 as the actual tax benefits realized by the Company were less than the previously recorded deferred tax benefits.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions was approximately $14.2 million and $13.3 million, respectively, of which recognition of $11.3 million and $10.5 million, respectively, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the net liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions was $16.2 million and $14.5 million, respectively, and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions is as follows:

	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	18.4
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2.3
Additions for tax positions of prior years		1.2
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(6.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2016		15.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2.2
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(3.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2017		13.3
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1.8
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(0.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	14.2

The Company records penalties and interest related to tax uncertainties in income taxes. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had recognized gross liabilities of approximately $6.1 million and $4.8 million related to interest and penalties, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an income tax expense related to an increase in its liability for interest and penalties of $1.0 million.  For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit related to a decrease in its liability for interest and penalties of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was enacted in December 2017 resulted in an $8.2 million write down of net deferred tax assets.

Specifically, the 2017 income tax expense included the following amounts related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in the United States in December 2017.

· $10.9 million tax expense related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax assets;

· $2.7 million non-cash tax benefit related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities

The Company is currently being audited by New York State for years 2007 through 2011 but does not expect that any potential assessments will be material to its results of operations.  The Company is subject to future audits by New York State for all years after 2011.  The Company’s remaining state income tax returns are subject to future audit for all years after 2011.  The Company’s Federal tax returns are subject to future audit for 2015 through 2017.

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F. Earnings per Share

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:

	For the Years Ending December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2018		2017		2016
Basic:
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196	$	77,809	$	117,121
Weighted average shares outstanding		28,744		28,980		29,182
Basic net income per share attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	4.08	$	2.68	$	4.01
Diluted:
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196	$	77,809	$	117,121
Add interest on convertible notes, net of management fee and taxes		-		2,604		1,133
Total income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		117,196		80,413		118,254
Weighted average share outstanding		28,744		28,980		29,182
Restricted stock awards		33		192		234
Assumed conversion of convertible note		-		1,775		754
Total		28,777		30,947		30,170
Diluted net income per share attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	4.07	$	2.60	$	3.92

G. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
	Value			Level 2			Value			Level 2
(In thousands)
AC 4% PIK Note		$	-		$	-		$	50,000		$	50,572
AC 1.6% Note			-			-			15,000			14,972
5.875% Senior notes			24,168			23,061			24,144			24,543
Total		$	24,168		$	23,061		$	89,144		$	90,087

4.5% Convertible Note

On August 15, 2016, the Company issued via a private placement a 5-year, $110 million convertible note (“Convertible Note”) to Cascade Investment, L.L.C.  The note bore interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum and was convertible into shares of the Company’s Class A Common stock (“Class A Stock”) at an initial conversion price of $55.00 per share.  The Convertible Note was initially convertible into two million shares of the Company’s Class A Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Note.  The Company was required to repurchase the Convertible Note at the request of the holder on specified dates or after certain circumstances involving a Fundamental Change (as defined in the Convertible Note).  The Company had the option to repurchase, in whole or in part (must be at least 50%), the Convertible Note at $101 on or after February 15, 2019.  At issuance, the Company recorded $174,000 of costs in connection with the issuance of the Convertible Note that was scheduled to be amortized over the five year life.  On November 20, 2017, the Company and the Convertible Note holder agreed to amend the Convertible Note to allow for an early redemption if the Company paid the Convertible Note holder 103% of the unpaid principal plus all accrued but unpaid interest on the redemption date.  On November 21, 2017, the Company redeemed the Convertible Note for $114.6 million.  The payment was equal to 103% of the unpaid principal amount of the note plus accrued interest.  As a result, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.3 million and expensed the remaining $135,000 of issuance costs.

GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”), which owns approximately 63% of the equity interest of the Company, initially deposited cash equal to the principal amount of the Convertible Note and six months interest (“Initial Deposit”) into an escrow account established pursuant to an escrow agreement by and among GGCP, the Company, the Convertible Note holder and the escrow agent (the “Escrow Agreement”).  In connection with the Initial Deposit made by GGCP, the Company had agreed that GGCP had a right to demand payment in an amount equal to any funds withdrawn from the escrow account by the Convertible Note holder.  On September 30, 2017, in connection with an amendment to the Escrow Agreement and in exchange for approximately 53% of the assets in the escrow account, the Company paid GGCP $60 million.  On November 21, 2017, the Company paid GGCP $53 million for the remaining 47% of the assets in the escrow account that it did not previously own.

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AC 4% PIK Note

In connection with the Spin-off of AC on November 30, 2015, the Company issued a $250 million promissory note (the “AC 4% PIK Note”) payable to AC.  The AC 4% PIK Note bears interest at 4.0% per annum.  The original principal amount has a maturity date of November 30, 2020.  Interest on the AC 4% PIK Note will accrue from the date of the last interest payment, or if no interest has been paid, from the effective date of the AC 4% PIK Note.  At the election of the Company, payment of interest on the AC 4% PIK Note may be paid in kind (in whole or in part) on the then-outstanding principal amount (a “PIK Amount”) in lieu of cash. All PIK Amounts added to the outstanding principal amount of the AC 4% PIK Note will mature on the fifth anniversary from the date the PIK Amount was added to the outstanding principal of the AC 4% PIK Note.  In no event may any interest be paid in kind subsequent to November 30, 2019.  The Company may prepay the AC 4% PIK Note (in whole or in part) prior to maturity without penalty.

During 2018, the Company prepaid $50 million of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note against the principal amount due on November 30, 2020.  The AC 4% PIK Note was fully repaid on August 28, 2018.  During 2017, the Company prepaid $50 million of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note.  $30 million of the prepayment was applied against the principal amount due on November 30, 2018 and $20 million against the principal amount due on November 30, 2019.

AC 1.6% Note

On December 26, 2017, to finance tax payments and for working capital purposes, the Company borrowed $15 million from AC in exchange for a note that bore interest at 1.6% per annum.  On February 28, 2018, the date of maturity, the Company repaid the entire principal and accrued interest.

5.875% Senior Notes

On May 31, 2011, the Company issued $100 million of senior unsecured notes (“Senior Notes”) at par. The net proceeds of $99.1 million are being used for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions and seed investments. The issuance costs of $0.9 million have been capitalized and will be amortized over the term of the debt or pro rata upon a repurchase. The notes mature on June 1, 2021 and bear interest at 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year and commenced on December 1, 2011. Upon a change of control triggering event, as defined in the indenture, the Company is required to offer to repurchase the notes at 101% of their principal amount.

On November 18, 2015, the Company commenced a tender offer (the “Offer”) to purchase for cash up to $100 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount.  $75.8 million of face value Senior Notes were tendered upon the expiration of the Offer.  The tender was accounted for as an extinguishment of debt and resulted in a loss of $0.8 million and is included in extinguishment of debt on the consolidated statements of income.  In connection with the tender, the Company also expensed $0.4 million of pro rata unamortized issuance costs which was included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income.  At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the debt was recorded at its face value, net of issuance costs, of $24.2 million and $24.1 million, respectively.

The fair value of the Company’s debt, which is a Level 2 valuation, is estimated based on either quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities or using market standard models. Inputs into these models include credit rating, maturity and interest rate.

H.  Equity

Voting Rights

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

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Stock Award and Incentive Plan

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

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were 427,650 RSA shares and 19,400 RSA shares, respectively, outstanding that were issued at an average grant price of $24.93 per share and $65.67 per share, respectively.  The $65.67 per share reflects pre AC Spin-off stock prices and vested prior to March 31, 2018.  On April 4, 2018, 270,500 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $24.77.  On August 7, 2018, 162,450 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $25.16.  On September 17, 2018, 5,000 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $25.74.  All grants of RSAs were recommended by the Company's Chairman, who did not receive a RSA, and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. This expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is 30% over three years from the date of grant and 70% over five years from the date of grant. During the vesting period, dividends to RSA holders are held for them until the RSA vesting dates and are forfeited if the grantee is no longer employed by the Company on the vesting dates.  Dividends declared on these RSAs, less estimated forfeitures, are charged to retained earnings on the declaration date.  For RSAs issued by GAMCO prior to the Spin-off of AC on November 30, 2015, the Company expenses the portion of the RSAs that correspond to the employee allocation between GAMCO and AC.

On June 1, 2017, the Compensation Committee of AC accelerated the vesting of all 420,240 AC RSAs outstanding effective June 15, 2017.  As a result, GBL recorded an incremental $3.7 million of stock-based compensation expense for 2017.  This amount related to GBL teammates who held AC RSAs.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee of GBL accelerated the vesting relating to 201,120 of GBL RSAs outstanding effective August 31, 2017.  As a result, GBL recorded an incremental $1.8 million of stock-based compensation expense for 2017.  On December 27, 2017, the Compensation Committee of GBL accelerated the vesting relating to an additional 144,650 GBL RSAs resulting in an incremental $1.3 million of expense in 2017.  On January 5, 2018, the Compensation Committee of GBL accelerated the then remaining 19,400 GBL RSAs resulting in an incremental $0.2 million of expense in 2018.

During 2016, in accordance with the deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli for the full year of 2016, the Company issued 2,314,695 RSUs, based upon the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for 2016 of $32.8187, in satisfaction of Mr. Gabelli’s variable compensation of $75,965,266 for 2016.  These RSUs will vest 100% on January 1, 2020 and are being expensed ratably over the vesting period.  For 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company expensed 25%, or $18,991,316, of this RSU in each year.  The Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for 2016 or the value on the lapse date.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, given the Company’s intent to settle it in cash, in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the award is accounted for as a liability-classified award and not as an equity-classified award.  The liability is remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from December 31, 2016 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the 2016 fiscal year, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using that VWAP price.  Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, the Company marked to market the RSU payable on December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 to the closing prices of the Company’s Class A Stock of $16.89, $29.65 and $30.89, respectively.  These mark to market adjustments resulted in a reduction of the RSU expense of $24.0 million, $2.6 million and $1.1 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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On December 23, 2016, GAMCO entered into a deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for the first half of 2017 (“First Half 2017 DCCA”) was in the form of RSUs determined by the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock during the first half of 2017.  During 2017, in accordance with the deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli for the first half of 2017, the Company issued 1,244,018 RSUs, based upon the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the first half of 2017 of $29.6596, in satisfaction of Mr. Gabelli’s variable compensation of $36,897,086 for that period.  The RSUs vested 100% on July 1, 2018, and the Company settled the award in cash at that time.  Under the terms of the agreement the Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the first half of 2017 or the value on the lapse date or, if not a trading day, then the first trading date thereafter.  For GAAP reporting, the Company recognized the amount of Mr. Gabelli’s 2017 first half compensation ratably over the vesting period, or approximately 67% of the total during 2017 and 33% during 2018.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, and given that the Company settled the award in cash, and in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the award is accounted for as a liability-classified award and not as an equity-classified award.  The liability was remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from June 30, 2017 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the first half of the 2017 fiscal year, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using that VWAP price.  Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, the Company marked to market the RSU payable on December 31, 2017 to the closing price of the Company’s Class A Stock of $29.65.  This mark to market adjustment resulted in a reduction of the RSU expense of $17,000 for 2017.  On May 23, 2018, Mr. Gabelli waived receipt of $6 million of the First Half 2017 DCCA, and a reduction in expense was recognized for 2018.  The Company marked to market the RSU payable on the date of vesting, July 2, 2018, to the VWAP price of the Company’s Class A Stock of $27.1837 for that day.  This mark to market adjustment resulted in a reduction of the RSU expense of $2.6 million in 2018.  On July 2, 2018, the First Half 2017 DCCA vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment of $28.3 million was made to Mr. Gabelli.

On September 30, 2017, GAMCO entered into a deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for the fourth quarter of 2017 will be in the form of RSUs determined by the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock during the fourth quarter of 2017.  During 2017, in accordance with the deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli for the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company issued 530,662 RSUs, based upon the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the fourth quarter of 2017 of $29.1875, in satisfaction of Mr. Gabelli’s variable compensation of $15,488,708 for that period.  The RSUs will vest 100% on April 1, 2019, and the Company intends to settle the award in cash at that time; however, the Company reserves the right to issue shares of the Company’s Class A Stock in lieu of such cash payment.  Under the terms of the agreement the Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the fourth quarter of 2017 or the value on the lapse date or, if not a trading day, then the first trading date thereafter.  For GAAP reporting, the Company will recognize the amount of Mr. Gabelli’s 2017 fourth quarter compensation ratably over the vesting period, or approximately 17% of the total during 2017, 66% during 2018 and 17% during 2019.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, given the Company’s intent to settle it in cash, in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the award is accounted for as a liability-classified award and not as an equity-classified award.  The liability is remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from December 31, 2017 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the fourth quarter of the 2017 fiscal year, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using that VWAP price.  Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, and provided that the closing price of the Company’s Class A Stock of $29.65 was higher than the VWAP price over the fourth quarter of 2017 of $29.1875 there was no mark to market adjustment recorded in 2017.  The Company marked to market the RSU payable on December 31, 2018 to the closing price of the Company’s Class A Stock of $16.89.  This mark to market adjustment resulted in a reduction of the RSU expense of $5.4 million in 2018.

A summary of the stock option and RSA activity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

	Options				RSAs
								Weighted Average
			Weighted Average					Grant Date
	Shares		Exercise Price		Shares			Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2016		-	$	-		424,340		$	65.74
Granted		-		-		-			-
Forfeited		-		-		(4,500	)		78.62
Exercised / Vested		-		-		(400,440	)		65.60
Outstanding at December 31, 2017		-		-		19,400			65.67
Granted		10,000		25.55		437,950			24.93
Forfeited		-		-		(10,300	)		24.81
Exercised / Vested		-		-		(19,400	)		65.67
Outstanding at December 31, 2018		10,000	$	25.55		427,650		$	24.93
Shares available for future issuance at
December 31, 2018		1,087,717

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The total compensation costs related to non-vested awards not yet recognized is approximately $8.1 million as of December 31, 2018. This will be recognized as expense in the following periods (in thousands):

2018			2019			2020			2021			2022			2023
	$	1,620		$	2,310		$	2,310		$	1,695		$	1,319		$	499

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded approximately $1.6 million, $8.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively, in stock based compensation expense which resulted in the recognition of tax benefits of approximately $0.4 million, $3.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, includes $0.2 million in stock compensation expense as a result of accelerating 19,400 RSAs.  The $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, includes $6.8 million in stock compensation expense as a result of accelerating 345,770 RSAs.  There were no comparable accelerations in the year ended December 31, 2016.

Stock Repurchase Program

In 1999, the Board of Directors established the Stock Repurchase Program through which the Company has been authorized to purchase up to $9 million of Class A Stock. The Board of Directors authorized 500,000, 425,352, and 610,511 shares in May 2017, August 2017, and August 2018, respectively. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, we repurchased 419,995 shares, 484,526 shares and 348,687 shares, respectively, at an average price of $25.25 per share, $29.56 per share and $30.88 per share, respectively.  There remain 864,810 shares available under this program at December 31, 2018.

Dividends

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company declared dividends of $0.08 per share, $0.08 per share and $0.08 per share, respectively, to class A and class B shareholders totaling $2.3 million, $2.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Under the terms of the RSA agreements, we accrue dividends, less estimated forfeitures, for RSA grantees from the date of grant but these dividends are held for grantees who are not entitled to receive dividends until their awards vest and only if they are still employed by the Company at those dates. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, dividends accrued on RSAs not yet vested were approximately $20,000 and $24,000, respectively.

Shelf Registration

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

I. Capital Lease

On December 5, 1997, prior to the Offering in 1999, the Company entered into a fifteen-year lease, expiring on April 30, 2014, of office space from an entity controlled by members of the Chairman's family. On June 11, 2013, the Company modified and extended its lease with M4E, LLC, the Company’s landlord at 401 Theodore Fremd Ave, Rye, NY. The lease term was extended to December 31, 2028, and the base rental remained at $18 per square foot, or $1.1 million, for 2014.  From January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2028, the base rental will be determined by the change in the consumer price index for the New York Metropolitan Area for November of the immediate prior year with the base period as November 2008 for the New York Metropolitan Area.

The lease has been accounted for as a capital lease as it transfers substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership to GBL.  The Company has recorded the leased property as an asset and a capital lease obligation for the present value of the obligation of the leased property.  The leased property is amortized on a straight-line basis from the date of the most recent extension to the end of the lease. The capital lease obligation is amortized over the same term using the interest method of accounting.  Capital lease improvements are amortized from the date of expenditure through the end of the lease term or the useful life, whichever is shorter, on a straight-line basis.  The lease provides that all operating expenses relating to the property (such as property taxes, utilities and maintenance) are to be paid by the lessee, GBL.  These are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.  Accumulated amortization on the leased property was approximately $5.1 million and $4.9 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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Future minimum lease payments for this capitalized lease at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	(In thousands)
2019	$	1,253
2020		1,080
2021		1,080
2022		1,080
2023		1,080
Thereafter		5,400
Total minimum obligations		10,973
Interest		6,166
Present value of net obligations	$	4,807

Lease payments under this agreement amounted to approximately $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The capital lease contains an escalation clause tied to the change in the New York Metropolitan Area Consumer Price Index which may cause the future minimum payments to exceed $1,080,000 annually. Future minimum lease payments have not been reduced by related minimum future sublease rentals of approximately $1.1 million due over the next five years, which are due from affiliated entities. Total minimum obligations exclude the operating expenses to be borne by the Company, which are estimated to be approximately $0.8 million per year.

J. Contractual Obligations

We rent office space under leases which expire at various dates through January 31, 2022. Future minimum lease commitments under these operating leases as of December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	(In thousands)
2019	$	616
2020		121
2021		68
2022		4
Total	$	809

Equipment rentals and occupancy expense amounted to approximately $2.4 million, $2.2 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

K. Charitable Contributions

During 2013, the Company established a Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution program.  Under the program, each shareholder is eligible to designate a charity to which the Company would make a donation based upon the actual number of shares registered in the shareholder’s name.  Shares held in nominee or street name were not eligible to participate.  During 2017, the Company recorded a charge of $4.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, net of management fee and tax benefit related to contributions which were included in charitable contributions on the consolidated statements of income.  During 2018, the Company recorded a charge of $5.7 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, net of management fee and tax benefit related to contributions which were included in charitable contributions on the consolidated statements of income.

L. Related Party Transactions

The following is a summary of certain related party transactions.

GGCP Holdings LLC owns a majority of our Class B Stock, representing approximately 91% of the combined voting power and 63% of the outstanding shares of our common stock at December 31, 2018.

AC and its subsidiaries, own 3.0 million shares of our Class A Stock, representing approximately 2% of the combined voting power and 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock at December 31, 2018.

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Capital Lease

We lease an approximately 60,000 square foot building located at 401 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye, New York as our headquarters (the “Building”) from an entity controlled by members of the Chairman’s family. See Note I. Capital Lease for further details.

We sub-lease approximately 3,300 square feet in the Building to LICT Corporation, a company for which Mr. Gabelli serves as Chairman and CEO, which pays rent at the rate of $28 per square foot plus $3 per square foot for electricity, subject to adjustment for increases in taxes and other operating expenses. The total amounts paid in 2018, 2017, and 2016 for rent and other expenses under this lease were $118,957, $116,756, and $116,564, respectively. Concurrent with the extension of the lease on the Building during 2008, we and LICT Corporation further agreed to extend the term of the sub-lease until December 2023 on the same terms and conditions. As of July 1, 2008, we also sub-lease approximately 1,600 square feet in the Building to Teton. Teton pays rent at the rate of $37.75 per square foot plus $3 per square foot for electricity, subject to adjustment for increases in taxes and other operating expenses. The total amount paid in 2018, 2017 and 2016 for rent and other expenses under this lease were $69,299, $68,293, and $68,205, respectively, and were recorded in other operating expenses as a credit on the consolidated statements of income. As of April 1, 2016, we lease approximately 15,000 square feet in the Building to AC.  For the period of April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, AC paid rent at the rate of $21.62 per square foot plus $3 per square foot for electricity, subject to adjustment for increases in taxes and other operating expenses.  Effective April 1, 2017, AC paid rent at the rate of $22.03 per square foot plus $3 per square foot for electricity.  The total amount paid in 2018, 2017 and 2016 for rent and other expenses under this lease was $463,286, $367,798, and $297,185, respectively, and was recorded in distribution fee and other income on the consolidated statements of income.

Investment Advisory Services

GAMCO has entered into agreements to provide advisory and administrative services to MJG Associates, Inc., which is wholly-owned by Mr. Gabelli, with respect to the private investment funds managed by them. Pursuant to such agreements, MJG Associates, Inc. paid GAMCO $10,000 (excluding reimbursement of expenses) for each of the years 2018, 2017, and 2016.

The Company serves as the investment advisor for the Funds and earns advisory fees based on predetermined percentages of the average net assets of the Funds.  In addition, G.distributors has entered into distribution agreements with each of the Funds.  As principal distributor, G.distributors incurs certain promotional and distribution costs related to the sale of Fund shares, for which it receives a distribution fee from the Funds or reimbursement from the investment advisor.  For 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company received $35.1 million, $39.7 million and $41.0 million, respectively, in distributions fees.  Advisory and distribution fees receivable from the Funds were approximately $18.8 million and $30.4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Pursuant to an agreement between Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (“GCI”) (formerly called Gabelli Securities, Inc.) and Funds Advisor, Funds Advisor pays to GCI 90% of the net revenues received by Funds Advisor related to being the advisor to the SICAV.  Net revenues are defined as gross advisory fees less expenses related to payouts and expenses of the SICAV paid by Funds Advisor.  The amounts paid by Funds Advisor to GCI for 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $3.9 million, $2.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, and are included in other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income.

Compensation

Immediately preceding the Offering and in conjunction with the Reorganization, GBL and our Chairman and CEO entered into an employment agreement. This agreement was amended and approved by shareholders on November 30, 2007 and most recently re-approved by shareholders on May 6, 2011.

Under the terms of this agreement and consistent with the firm’s practice since its inception in 1977, Mr. Gabelli will also continue receiving a percentage of revenues or net operating contribution, which are substantially derived from AUM, as compensation relating to or generated by the following activities: (i) managing or overseeing the management of various investment companies and partnerships, (ii) attracting mutual fund shareholders, (iii) attracting and managing Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients, and (iv) otherwise generating revenues for the Company. Such payments are made in a manner and at rates as agreed to from time to time by GAMCO, which rates have been and generally will be the same as those received by other professionals at GAMCO performing similar services. With respect to our Institutional and Private Wealth Management and mutual fund advisory business, we pay out up to 40% of the revenues or net operating contribution to the portfolio managers and marketing staff who introduce, service or generate such business, with payments involving the Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts being typically based on revenues and payments involving the mutual funds being typically based on net operating contribution.

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Mr. Gabelli has agreed that while he is employed by us he will not provide investment management services outside of GAMCO, except for certain permitted accounts as defined under the agreement. The 2008 Employment Agreement may not be amended without the approval of the Compensation Committee and Mr. Gabelli.

The Chairman and CEO receives compensation in the form of a management fee for managing the Company.  Additionally, he earns compensation for acting as portfolio manager and/or attracting and providing client service to a large number of GAMCO's Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients, for creating and acting as portfolio manager of several open-end funds, for creating and acting as portfolio manager of the closed-end funds and for providing other services.

On December 29, 2017, the Company issued $11.7 million of notes payable to certain executive officers and employees relating to compensation earned in 2017.  $5.5 million of the notes were due on January 31, 2018 and $6.2 million were due on February 28, 2018.  The notes were included in compensation payable on the consolidated statement of financial condition at December 31, 2017.  The notes were fully paid in 2018 at their respective due dates.

During 2018, Mr. Gabelli elected to waive $56.5 million in compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to under his employment agreement relating to the period of March 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

Other

For 2018, 2017, and 2016, we incurred variable costs (but not the fixed costs) of $295,000, $328,000, and $353,000, respectively, for actual usage relating to our use of aircraft in which GGCP owns the fractional interests.

GBL and Teton entered into a transitional administrative and management service agreement in connection with the spin-off of Teton from GBL that formalized certain arrangements. Effective January 1, 2011, Teton and GBL renegotiated the terms of the sub-administration agreement from a flat 0.20% on the average net assets of the mutual funds managed by Teton to 0.20% on the first $370 million in average net assets, 0.12% on the next $630 million in average net assets and 0.10% on average net assets in excess of $1 billion, as compensation for providing mutual fund administration services. Additionally, Teton paid to GBL an administrative services fee of $25,000 per month from April 1, 2014 through September 30, 2016.  The administrative services fee was reduced to $18,750 per month for October 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017, and further reduced to $4,167 per month for June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.  During 2018, 2017 and 2016, there was $2.1 million, $2.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, included in distribution fees and other income on the consolidated statements of income.

Effective January 1, 2014, GAMCO and Funds Advisor each entered into a research services agreement with G.research, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCI, for G.research, LLC to provide them with the same types of research services that it provides to its other clients.  For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, GAMCO paid G.research, LLC $1.0 million, $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, Funds Advisor paid G.research, LLC $1.0 million, $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

GBL and AC entered into a transitional administrative and management services agreement in connection with the Spin-off.  The agreement calls for GBL to provide to AC certain services including but not limited to: 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, AC will provide GBL with payroll services.  All services provided under the agreement by GBL to AC or by AC to GBL will be charged at cost.  The agreement is terminable by either party on 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party and has a term of twelve months.

In connection with the Spin-off of AC on November 30, 2015, the Company issued the AC 4% PIK Note.  During 2018, 2017 and 2016, GBL recorded interest expense of $0.8 million, $3.0 million and $7.7 million, respectively.  See Note G. Debt for further details.

In connection with the Offer, the Company borrowed $35.0 million from GGCP, which was repaid in full during 2016. During  2016, GBL recorded interest expense of  $415,000.  See Note G. Debt for further details.

On December 27, 2017, GBL borrowed $15 million from AC.  The note bore interest at 1.6% and was due on February 28, 2018.  During 2018 and 2017, GBL recorded interest expense of $40,000 and $4,000, respectively.  The principal and accrued interest on the note was fully repaid on February 28, 2018.  See Note G. Debt for further details.

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In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Note, GGCP deposited cash equal to the principal amount of the Note and six months interest into an escrow account established pursuant to an escrow agreement by and among GGCP, the Company, the Convertible Note holder and the escrow agent.  The Company paid the annual costs of setting up the escrow account in the amount of $55,000 and will continue to pay them as long as the escrow account is open.  The Company did not pay any fees to GGCP in connection with the funding of the escrow account. On September 30, 2017, in connection with an amendment to the Escrow Agreement and in exchange for approximately 53% of the assets in the escrow account, the Company paid GGCP $60 million.  On November 21, 2017, the Company paid GGCP $53.1 million for the remaining 47% interest in the escrow account and used the entire balance in the escrow account, along with an additional $1.4 million, to repurchase the Convertible Note.  See Note G. Debt for further details.

M. Financial Requirements

As a registered broker-dealer, G.distributors is subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”) of the SEC.  These regulatory capital requirements, while not specific encumbrances on assets, restrict the total assets of this subsidiary broker-dealer to the extent they are needed to fulfill the regulatory capital requirements.  Accordingly, this restriction limits the transfer of funds from this subsidiary to the Company in the form of cash dividends or otherwise.  This restriction is 120% of its minimum net capital.  G.distributors computes its net capital under the alternative method permitted by the Rule which requires minimum net capital of $250,000, and it exceeded this requirement at December 31, 2018.

Our subsidiary, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”). In February 2011, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited increased its permitted license with the FCA’s predecessor, the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and has held Total Capital of £671,000 and £632,000 ($852,000 and $853,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) and had a Financial Resources Requirement of £154,000 and £216,000 ($195,000 and $291,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively). We have consistently met or exceeded these minimum requirements.

N. Administration Fees

We have entered into administration agreements with other companies (the “Administrators”), whereby the Administrators provide certain services on behalf of several of the Funds.  Such services do not include the investment advisory and portfolio management services provided by GBL.  The fees were negotiated and based on predetermined percentages of the net assets of each of the Funds.

O. Profit Sharing Plan and Incentive Savings Plan

The Company has a qualified contributory employee profit sharing plan and incentive savings plan covering substantially all employees.  Company contributions to the plans are determined annually by the Board of Directors but may not exceed the amount permitted as a deductible expense under the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company accrued contributions of approximately $80,000, $109,000 and $77,000 to the plans for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

P. Identifiable Intangible Asset

As a result of becoming the advisor to the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.9 million within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.  The investment advisory agreement is subject to annual renewal by the fund's Board of Directors, which the Company expects to be renewed, and the Company does not expect to incur additional expense as a result, which is consistent with other investment advisory agreements entered into by the Company.  The advisory contract for the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund are next up for renewal in February 2020.  On November 1, 2015, as a result of becoming the advisor to the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.6 million within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.  The advisory contracts for the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. are both next up for renewal in November 2018.  At November 30, 2018 and November 30, 2017, management conducted its annual assessments of the recoverability of the intangible assets and determined that there was no impairment of it on GBL’s consolidated financial statements.

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Q. Other Matters

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings.  These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief.  For any such matters, the consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable.  Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and, if material, makes 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.

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 a number of fund complexes regarding particular practices or provisions of the securities laws.  The Company participates in some of these inquiries in the normal course of our business.  Changes in laws, regulations and administrative practices by regulatory authorities, and the associated compliance costs, have increased our cost structure and could in the future have a material impact.

R. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is presented below.

	2018
	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
Revenues	$	87,497	$	87,193	$	85,788	$	80,977	$	341,455
Operating income		41,256		41,373		51,700		52,458		186,787
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		27,261		31,582		35,016		23,337		117,196
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic		0.94		1.10		1.22		0.82		4.08
Diluted	$	0.94	$	1.10	$	1.22	$	0.81	$	4.07

	2017
	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
Revenues	$	85,917	$	87,600	$	88,341	$	98,666	$	360,524
Operating income		42,443		39,660		23,393		39,524		145,020
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		24,820		22,894		16,600		13,495		77,809
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic		0.86		0.79		0.57		0.46		2.68
Diluted	$	0.82	$	0.76	$	0.55	$	0.46	$	2.60

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting relating to 144,650 RSAs resulting in recognition of $1.3 million in stock compensation expense, or $0.02 per fully diluted share.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $3.3 million loss on early extinguishment of debt when it repurchased the $110 million 4.5% Convertible note due August 15, 2021.

As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, the Company recorded an increase in expense of $8.2 million reflecting the net write-down to its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.

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S. Subsequent Events

On December 26, 2018, the Company announced that the CEO has elected to waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019.

On February 1, 2019, GAMCO and Funds Advisor each renewed their research services agreement with G.research, LLC whereby each entity will pay $62,500 per month for the services in 2019.  The agreements can be canceled at any time.

On February 5, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share to all of its shareholders, payable on April 30, 2019 to shareholders of record on April 16, 2019.

From January 1, 2019 to March 11, 2019, the Company repurchased 88,841 shares at $20.19 per share. As a result, there are 775,969 shares available to be repurchased under our existing buyback plan at March 11, 2019.

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ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be timely disclosed, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported to management within the time periods specified in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Accounting Officers, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

(b) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

GBL's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act.  Management, with the participation of the principal executive officer and under the supervision of the principal financial officers, of the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of GBL's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, as required by Rule 13a-15(c) of the Exchange Act.  There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures.  Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting controls can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.  In making its assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting, the Company used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework 2013.

Based on its evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting.  The independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements has issued an attestation report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.  The report on the audit of internal control over financial reporting is included in Item 8 in this Form 10-K.

(c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  

ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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PART III

ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information regarding the Directors and Executive Officers of GBL and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is incorporated herein by reference from the our definitive proxy statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”).

GBL has adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of our officers, directors, full-time and part-time employees and a Code of Conduct that sets forth additional requirements for our principal executive officer, principal financial officers, principal accounting officers or controller, or persons performing similar functions (together, the “Codes of Conduct”).  The Codes of Conduct are posted on our website (www.gabelli.com) and are available in print free of charge to anyone who requests a copy.  Interested parties may address a written request for a printed copy of the Codes of Conduct to: Secretary, GAMCO Investors, Inc., One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580-1422.  We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or a waiver of, a provision of the Codes of Conduct by posting such information on our website.

In addition to the certifications attached as Exhibits to this Form 10-K, following its 2019 Annual Meeting, GBL also submitted to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) a certification by our Chief Executive Officer that he is not aware of any violations by GBL of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards as of the date of the certification.

ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information required by Item 11 is included in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Information required by Item 12 is included in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information required by Item 13 is included in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14:
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information set forth under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

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PART IV

ITEM 15: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

  (a)  List of documents filed as part of this Report:

(1) Consolidated Financial Statements and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Reports included herein:

See Index on page 46.

(2) List of Exhibits:

The agreements included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement.  These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.

The Company acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this report not misleading.

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 14, 2013, by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc., a New York corporation and GAMCO Investors, Inc., a Delaware corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 20, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2013).
2.2	Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated November 30, 2015, by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. (the “Company”) and Associated Capital Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated November 30, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2015).
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated November 20, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2013).
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated November 20, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2013).
3.3	Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated September 23, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2014).

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4.1	Form of Common Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated November 20, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2013).
4.2	Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2010, by and between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (includes form of 0% Subordinated Debenture due 2015). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 6, 2011).
4.3	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 22, 2013, by and between the Company and, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated November 20, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2013).
4.4	Indenture, dated as of February 6, 2002, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. (Incorporated   by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated February 8, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2002).
4.5	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated May 31, 2011, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (includes form of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2021). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated May 25, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 31, 2011).
4.6	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated November 22, 2013, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated November 20, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2013).
4.7	Convertible Promissory Note, dated August 15, 2016, issued by the Company to Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated August 15, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2016).
4.8	Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit Agreement No. 1, dated August 15, 2016, issued by the Company in favor of GGCP, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated August 15, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2016).
10.1	Tax Indemnification Agreement between the Company and Gabelli Funds, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Amendment No. 3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-51023) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 1999).
10.2	The Company's 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2002). *

85

10.3	First Amendment to the Company’s 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Annex D to the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on October 30, 2013).*
10.4	Second Amendment to the Company’s 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 21, 2016).*
10.5	Third Amendment to the Company’s 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Commission on April 12, 2017).*
10.6	Employment Agreement, dated February 6, 2008, by and between the Company and Mario J. Gabelli (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated February 6, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 7, 2008). *
10.7	Service Mark and Name License Agreement, dated November 30, 2015, by and between the Company and Associated Capital Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated November 30, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2015).
10.8	Transitional Administrative and Management Services Agreement, dated November 30, 2015, by and between the Company and Associated Capital Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated November 30, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2015).
10.9	Promissory note, dated November 30, 2015, issued by the Company to Associated Capital Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated November 30, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2015).
10.10	Tax Indemnity and Sharing Agreement, dated November 30, 2015, by and between GAMCO Investors, Inc. and Associated Capital Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated November 30, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2015).
10.11	Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated December 21, 2015, by and between the Company and Mario J. Gabelli. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated December 21, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 28, 2015).
10.12	Note Purchase Agreement, dated August 15, 2016, by and among Cascade Investment, L.L.C., the Company, Mario J. Gabelli and GGCP, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated August 15, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2016).
10.13	Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 15, 2016, by and between Cascade Investment, L.L.C. and the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated August 15, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2016).

86

10.14	Escrow Agreement, dated August 15, 2016, by and among the Company, GGCP, Inc., Cascade Investment, L.L.C. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Report on Form 8-K dated August 15, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2016).
10.15	Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated December 23, 2016, by and between the Company and Mario J. Gabelli. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated December 23, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2016).
10.16	Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated September 30, 2017, by and between the Company and Mario J. Gabelli. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2017).
10.17	Promissory Note, dated December 28, 2015 issued by the Company to GGCP, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2016).
10.18	License Agreement, dated February 9, 1999, by and among the Company, Gabelli International Limited, Gabelli International II Limited, Gabelli Fund, LDC, and Gabelli Performance Partnership, L.P. and MJG Associates, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2016).
21.1	Subsidiaries of the Company.
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
24.1	Powers of Attorney (included on page 92 of this Report).
31.1	Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2	Certification of co-PFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.3	Certification of co-PFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32.1	Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of co-PFOs pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

* Compensatory agreements.

ITEM 16:FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Rye, State of New York, on March 11, 2019.

GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.

By: /s/ Kieran Caterina	By: /s/ Diane M. LaPointe
Name: Kieran Caterina	Name: Diane M. LaPointe
Title: Co-Principal Financial Officer	Title: Co-Principal Financial Officer
Date: March 11, 2019	Date: March 11, 2019

88

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Kieran Caterina, Kevin Handwerker and Diane M. LaPointe and each of them, their true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for them in their name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this report and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Mario J. Gabelli	Chairman of the Board,	March 11, 2019
Mario J. Gabelli	Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)
	and Director
/s/ Kieran Caterina	Co-Chief Accounting	March 11, 2019
Kieran Caterina	Officer (Co-Principal
	Financial Officer)
/s/ Diane M. LaPointe	Co-Chief Accounting	March 11, 2019
Diane M. LaPointe	Officer (Co-Principal
	Financial Officer)
/s/ Edwin L. Artzt	Director	March 11, 2019
Edwin L. Artzt
/s/ Raymond C. Avansino, Jr.	Director	March 11, 2019
Raymond C. Avansino, Jr.
/s/ Leslie B. Daniels	Director	March 11, 2019
Leslie B. Daniels
/s/ Eugene R. McGrath	Director	March 11, 2019
Eugene R. McGrath
/s/ Robert S. Prather, Jr.	Director	March 11, 2019
Robert S. Prather, Jr.
/s/ Elisa M. Wilson	Director	March 11, 2019
Elisa M. Wilson

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EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

Subsidiaries of GAMCO Investors, Inc.

The following table lists the direct and indirect subsidiaries of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (the “Company”), except those investment partnerships and offshore funds which are consolidated. In accordance with Item 601 (21) of Regulation S-K, the omitted subsidiaries considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary would not constitute a “significant subsidiary” as defined under Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X.

Name	Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization
Gabelli Funds, LLC	New York
(100%-owned by the Company)
GAMCO Asset Management Inc.	New York
(100%-owned by the Company)
Gabelli Fixed Income, Inc.	New York
(100%-owned by the Company)
GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited	United Kingdom
(100%-owned by the Company)
Gabelli Fixed Income L.L.C.	Delaware
(100%-owned by Gabelli Fixed Income, Inc.)
GAMCO Acquisition LLC	New York
(100%-owned by the Company)
Distributors Holdings, Inc.	Delaware
(100%-owned by GAMCO Asset Management Inc.)
G.distributors, LLC	Delaware
(100%-owned by Distributors Holdings, Inc.)
Gabelli Japan K.K.	Japan
(100%-owned by the Company)

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries (“GAMCO”) of our reports dated March 11, 2019, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of GAMCO, and the effectiveness of GAMCO’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of GAMCO Investors, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2018. 

1)	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-136428) of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries,
2)	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-141446) of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries,
3)	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-224032) of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries,
4)	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-148046) of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries,
5)	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-102935) of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries,
6)	Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-221394) of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries,
7)	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-126095) pertaining to the 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries,
8)	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-172427) pertaining to the 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries,
9)	Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-192525) pertaining to the 2002 Stock Award and Incentive Plan of GAMCO Investors, Inc. and subsidiaries.

/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

March 11, 2019

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certifications

I, Mario J. Gabelli, certify that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By:	/s/ Mario J. Gabelli
Name:	Mario J. Gabelli
Title:	Chief Executive Officer
Date:	March 11, 2019

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certifications

I, Kieran Caterina, certify that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By:	/s/ Kieran Caterina
Name:	Kieran Caterina
Title:	SVP and Co-Principal Financial Officer
Date:	March 11, 2019

EX-31.3

Exhibit 31.3

Certifications

I, Diane M. LaPointe, certify that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By:	/s/ Diane M. LaPointe
Name:	Diane M. LaPointe
Title:	SVP and Co-Principal Financial Officer
Date:	March 11, 2019

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of CEO Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Mario J. Gabelli, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of his knowledge:

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

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

By:	/s/ Mario J. Gabelli
Name:	Mario J. Gabelli
Title:	Chief Executive Officer
Date:	March 11, 2019

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

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of Co-PFOs Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Kieran Caterina and Diane M. LaPointe, as Co-Principal Financial Officers of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of their knowledge:

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

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

By:	/s/ Kieran Caterina	By:	/s/ Diane M. LaPointe
Name:	Kieran Caterina	Name:	Diane M. LaPointe
Title:	SVP and Co-Principal Financial Officer	Title:	SVP and Co-Principal Financial Officer
Date:	March 11, 2019	Date:	March 11, 2019

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

XML

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 01, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	GAMCO INVESTORS, INC. ET AL
Entity Central Index Key	0001060349
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Public Float			$ 161,467,218
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Class A [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		9,886,444
Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,024,117

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 341,455	$ 360,524	$ 353,000
Expenses
Compensation	83,768	134,170	86,572
Management fee	9,014	13,666	6,518
Distribution costs	39,194	44,447	44,189
Other operating expenses	22,692	23,221	23,925
Total expenses	154,668	215,504	161,204
Operating income	186,787	145,020	191,796
Other income (expense)
Net gain (loss) from investments	(25,173)	3,115	1,594
Extinguishment of debt	0	(3,300)	0
Interest and dividend income	2,241	2,350	1,511
Interest expense	(3,525)	(10,160)	(12,674)
Charitable contributions	(5,671)	(4,137)	0
Total other income/(expense), net	(32,128)	(12,132)	(9,569)
Income before income taxes	154,659	132,888	182,227
Income tax provision	37,463	55,079	65,106
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$ 117,196	$ 77,809	$ 117,121
Net income per share attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.08	$ 2.68	$ 4.01
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.07	$ 2.60	$ 3.92
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	28,744	28,980	29,182
Diluted (in shares)	28,777	30,947	30,170
Actual shares outstanding (in shares)	28,982	28,974	29,463
Investment Advisory and Incentive Fees [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 302,651	$ 316,705	$ 308,459
Distribution Fees and Other Income [Member]
Revenues
Total revenues	$ 38,804	$ 43,819	$ 44,541

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		$ 117,196	$ 77,809	$ 117,121
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation		(6)	82	(164)
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale	[1]	0	523	2,320
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(6)	605	2,156
Comprehensive income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc. shareholders		$ 117,190	$ 78,414	$ 119,277

[1] Net of income tax expense of $0, $290, and $1,363 for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. Effective January 1, 2018, upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01, the Company no longer recognizes unrealized gains or losses on equity securities through other comprehensive income/(loss). See Note C.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of income tax expense	$ 0	$ 290	$ 1,363

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 41,202	$ 17,821
Investments in securities	33,789	36,790
Receivable from brokers	3,423	1,578
Investment advisory fees receivable	25,677	38,712
Receivable from affiliates	4,194	5,635
Capital lease	2,095	2,304
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets	3,765	3,765
Income taxes receivable and deferred tax assets, net	15,001	15,615
Other assets	5,466	6,066
Total assets	134,612	128,286
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Payable to brokers	112	14,926
Income taxes payable	2,388	3,128
Capital lease obligation	4,794	4,943
Compensation payable	60,408	82,907
Payable to affiliates	1,041	855
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	32,091	28,656
Sub-total	100,834	135,415
AC 4% PIK Note (due November 30, 2020) (Note F)	0	50,000
5.875% Senior notes (net of issuance costs of $57 and $81, respectively) (due June 1, 2021) (Note F)	24,168	24,144
AC 1.6% Note Payable (due February 28, 2018) (Note F)	0	15,000
Total liabilities	125,002	224,559
Commitments and contingencies (Note I)
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	14,192	12,572
Retained earnings	282,928	155,939
Accumulated comprehensive income	(240)	11,876
Treasury stock, at cost (6,012,002 and 5,592,007 shares, respectively)	(287,303)	(276,693)
Total equity/(deficit)	9,610	(96,273)
Total liabilities and equity	134,612	128,286
Class A [Member]
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
Common stock	14	14
Class B [Member]
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders' equity
Common stock	$ 19	$ 19

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders equity
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	6,012,002	5,592,007
Class A [Member]
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	15,969,303	15,541,489
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	9,957,301	9,949,482
Class B [Member]
GAMCO Investors, Inc. stockholders equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	24,000,000	24,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	19,024,240	19,024,404
AC 4% PIK Note [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Nov. 30, 2020
Loan from GGCP [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Debt instrument, maturity date	Dec. 28, 2016
5.875% Senior Notes [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.875%	5.875%
Debt issuance costs	$ 57	$ 81
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jun. 01, 2021
AC 1.6% Note [Member]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Debt instrument, interest rate	1.60%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Feb. 28, 2018

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 33	$ 345	$ (34,224)	$ 9,115	$ (251,596)	$ (276,327)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	0	0	117,121	0	0	117,121
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of income tax expense	0	0	0	3,111	0	3,111
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense	0	0	0	(791)	0	(791)
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	(164)	0	(164)
Dividends declared	0	0	(2,382)	0	0	(2,382)
Stock based compensation expense	0	3,959	0	0	0	3,959
Reduction of deferred tax asset for excess of recorded RSA tax benefit over actual tax benefit	0	(401)	0	0	0	(401)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	(10,773)	(10,773)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	33	3,903	80,515	11,271	(262,369)	(166,647)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	0	0	77,809	0	0	77,809
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, net of income tax expense	0	0	0	2,492	0	2,492
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense	0	0	0	(1,969)	0	(1,969)
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	82	0	82
Dividends declared	0	0	(2,385)	0	0	(2,385)
Stock based compensation expense	0	8,669	0	0	0	8,669
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	(14,324)	(14,324)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	33	12,572	155,939	11,876	(276,693)	(96,273)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax ($7,095)		(12,110)	12,110
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax ($7,095) | ASU 2016-01 [Member]	0	0	12,110	(12,110)	0	0
Net income	0	0	117,196	0	0	117,196
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0	(6)	0	(6)
Dividends declared	0	0	(2,317)	0	0	(2,317)
Stock based compensation expense	0	1,620	0	0	0	1,620
Purchase of treasury stock	0	0	0	0	(10,610)	(10,610)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 33	$ 14,192	$ 282,928	$ (240)	$ (287,303)	$ 9,610

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale, income tax expense		$ 1,446	$ 1,857
Amount reclassified from accumulated and other comprehensive income, income tax expense (benefit)		$ (1,156)	$ (464)
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
ASU 2016-01 [Member]
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, tax	$ 7,095

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating activities
Net income	$ 117,196	$ 77,809	$ 117,121
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	562	595	625
Stock based compensation expense	1,620	8,669	3,959
Deferred income taxes	(487)	(5,451)	(5,537)
Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)	(6)	82	(164)
Donated securities	325	1,124	499
Unrealized on available for sale securities	18,632	0	0
Gains on sales of available for sale securities	0	(62)	(4)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	3,300	0
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Investments in trading securities	(13,568)	8	186
Receivable from affiliates	1,532	329	(927)
Receivable from brokers	(1,845)	(1,125)	638
Investment advisory fees receivable	13,035	5,024	(12,688)
Income tax receivable and deferred tax assets	615	(1,105)	(2,562)
Other assets	234	(73)	(69)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Payable to affiliates	186	(557)	(6,275)
Payable to brokers	(698)	(990)	54
Income taxes payable	(252)	(689)	2,768
Compensation payable	(22,496)	40,517	17,969
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	3,297	(714)	144
Total adjustments	686	48,882	(1,384)
Net cash provided by operating activities	117,882	126,691	115,737
Investing activities
Purchases of available for sale securities	(2,388)	(3,932)	(1,843)
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities	0	4,169	408
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(2,388)	237	(1,435)
Financing activities
Dividends paid	(2,328)	(2,315)	(2,333)
Purchase of treasury stock	(10,610)	(14,324)	(10,773)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	24	187	33
Net cash used in financing activities	(92,029)	(148,902)	(88,247)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	(84)	(17)	38
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	23,381	(21,991)	26,093
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	17,821	39,812	13,719
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	41,202	17,821	39,812
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	3,622	12,180	11,274
Cash paid for taxes	36,400	62,259	75,238
AC 4% PIK Note [Member]
Financing activities
Repayment of debt	(50,000)	(50,000)	(150,000)
Repurchases of AC 4% PIK Note due November 30, 2020		(50,000)
4.5% Convertible Notes [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt		3,300
Financing activities
Repayment of debt	0	(113,300)	0
Issuance of debt	0	0	109,826
Loan from GGCP [Member]
Financing activities
Repayment of debt	0	0	(35,000)
AC 1.6% Note [Member]
Financing activities
Repayment of debt	(15,000)	0	0
Issuance of debt	0	15,000	0
Margin Loan [Member]
Financing activities
Repayment of debt	(25,115)	(5,000)	0
Issuance of debt	$ 11,000	$ 20,850	$ 0

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Non-cash activity:
Accrued restricted stock award dividends	$ 20	$ 23	$ 35
Reduction to current tax payable for excess of actual tax benefit over recorded restricted stock award tax benefit			402
Increase to additional paid-in capital for excess of actual tax benefit over recorded restricted stock award tax benefit			$ (402)
5.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.875%	5.875%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Jun. 01, 2021
AC 4% PIK Note [Member]
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Nov. 30, 2020
Non-cash activity:
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 0
4.5% Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Aug. 15, 2021
Non-cash activity:
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Loan from GGCP Due December 28, 2016 [Member]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Dec. 28, 2016
Non-cash activity:
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 35,000
AC 1.6% Note [Member]
Debt instrument, interest rate	1.60%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Feb. 28, 2018

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Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

A. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL”, “We” or the “Company”) was incorporated in April 1998 in the state of New York, with no significant assets or liabilities and did not engage in any substantial business activities prior to the initial public offering (“Offering”) of our shares.  On February 9, 1999, we exchanged 24 million shares of our Class B Common Stock (“Class B Stock”), representing all of our then issued and outstanding common stock, with Gabelli Funds, Inc. (“GFI”) and two of its subsidiaries in consideration for substantially all of the operating assets and liabilities of GFI, relating to its institutional and retail asset management, mutual fund advisory, underwriting and brokerage business (the “Reorganization”).   GFI, which was renamed Gabelli Group Capital Partners, Inc. in 1999, is the majority shareholder of GBL and was renamed GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”) in 2005.  During 2010, the shares of GBL owned by GGCP were transferred to GGCP Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of GGCP.  In 2014, the Company changed its state of incorporation from New York to Delaware in a tax-free reorganization.  On November 30, 2015 (the “Spin-Off Date”), GBL distributed to its stockholders all of the outstanding common stock of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) and its subsidiaries along with certain cash and other assets (the “Spin-off”).  AC owns and operates, directly or indirectly, the alternatives and the institutional research businesses previously owned and operated by GBL.  In the Spin-off, each holder of GAMCO’s Class A Common Stock (“Class A Stock”) of record as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on November 12, 2015 (the “Record Date”), received one share of AC Class A common stock for each share of GAMCO Class A Stock held on the Record Date.  Each record holder of GAMCO’s Class B Stock received one share of AC Class B common stock for each share of GAMCO Class B Stock held on the Record Date.  Subsequent to the Spin-off, GAMCO no longer consolidates the financial results of AC or certain investment partnerships and offshore funds in which we had a direct or indirect controlling financial interest for the purposes of GAMCO’s financial reporting and the historical financial results of AC and certain investment partnerships and offshore funds have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations for all periods presented through the Spin-off Date.

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

·  GBL;

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

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

Use of Estimates

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

Nature of Operations

GAMCO, Funds Advisor, and Gabelli Fixed Income LLC (“Fixed Income LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fixed Income, are registered investment advisors under the Advisers Act of 1940. G.distributors is a registered broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).  Refer to Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition section within Note A for additional discussion of GBL's business.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Securities Transactions

Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase.  U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are considered investments in securities.  Securities that are not readily marketable are stated at their estimated fair values in accordance with GAAP.  Securities transactions and any related gains and losses are recorded on a trade date basis.  Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identified cost basis and are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income. 

Prior to January 1, 2018, investments in equity securities were accounted for as either “trading securities” or “available for sale” and were stated at fair value.  A portion of investments in securities are held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements and therefore were, prior to January 1, 2018, classified as trading securities.  Trading securities were stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Available for sale (“AFS”) investments were stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of other comprehensive income except for losses deemed to be other than temporary which were recorded as realized losses on the consolidated statements of income.

Prior to January 1, 2018, AFS securities were evaluated for other than temporary impairments each reporting period and any impairment charges were recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Management reviewed all available for sale securities whose cost exceeded their fair value to determine if the impairment was other than temporary.  Management used qualitative factors such as the intent to hold the investment, the amount of time that the investment had been impaired and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment was other than temporary.

Effective January 1, 2018, investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.

For 2018, because all changes in fair value of investments in our securities with readily determinable fair values are recognized in the consolidated statements of income, no evaluation for impairment was necessary.  There were no investments in equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at any time during 2018.  Such investments would require the application of impairment testing.

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

Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition

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

Investment advisory and incentive fees are directly influenced by the level and mix of assets under management (“AUM”) as fees are derived from a contractually-determined percentage of AUM for each account as well as incentive fees earned on certain accounts.  Advisory fees from the open-end funds, closed-end funds and sub-advisory accounts are computed daily or weekly based on average net assets and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  Advisory fees from Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts are generally computed quarterly based on account values as of the end of the preceding quarter, and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.    The Company derived approximately 89%, 88% and 87% of its total revenues from advisory fees, including incentive fees, for the periods ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These revenues vary depending upon the level of sales compared with redemptions, financial market conditions, performance and the fee structure for the Fund or account.  Revenues derived from the equity-oriented portfolios generally have higher advisory fee rates than fixed income portfolios.

The Company receives incentive fees from certain Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, which are based upon meeting or exceeding a specific benchmark index or indices.  Incentive fees refer to fees earned when the return generated for the client exceeds the benchmark and can be earned even if the return to the client is negative as long as the return exceeds the benchmark.  These fees are recognized, for each respective account, at the end of the stipulated contract period which is either quarterly or annually and varies by account.  Receivables due for incentive fees earned are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  There were no incentive fees receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

For The GDL Fund, there is an incentive fee earned as of the end of the calendar year and varies to the extent the total return of the fund is in excess of the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index total return. This fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period. Receivables due on incentive fees relating to The GDL Fund are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $1.4 million as of December 31, 2017.  There were no incentive fees receivable at December 31, 2018.

For the Gabelli Merger Plus⁺ Trust Plc, there is an incentive fee which is earned and recognized at the end of the measurement period, June 30^th and varies to the extent the total return of the fund is in excess of twice the rate of return of the 13 week Treasury Bills over the performance period.  There was no performance fee receivable as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.

Advisory fees on a majority of the closed-end preferred shares are earned at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the closed-end fund for the calendar year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares. These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually. Receivables due for advisory fees on closed-end preferred shares are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. There were $7.1 million in advisory fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares as of December 31, 2017.  There were no advisory fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares at December 31, 2018.

For the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV, there is an incentive fee earned as of the end of the calendar year equal to twenty percent of the gross return of the fund.  This fee is recognized as the end of the measurement period, which is annually on a calendar year basis, or earlier if there is a redemption.  Receivables due on incentive fees relating to the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $1.3 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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

Under the distribution plans, the open-end Class AAA shares of the Funds (except The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, Gabelli Capital Asset Fund and The Gabelli ABC Fund), the Class A shares of certain Funds pay G.distributors a distribution or service fee of 0.25% per year (except the Class A shares of the TETON Westwood Funds which pay 0.50% per year, except for the TETON Westwood Intermediate Bond Fund which pays .35%, and the Class A shares of the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund which pays 0.45% per year) on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Class C shares have a 12b-1 distribution plan with a service and distribution fee totaling 1%.

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

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

Distribution Costs

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

Dividends and Interest Income and Interest Expense

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

Depreciation and Amortization

Fixed assets other than leasehold improvements, with net book value of$362,000 and $421,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives from four to seven years. Accumulated depreciation was $2.8 million and $2.7 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Leasehold improvements, with net book value of $1.3 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or lease terms, whichever is shorter. The leased property under the capital lease is depreciated utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the lease, which expires on December 31, 2028.  The capital lease was extended on June 11, 2014 to December 31, 2028 from December 31, 2023.  For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, depreciation and amortization were $562,000, $595,000 and $632,000, respectively. We estimate that depreciation and amortization will be approximately $550,000 annually over the next three years.

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, 2018 and 2017, goodwill recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition relates to G.distributors.  At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the identifiable intangible assets are the investment advisory contracts for the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisition Fund, for the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd., all of which relate to Funds Advisor.  Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually on November 30^th and whenever certain triggering events are met.  In assessing the recoverability of the identifiable intangible asset for 2018 and 2017, projections regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors are made to determine the fair value of the asset.  No impairment was recorded during 2018, 2017, or 2016.

In assessing the recoverability of goodwill for our annual impairment test on November 30, 2018 and 2017, we performed a qualitative assessment of whether it was more likely than not that an impairment had occurred and concluded that a quantitative analysis was not required.  No impairment was recorded during 2018, 2017, or 2016.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts on the consolidated financial statements using the statutory tax rates in effect for the year when the reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled, respectively.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, the Company recorded an increase in expense of $8.2 million reflecting the net write-down to its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.  A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying values of deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  For each tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation.  A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize.  The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.  The Company recognizes the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions and penalties in income tax provision on the consolidated statements of income.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

All of the instruments within cash and cash equivalents, investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are measured at fair value.

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 funds, closed-end funds and equities.

-   Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly-quoted intervals. Assets that generally are included in this category may include certain limited partnership interests in private funds and over the counter derivatives that have inputs to the valuations that can generally be corroborated by observable market data.

-   Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.  Assets included in this category generally include equities that trade infrequently and direct private equity investments held within consolidated partnerships.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Investments are transferred into or out of any level at their beginning period values.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from instrument to instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of instrument, whether the instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized as Level 3.

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

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

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

Investments in securities and Securities sold, not yet purchased – Investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are generally valued based on quoted prices from an exchange.  To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  Securities categorized in Level 2 investments are valued using other observable inputs.  Nonpublic and infrequently traded investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because significant inputs to measure fair value are unobservable.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period less unvested restricted stock.  Diluted earnings per share is based on basic shares plus the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of in-the-money stock options and unvested restricted stock using the treasury stock method, and, if dilutive, assumes the conversion of the convertible note for the periods outstanding since the issuance in August 2016 through the repayment in November 2017 using the if converted method.

Management Fee

Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits before management fee which is paid to Mr. Gabelli or his designee for acting as CEO pursuant to his 2008 Employment Agreement so long as he is an executive of GBL and devotes the substantial majority of his working time to the business. In accordance with his 2008 Employment Agreement, he has allocated $0.9 million, $1.4 million and $2.2 million of his management fee to certain other employees of the Company in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Stock Based Compensation

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

The estimated fair value of RSAs is determined by using the closing price of Class A Common Stock (“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.

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

In connection with the Spin-off of AC and in accordance with GAAP, the Company allocated the stock compensation costs between GBL and AC based upon each employee’s individual allocation of their responsibilities between GBL and AC.  See note H. Equity for further details.

The Company has entered into three deferred compensation agreements with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for 2016, the first half of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017 was in the form of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) determined by the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s Class A Stock during those respective periods.  The 2016 Deferred Cash Compensation Agreement (“DCCA”) will vest 100% on January 1, 2020, the First Half 2017 DCCA vested 100% on July 1, 2018, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA will vest 100% on April 1, 2019.  On May 23, 2018, the CEO waived receipt of $6 million of the First Half 2017 DCCA, and a reduction in expense was recognized in 2018.  The Company settled the First Half 2017 DCCA award in cash and intends to settle the two other unvested awards in cash at their vesting.  The Company, however, reserves the right to issue shares of the Company’s Class A Stock in lieu of such cash payment.  Under the terms of the agreement the Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the applicable period or the value on the lapse date or, if not a trading day, then the first trading date thereafter.

Under GAAP, for the 2016 DCCA only 25% of this deferred compensation expense was being recognized in 2016 with the remainder amortized ratably over 2017, 2018, and 2019.  Similarly, under GAAP, for the First Half 2017 DCCA 67% of the expense was recognized in 2017 with the remaining 33% expensed in 2018.  For the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA 17% of the expense was recognized in 2017, 66% in 2018 and the remaining 17% will be recognized in 2019.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, given the Company’s intent to settle it in cash, in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the awards are accounted for as liability-classified awards and not as equity-classified awards.  The liability is remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from December 31, 2016 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for each respective period, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using each period’s respective VWAP price.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and receivable from brokers.  The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents primarily in the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, which invests fully in instruments issued by the U.S. government, and has receivables from brokers with various brokers and financial institutions, where these balances can exceed the federally insured limit.  The concentration of credit risk with respect to advisory fees receivable is generally limited due to the short payment terms extended to clients by the Company.  In addition, the credit risk is further limited by virtue of the fact that no single advisory relationship provided over 10% of the total revenue of the Company during the years 2018, 2017, or 2016.  All investments in securities are held at third party brokers or custodians.

Business Segment

The Company operates in one business segment, the investment advisory and asset management business. The Company conducts its investment advisory business principally through: Funds Advisor (Funds) and GAMCO (Institutional and Private Wealth Management).  The distribution of our open-end funds and underwriting of those Funds is conducted through G.distributors.

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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 to receive 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 Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 and adopted the modified retrospective approach.  The Company’s implementation analysis has been completed, and we have identified similar performance obligations under this guidance as compared with deliverables and separate units of account previously identified under Topic 605.  As a result, the timing of the recognition of our revenue remains the same as under Topic 605, and therefore the adoption does not have any effect on the timing of the recognition of revenue.  See Note B. Revenue Recognition for the disclosures required by ASU 2014-09.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the ASU retains many current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities. To adopt the amendments, entities will be required to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the guidance is effective.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 and reclassed $12.1 million out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income and into Retained Earnings.  Effective January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of the Company’s available for sale investments will be reported through earnings rather than through other comprehensive income.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP for the accounting for leases.  ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from most operating leases in the consolidated statement of financial position. It requires these operating leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as right of use assets and offsetting lease liability obligations.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019 and we have elected the transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11, which does not require restatement of comparative periods but instead requires a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings at the January 1, 2019 adoption date.  The Company has performed the analysis on the transition to this new guidance, and we do not expect it to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  This guidance is intended to unify the currently diverse presentations and classifications, and address eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 to simplify the process used to test for goodwill impairment.  A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

On May 10, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements.  The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718.  Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification.  For all entities, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 to address constituent concerns related to the application of ASC 740 to certain provisions of the new tax reform legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  Specifically, the ASU addressed concerns about the requirement in ASC 740 that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities be included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that contains that enactment date of the change.  That guidance applies even in situations in which the tax effects were initially recognized directly to other comprehensive income at the previous rate, resulting in “stranded” amounts in accumulated comprehensive income (AOCI) related to the income tax rate differential.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company has elected not to early adopt for the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 contained in this Form 10-K.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, which clarifies and simplifies the disclosure requirements for fair value transfers and measurements.  This new guidance will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Revenue Recognition

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

B.  Revenue Recognition

The revenue streams in the discussion below and in the table at the end of this Note include those that are within the scope of ASU 2014-09.  In all cases for all revenue streams discussed below, the revenue generated is from a single transaction price, and there is no need to allocate the amounts across more than a single revenue stream.  The customer for all revenues derived from open-end and closed-end funds described in detail below has been determined to be the fund itself and not the ultimate underlying investor in the fund.  The Company has identified similar performance obligations under ASU 2014-09 as compared with ASC Topic 605.  As a result, the timing of the recognition of our revenue remains the same under this new guidance as it was under ASC Topic 605.

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

The Company’s analysis of the timing of revenue recognition for each revenue stream is based upon an analysis of current contract terms.  Performance obligations could, however, change from time to time if and when existing contracts are modified or new contracts are entered into.  These changes could potentially affect the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, the determination of the transaction price, and the allocation of the price to performance obligations.  In the case of the revenue streams discussed below, the performance obligation is satisfied either at a point in time or over time.  For performance correlated and conditional revenues, the performance obligation (advising a client portfolio) is satisfied over time, while recognition of revenues effectively occurs at the end of the measurement period as defined within the contract, as such amounts are subject to reduction to zero on the date where the measurement period ends even if the performance benchmarks were exceeded during the intervening period.  The judgments outlined below, where the determination as to these factors is discussed in detail, are continually reviewed and monitored by the Company when new contracts or contract modifications occur.  Transaction price is in all instances formulaic and not subject to significant (or any) judgment at the current time.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is subject to judgment.  There were no impairment losses (allowance for doubtful accounts) on any receivables from any revenue stream at the end of the full year ended December 31, 2018.

Advisory Fee Revenues

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

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

Performance Correlated and Conditional Revenues

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

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

One fund within the SICAV structure charges a performance fee.  That fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period which coincides with the calendar year or upon redemption.  The fee would also be earned and the contract period ended at any interim point in time that the client terminated its relationship with us.  That fee is received in cash after the end of the measurement period, within 30 days.

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

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

Distribution Fees and Other Income

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

Revenue Disaggregated

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by account type:

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2018		2017
Advisory Fees:
Open-end Funds	$	122,804	$	130,543
Closed-end Funds		67,418		64,198
Sub-advisory accounts		4,479		3,434
Institutional & Private Wealth Management		99,180		104,760
SICAVs		5,625		4,628
Performance-based		1,495		9,142
Conditional		1,650		-
Distribution and other income		38,804		43,819
Total revenues	$	341,455	$	360,524

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Investment in Securities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Investment in Securities [Abstract]

Investment in Securities

C. Investments in Securities

Investments in securities at December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2018					2017
	Cost		Fair Value			Cost		Fair Value
Securities carried at FVTNI:					Trading securities:
Common stocks	$	38,865	$	32,414	Common stocks	$	26	$	34
Closed-end funds		1,414		1,337	Closed-end funds		-		-
Mutual funds		44		38	Mutual funds		11		11
Total securities at FVTNI		40,323		33,789	Total trading securities		37		45
					Available for sale securities:
					Common stocks		17,441		36,637
					Closed-end funds		99		108
					Total available for sale securities		17,540		36,745
Total investments in securities	$	40,323	$	33,789	Total investments in securities	$	17,577	$	36,790

There were no securities sold, not yet purchased at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-01, which changed the accounting for equity securities and resulted in the reclassification of $12.1 million, net of tax, out of accumulated comprehensive income and into retained earnings in the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.  As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company carries all investments in equity securities at fair value through net income (“FVTNI”) which approximates market value and all changes in the fair value of the Company’s entire investment portfolio are now recorded in the net gain/(loss) from investments line in the consolidated statements of income rather than through other comprehensive income.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an unrealized loss of $25.0 million related to equity securities still held at December 31, 2018.

The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

Amount				Affected Line Item in	Reason for
Reclassified				in the Statements	Reclassification
from AOCI				Of Income	from AOCI
For the year ended
December 31, 2017
	$	62		Net gain from investments	Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
		3,063		Other operating expenses	Donation of AFS securities
		3,125		Income before income taxes
		(1,156	)	Income tax provision
	$	1,969		Net income

The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investments in securities as of December 31, 2017:

	December 31, 2017
				Gross			Gross
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
	Cost			Gains			Losses			Value
	(In thousands)
Common stocks		$	17,441		$	19,196		$	-		$	36,637
Closed-end funds			99			9			-			108
Total available for sale securities		$	17,540		$	19,205		$	-		$	36,745

Increases in unrealized gains, net of taxes, for AFS securities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 of $0.5 million and $2.3 million have been included in other comprehensive income at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The amount reclassified from other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale were approximately $4.2 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, gross gains on the sale of investments available for sale amounted to $62,000 and $4,000, respectively, and were reclassed from other comprehensive income into the consolidated statements of income. There were no losses on the sale of investments available for sale for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The basis on which the cost of a security sold is determined is specific identification.  For 2017, accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of equity is primarily comprised of unrealized gains/losses, net of taxes, for AFS securities.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-01, GBL had an established accounting policy and methodology to determine other-than-temporary impairment on available for sale securities.  Under this policy, available for sale securities were evaluated for other than temporary impairments and any impairment charges were recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Management reviewed all available for sale securities whose cost exceeds their market value to determine if the impairment was other than temporary.  Management used qualitative factors such as diversification of the investment, the amount of time that the investment had been impaired, the intent to sell and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment was other than temporary.  

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 there were no losses on available for sale securities that were deemed to be other than temporary.

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Fair Value

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Fair Value [Abstract]

Fair Value

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 December 31, 2018 and 2017 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, 2018 (in thousands)

	Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant		Balance as of
	Markets for Identical		Observable		Unobservable		December 31,
Assets	Assets (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		2018
Cash equivalents	$	40,905	$	-	$	-	$	40,905
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		32,414		-		-		32,414
Closed-end Funds		38		-		-		38
Mutual Funds		1,337		-		-		1,337
Total investments in securities		33,789		-		-		33,789
Total assets at fair value	$	74,694	$	-	$	-	$	74,694

During the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands)

	Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant		Balance as of
	Markets for Identical		Observable		Unobservable		December 31,
Assets	Assets (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		2017
Cash equivalents	$	17,475	$	-	$	-	$	17,475
Investments in securities:
AFS - Common stocks		36,637		-		-		36,637
AFS - Closed-end Funds		108		-		-		108
Trading - Common stocks		34		-		-		34
Trading - Mutual Funds		11		-		-		11
Total investments in securities		36,790		-		-		36,790
Total assets at fair value	$	54,265	$	-	$	-	$	54,265

During the year ended December 31, 2017, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

E. Income Taxes

GBL and its operating subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Accordingly, the income tax provision represents the aggregate of the amounts provided for all companies.

ASU 2016-09, which was issued in March 2016 and became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, simplifies several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, our accounting for excess tax benefits has changed and was adopted prospectively, resulting in recognition of excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies against income tax expenses rather than additional paid-in capital.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, the ETR was higher by 0.7% as a result of a reduction to previously recorded stock compensation tax benefits.

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:

	2018			2017			2016
(In thousands)
Federal:
Current	$	32,979		$	54,318		$	63,991
Deferred		(604	)		(3,670	)		(4,424	)
State and local:
Current		4,971			6,212			6,652
Deferred		117			(1,781	)		(1,113	)
Total	$	37,463		$	55,079		$	65,106

A reconciliation of the Federal statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate is set forth below:

	2018		2017		2016
Statutory Federal income tax rate	21.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income tax, net of Federal benefit	2.6		0.5		1.0
Impact of Tax Act	-		6.2		-
Other	0.6		(0.3)		(0.3)
Effective income tax rate	24.2	%	41.4	%	35.7	%

Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	2018			2017
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Investments in securities	$	1,567		$	-
Stock compensation expense		344			110
Deferred compensation		8,830			14,740
Capital lease obligation		648			633
Other		211			238
Total deferred tax assets		11,600			15,721
Deferred tax liabilities:
Investments in securities available for sale		-			(4,609	)
Contingent deferred sales commissions		(107	)		(189	)
Intangible asset amortization		(313	)		(233	)
Other		(13	)		(10	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(433	)		(5,041	)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	11,167		$	10,680

As a result of the vesting of RSAs, and in accordance with GAAP, a decrease of $0.4 million was recorded in additional paid in capital for the year ended December 31, 2016 as the actual tax benefits realized by the Company were less than the previously recorded deferred tax benefits.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions was approximately $14.2 million and $13.3 million, respectively, of which recognition of $11.3 million and $10.5 million, respectively, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the net liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions was $16.2 million and $14.5 million, respectively, and is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions is as follows:

	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	18.4
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2.3
Additions for tax positions of prior years		1.2
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(6.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2016		15.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2.2
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(3.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2017		13.3
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1.8
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(0.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	14.2

The Company records penalties and interest related to tax uncertainties in income taxes. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had recognized gross liabilities of approximately $6.1 million and $4.8 million related to interest and penalties, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an income tax expense related to an increase in its liability for interest and penalties of $1.0 million.  For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit related to a decrease in its liability for interest and penalties of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was enacted in December 2017 resulted in an $8.2 million write down of net deferred tax assets.

Specifically, the 2017 income tax expense included the following amounts related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in the United States in December 2017.

· $10.9 million tax expense related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax assets;

· $2.7 million non-cash tax benefit related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities

The Company is currently being audited by New York State for years 2007 through 2011 but does not expect that any potential assessments will be material to its results of operations.  The Company is subject to future audits by New York State for all years after 2011.  The Company’s remaining state income tax returns are subject to future audit for all years after 2011.  The Company’s Federal tax returns are subject to future audit for 2015 through 2017.

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Earnings per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

F. Earnings per Share

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:

	For the Years Ending December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2018		2017		2016
Basic:
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196	$	77,809	$	117,121
Weighted average shares outstanding		28,744		28,980		29,182
Basic net income per share attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	4.08	$	2.68	$	4.01
Diluted:
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196	$	77,809	$	117,121
Add interest on convertible notes, net of management fee and taxes		-		2,604		1,133
Total income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		117,196		80,413		118,254
Weighted average share outstanding		28,744		28,980		29,182
Restricted stock awards		33		192		234
Assumed conversion of convertible note		-		1,775		754
Total		28,777		30,947		30,170
Diluted net income per share attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	4.07	$	2.60	$	3.92

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Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

G. Debt

Debt consists of the following:

	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
	Value			Level 2			Value			Level 2
(In thousands)
AC 4% PIK Note		$	-		$	-		$	50,000		$	50,572
AC 1.6% Note			-			-			15,000			14,972
5.875% Senior notes			24,168			23,061			24,144			24,543
Total		$	24,168		$	23,061		$	89,144		$	90,087

4.5% Convertible Note

On August 15, 2016, the Company issued via a private placement a 5-year, $110 million convertible note (“Convertible Note”) to Cascade Investment, L.L.C.  The note bore interest at a rate of 4.5% per annum and was convertible into shares of the Company’s Class A Common stock (“Class A Stock”) at an initial conversion price of $55.00 per share.  The Convertible Note was initially convertible into two million shares of the Company’s Class A Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Note.  The Company was required to repurchase the Convertible Note at the request of the holder on specified dates or after certain circumstances involving a Fundamental Change (as defined in the Convertible Note).  The Company had the option to repurchase, in whole or in part (must be at least 50%), the Convertible Note at $101 on or after February 15, 2019.  At issuance, the Company recorded $174,000 of costs in connection with the issuance of the Convertible Note that was scheduled to be amortized over the five year life.  On November 20, 2017, the Company and the Convertible Note holder agreed to amend the Convertible Note to allow for an early redemption if the Company paid the Convertible Note holder 103% of the unpaid principal plus all accrued but unpaid interest on the redemption date.  On November 21, 2017, the Company redeemed the Convertible Note for $114.6 million.  The payment was equal to 103% of the unpaid principal amount of the note plus accrued interest.  As a result, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.3 million and expensed the remaining $135,000 of issuance costs.

GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”), which owns approximately 63% of the equity interest of the Company, initially deposited cash equal to the principal amount of the Convertible Note and six months interest (“Initial Deposit”) into an escrow account established pursuant to an escrow agreement by and among GGCP, the Company, the Convertible Note holder and the escrow agent (the “Escrow Agreement”).  In connection with the Initial Deposit made by GGCP, the Company had agreed that GGCP had a right to demand payment in an amount equal to any funds withdrawn from the escrow account by the Convertible Note holder.  On September 30, 2017, in connection with an amendment to the Escrow Agreement and in exchange for approximately 53% of the assets in the escrow account, the Company paid GGCP $60 million.  On November 21, 2017, the Company paid GGCP $53 million for the remaining 47% of the assets in the escrow account that it did not previously own.

AC 4% PIK Note

In connection with the Spin-off of AC on November 30, 2015, the Company issued a $250 million promissory note (the “AC 4% PIK Note”) payable to AC.  The AC 4% PIK Note bears interest at 4.0% per annum.  The original principal amount has a maturity date of November 30, 2020.  Interest on the AC 4% PIK Note will accrue from the date of the last interest payment, or if no interest has been paid, from the effective date of the AC 4% PIK Note.  At the election of the Company, payment of interest on the AC 4% PIK Note may be paid in kind (in whole or in part) on the then-outstanding principal amount (a “PIK Amount”) in lieu of cash. All PIK Amounts added to the outstanding principal amount of the AC 4% PIK Note will mature on the fifth anniversary from the date the PIK Amount was added to the outstanding principal of the AC 4% PIK Note.  In no event may any interest be paid in kind subsequent to November 30, 2019.  The Company may prepay the AC 4% PIK Note (in whole or in part) prior to maturity without penalty.

During 2018, the Company prepaid $50 million of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note against the principal amount due on November 30, 2020.  The AC 4% PIK Note was fully repaid on August 28, 2018.  During 2017, the Company prepaid $50 million of principal of the AC 4% PIK Note.  $30 million of the prepayment was applied against the principal amount due on November 30, 2018 and $20 million against the principal amount due on November 30, 2019.

AC 1.6% Note

On December 26, 2017, to finance tax payments and for working capital purposes, the Company borrowed $15 million from AC in exchange for a note that bore interest at 1.6% per annum.  On February 28, 2018, the date of maturity, the Company repaid the entire principal and accrued interest.

5.875% Senior Notes

On May 31, 2011, the Company issued $100 million of senior unsecured notes (“Senior Notes”) at par. The net proceeds of $99.1 million are being used for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include acquisitions and seed investments. The issuance costs of $0.9 million have been capitalized and will be amortized over the term of the debt or pro rata upon a repurchase. The notes mature on June 1, 2021 and bear interest at 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year and commenced on December 1, 2011. Upon a change of control triggering event, as defined in the indenture, the Company is required to offer to repurchase the notes at 101% of their principal amount.

On November 18, 2015, the Company commenced a tender offer (the “Offer”) to purchase for cash up to $100 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount.  $75.8 million of face value Senior Notes were tendered upon the expiration of the Offer.  The tender was accounted for as an extinguishment of debt and resulted in a loss of $0.8 million and is included in extinguishment of debt on the consolidated statements of income.  In connection with the tender, the Company also expensed $0.4 million of pro rata unamortized issuance costs which was included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income.  At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the debt was recorded at its face value, net of issuance costs, of $24.2 million and $24.1 million, respectively.

The fair value of the Company’s debt, which is a Level 2 valuation, is estimated based on either quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities or using market standard models. Inputs into these models include credit rating, maturity and interest rate.

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Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

H.  Equity

Voting Rights

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

Stock Award and Incentive Plan

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

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were 427,650 RSA shares and 19,400 RSA shares, respectively, outstanding that were issued at an average grant price of $24.93 per share and $65.67 per share, respectively.  The $65.67 per share reflects pre AC Spin-off stock prices and vested prior to March 31, 2018.  On April 4, 2018, 270,500 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $24.77.  On August 7, 2018, 162,450 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $25.16.  On September 17, 2018, 5,000 RSAs were issued at a grant price of $25.74.  All grants of RSAs were recommended by the Company's Chairman, who did not receive a RSA, and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. This expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized over the vesting period for these awards which is 30% over three years from the date of grant and 70% over five years from the date of grant. During the vesting period, dividends to RSA holders are held for them until the RSA vesting dates and are forfeited if the grantee is no longer employed by the Company on the vesting dates.  Dividends declared on these RSAs, less estimated forfeitures, are charged to retained earnings on the declaration date.  For RSAs issued by GAMCO prior to the Spin-off of AC on November 30, 2015, the Company expenses the portion of the RSAs that correspond to the employee allocation between GAMCO and AC.

On June 1, 2017, the Compensation Committee of AC accelerated the vesting of all 420,240 AC RSAs outstanding effective June 15, 2017.  As a result, GBL recorded an incremental $3.7 million of stock-based compensation expense for 2017.  This amount related to GBL teammates who held AC RSAs.

On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee of GBL accelerated the vesting relating to 201,120 of GBL RSAs outstanding effective August 31, 2017.  As a result, GBL recorded an incremental $1.8 million of stock-based compensation expense for 2017.  On December 27, 2017, the Compensation Committee of GBL accelerated the vesting relating to an additional 144,650 GBL RSAs resulting in an incremental $1.3 million of expense in 2017.  On January 5, 2018, the Compensation Committee of GBL accelerated the then remaining 19,400 GBL RSAs resulting in an incremental $0.2 million of expense in 2018.

During 2016, in accordance with the deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli for the full year of 2016, the Company issued 2,314,695 RSUs, based upon the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for 2016 of $32.8187, in satisfaction of Mr. Gabelli’s variable compensation of $75,965,266 for 2016.  These RSUs will vest 100% on January 1, 2020 and are being expensed ratably over the vesting period.  For 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company expensed 25%, or $18,991,316, of this RSU in each year.  The Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for 2016 or the value on the lapse date.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, given the Company’s intent to settle it in cash, in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the award is accounted for as a liability-classified award and not as an equity-classified award.  The liability is remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from December 31, 2016 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the 2016 fiscal year, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using that VWAP price.  Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, the Company marked to market the RSU payable on December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 to the closing prices of the Company’s Class A Stock of $16.89, $29.65 and $30.89, respectively.  These mark to market adjustments resulted in a reduction of the RSU expense of $24.0 million, $2.6 million and $1.1 million for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

On December 23, 2016, GAMCO entered into a deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for the first half of 2017 (“First Half 2017 DCCA”) was in the form of RSUs determined by the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock during the first half of 2017.  During 2017, in accordance with the deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli for the first half of 2017, the Company issued 1,244,018 RSUs, based upon the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the first half of 2017 of $29.6596, in satisfaction of Mr. Gabelli’s variable compensation of $36,897,086 for that period.  The RSUs vested 100% on July 1, 2018, and the Company settled the award in cash at that time.  Under the terms of the agreement the Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the first half of 2017 or the value on the lapse date or, if not a trading day, then the first trading date thereafter.  For GAAP reporting, the Company recognized the amount of Mr. Gabelli’s 2017 first half compensation ratably over the vesting period, or approximately 67% of the total during 2017 and 33% during 2018.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, and given that the Company settled the award in cash, and in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the award is accounted for as a liability-classified award and not as an equity-classified award.  The liability was remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from June 30, 2017 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the first half of the 2017 fiscal year, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using that VWAP price.  Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, the Company marked to market the RSU payable on December 31, 2017 to the closing price of the Company’s Class A Stock of $29.65.  This mark to market adjustment resulted in a reduction of the RSU expense of $17,000 for 2017.  On May 23, 2018, Mr. Gabelli waived receipt of $6 million of the First Half 2017 DCCA, and a reduction in expense was recognized for 2018.  The Company marked to market the RSU payable on the date of vesting, July 2, 2018, to the VWAP price of the Company’s Class A Stock of $27.1837 for that day.  This mark to market adjustment resulted in a reduction of the RSU expense of $2.6 million in 2018.  On July 2, 2018, the First Half 2017 DCCA vested in accordance with the terms of the agreement and a cash payment of $28.3 million was made to Mr. Gabelli.

On September 30, 2017, GAMCO entered into a deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for the fourth quarter of 2017 will be in the form of RSUs determined by the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock during the fourth quarter of 2017.  During 2017, in accordance with the deferred compensation agreement with Mr. Gabelli for the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company issued 530,662 RSUs, based upon the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the fourth quarter of 2017 of $29.1875, in satisfaction of Mr. Gabelli’s variable compensation of $15,488,708 for that period.  The RSUs will vest 100% on April 1, 2019, and the Company intends to settle the award in cash at that time; however, the Company reserves the right to issue shares of the Company’s Class A Stock in lieu of such cash payment.  Under the terms of the agreement the Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the fourth quarter of 2017 or the value on the lapse date or, if not a trading day, then the first trading date thereafter.  For GAAP reporting, the Company will recognize the amount of Mr. Gabelli’s 2017 fourth quarter compensation ratably over the vesting period, or approximately 17% of the total during 2017, 66% during 2018 and 17% during 2019.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, given the Company’s intent to settle it in cash, in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the award is accounted for as a liability-classified award and not as an equity-classified award.  The liability is remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from December 31, 2017 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the fourth quarter of the 2017 fiscal year, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using that VWAP price.  Therefore, in accordance with GAAP, and provided that the closing price of the Company’s Class A Stock of $29.65 was higher than the VWAP price over the fourth quarter of 2017 of $29.1875 there was no mark to market adjustment recorded in 2017.  The Company marked to market the RSU payable on December 31, 2018 to the closing price of the Company’s Class A Stock of $16.89.  This mark to market adjustment resulted in a reduction of the RSU expense of $5.4 million in 2018.

A summary of the stock option and RSA activity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

	Options				RSAs
								Weighted Average
			Weighted Average					Grant Date
	Shares		Exercise Price		Shares			Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2016		-	$	-		424,340		$	65.74
Granted		-		-		-			-
Forfeited		-		-		(4,500	)		78.62
Exercised / Vested		-		-		(400,440	)		65.60
Outstanding at December 31, 2017		-		-		19,400			65.67
Granted		10,000		25.55		437,950			24.93
Forfeited		-		-		(10,300	)		24.81
Exercised / Vested		-		-		(19,400	)		65.67
Outstanding at December 31, 2018		10,000	$	25.55		427,650		$	24.93
Shares available for future issuance at
December 31, 2018		1,087,717

The total compensation costs related to non-vested awards not yet recognized is approximately $8.1 million as of December 31, 2018. This will be recognized as expense in the following periods (in thousands):

2018			2019			2020			2021			2022			2023
	$	1,620		$	2,310		$	2,310		$	1,695		$	1,319		$	499

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded approximately $1.6 million, $8.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively, in stock based compensation expense which resulted in the recognition of tax benefits of approximately $0.4 million, $3.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, includes $0.2 million in stock compensation expense as a result of accelerating 19,400 RSAs.  The $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, includes $6.8 million in stock compensation expense as a result of accelerating 345,770 RSAs.  There were no comparable accelerations in the year ended December 31, 2016.

Stock Repurchase Program

In 1999, the Board of Directors established the Stock Repurchase Program through which the Company has been authorized to purchase up to $9 million of Class A Stock. The Board of Directors authorized 500,000, 425,352, and 610,511 shares in May 2017, August 2017, and August 2018, respectively. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, we repurchased 419,995 shares, 484,526 shares and 348,687 shares, respectively, at an average price of $25.25 per share, $29.56 per share and $30.88 per share, respectively.  There remain 864,810 shares available under this program at December 31, 2018.

Dividends

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company declared dividends of $0.08 per share, $0.08 per share and $0.08 per share, respectively, to class A and class B shareholders totaling $2.3 million, $2.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Under the terms of the RSA agreements, we accrue dividends, less estimated forfeitures, for RSA grantees from the date of grant but these dividends are held for grantees who are not entitled to receive dividends until their awards vest and only if they are still employed by the Company at those dates. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, dividends accrued on RSAs not yet vested were approximately $20,000 and $24,000, respectively.

Shelf Registration

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

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Capital Lease

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Capital Lease [Abstract]

Capital Lease

I. Capital Lease

On December 5, 1997, prior to the Offering in 1999, the Company entered into a fifteen-year lease, expiring on April 30, 2014, of office space from an entity controlled by members of the Chairman's family. On June 11, 2013, the Company modified and extended its lease with M4E, LLC, the Company’s landlord at 401 Theodore Fremd Ave, Rye, NY. The lease term was extended to December 31, 2028, and the base rental remained at $18 per square foot, or $1.1 million, for 2014.  From January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2028, the base rental will be determined by the change in the consumer price index for the New York Metropolitan Area for November of the immediate prior year with the base period as November 2008 for the New York Metropolitan Area.

The lease has been accounted for as a capital lease as it transfers substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership to GBL.  The Company has recorded the leased property as an asset and a capital lease obligation for the present value of the obligation of the leased property.  The leased property is amortized on a straight-line basis from the date of the most recent extension to the end of the lease. The capital lease obligation is amortized over the same term using the interest method of accounting.  Capital lease improvements are amortized from the date of expenditure through the end of the lease term or the useful life, whichever is shorter, on a straight-line basis.  The lease provides that all operating expenses relating to the property (such as property taxes, utilities and maintenance) are to be paid by the lessee, GBL.  These are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.  Accumulated amortization on the leased property was approximately $5.1 million and $4.9 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments for this capitalized lease at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	(In thousands)
2019	$	1,253
2020		1,080
2021		1,080
2022		1,080
2023		1,080
Thereafter		5,400
Total minimum obligations		10,973
Interest		6,166
Present value of net obligations	$	4,807

Lease payments under this agreement amounted to approximately $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.2 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The capital lease contains an escalation clause tied to the change in the New York Metropolitan Area Consumer Price Index which may cause the future minimum payments to exceed $1,080,000 annually. Future minimum lease payments have not been reduced by related minimum future sublease rentals of approximately $1.1 million due over the next five years, which are due from affiliated entities. Total minimum obligations exclude the operating expenses to be borne by the Company, which are estimated to be approximately $0.8 million per year.

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Contractual Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Contractual Obligations [Abstract]

Contractual Obligations

J. Contractual Obligations

We rent office space under leases which expire at various dates through January 31, 2022. Future minimum lease commitments under these operating leases as of December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	(In thousands)
2019	$	616
2020		121
2021		68
2022		4
Total	$	809

Equipment rentals and occupancy expense amounted to approximately $2.4 million, $2.2 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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Charitable Contributions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Charitable Contributions [Abstract]

Charitable Contributions

K. Charitable Contributions

During 2013, the Company established a Shareholder Designated Charitable Contribution program.  Under the program, each shareholder is eligible to designate a charity to which the Company would make a donation based upon the actual number of shares registered in the shareholder’s name.  Shares held in nominee or street name were not eligible to participate.  During 2017, the Company recorded a charge of $4.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, net of management fee and tax benefit related to contributions which were included in charitable contributions on the consolidated statements of income.  During 2018, the Company recorded a charge of $5.7 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, net of management fee and tax benefit related to contributions which were included in charitable contributions on the consolidated statements of income.

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Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

L. Related Party Transactions

The following is a summary of certain related party transactions.

GGCP Holdings LLC owns a majority of our Class B Stock, representing approximately 91% of the combined voting power and 63% of the outstanding shares of our common stock at December 31, 2018.

AC and its subsidiaries, own 3.0 million shares of our Class A Stock, representing approximately 2% of the combined voting power and 10% of the outstanding shares of our common stock at December 31, 2018.

Capital Lease

We lease an approximately 60,000 square foot building located at 401 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye, New York as our headquarters (the “Building”) from an entity controlled by members of the Chairman’s family. See Note I. Capital Lease for further details.

We sub-lease approximately 3,300 square feet in the Building to LICT Corporation, a company for which Mr. Gabelli serves as Chairman and CEO, which pays rent at the rate of $28 per square foot plus $3 per square foot for electricity, subject to adjustment for increases in taxes and other operating expenses. The total amounts paid in 2018, 2017, and 2016 for rent and other expenses under this lease were $118,957, $116,756, and $116,564, respectively. Concurrent with the extension of the lease on the Building during 2008, we and LICT Corporation further agreed to extend the term of the sub-lease until December 2023 on the same terms and conditions. As of July 1, 2008, we also sub-lease approximately 1,600 square feet in the Building to Teton. Teton pays rent at the rate of $37.75 per square foot plus $3 per square foot for electricity, subject to adjustment for increases in taxes and other operating expenses. The total amount paid in 2018, 2017 and 2016 for rent and other expenses under this lease were $69,299, $68,293, and $68,205, respectively, and were recorded in other operating expenses as a credit on the consolidated statements of income. As of April 1, 2016, we lease approximately 15,000 square feet in the Building to AC.  For the period of April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, AC paid rent at the rate of $21.62 per square foot plus $3 per square foot for electricity, subject to adjustment for increases in taxes and other operating expenses.  Effective April 1, 2017, AC paid rent at the rate of $22.03 per square foot plus $3 per square foot for electricity.  The total amount paid in 2018, 2017 and 2016 for rent and other expenses under this lease was $463,286, $367,798, and $297,185, respectively, and was recorded in distribution fee and other income on the consolidated statements of income.

Investment Advisory Services

GAMCO has entered into agreements to provide advisory and administrative services to MJG Associates, Inc., which is wholly-owned by Mr. Gabelli, with respect to the private investment funds managed by them. Pursuant to such agreements, MJG Associates, Inc. paid GAMCO $10,000 (excluding reimbursement of expenses) for each of the years 2018, 2017, and 2016.

The Company serves as the investment advisor for the Funds and earns advisory fees based on predetermined percentages of the average net assets of the Funds.  In addition, G.distributors has entered into distribution agreements with each of the Funds.  As principal distributor, G.distributors incurs certain promotional and distribution costs related to the sale of Fund shares, for which it receives a distribution fee from the Funds or reimbursement from the investment advisor.  For 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company received $35.1 million, $39.7 million and $41.0 million, respectively, in distributions fees.  Advisory and distribution fees receivable from the Funds were approximately $18.8 million and $30.4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Pursuant to an agreement between Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (“GCI”) (formerly called Gabelli Securities, Inc.) and Funds Advisor, Funds Advisor pays to GCI 90% of the net revenues received by Funds Advisor related to being the advisor to the SICAV.  Net revenues are defined as gross advisory fees less expenses related to payouts and expenses of the SICAV paid by Funds Advisor.  The amounts paid by Funds Advisor to GCI for 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $3.9 million, $2.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, and are included in other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income.

Compensation

Immediately preceding the Offering and in conjunction with the Reorganization, GBL and our Chairman and CEO entered into an employment agreement. This agreement was amended and approved by shareholders on November 30, 2007 and most recently re-approved by shareholders on May 6, 2011.

Under the terms of this agreement and consistent with the firm’s practice since its inception in 1977, Mr. Gabelli will also continue receiving a percentage of revenues or net operating contribution, which are substantially derived from AUM, as compensation relating to or generated by the following activities: (i) managing or overseeing the management of various investment companies and partnerships, (ii) attracting mutual fund shareholders, (iii) attracting and managing Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients, and (iv) otherwise generating revenues for the Company. Such payments are made in a manner and at rates as agreed to from time to time by GAMCO, which rates have been and generally will be the same as those received by other professionals at GAMCO performing similar services. With respect to our Institutional and Private Wealth Management and mutual fund advisory business, we pay out up to 40% of the revenues or net operating contribution to the portfolio managers and marketing staff who introduce, service or generate such business, with payments involving the Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts being typically based on revenues and payments involving the mutual funds being typically based on net operating contribution.

Mr. Gabelli has agreed that while he is employed by us he will not provide investment management services outside of GAMCO, except for certain permitted accounts as defined under the agreement. The 2008 Employment Agreement may not be amended without the approval of the Compensation Committee and Mr. Gabelli.

The Chairman and CEO receives compensation in the form of a management fee for managing the Company.  Additionally, he earns compensation for acting as portfolio manager and/or attracting and providing client service to a large number of GAMCO's Institutional and Private Wealth Management clients, for creating and acting as portfolio manager of several open-end funds, for creating and acting as portfolio manager of the closed-end funds and for providing other services.

On December 29, 2017, the Company issued $11.7 million of notes payable to certain executive officers and employees relating to compensation earned in 2017.  $5.5 million of the notes were due on January 31, 2018 and $6.2 million were due on February 28, 2018.  The notes were included in compensation payable on the consolidated statement of financial condition at December 31, 2017.  The notes were fully paid in 2018 at their respective due dates.

During 2018, Mr. Gabelli elected to waive $56.5 million in compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to under his employment agreement relating to the period of March 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

Other

For 2018, 2017, and 2016, we incurred variable costs (but not the fixed costs) of $295,000, $328,000, and $353,000, respectively, for actual usage relating to our use of aircraft in which GGCP owns the fractional interests.

GBL and Teton entered into a transitional administrative and management service agreement in connection with the spin-off of Teton from GBL that formalized certain arrangements. Effective January 1, 2011, Teton and GBL renegotiated the terms of the sub-administration agreement from a flat 0.20% on the average net assets of the mutual funds managed by Teton to 0.20% on the first $370 million in average net assets, 0.12% on the next $630 million in average net assets and 0.10% on average net assets in excess of $1 billion, as compensation for providing mutual fund administration services. Additionally, Teton paid to GBL an administrative services fee of $25,000 per month from April 1, 2014 through September 30, 2016.  The administrative services fee was reduced to $18,750 per month for October 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017, and further reduced to $4,167 per month for June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018.  During 2018, 2017 and 2016, there was $2.1 million, $2.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, included in distribution fees and other income on the consolidated statements of income.

Effective January 1, 2014, GAMCO and Funds Advisor each entered into a research services agreement with G.research, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCI, for G.research, LLC to provide them with the same types of research services that it provides to its other clients.  For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, GAMCO paid G.research, LLC $1.0 million, $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, Funds Advisor paid G.research, LLC $1.0 million, $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

GBL and AC entered into a transitional administrative and management services agreement in connection with the Spin-off.  The agreement calls for GBL to provide to AC certain services including but not limited to: 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, AC will provide GBL with payroll services.  All services provided under the agreement by GBL to AC or by AC to GBL will be charged at cost.  The agreement is terminable by either party on 30 days’ prior written notice to the other party and has a term of twelve months.

In connection with the Spin-off of AC on November 30, 2015, the Company issued the AC 4% PIK Note.  During 2018, 2017 and 2016, GBL recorded interest expense of $0.8 million, $3.0 million and $7.7 million, respectively.  See Note G. Debt for further details.

In connection with the Offer, the Company borrowed $35.0 million from GGCP, which was repaid in full during 2016. During  2016, GBL recorded interest expense of  $415,000.  See Note G. Debt for further details.

On December 27, 2017, GBL borrowed $15 million from AC.  The note bore interest at 1.6% and was due on February 28, 2018.  During 2018 and 2017, GBL recorded interest expense of $40,000 and $4,000, respectively.  The principal and accrued interest on the note was fully repaid on February 28, 2018.  See Note G. Debt for further details.

In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Note, GGCP deposited cash equal to the principal amount of the Note and six months interest into an escrow account established pursuant to an escrow agreement by and among GGCP, the Company, the Convertible Note holder and the escrow agent.  The Company paid the annual costs of setting up the escrow account in the amount of $55,000 and will continue to pay them as long as the escrow account is open.  The Company did not pay any fees to GGCP in connection with the funding of the escrow account. On September 30, 2017, in connection with an amendment to the Escrow Agreement and in exchange for approximately 53% of the assets in the escrow account, the Company paid GGCP $60 million.  On November 21, 2017, the Company paid GGCP $53.1 million for the remaining 47% interest in the escrow account and used the entire balance in the escrow account, along with an additional $1.4 million, to repurchase the Convertible Note.  See Note G. Debt for further details.

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Financial Requirements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Financial Requirements [Abstract]

Financial Requirements

M. Financial Requirements

As a registered broker-dealer, G.distributors is subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”) of the SEC.  These regulatory capital requirements, while not specific encumbrances on assets, restrict the total assets of this subsidiary broker-dealer to the extent they are needed to fulfill the regulatory capital requirements.  Accordingly, this restriction limits the transfer of funds from this subsidiary to the Company in the form of cash dividends or otherwise.  This restriction is 120% of its minimum net capital.  G.distributors computes its net capital under the alternative method permitted by the Rule which requires minimum net capital of $250,000, and it exceeded this requirement at December 31, 2018.

Our subsidiary, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”). In February 2011, GAMCO Asset Management (UK) Limited increased its permitted license with the FCA’s predecessor, the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) and has held Total Capital of £671,000 and £632,000 ($852,000 and $853,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively) and had a Financial Resources Requirement of £154,000 and £216,000 ($195,000 and $291,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively). We have consistently met or exceeded these minimum requirements.

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Administration Fees

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Administration Fees [Abstract]

Administration Fees

N. Administration Fees

We have entered into administration agreements with other companies (the “Administrators”), whereby the Administrators provide certain services on behalf of several of the Funds.  Such services do not include the investment advisory and portfolio management services provided by GBL.  The fees were negotiated and based on predetermined percentages of the net assets of each of the Funds.

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Profit Sharing Plan and Incentive Savings Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Profit Sharing Plan and Incentive Savings Plan [Abstract]

Profit Sharing Plan and Incentive Savings Plan

O. Profit Sharing Plan and Incentive Savings Plan

The Company has a qualified contributory employee profit sharing plan and incentive savings plan covering substantially all employees.  Company contributions to the plans are determined annually by the Board of Directors but may not exceed the amount permitted as a deductible expense under the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company accrued contributions of approximately $80,000, $109,000 and $77,000 to the plans for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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Identifiable Intangible Asset

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Identifiable Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Identifiable Intangible Assets

P. Identifiable Intangible Asset

As a result of becoming the advisor to the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.9 million within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.  The investment advisory agreement is subject to annual renewal by the fund's Board of Directors, which the Company expects to be renewed, and the Company does not expect to incur additional expense as a result, which is consistent with other investment advisory agreements entered into by the Company.  The advisory contract for the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund are next up for renewal in February 2020.  On November 1, 2015, as a result of becoming the advisor to the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. and the associated consideration paid, the Company maintains an identifiable intangible asset of $1.6 million within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.  The advisory contracts for the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. are both next up for renewal in November 2018.  At November 30, 2018 and November 30, 2017, management conducted its annual assessments of the recoverability of the intangible assets and determined that there was no impairment of it on GBL’s consolidated financial statements.

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Other Matters

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Other Matters [Abstract]

Other Matters

Q. Other Matters

From time to time, the Company may be named in legal actions and proceedings.  These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief.  The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations.  The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief.  For any such matters, the consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable.  Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and, if material, makes 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.

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 a number of fund complexes regarding particular practices or provisions of the securities laws.  The Company participates in some of these inquiries in the normal course of our business.  Changes in laws, regulations and administrative practices by regulatory authorities, and the associated compliance costs, have increased our cost structure and could in the future have a material impact.

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Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information

R. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is presented below.

	2018
	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
Revenues	$	87,497	$	87,193	$	85,788	$	80,977	$	341,455
Operating income		41,256		41,373		51,700		52,458		186,787
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		27,261		31,582		35,016		23,337		117,196
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic		0.94		1.10		1.22		0.82		4.08
Diluted	$	0.94	$	1.10	$	1.22	$	0.81	$	4.07

	2017
	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
Revenues	$	85,917	$	87,600	$	88,341	$	98,666	$	360,524
Operating income		42,443		39,660		23,393		39,524		145,020
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		24,820		22,894		16,600		13,495		77,809
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic		0.86		0.79		0.57		0.46		2.68
Diluted	$	0.82	$	0.76	$	0.55	$	0.46	$	2.60

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Board of Directors accelerated the vesting relating to 144,650 RSAs resulting in recognition of $1.3 million in stock compensation expense, or $0.02 per fully diluted share.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a $3.3 million loss on early extinguishment of debt when it repurchased the $110 million 4.5% Convertible note due August 15, 2021.

As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, the Company recorded an increase in expense of $8.2 million reflecting the net write-down to its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.

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Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

S. Subsequent Events

On December 26, 2018, the Company announced that the CEO has elected to waive all of his compensation that he would otherwise have been entitled to for the period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019.

On February 1, 2019, GAMCO and Funds Advisor each renewed their research services agreement with G.research, LLC whereby each entity will pay $62,500 per month for the services in 2019.  The agreements can be canceled at any time.

On February 5, 2019, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.02 per share to all of its shareholders, payable on April 30, 2019 to shareholders of record on April 16, 2019.

From January 1, 2019 to March 11, 2019, the Company repurchased 88,841 shares at $20.19 per share. As a result, there are 775,969 shares available to be repurchased under our existing buyback plan at March 11, 2019.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL”, “We” or the “Company”) was incorporated in April 1998 in the state of New York, with no significant assets or liabilities and did not engage in any substantial business activities prior to the initial public offering (“Offering”) of our shares.  On February 9, 1999, we exchanged 24 million shares of our Class B Common Stock (“Class B Stock”), representing all of our then issued and outstanding common stock, with Gabelli Funds, Inc. (“GFI”) and two of its subsidiaries in consideration for substantially all of the operating assets and liabilities of GFI, relating to its institutional and retail asset management, mutual fund advisory, underwriting and brokerage business (the “Reorganization”).   GFI, which was renamed Gabelli Group Capital Partners, Inc. in 1999, is the majority shareholder of GBL and was renamed GGCP, Inc. (“GGCP”) in 2005.  During 2010, the shares of GBL owned by GGCP were transferred to GGCP Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of GGCP.  In 2014, the Company changed its state of incorporation from New York to Delaware in a tax-free reorganization.  On November 30, 2015 (the “Spin-Off Date”), GBL distributed to its stockholders all of the outstanding common stock of Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”) and its subsidiaries along with certain cash and other assets (the “Spin-off”).  AC owns and operates, directly or indirectly, the alternatives and the institutional research businesses previously owned and operated by GBL.  In the Spin-off, each holder of GAMCO’s Class A Common Stock (“Class A Stock”) of record as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on November 12, 2015 (the “Record Date”), received one share of AC Class A common stock for each share of GAMCO Class A Stock held on the Record Date.  Each record holder of GAMCO’s Class B Stock received one share of AC Class B common stock for each share of GAMCO Class B Stock held on the Record Date.  Subsequent to the Spin-off, GAMCO no longer consolidates the financial results of AC or certain investment partnerships and offshore funds in which we had a direct or indirect controlling financial interest for the purposes of GAMCO’s financial reporting and the historical financial results of AC and certain investment partnerships and offshore funds have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations for all periods presented through the Spin-off Date.

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

·  GBL;

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

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

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

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

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations

GAMCO, Funds Advisor, and Gabelli Fixed Income LLC (“Fixed Income LLC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fixed Income, are registered investment advisors under the Advisers Act of 1940. G.distributors is a registered broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).  Refer to Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition section within Note A for additional discussion of GBL's business.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Securities Transactions

Securities Transactions

Management determines the appropriate classification of debt and equity securities at the time of purchase.  U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes with maturities of greater than three months at the time of purchase are considered investments in securities.  Securities that are not readily marketable are stated at their estimated fair values in accordance with GAAP.  Securities transactions and any related gains and losses are recorded on a trade date basis.  Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the specific identified cost basis and are included in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income. 

Prior to January 1, 2018, investments in equity securities were accounted for as either “trading securities” or “available for sale” and were stated at fair value.  A portion of investments in securities are held for resale in anticipation of short-term market movements and therefore were, prior to January 1, 2018, classified as trading securities.  Trading securities were stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Available for sale (“AFS”) investments were stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of other comprehensive income except for losses deemed to be other than temporary which were recorded as realized losses on the consolidated statements of income.

Prior to January 1, 2018, AFS securities were evaluated for other than temporary impairments each reporting period and any impairment charges were recorded in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.  Management reviewed all available for sale securities whose cost exceeded their fair value to determine if the impairment was other than temporary.  Management used qualitative factors such as the intent to hold the investment, the amount of time that the investment had been impaired and the severity of the decline in determining whether the impairment was other than temporary.

Effective January 1, 2018, investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair values are stated at fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported in current period earnings in net gain/(loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of income.

For 2018, because all changes in fair value of investments in our securities with readily determinable fair values are recognized in the consolidated statements of income, no evaluation for impairment was necessary.  There were no investments in equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at any time during 2018.  Such investments would require the application of impairment testing.

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

Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition

Major Revenue-Generating Services and Revenue Recognition

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

Investment advisory and incentive fees are directly influenced by the level and mix of assets under management (“AUM”) as fees are derived from a contractually-determined percentage of AUM for each account as well as incentive fees earned on certain accounts.  Advisory fees from the open-end funds, closed-end funds and sub-advisory accounts are computed daily or weekly based on average net assets and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  Advisory fees from Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts are generally computed quarterly based on account values as of the end of the preceding quarter, and amounts receivable are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.    The Company derived approximately 89%, 88% and 87% of its total revenues from advisory fees, including incentive fees, for the periods ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These revenues vary depending upon the level of sales compared with redemptions, financial market conditions, performance and the fee structure for the Fund or account.  Revenues derived from the equity-oriented portfolios generally have higher advisory fee rates than fixed income portfolios.

The Company receives incentive fees from certain Institutional and Private Wealth Management accounts, which are based upon meeting or exceeding a specific benchmark index or indices.  Incentive fees refer to fees earned when the return generated for the client exceeds the benchmark and can be earned even if the return to the client is negative as long as the return exceeds the benchmark.  These fees are recognized, for each respective account, at the end of the stipulated contract period which is either quarterly or annually and varies by account.  Receivables due for incentive fees earned are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  There were no incentive fees receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

For The GDL Fund, there is an incentive fee earned as of the end of the calendar year and varies to the extent the total return of the fund is in excess of the ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3 Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index total return. This fee is recognized at the end of the measurement period. Receivables due on incentive fees relating to The GDL Fund are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $1.4 million as of December 31, 2017.  There were no incentive fees receivable at December 31, 2018.

For the Gabelli Merger Plus⁺ Trust Plc, there is an incentive fee which is earned and recognized at the end of the measurement period, June 30^th and varies to the extent the total return of the fund is in excess of twice the rate of return of the 13 week Treasury Bills over the performance period.  There was no performance fee receivable as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.

Advisory fees on a majority of the closed-end preferred shares are earned at year-end if the total return to common shareholders of the closed-end fund for the calendar year exceeds the dividend rate of the preferred shares. These fees are recognized at the end of the measurement period, which is annually. Receivables due for advisory fees on closed-end preferred shares are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition. There were $7.1 million in advisory fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares as of December 31, 2017.  There were no advisory fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares at December 31, 2018.

For the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV, there is an incentive fee earned as of the end of the calendar year equal to twenty percent of the gross return of the fund.  This fee is recognized as the end of the measurement period, which is annually on a calendar year basis, or earlier if there is a redemption.  Receivables due on incentive fees relating to the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV are included in investment advisory fees receivable on the consolidated statements of financial condition and were $1.3 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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

Under the distribution plans, the open-end Class AAA shares of the Funds (except The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, Gabelli Capital Asset Fund and The Gabelli ABC Fund), the Class A shares of certain Funds pay G.distributors a distribution or service fee of 0.25% per year (except the Class A shares of the TETON Westwood Funds which pay 0.50% per year, except for the TETON Westwood Intermediate Bond Fund which pays .35%, and the Class A shares of the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund which pays 0.45% per year) on the average daily net assets of the Fund. Class C shares have a 12b-1 distribution plan with a service and distribution fee totaling 1%.

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

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

Distribution Costs

Distribution Costs

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

Dividends and Interest Income and Interest Expense

Dividends and Interest Income and Interest Expense

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

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and Amortization

Fixed assets other than leasehold improvements, with net book value of$362,000 and $421,000 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives from four to seven years. Accumulated depreciation was $2.8 million and $2.7 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Leasehold improvements, with net book value of $1.3 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in other assets, are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or lease terms, whichever is shorter. The leased property under the capital lease is depreciated utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the lease, which expires on December 31, 2028.  The capital lease was extended on June 11, 2014 to December 31, 2028 from December 31, 2023.  For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, depreciation and amortization were $562,000, $595,000 and $632,000, respectively. We estimate that depreciation and amortization will be approximately $550,000 annually over the next three years.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

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, 2018 and 2017, goodwill recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition relates to G.distributors.  At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the identifiable intangible assets are the investment advisory contracts for the Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisition Fund, for the Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd., all of which relate to Funds Advisor.  Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually on November 30^th and whenever certain triggering events are met.  In assessing the recoverability of the identifiable intangible asset for 2018 and 2017, projections regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors are made to determine the fair value of the asset.  No impairment was recorded during 2018, 2017, or 2016.

In assessing the recoverability of goodwill for our annual impairment test on November 30, 2018 and 2017, we performed a qualitative assessment of whether it was more likely than not that an impairment had occurred and concluded that a quantitative analysis was not required.  No impairment was recorded during 2018, 2017, or 2016.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts on the consolidated financial statements using the statutory tax rates in effect for the year when the reported amount of the asset or liability is recovered or settled, respectively.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. As a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, the Company recorded an increase in expense of $8.2 million reflecting the net write-down to its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities.  A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying values of deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  For each tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation.  A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize.  The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.  The Company recognizes the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions and penalties in income tax provision on the consolidated statements of income.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

All of the instruments within cash and cash equivalents, investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are measured at fair value.

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 funds, closed-end funds and equities.

-   Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly-quoted intervals. Assets that generally are included in this category may include certain limited partnership interests in private funds and over the counter derivatives that have inputs to the valuations that can generally be corroborated by observable market data.

-   Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.  Assets included in this category generally include equities that trade infrequently and direct private equity investments held within consolidated partnerships.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. Investments are transferred into or out of any level at their beginning period values.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from instrument to instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of instrument, whether the instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized as Level 3.

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

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

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

Investments in securities and Securities sold, not yet purchased – Investments in securities and securities sold, not yet purchased are generally valued based on quoted prices from an exchange.  To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  Securities categorized in Level 2 investments are valued using other observable inputs.  Nonpublic and infrequently traded investments are included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because significant inputs to measure fair value are unobservable.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period less unvested restricted stock.  Diluted earnings per share is based on basic shares plus the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of in-the-money stock options and unvested restricted stock using the treasury stock method, and, if dilutive, assumes the conversion of the convertible note for the periods outstanding since the issuance in August 2016 through the repayment in November 2017 using the if converted method.

Management Fee

Management Fee

Management fee expense is incentive-based and entirely variable compensation in the amount of 10% of the aggregate pre-tax profits before management fee which is paid to Mr. Gabelli or his designee for acting as CEO pursuant to his 2008 Employment Agreement so long as he is an executive of GBL and devotes the substantial majority of his working time to the business. In accordance with his 2008 Employment Agreement, he has allocated $0.9 million, $1.4 million and $2.2 million of his management fee to certain other employees of the Company in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Stock Based Compensation

Stock Based Compensation

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

The estimated fair value of RSAs is determined by using the closing price of Class A Common Stock (“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.

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

In connection with the Spin-off of AC and in accordance with GAAP, the Company allocated the stock compensation costs between GBL and AC based upon each employee’s individual allocation of their responsibilities between GBL and AC.  See note H. Equity for further details.

The Company has entered into three deferred compensation agreements with Mr. Gabelli whereby his variable compensation for 2016, the first half of 2017 and the fourth quarter of 2017 was in the form of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) determined by the volume-weighted average price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s Class A Stock during those respective periods.  The 2016 Deferred Cash Compensation Agreement (“DCCA”) will vest 100% on January 1, 2020, the First Half 2017 DCCA vested 100% on July 1, 2018, and the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA will vest 100% on April 1, 2019.  On May 23, 2018, the CEO waived receipt of $6 million of the First Half 2017 DCCA, and a reduction in expense was recognized in 2018.  The Company settled the First Half 2017 DCCA award in cash and intends to settle the two other unvested awards in cash at their vesting.  The Company, however, reserves the right to issue shares of the Company’s Class A Stock in lieu of such cash payment.  Under the terms of the agreement the Company will pay Mr. Gabelli an amount equal to the number of RSUs valued at the lesser of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for the applicable period or the value on the lapse date or, if not a trading day, then the first trading date thereafter.

Under GAAP, for the 2016 DCCA only 25% of this deferred compensation expense was being recognized in 2016 with the remainder amortized ratably over 2017, 2018, and 2019.  Similarly, under GAAP, for the First Half 2017 DCCA 67% of the expense was recognized in 2017 with the remaining 33% expensed in 2018.  For the Fourth Quarter 2017 DCCA 17% of the expense was recognized in 2017, 66% in 2018 and the remaining 17% will be recognized in 2019.  Notwithstanding its ability to settle the award in stock, given the Company’s intent to settle it in cash, in accordance with GAAP (ASC 718), the awards are accounted for as liability-classified awards and not as equity-classified awards.  The liability is remeasured at fair value on each reporting period from December 31, 2016 until the vesting date.  However, given the cap on the obligation in that Mr. Gabelli will not receive cash in excess of the VWAP of the Company’s Class A Stock for each respective period, the remeasurement of the liability at fair value will never exceed its value determined using each period’s respective VWAP price.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and receivable from brokers.  The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents primarily in the Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund, which invests fully in instruments issued by the U.S. government, and has receivables from brokers with various brokers and financial institutions, where these balances can exceed the federally insured limit.  The concentration of credit risk with respect to advisory fees receivable is generally limited due to the short payment terms extended to clients by the Company.  In addition, the credit risk is further limited by virtue of the fact that no single advisory relationship provided over 10% of the total revenue of the Company during the years 2018, 2017, or 2016.  All investments in securities are held at third party brokers or custodians.

Business Segment

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: Funds Advisor (Funds) and GAMCO (Institutional and Private Wealth Management).  The distribution of our open-end funds and underwriting of those Funds is conducted through G.distributors.

Recent Accounting Developments

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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 to receive 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 Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 and adopted the modified retrospective approach.  The Company’s implementation analysis has been completed, and we have identified similar performance obligations under this guidance as compared with deliverables and separate units of account previously identified under Topic 605.  As a result, the timing of the recognition of our revenue remains the same as under Topic 605, and therefore the adoption does not have any effect on the timing of the recognition of revenue.  See Note B. Revenue Recognition for the disclosures required by ASU 2014-09.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the ASU retains many current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available for sale debt securities. To adopt the amendments, entities will be required to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the guidance is effective.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 and reclassed $12.1 million out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income and into Retained Earnings.  Effective January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of the Company’s available for sale investments will be reported through earnings rather than through other comprehensive income.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP for the accounting for leases.  ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from most operating leases in the consolidated statement of financial position. It requires these operating leases to be recorded on the balance sheet as right of use assets and offsetting lease liability obligations.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019 and we have elected the transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11, which does not require restatement of comparative periods but instead requires a cumulative adjustment to opening retained earnings at the January 1, 2019 adoption date.  The Company has performed the analysis on the transition to this new guidance, and we do not expect it to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the consolidated statements of cash flows.  This guidance is intended to unify the currently diverse presentations and classifications, and address eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 to simplify the process used to test for goodwill impairment.  A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

On May 10, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements.  The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718.  Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification.  For all entities, the ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 to address constituent concerns related to the application of ASC 740 to certain provisions of the new tax reform legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  Specifically, the ASU addressed concerns about the requirement in ASC 740 that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities be included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that contains that enactment date of the change.  That guidance applies even in situations in which the tax effects were initially recognized directly to other comprehensive income at the previous rate, resulting in “stranded” amounts in accumulated comprehensive income (AOCI) related to the income tax rate differential.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2019.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company has elected not to early adopt for the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 contained in this Form 10-K.  The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, which clarifies and simplifies the disclosure requirements for fair value transfers and measurements.  This new guidance will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is currently evaluating the potential effect of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Revenue Recognition (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Revenue Disaggregated

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by account type:

	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2018		2017
Advisory Fees:
Open-end Funds	$	122,804	$	130,543
Closed-end Funds		67,418		64,198
Sub-advisory accounts		4,479		3,434
Institutional & Private Wealth Management		99,180		104,760
SICAVs		5,625		4,628
Performance-based		1,495		9,142
Conditional		1,650		-
Distribution and other income		38,804		43,819
Total revenues	$	341,455	$	360,524

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Investment in Securities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Investment in Securities [Abstract]

Investments in Securities

Investments in securities at December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):

	2018					2017
	Cost		Fair Value			Cost		Fair Value
Securities carried at FVTNI:					Trading securities:
Common stocks	$	38,865	$	32,414	Common stocks	$	26	$	34
Closed-end funds		1,414		1,337	Closed-end funds		-		-
Mutual funds		44		38	Mutual funds		11		11
Total securities at FVTNI		40,323		33,789	Total trading securities		37		45
					Available for sale securities:
					Common stocks		17,441		36,637
					Closed-end funds		99		108
					Total available for sale securities		17,540		36,745
Total investments in securities	$	40,323	$	33,789	Total investments in securities	$	17,577	$	36,790

Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table identifies all reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

Amount				Affected Line Item in	Reason for
Reclassified				in the Statements	Reclassification
from AOCI				Of Income	from AOCI
For the year ended
December 31, 2017
	$	62		Net gain from investments	Realized gain on sale of AFS securities
		3,063		Other operating expenses	Donation of AFS securities
		3,125		Income before income taxes
		(1,156	)	Income tax provision
	$	1,969		Net income

Available-for-sale Securities

The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investments in securities as of December 31, 2017:

	December 31, 2017
				Gross			Gross
				Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
	Cost			Gains			Losses			Value
	(In thousands)
Common stocks		$	17,441		$	19,196		$	-		$	36,637
Closed-end funds			99			9			-			108
Total available for sale securities		$	17,540		$	19,205		$	-		$	36,745

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Fair Value (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Fair Value [Abstract]

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

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, 2018 and 2017 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, 2018 (in thousands)

	Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant		Balance as of
	Markets for Identical		Observable		Unobservable		December 31,
Assets	Assets (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		2018
Cash equivalents	$	40,905	$	-	$	-	$	40,905
Investments in securities:
Common stocks		32,414		-		-		32,414
Closed-end Funds		38		-		-		38
Mutual Funds		1,337		-		-		1,337
Total investments in securities		33,789		-		-		33,789
Total assets at fair value	$	74,694	$	-	$	-	$	74,694

During the year ended December 31, 2018, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands)

	Quoted Prices in Active		Significant Other		Significant		Balance as of
	Markets for Identical		Observable		Unobservable		December 31,
Assets	Assets (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		Inputs (Level 3)		2017
Cash equivalents	$	17,475	$	-	$	-	$	17,475
Investments in securities:
AFS - Common stocks		36,637		-		-		36,637
AFS - Closed-end Funds		108		-		-		108
Trading - Common stocks		34		-		-		34
Trading - Mutual Funds		11		-		-		11
Total investments in securities		36,790		-		-		36,790
Total assets at fair value	$	54,265	$	-	$	-	$	54,265

During the year ended December 31, 2017, there were no transfers between any Level 1 and Level 2 holdings, or between Level 1 and Level 3 holdings.

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:

	2018			2017			2016
(In thousands)
Federal:
Current	$	32,979		$	54,318		$	63,991
Deferred		(604	)		(3,670	)		(4,424	)
State and local:
Current		4,971			6,212			6,652
Deferred		117			(1,781	)		(1,113	)
Total	$	37,463		$	55,079		$	65,106

Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate

A reconciliation of the Federal statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate is set forth below:

	2018		2017		2016
Statutory Federal income tax rate	21.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State income tax, net of Federal benefit	2.6		0.5		1.0
Impact of Tax Act	-		6.2		-
Other	0.6		(0.3)		(0.3)
Effective income tax rate	24.2	%	41.4	%	35.7	%

Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	2018			2017
(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Investments in securities	$	1,567		$	-
Stock compensation expense		344			110
Deferred compensation		8,830			14,740
Capital lease obligation		648			633
Other		211			238
Total deferred tax assets		11,600			15,721
Deferred tax liabilities:
Investments in securities available for sale		-			(4,609	)
Contingent deferred sales commissions		(107	)		(189	)
Intangible asset amortization		(313	)		(233	)
Other		(13	)		(10	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(433	)		(5,041	)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	11,167		$	10,680

Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions is as follows:

	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	18.4
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2.3
Additions for tax positions of prior years		1.2
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(6.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2016		15.0
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		2.2
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(3.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2017		13.3
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1.8
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(0.9	)
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	14.2

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Earnings per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Earnings per Share [Abstract]

Computations of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share

The computations of basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:

	For the Years Ending December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2018		2017		2016
Basic:
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196	$	77,809	$	117,121
Weighted average shares outstanding		28,744		28,980		29,182
Basic net income per share attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	4.08	$	2.68	$	4.01
Diluted:
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	117,196	$	77,809	$	117,121
Add interest on convertible notes, net of management fee and taxes		-		2,604		1,133
Total income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		117,196		80,413		118,254
Weighted average share outstanding		28,744		28,980		29,182
Restricted stock awards		33		192		234
Assumed conversion of convertible note		-		1,775		754
Total		28,777		30,947		30,170
Diluted net income per share attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$	4.07	$	2.60	$	3.92

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Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Debt [Abstract]

Debt

Debt consists of the following:

	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Carrying			Fair Value			Carrying			Fair Value
	Value			Level 2			Value			Level 2
(In thousands)
AC 4% PIK Note		$	-		$	-		$	50,000		$	50,572
AC 1.6% Note			-			-			15,000			14,972
5.875% Senior notes			24,168			23,061			24,144			24,543
Total		$	24,168		$	23,061		$	89,144		$	90,087

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Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Equity [Abstract]

Summary of Stock Option and RSA Activity

A summary of the stock option and RSA activity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

	Options				RSAs
								Weighted Average
			Weighted Average					Grant Date
	Shares		Exercise Price		Shares			Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2016		-	$	-		424,340		$	65.74
Granted		-		-		-			-
Forfeited		-		-		(4,500	)		78.62
Exercised / Vested		-		-		(400,440	)		65.60
Outstanding at December 31, 2017		-		-		19,400			65.67
Granted		10,000		25.55		437,950			24.93
Forfeited		-		-		(10,300	)		24.81
Exercised / Vested		-		-		(19,400	)		65.67
Outstanding at December 31, 2018		10,000	$	25.55		427,650		$	24.93
Shares available for future issuance at
December 31, 2018		1,087,717

Total Projected Compensation Costs Related to Non-Vested Awards Not Yet Recognized

The total compensation costs related to non-vested awards not yet recognized is approximately $8.1 million as of December 31, 2018. This will be recognized as expense in the following periods (in thousands):

2018			2019			2020			2021			2022			2023
	$	1,620		$	2,310		$	2,310		$	1,695		$	1,319		$	499

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Capital Lease (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Capital Lease [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases

Future minimum lease payments for this capitalized lease at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	(In thousands)
2019	$	1,253
2020		1,080
2021		1,080
2022		1,080
2023		1,080
Thereafter		5,400
Total minimum obligations		10,973
Interest		6,166
Present value of net obligations	$	4,807

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Contractual Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Contractual Obligations [Abstract]

Future Minimum Lease Commitments under Operating Leases

We rent office space under leases which expire at various dates through January 31, 2022. Future minimum lease commitments under these operating leases as of December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	(In thousands)
2019	$	616
2020		121
2021		68
2022		4
Total	$	809

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Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information

Quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is presented below.

	2018
	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
Revenues	$	87,497	$	87,193	$	85,788	$	80,977	$	341,455
Operating income		41,256		41,373		51,700		52,458		186,787
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		27,261		31,582		35,016		23,337		117,196
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic		0.94		1.10		1.22		0.82		4.08
Diluted	$	0.94	$	1.10	$	1.22	$	0.81	$	4.07

	2017
	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
Revenues	$	85,917	$	87,600	$	88,341	$	98,666	$	360,524
Operating income		42,443		39,660		23,393		39,524		145,020
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders		24,820		22,894		16,600		13,495		77,809
Net income attributable to GAMCO
Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share:
Basic		0.86		0.79		0.57		0.46		2.68
Diluted	$	0.82	$	0.76	$	0.55	$	0.46	$	2.60

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Significant Accounting Policies (Details)				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 23, 2018 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015 shares	Feb. 09, 1999 Subsidiary shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Agreement Segment	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 18, 2015 USD ($)	May 31, 2011
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Portion of revenue derived from advisory and management fees					89.00%	88.00%	87.00%
Institutional and private wealth management incentive fees receivable				$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Management fees receivable on closed-end preferred shares				7,100,000	0	7,100,000
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Impairment on intangible assets					0	0	$ 0
Goodwill impairment loss					$ 0	0	0
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Write down of net deferred tax assets				$ 8,200,000		8,200,000
Management Fee [Abstract]
Management fee expense percentage					10.00%
Management fee allocated to other employees					$ 900,000	$ 1,400,000	$ 2,200,000
Business Segment [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | Segment					1
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Three Years from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					30.00%
Award vesting period					3 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Five Years from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					70.00%
Award vesting period					5 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Four from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Five from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Six from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Seven from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Eight from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Nine from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Ten from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					10.00%
Stock Options [Member] | Vesting in Three Years from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					75.00%
Award vesting period					3 years
Stock Options [Member] | Vesting in Four Years from Date of Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					25.00%
Award vesting period					4 years
AC [Member] | Class A [Member]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock received for each share of Gamco common stock in spin-off (in shares) | shares		1
AC [Member] | Class B [Member]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock received for each share of Gamco common stock in spin-off (in shares) | shares		1
5.875% Senior Notes [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate				5.875%	5.875%	5.875%			5.875%
Debt issuance cost				$ 81,000	$ 57,000	$ 81,000		$ 400,000
Mr. Gabelli [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of deferred compensation agreements | Agreement					3
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting on January 1, 2020 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting in 2016 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting in 2019 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting on January 1, 2020 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2016 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage							25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage						25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Vesting on July 1, 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					100.00%
Deferred compensation waived	$ 6,000,000
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					67.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					33.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting on July 1, 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					67.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					33.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Vesting in April 1, 2019 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					17.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					66.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2019 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					17.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in April 1, 2019 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					17.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage					66.00%
Fixed Assets Other Than Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets with net book value				421,000	$ 362,000	$ 421,000
Accumulated Depreciation				2,700,000	$ 2,800,000	2,700,000
Fixed Assets Other Than Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets					4 years
Fixed Assets Other Than Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets					7 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets with net book value				1,500,000	$ 1,300,000	1,500,000
Depreciation and amortization					562,000	595,000	$ 632,000
Estimated annual depreciation and amortization expense					$ 550,000
Period of estimate for future depreciation and amortization					3 years
The GDL Fund [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Performance fee receivable				1,400,000	$ 0	1,400,000
Gabelli Merger Plus+ Trust [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Performance fee receivable				0	$ 0	$ 0
Rate of return multiple used as threshold for earning incentive fee					2
GAMCO Merger Arbitrage SICAV [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Incentive fee earned as percentage of gross return					20.00%	20.00%
Performance fee receivable				500,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 500,000
Open End Class AAA Shares of the Funds [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Fee percentages paid to distributors based on fund performance					0.25%
Westwood Funds [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Fee percentages paid to distributors based on fund performance					0.50%
Class A Shares of Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Fee percentages paid to distributors based on fund performance					0.45%
Class C Shares [Member]
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements [Line Items]
Fee percentages paid to distributors based on fund performance					1.00%
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax				(12,110,000)		(12,110,000)
Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax				$ 12,110,000		$ 12,110,000
Gabelli Funds, Inc [Member] | Class B [Member]
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Exchange of common stock (in shares) | shares			24,000,000
Subsidiaries involved in transaction | Subsidiary			2

XML

Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 80,977	$ 85,788	$ 87,193	$ 87,497	$ 98,666	$ 88,341	$ 87,600	$ 85,917	$ 341,455	$ 360,524	$ 353,000
Closed-end Funds [Member] | Performance Correlated [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									30 days
Advisory Fees [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 302,651	316,705	308,459
Advisory Fees [Member] | Performance Correlated [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									1,495	9,142
Advisory Fees [Member] | Conditional [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 1,650	0
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									60 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Open-end Funds [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 122,804	130,543
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Closed-end Funds [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 67,418	64,198
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Closed-end Funds [Member] | Performance Correlated [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Sub-advisory Accounts [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 4,479	3,434
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Institutional and Private Wealth Management Clients [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 99,180	104,760
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									60 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | Institutional and Private Wealth Management Clients [Member] | Performance Correlated [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									60 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | SICAVs [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 5,625	4,628
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									30 days
Advisory Fees [Member] | SICAVs [Member] | Performance Correlated [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									30 days
Distribution Fees and Other Income [Member]
Revenue Streams [Abstract]
Revenue									$ 38,804	$ 43,819	$ 44,541
Number of days for customer to make payment after being invoiced									30 days

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Investment in Securities, Investment in Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Securities carried at FVTNI [Abstract]
Cost	$ 40,323
Fair Value	33,789
Trading securities [Abstract]
Cost		$ 37
Fair Value		45
Available for sale securities [Abstract]
Cost		17,540
Fair Value		36,745
Total investments in securities [Abstract]
Cost	40,323	17,577
Fair value	33,789	36,790
Common Stock [Member]
Securities carried at FVTNI [Abstract]
Cost	38,865
Fair Value	32,414
Trading securities [Abstract]
Cost		26
Fair Value		34
Available for sale securities [Abstract]
Cost		17,441
Fair Value		36,637
Mutual Funds [Member]
Securities carried at FVTNI [Abstract]
Cost	44
Fair Value	38
Trading securities [Abstract]
Cost		11
Fair Value		11
Closed-end Funds [Member]
Securities carried at FVTNI [Abstract]
Cost	1,414
Fair Value	$ 1,337
Trading securities [Abstract]
Cost		0
Fair Value		0
Available for sale securities [Abstract]
Cost		99
Fair Value		$ 108

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Investment in Securities, Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Trading securities [Abstract]
Investment sold, not yet purchased	$ 0	$ 0
Unrealized loss related to equity securities still held	$ 25,000
Retained Earnings [Member]
Trading securities [Abstract]
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax		12,110
ASU 2016-01 [Member]
Trading securities [Abstract]
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax		0
ASU 2016-01 [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member]
Trading securities [Abstract]
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax		12,110
ASU 2016-01 [Member] | Accumulated Comprehensive Income [Member]
Trading securities [Abstract]
Reclassification pursuant to adoption of ASU 2016-01, net of tax		$ (12,110)

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Investment in Securities, Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") into income [Abstract]
Net gain from investments									$ (25,173)	$ 3,115	$ 1,594
Other operating expenses									22,692	23,221	23,925
Income before income taxes									154,659	132,888	182,227
Income tax provision									(37,463)	(55,079)	(65,106)
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$ 23,337	$ 35,016	$ 31,582	$ 27,261	$ 13,495	$ 16,600	$ 22,894	$ 24,820	$ 117,196	77,809	$ 117,121
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") into income [Abstract]
Income before income taxes										3,125
Income tax provision										(1,156)
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders										1,969
Realized Gain on Sale of AFS Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") into income [Abstract]
Net gain from investments										62
Donation of AFS Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") into income [Abstract]
Other operating expenses										$ 3,063

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Investment in Securities, Summary of Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Gross Unrealized Losses and Fair Value (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value to Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Cost		$ 17,540,000
Gross unrealized gains		19,205,000
Gross unrealized losses		0
Fair value		36,745,000
Changes in net unrealized gain (loss), net of tax		500,000	$ 2,300,000
Amount reclassified from other comprehensive income		2,000,000	800,000
Proceeds from sales of investment available for sale	$ 0	4,169,000	408,000
Gross realized gains on sale of investments available for sale		62,000	4,000
Gross realized losses on sale of investments available for sale		0	$ 0
Common Stock [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value to Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Cost		17,441,000
Gross unrealized gains		19,196,000
Gross unrealized losses		0
Fair value		36,637,000
Closed-end Funds [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value to Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Cost		99,000
Gross unrealized gains		9,000
Gross unrealized losses		0
Fair value		$ 108,000

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Investment in Securities, Investments Classified as Available for Sale in Unrealized Loss Position (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment in Securities [Abstract]
Other than temporary impairment losses, investments, available-for-sale securities			$ 0	$ 0
AC 1.6% Note [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, interest rate		1.60%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Feb. 28, 2018	Feb. 28, 2018

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Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments in securities [Abstract]
Total investments in securities	$ 33,789	$ 36,790
Fair Value, Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 and between Level 1 and Level 3 [Abstract]
Level 1 to level 2 transfers	0	0
Level 2 to level 1 transfers	0	0
Level 1 to level 3 transfers	0	0
Level 3 to level 1 transfers	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	40,905	17,475
Investments in securities [Abstract]
AFS - Common stocks		36,637
AFS - Closed-end Funds		108
Trading - Common stocks	32,414	34
Trading - Closed-end funds	38
Trading - Mutual funds	1,337	11
Total investments in securities	33,789	36,790
Total assets at fair value	74,694	54,265
Recurring Basis [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	40,905	17,475
Investments in securities [Abstract]
AFS - Common stocks		36,637
AFS - Closed-end Funds		108
Trading - Common stocks	32,414	34
Trading - Closed-end funds	38
Trading - Mutual funds	1,337	11
Total investments in securities	33,789	36,790
Total assets at fair value	74,694	54,265
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Investments in securities [Abstract]
AFS - Common stocks		0
AFS - Closed-end Funds		0
Trading - Common stocks	0	0
Trading - Closed-end funds	0
Trading - Mutual funds	0	0
Total investments in securities	0	0
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Recurring Basis [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Investments in securities [Abstract]
AFS - Common stocks		0
AFS - Closed-end Funds		0
Trading - Common stocks	0	0
Trading - Closed-end funds	0
Trading - Mutual funds	0	0
Total investments in securities	0	0
Total assets at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Federal [Abstract]
Current		$ 32,979	$ 54,318	$ 63,991
Deferred		(604)	(3,670)	(4,424)
State and local [Abstract]
Current		4,971	6,212	6,652
Deferred		117	(1,781)	(1,113)
Total		$ 37,463	$ 55,079	$ 65,106
Effective income tax rate reconciliation [Abstract]
Statutory Federal income tax rate		21.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income tax, net of Federal benefit		2.60%	0.50%	1.00%
Impact of Tax Act		0.00%	6.20%	0.00%
Other		0.60%	(0.30%)	(0.30%)
Effective income tax rate		24.20%	41.40%	35.70%
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Investments in securities	$ 0	$ 1,567	$ 0
Stock compensation expense	110	344	110
Deferred compensation	14,740	8,830	14,740
Capital lease obligation	633	648	633
Other	238	211	238
Total deferred tax assets	15,721	11,600	15,721
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Investments in securities available for sale	(4,609)	0	(4,609)
Contingent deferred sales commissions	(189)	(107)	(189)
Intangible asset amortization	(233)	(313)	(233)
Other	(10)	(13)	(10)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(5,041)	(433)	(5,041)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	10,680	11,167	10,680
Increase (decrease) to additional paid in capital from RSA acceleration				$ (401)
Income tax uncertainties [Abstract]
Recognition of unrecognized tax benefits effect	10,500	11,300	10,500
Net liability for unrecognized tax benefits	14,500	16,200	14,500
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period		13,300	15,000	18,400
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1,800	2,200	2,300
Additions for tax positions of prior years		0	0	1,200
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(900)	(3,900)	(6,900)
Settlements		0	0	0
Balance, end of period	13,300	14,200	13,300	15,000
Penalties and interest accruals related to tax uncertainties in income taxes	4,800	6,100	4,800
Income tax expenses related to an increase (decrease) in its liability for interest and penalties		$ 1,000	(300)	$ (700)
Write down of net deferred tax assets	$ 8,200		8,200
Tax expense related to revaluation of certain deferred income tax assets			10,900
Non-cash tax benefit related to revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities			$ 2,700
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax years under examination		2015
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax years under examination		2017
State Jurisdiction [Member] | New York [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax years under examination		2007
State Jurisdiction [Member] | New York [Member] | Latest Tax Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Tax years under examination		2011
ASU 2016-09 [Member]
Effective tax rate [Abstract]
Change in effective income tax rate over prior period			0.70%

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Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Basic [Abstract]
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$ 23,337	$ 35,016	$ 31,582	$ 27,261	$ 13,495	$ 16,600	$ 22,894	$ 24,820	$ 117,196	$ 77,809	$ 117,121
Weighted average share outstanding (in shares)									28,744	28,980	29,182
Basic net income per share attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.82	$ 1.22	$ 1.10	$ 0.94	$ 0.46	$ 0.57	$ 0.79	$ 0.86	$ 4.08	$ 2.68	$ 4.01
Diluted [Abstract]
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders	$ 23,337	$ 35,016	$ 31,582	$ 27,261	$ 13,495	$ 16,600	$ 22,894	$ 24,820	$ 117,196	$ 77,809	$ 117,121
Add interest on convertible notes, net of management fee and taxes									0	2,604	1,133
Total income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders									$ 117,196	$ 80,413	$ 118,254
Weighted average share outstanding (in shares)									28,744	28,980	29,182
Restricted stock awards (in shares)									33	192	234
Assumed conversion of convertible note (in shares)									0	1,775	754
Total (in shares)									28,777	30,947	30,170
Diluted net income per share attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.81	$ 1.22	$ 1.10	$ 0.94	$ 0.46	$ 0.55	$ 0.76	$ 0.82	$ 4.07	$ 2.60	$ 3.92

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Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands, shares in Millions						3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 21, 2017	Nov. 20, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 18, 2015	May 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2018	Aug. 15, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Carrying value							$ 89,144	$ 24,168	$ 89,144
Period of interest included in initial deposit								6 months
Loss on extinguishment of debt								$ 0	(3,300)	$ 0
Maximum amount of debt and equity to be issued under Shelf Registration											$ 500,000
Loans borrowed in exchange for a note							15,000	0	15,000
Level 2 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Fair value							$ 90,087	$ 23,061	90,087
4.5% Convertible Notes [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, term								5 years
Face value of debt												$ 110,000
Debt instrument, interest rate								4.50%				4.50%
Debt issuance cost	$ 135									174		$ 174
Debt instrument, maturity date							Aug. 15, 2021	Aug. 15, 2021
Debt redemption price	103.00%	103.00%						50.00%
Debt instrument, repurchased face amount	$ 114,600
Percentage of assets owned in escrow account	47.00%		53.00%
Cash deposited into escrow account	$ 53,000		$ 60,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt							$ (3,300)		(3,300)
Repayment of debt								$ 0	113,300	0
4.5% Convertible Notes [Member] | Redemption on or after February 15, 2019 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Debt redemption price (in dollars per share)								$ 101
4.5% Convertible Notes [Member] | Common Class A [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Debt instrument, conversion price (in dollars per share)												$ 55.00
Debt instrument, shares issuable in conversion (in shares)												2
4.5% Convertible Notes [Member] | GGCP Holdings LLC [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage												63.00%
Period of interest included in initial deposit								6 months
AC 4% PIK Note [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Carrying value							50,000	$ 0	50,000
Face value of debt								$ 0					$ 250,000
Debt instrument, interest rate								4.00%					4.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date								Nov. 30, 2020
Prepayment of debt									50,000
Repayment of debt								$ 50,000	50,000	150,000
AC 4% PIK Note [Member] | Principal Amount Due on November 30, 2018 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Prepayment of debt									30,000
AC 4% PIK Note [Member] | Principal Amount Due on November 30, 2019 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Prepayment of debt									20,000
AC 4% PIK Note [Member] | Principal Amount Due on November 30, 2020 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Prepayment of debt								50,000
AC 4% PIK Note [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Fair value							50,572	0	50,572
Loan from GGCP [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Face value of debt								$ 35,000
Debt instrument, maturity date								Dec. 28, 2016
Repayment of debt								$ 0	0	35,000
5.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Carrying value							$ 24,144	$ 24,168	$ 24,144
Face value of debt				$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Debt instrument, interest rate					5.875%		5.875%	5.875%	5.875%
Debt issuance cost				$ 400			$ 81	$ 57	$ 81
Net proceeds from debt issuance					$ 99,100
Debt issuance cost capitalized					$ 900
Debt instrument, maturity date								Jun. 01, 2021
Debt redemption price				101.00%	101.00%
Debt instrument, repurchased face amount				$ 75,800
Loss on extinguishment of debt				$ (800)
5.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Fair value							24,543	$ 23,061	24,543
AC 1.6% Note [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Carrying value							15,000	$ 0	15,000
Debt instrument, interest rate								1.60%
Debt instrument, maturity date						Feb. 28, 2018		Feb. 28, 2018
Repayment of debt								$ 15,000	0	$ 0
Loans borrowed in exchange for a note								15,000
AC 1.6% Note [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Long-term debt [Abstract]
Fair value							$ 14,972	$ 0	$ 14,972

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Equity, Voting Rights and Stock Award and Incentive Plan (Details)										3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 17, 2018 $ / shares shares	Aug. 07, 2018 $ / shares shares	Jul. 02, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares	May 23, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 04, 2018 $ / shares shares	Jan. 05, 2018 USD ($) shares	Dec. 27, 2017 USD ($) shares	Aug. 07, 2017 USD ($) shares	Jun. 01, 2017 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) VoteperShare Plan $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Stock Award and Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Number of incentive plans | Plan											1
Actual and projected stock based compensation expense for RSA shares and options [Abstract]
Compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards and options not yet recognized											$ 8,100,000
Projected compensation cost not yet recognized [Abstract]
2019											2,310,000
2020											2,310,000
2021											1,695,000
2022											1,319,000
2023											499,000
Stock based compensation expense											1,620,000	$ 8,669,000	$ 3,959,000
Tax benefit from compensation expense											$ 400,000	$ 3,300,000	$ 1,500,000
Class A [Member]
Voting Rights [Abstract]
Number of votes per share | VoteperShare											1
Class A [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Stock Award and Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Number of shares reserved for issuance under each plan (in shares) | shares											7,500,000
Class B [Member]
Voting Rights [Abstract]
Number of votes per share | VoteperShare											10
Stock Options [Member]
Options, shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) | shares											0	0
Granted (in shares) | shares											10,000	0
Forfeited (in shares) | shares											0	0
Exercised / Vested (in shares) | shares											0	0
Outstanding, end of period (in shares) | shares										0	10,000	0	0
Shares available for future issuance, end of period (in shares) | shares											1,087,717
Options, weighted average exercise price [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											$ 0	$ 0
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											25.55	0
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											0	0
Exercised / Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											0	0
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares										$ 0	$ 25.55	$ 0	$ 0
Stock Options [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Stock Award and Incentive Plan [Abstract]
Term of nonqualified stock options											10 years
Stock Options [Member] | Vesting in Three Years from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											75.00%
Award vesting period											3 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
RSAs, shares [Roll Forward]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) | shares											19,400	424,340
Granted (in shares) | shares	5,000	162,450			270,500						437,950	0
Forfeited (in shares) | shares											(10,300)	(4,500)
Exercised / Vested (in shares) | shares											(19,400)	(400,440)
Outstanding, end of period (in shares) | shares										19,400	427,650	19,400	424,340
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											$ 65.67	$ 65.74
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 25.74	$ 25.16			$ 24.77						24.93	0
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											24.81	78.62
Exercised / Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											65.67	65.60
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares										$ 65.67	$ 24.93	$ 65.67	$ 65.74
Number of shares with accelerated vesting (in shares) | shares						19,400	144,650	201,120		144,650	19,400	345,770
Stock compensation expense recognized due to acceleration of lapsing of restrictions on RSAs						$ 200,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 1,800,000		$ 1,300,000	$ 200,000	$ 6,800,000
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Three Years from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											30.00%
Award vesting period											3 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Five Years from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											70.00%
Award vesting period											5 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Four from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Five from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Six from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Seven from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Eight from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Nine from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in Year Ten from Date of Grant [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											10.00%
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | AC [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Number of shares with accelerated vesting (in shares) | shares									420,240
Stock compensation expense recognized due to acceleration of lapsing of restrictions on RSAs									$ 3,700,000
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting on January 1, 2020 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting in 2016 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											25.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting on January 1, 2020 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2016 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage													25.00%
Deferred compensation agreement, value of shares issued													$ 18,991,316
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage												25.00%
Deferred compensation agreement, value of shares issued												$ 18,991,316
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											25.00%
Deferred compensation agreement, value of shares issued											$ 18,991,316
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for 2016 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Class A [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Deferred compensation agreement, shares issued (in shares) | shares													2,314,695
Deferred compensation agreement, share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares													$ 32.8187
Deferred compensation agreement, value of shares issued													$ 75,965,266
Closing price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares										$ 29.65	$ 16.89	$ 29.65	$ 30.89
Reduction of RSU expense due to waiver of receipt of deferred compensation expense											$ (24,000,000)	$ (2,600,000)	$ (1,100,000)
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Vesting on July 1, 2018 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											67.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											33.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting on July 1, 2018 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											67.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											33.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for FH 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Class A [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Deferred compensation agreement, shares issued (in shares) | shares												1,244,018
Deferred compensation agreement, share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares												$ 29.6596
Deferred compensation agreement, value of shares issued												$ 36,897,086
Closing price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 27.1837							29.65		$ 29.65
Reduction of RSU expense due to waiver of receipt of deferred compensation expense				$ 6,000,000							$ (2,600,000)	$ 17,000
Cash payment amount			$ 28,300,000
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											17.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											66.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Vesting in April 2019 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2017 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											17.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2018 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											66.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in April 2019 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											100.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Vesting in 2019 [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Award vesting percentage											17.00%
Mr. Gabelli [Member] | Award Granted for Q4 2017 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | Class A [Member]
RSAs, weighted average grant date fair value [Abstract]
Deferred compensation agreement, shares issued (in shares) | shares												530,662
Deferred compensation agreement, share price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares												$ 29.1875
Deferred compensation agreement, value of shares issued												$ 15,488,708
Closing price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares										$ 29.65	$ 16.89	$ 29.65
Reduction of RSU expense due to waiver of receipt of deferred compensation expense											$ 5,400,000	$ 0

XML

Equity, Stock Repurchase Program, Dividends, and Shelf Registration (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	May 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 1999
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Share based compensation dividends accrued	$ 20	$ 24
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum amount of debt and equity to be issued under Shelf Registration					$ 500,000
Common Class A [Member] | Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]
Amount of shares authorized to be repurchased								$ 9,000
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)				610,511		425,352	500,000
Shares repurchased (in shares)	419,995	484,526	348,687
Average price per share of repurchased shares (in dollars per share)	$ 25.25	$ 29.56	$ 30.88
Share available under program to repurchase (in shares)	864,810
Common Stock Class A and Class B [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Dividend cost	$ 2,300	$ 2,400	$ 2,400

XML

Capital Lease (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / ft²
Capital Lease [Abstract]
Lease term	15 years
Base rent per square foot (in dollars per square foot) | $ / ft²				18
Base rental				$ 1,100,000
Accumulated amortization on the leased property	$ 5,100,000	$ 4,900,000
Lease payments under capital lease agreement	1,200,000	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,200,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2019	1,253,000
2020	1,080,000
2021	1,080,000
2022	1,080,000
2023	1,080,000
Thereafter	5,400,000
Total minimum obligations	10,973,000
Interest	6,166,000
Present value of net obligations	4,807,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	1,080,000
Future sublease rentals	$ 1,100,000
Term of capital lease sublease rentals	5 years
Estimated annual operating expenses to be borne by the Company	$ 800,000

XML

Contractual Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2019	$ 616
2020	121
2021	68
2022	4
Total	809
Rent expense	$ 2,400	$ 2,200	$ 2,400

XML

Charitable Contributions (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Charitable Contributions [Abstract]
Expense related to shareholder-designated charitable contribution program	$ 5.7	$ 4.1
Shareholder-designated contribution, diluted per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.20	$ 0.08

XML

Related Party Transactions (Details) shares in Millions	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 ft² $ / ft²	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) ft² $ / ft² shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) ft²	Mar. 31, 2017 ft² $ / ft²	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Associated Capital Group, Inc. [Member]
Capital Lease [Abstract]
Area of lease space (in square feet) | ft²	15,000		15,000	15,000
Sublease rental base rate (in dollars per square foot) | $ / ft²	22.03			21.62
Sublease rental rate for utilities and taxes on sublease property (in dollars per square foot) | ft²	3			3
Sublease rental base rate | $		$ 463,286	$ 367,798		$ 297,185
Common Class A [Member] | Associated Capital Group, Inc. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of voting rights		2.00%
Percentage of ownership		10.00%
Shares owned by related party (in shares) | shares		3.0
GGCP Holdings LLC [Member] | Common Class B [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of voting rights		91.00%
Percentage of ownership		63.00%
GCI [Member] | Fund Advisor [Member] | Advisory Fees [Member]
Investment Advisory Services [Abstract]
Revenue from related parties | $		$ (3,900,000)	(2,800,000)		(2,700,000)
Percentage of net revenue paid to related party		90.00%
Entity Controlled by Members of Chairman's Family [Member]
Capital Lease [Abstract]
Area of lease space (in square feet) | ft²		60,000
LICT Corporation [Member]
Capital Lease [Abstract]
Area of lease space (in square feet) | ft²		3,300
Sublease rental base rate (in dollars per square foot) | $ / ft²		28
Sublease rental rate for utilities and taxes on sublease property (in dollars per square foot) | ft²		3
Sublease rental base rate | $		$ 118,957	116,756		116,564
Teton [Member]
Capital Lease [Abstract]
Area of lease space (in square feet) | ft²		1,600
Sublease rental base rate (in dollars per square foot) | $ / ft²		37.75
Sublease rental rate for utilities and taxes on sublease property (in dollars per square foot) | ft²		3
Sublease rental base rate | $		$ 69,299	68,293		68,205
MJG Associates, Inc [Member] | G B L [Member] | Advisory Fees [Member]
Investment Advisory Services [Abstract]
Revenue from related parties | $		10,000	10,000		10,000
Affiliated Funds [Member] | G.distributors, LLC [Member] | Distribution Fees [Member]
Investment Advisory Services [Abstract]
Revenue from related parties | $		35,100,000	39,700,000		$ 41,000,000
Affiliated Funds [Member] | G.distributors, LLC [Member] | Advisory and Distribution Fees [Member]
Investment Advisory Services [Abstract]
Revenue from related parties | $		$ 18,800,000	$ 30,400,000

XML

Related Party Transactions, Compensation and Other (Details) - USD ($)			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 21, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 29, 2017	Dec. 26, 2017	Aug. 15, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015
Compensation [Abstract]
Percentage payout of revenues or net operating contribution to the portfolio managers and marketing staff who introduce, service or generate private wealth management business					40.00%
Payable to affiliates			$ 855,000		$ 1,041,000	$ 855,000
Other [Abstract]
Deposited transaction amount					295,000	328,000	$ 353,000
Institutional research services					$ 1,000,000	2,300,000	1,500,000
Notice period of agreement between related parties					30 days
Term of agreement between related parties					12 months
Annual costs of setting up escrow account paid					$ 55,000
Period of interest included in initial deposit					6 months
AC 4% PIK Note [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Face value of debt					$ 0							$ 250,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate					4.00%							4.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date					Nov. 30, 2020
Interest expenses					$ 800,000	3,000,000	7,700,000
Loan from GGCP [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Face value of debt					$ 35,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Dec. 28, 2016
Interest expenses							415,000
Loan from AC [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Face value of debt										$ 15,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate										1.60%
Debt instrument, maturity date					Feb. 28, 2018
Interest expenses					$ 40,000	40,000
Convertible Notes [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Face value of debt											$ 110,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate					4.50%						4.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date			Aug. 15, 2021		Aug. 15, 2021
Percentage of assets owned in escrow account	47.00%	53.00%
Cash deposited into escrow account	$ 53,000,000	$ 60,000,000
GCI [Member] | 5.5% Demand Loan [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Interest expenses								$ 900,000
Fund Advisor [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Institutional research services					$ 1,000,000	2,300,000	1,500,000
Chairman and CEO [Member]
Compensation [Abstract]
Compensation waived					$ 56,500,000
GGCP [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Percentage of assets owned in escrow account	47.00%			53.00%
Cash deposited into escrow account	$ 53,100,000			$ 60,000,000
GGCP [Member] | Convertible Notes [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Additional amount paid to repurchase debt	$ 1,400,000
GBL and Teton [Member]
Other [Abstract]
Flat sub-administration agreement percentage on mutual funds					0.20%
Administration fees percentage on first tier of net assets					0.20%
First tier net assets maximum					$ 370,000,000
Administration fees percentage on second tier of net assets					0.12%
Second tier net assets maximum					$ 630,000,000
Administration fees percentage on third tier of net assets					0.10%
Third tier net assets minimum					$ 1,000,000,000
Monthly administrative service fee					4,167	18,750	25,000
Administrative and management services					$ 2,100,000	$ 2,100,000	$ 2,000,000
Certain Executive Officers and Employees [Member]
Compensation [Abstract]
Payable to affiliates									$ 11,700,000
Certain Executive Officers and Employees [Member] | Due on January 31, 2018 [Member]
Compensation [Abstract]
Payable to affiliates									5,500,000
Certain Executive Officers and Employees [Member] | Due on February 28, 2018 [Member]
Compensation [Abstract]
Payable to affiliates									$ 6,200,000

XML

Financial Requirements (Details)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 GBP (£)
Financial Requirements [Abstract]
Minimum capital requirement	$ 250,000
Own funds	852,000	£ 671,000	$ 853,000	£ 632,000
Own funds requirement	$ 195,000	£ 154,000	$ 291,000	£ 216,000

XML

Profit Sharing Plan and Incentive Savings Plan (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Profit Sharing Plan and Incentive Savings Plan [Abstract]
Accrued contributions	$ 80,000	$ 109,000	$ 77,000

XML

Identifiable Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment on intangible assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Investment Advisory Contract [Member] | Gabelli Enterprise Mergers and Acquisitions Fund [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible asset	1,900,000	1,900,000
Investment Advisory Contract [Member] | Bancroft Fund Ltd. and the Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd. [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible asset	$ 1,600,000	$ 1,600,000

XML

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands				3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 05, 2018	Dec. 27, 2017	Aug. 07, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 15, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenues				$ 80,977	$ 85,788	$ 87,193	$ 87,497	$ 98,666	$ 88,341	$ 87,600	$ 85,917	$ 341,455	$ 360,524	$ 353,000
Operating income				52,458	51,700	41,373	41,256	39,524	23,393	39,660	42,443	186,787	145,020	191,796
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders				$ 23,337	$ 35,016	$ 31,582	$ 27,261	$ 13,495	$ 16,600	$ 22,894	$ 24,820	$ 117,196	$ 77,809	$ 117,121
Net income attributable to GAMCO Investors, Inc.'s shareholders per share [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)				$ 0.82	$ 1.22	$ 1.10	$ 0.94	$ 0.46	$ 0.57	$ 0.79	$ 0.86	$ 4.08	$ 2.68	$ 4.01
Diluted (in dollars per share)				$ 0.81	$ 1.22	$ 1.10	$ 0.94	$ 0.46	$ 0.55	$ 0.76	$ 0.82	$ 4.07	$ 2.60	$ 3.92
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt												$ 0	$ (3,300)	$ 0
Write down of net deferred tax assets								$ 8,200					8,200
4.5% Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt								$ (3,300)					$ (3,300)
Debt instrument, repurchased face amount				$ 110,000								$ 110,000
Debt instrument, interest rate				4.50%								4.50%			4.50%
Debt instrument, maturity date								Aug. 15, 2021				Aug. 15, 2021
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares with accelerated vesting (in shares)	19,400	144,650	201,120					144,650				19,400	345,770
Stock compensation expense resulting from accelerated lapsing of restrictions on RSAs	$ 200	$ 1,300	$ 1,800					$ 1,300				$ 200	$ 6,800
Stock compensation expense resulting from accelerated lapsing of restrictions on RSAs per fully diluted share (in dollars per share)								$ 0.02

XML

Subsequent Events (Details)							3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			14 Months Ended
	Feb. 05, 2019 $ / shares	Feb. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 05, 2018 USD ($) shares	Dec. 27, 2017 USD ($) shares	Aug. 07, 2017 USD ($) shares	Jun. 01, 2017 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares	Mar. 08, 2019 $ / shares shares	Dec. 26, 2017	Nov. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014 $ / ft²
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares								$ 0.08	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
Base rent per square foot (in dollars per square foot) | $ / ft²														18
AC 4% PIK Note [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate								4.00%					4.00%
Repayment of debt								$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000	$ 150,000,000
Loan from AC [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate												1.60%
AC 1.6% Note [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate								1.60%
Repayment of debt								$ 15,000,000	$ 0	$ 0
Class A [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | shares							9,949,482	9,957,301	9,949,482
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of shares with accelerated vesting (in shares) | shares			19,400	144,650	201,120		144,650	19,400	345,770
Compensation record expenses due to accelerated vesting			$ 200,000	$ 1,300,000	$ 1,800,000		$ 1,300,000	$ 200,000	$ 6,800,000
Restricted Stock Awards [Member] | AC [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of shares with accelerated vesting (in shares) | shares						420,240
Compensation record expenses due to accelerated vesting						$ 3,700,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | G.research LLC [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Renewal of research service agreement		$ 62,500
Subsequent Event [Member] | G.research LLC [Member] | Fund Advisor [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Renewal of research service agreement		$ 62,500
Subsequent Event [Member] | Repurchase of Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Stock repurchased (in shares) | shares											88,841
Average price per share of repurchased shares (in dollars per share) | $ / shares											$ 20.19
Shares available to be repurchsed under the plan (in shares) | shares											775,969
Subsequent Event [Member] | Quarterly Dividend [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared date	Feb. 05, 2019
Dividends declared (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.02
Dividends payable date	Apr. 30, 2019
Dividends record date	Apr. 16, 2019