Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Revenue Recognition [Abstract]

Revenue Recognition

2.  Revenue Recognition

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

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

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

Advisory Fee Revenues

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

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

Performance Correlated and Conditional Revenues

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

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

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

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

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

Distribution Fees and Other Income

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

Revenue Disaggregated

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

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Investment advisory and incentive fees:
Mutual Funds	$	25,075	$	22,163	$	73,256	$	66,084
Closed-end Funds		22,298		16,218		60,185		47,232
Institutional & PWM		19,246		14,771		55,437		49,319
Sub-advisory accounts		636		521		1,902		1,770
SICAV		1,829		1,159		4,767		3,827
Performance-based		63		62		3,955		405
Distribution fees and other income		6,760		6,358		19,957		19,741
Total revenues	$	75,907	$	61,252	$	219,459	$	188,378