Derivative Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

We enter into various futures, forwards and swaps to economically hedge certain seed capital investments.  Also, we have currency forwards that economically hedge certain cash accounts and exchange-traded futures to economically hedge a foreign investment. In addition, our options desk trades long and short exchange-traded equity options. We do not hold any derivatives designated in a formal hedge relationship under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging.

The notional value and fair value as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 for derivative instruments (excluding our options desk trading activities discussed below) not designated as hedging instruments were as follows:

			Fair Value
	Notional Value		Asset Derivatives		Liability Derivatives
	(in thousands)
September 30, 2015:
Exchange-traded futures	$	140,160	$	2,740	$	264
Currency forwards	296,794		6,092		3,644
Interest rate swaps	73,565		5,251		6,666
Credit default swaps	29,092		2,322		334
Option swaps	213		81		25
Total return swaps	88,964		2,253		421
Total derivatives	$	628,788	$	18,739	$	11,354
December 31, 2014:
Exchange-traded futures	$	149,863	$	571	$	2,438
Currency forwards	149,282		1,782		333
Interest rate swaps	50,591		1,507		2,679
Credit default swaps	32,745		1,432		110
Option swaps	11		107		88
Total return swaps	125,913		1,388		3,744
Total derivatives	$	508,405	$	6,787	$	9,392

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the derivative assets and liabilities are included in both receivables and payables to brokers and dealers on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

The gains and losses for derivative instruments (excluding our options desk trading activities) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(in thousands)
Exchange-traded futures	$	16,683		$	1,715		$	13,124		$	(2,681	)
Currency forwards	5,900			3,462			8,058			450
Interest rate swaps	(438		)	170			(768		)	(1,757		)
Credit default swaps	422			320			207			(59		)
Options swaps	80			(93		)	59			(235		)
Total return swaps	1,086			(1,154		)	(529		)	(10,764		)
Net gains (losses) on derivative instruments	$	23,733		$	4,420		$	20,151		$	(15,046	)

We may be exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments. We minimize our counterparty exposure through a credit review and approval process. In addition, we executed various collateral arrangements with counterparties to the over-the-counter derivative transactions that require both pledging and accepting collateral in the form of cash. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we held $5.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of cash collateral payable to trade counterparties. This obligation to return cash is reported in payables to brokers and dealers in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Although notional amount is the most commonly used measure of volume in the derivative market, it is not used as a measure of credit risk. Generally, the current credit exposure of our derivative contracts is limited to the net positive estimated fair value of derivative contracts at the reporting date after taking into consideration the existence of netting agreements and any collateral received. A derivative with positive value (a derivative asset) indicates existence of credit risk because the counterparty would owe us if the contract were closed. Alternatively, a derivative contract with negative value (a derivative liability) indicates we would owe money to the counterparty if the contract were closed. Generally, if there is more than one derivative transaction with a single counterparty, a master netting arrangement exists with respect to derivative transactions with that counterparty to provide for aggregate net settlement.

Certain of our standardized contracts for over-the-counter derivative transactions (“ISDA Master Agreements”) contain credit risk related contingent provisions pertaining to each counterparty’s credit rating. In some ISDA Master Agreements, if the counterparty’s credit rating, or in some agreements, our assets under management (“AUM”), falls below a specified threshold, either a default or a termination event permitting the counterparty to terminate the ISDA Master Agreement would be triggered. In all agreements that provide for collateralization, various levels of collateralization of net liability positions are applicable, depending on the credit rating of the counterparty. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we delivered $3.5 million and $13.2 million, respectively, of cash collateral into brokerage accounts. We report this cash collateral in cash and cash equivalents in our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we held $11.2 million and $22.3 million, respectively, of long exchange-traded equity options, which are classified as trading investments and included in other investments on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we held $4.1 million and $7.1 million, respectively, of short exchange-traded equity options, which are included in securities sold not yet purchased on our condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Our options desk provides our clients with equity derivative strategies and execution for exchange-traded options on single stocks, exchange-traded funds and indices. While predominately agency-based, the options desk may commit capital to facilitate a client’s transaction. Our options desk hedges the risks associated with this activity by taking offsetting positions in equities. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized $14.1 million and $54.5 million, respectively, of losses on equity options activity. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $24.5 million and $114.9 million, respectively, of losses on equity options activity. These losses are recognized in investment gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of income.