18.	Investments

Equity Method Investments

The carrying value of the Company’s equity method investments was $136.1 million as of September 30, 2018 and $135.6 million as of December 31, 2017, and is included in “Investments” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

The Company recognized gains of $1.4 million and $2.1 million related to its equity method investments for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company recognized gains of $10.0 million and $4.0 million related to its equity method investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s share of the gains or losses is reflected in “Gains (losses) on equity method investments” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

On September 8, 2017, the Company invested $100.0 million in Real Estate LP, which is controlled and managed by Cantor. As of September 30, 2018, the Company’s investment is accounted for under the equity method. There were no gains recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and a $5.0 million gain recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

See Note 17—“Related Party Transactions,” for information regarding related party transactions with unconsolidated entities included in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Investments Carried Under Measurements Alternative

The Company had previously acquired investments for which it did not have the ability to exert significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investees. Prior to January 1, 2018, these investments were accounted for using the cost method in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, Investments—Other. The carrying value of the cost method investments was $6.2 million and is included in “Investments” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2017. The Company did not recognize any gain or loss relating to cost method investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Effective January 1, 2018, these investments are accounted for using the measurement alternative in accordance with the new guidance on recognition and measurement. The carrying value of these investments was $28.8 million and is included in “Investments” in the Company’s unaudited condensed statements of financial condition as of September 30, 2018. The Company did not recognize any gains, losses, or impairments relating to investments carried under the measurement alternative for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

In addition, the Company owns membership shares, which are included in “Other Assets” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Prior to January 1, 2018, these shares were accounted for using the cost method in accordance with U.S. GAAP guidance, Investments—Other. Effective January 1, 2018, these shares are accounted for using the measurement alternative in accordance with the new guidance on recognition and measurement. The Company recognized $18.2 million and $38.7 million unrealized gains (upward adjustment) to reflect observable transactions for these shares during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectfully. The unrealized gains are reflected in “Other Income” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Investments in Variable Interest Entities

Certain of the Company’s equity method investments are considered Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”), as defined under the accounting guidance for consolidation. The Company is not considered the primary beneficiary of and therefore does not consolidate these VIEs. The Company’s involvement with such entities is in the form of direct equity interests and related agreements. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to the VIEs is its investment in such entities as well as a credit facility and a subordinated loan.

The following table sets forth the Company’s investment in its unconsolidated VIEs and the maximum exposure to loss with respect to such entities as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands).

	September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
			Maximum				Maximum
			Exposure to				Exposure to
	Investment		Loss		Investment		Loss
Variable interest entities¹	$	106,642	$	107,622	$	103,892	$	104,872

The Company has entered into a subordinated loan agreement with Aqua, whereby the Company agreed to lend the principal sum of $980.0 thousand. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company’s maximum exposure to loss with respect to its unconsolidated VIEs includes the sum of its equity investments in its unconsolidated VIEs and the $980.0 thousand subordinated loan to Aqua.

Consolidated VIE

The Company is invested in a limited liability company that is focused on developing a proprietary trading technology. The limited liability company is a VIE and the Company determined that it is the primary beneficiary of this VIE because the Company, through GFI, was the provider of the majority of this VIE’s start-up capital and has the power to direct the activities of this VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, primarily through its voting percentage and consent rights on the activities that would most significantly influence the entity. The consolidated VIE had total assets of $7.3 million and $5.9 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, which primarily consisted of clearing margin. There were no material restrictions on the consolidated VIE’s assets. The consolidated VIE had total liabilities of $0.9 million and $1.6 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company’s exposure to economic loss on this VIE was approximately $3.5 million and $2.4 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.