Delaware | | | 6211 | | | 13-4196940 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | | (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Large Accelerated filer | | | ☐ | | | Accelerated filer | | | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | | | ☒ | | | Smaller reporting company | | | ☒ |
| | | | Emerging growth company | | | ☐ |
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered | | | Amount to be Registered(1) | | | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2) | | | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2) | | | Amount of Registration Fee |
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | | | 50,000,000 | | | Not applicable | | | $8,500,000 | | | $1,103.30 |
(1) | This Registration Statement registers the maximum number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, that will be distributed by Associated Capital Group, Inc., referred to as ACG, to the holders of ACG’s class A and class B common stock pursuant to a spin-off transaction. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock, as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions. |
(2) | Pursuant to Rule 457(c), and solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the proposed maximum offering price per share and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price are based upon a market value of $0.17 per share of the Registrant’s common stock, determined by the average of the high and low prices reported in the over-the-counter market on May 21, 2020, which is a date that within five business days prior to the date of filing this Registration Statement. |
Q: | What is the Spin-Off? |
A: | The Spin-Off is the method by which we will separate from ACG. ACG currently beneficially owns through its wholly owned subsidiary, Institutional Services Holdings, LLC (“ISH”), 50,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. In the Spin-Off, ACG will distribute to holders of ACG common stock 50,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. Following the Spin-Off, we will remain a publicly-traded company, and ACG will not retain any ownership interest in or otherwise possess control over us. |
Q: | Will the number of shares of ACG common stock I own change as a result of the Spin-Off? |
A: | No, the number of shares of ACG common stock you own will not change as a result of the Spin-Off. |
Q: | What are the reasons for the Spin-Off? |
A: | The board of directors of ACG (“ACG Board”) considered the following potential benefits in deciding to pursue the Spin-Off: |
• | ACG’s and the Company’s expectation that the Spin-Off will enhance the ability of ACG and the Company to focus on their respective strategies. ACG will continue to expand and diversify its alternative investment management business and we will continue to operate and pursue growth in its institutional research and brokerage business as separate companies. |
• | ACG recognizes that our near-term goals for our business include growth through acquisitions or mergers funded, in part, with capital raises and strategic alliances with other companies. We have not targeted any companies for acquisition and have no specific plan concerning identified capital requirements to achieve these goals. We believe that our growth strategy will be facilitated if we operate separately from under the control of ACG and can pursue a capital structure without any consideration of the impact on ACG. |
• | The Spin-Off will establish the Company as a publicly traded company no longer owned and controlled by ACG, which we believe will meaningfully enhance our market profile, and thereby provide us with business opportunities without influence of ACG which may have competing interests from time to time. |
• | The separation resulting from the Spin-Off will reduce direct conflicts of interest between the two companies that may otherwise result from the direct parent-subsidiary control relationship that will no longer exist following the Spin Off. |
Q: | Why is the separation of the Company structured as a spin-off? |
A: | ACG believes that a distribution of our Common Stock is the most efficient way to separate our business from ACG in a manner that will achieve the above benefits. |
Q: | What will I receive in the Spin-Off? |
A: | As a holder of ACG common stock, you will receive a dividend of shares of our Common Stock for every share of ACG common stock you hold on the Record Date (as defined below). The distribution agent will distribute only whole shares of our Common Stock in the Spin-Off. See “Questions and Answers About the Spin-Off—How will fractional shares be treated in the Spin-Off?” for more information on the treatment of the fractional share you may be entitled to receive in the Spin-Off. Your proportionate interest in ACG will not change as a result of the Spin-Off. For a more detailed description, see “The Spin-Off.” |
Q: | What is being distributed to holders of ACG common stock in the Spin-Off? |
A: | ACG will distribute 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the Spin-Off, which constitutes approximately 83.3% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. The shares of our Common Stock that ACG |
Q: | What is the record date for the Distribution? |
A: | ACG will designate 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on , 2020 (the “Record Date”), as the record ownership date for the Distribution. |
Q: | When will the Distribution to holders of ACG common stock occur? |
A: | The Distribution will be effective as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time on , 2020 (the “Distribution Date”). On or shortly after the Distribution Date, the whole shares of our Common Stock will be credited in book-entry accounts for stockholders entitled to receive those shares in the Distribution. We expect that it may take the distribution agent up to two weeks after the Distribution Date to fully distribute the shares of our Common Stock to ACG stockholders. See “Questions and Answers About the Spin-Off—How will ACG distribute shares of our Common Stock?” for more information on how to access your book-entry account or your bank, brokerage or other account holding our Common Stock you will receive in the Distribution. |
Q: | What do I have to do to participate in the Distribution? |
A: | You are not required to take any action, but we urge you to read this Prospectus carefully. Holders of ACG common stock on the Record Date will not need to pay any cash or deliver any other consideration, including any shares of ACG common stock, in order to receive shares of our Common Stock in the Distribution. No stockholder approval of the Distribution is required. We are not asking you for a vote, and we request that you do not send us a proxy card. |
Q: | If I sell my shares of ACG common stock on or before the Distribution Date, will I still be entitled to receive shares of Common Stock in the Distribution? |
A: | If you hold shares of ACG common stock on the Record Date and decide to sell them on or before the Distribution Date, you may choose to sell your ACG common stock with or without your entitlement to our Common Stock. You should discuss these alternatives with your bank, broker or other nominee. See “The Spin-Off—Trading Prior to the Distribution Date” for more information. |
Q: | How will ACG distribute shares of our Common Stock? |
A: | Registered stockholders: If you are a registered stockholder (meaning you own your shares of ACG common stock directly through ACG’s transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare”)), our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, which is serving as the distribution agent in connection with the Distribution, will credit the whole shares of our Common Stock you receive in the Distribution to a new book-entry account on or shortly after the Distribution Date. Our distribution agent will mail you a book-entry account statement that reflects the number of whole shares of our Common Stock you own. You will be able to access information regarding your book-entry account holding our Common Stock at American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. |
Q: | How will fractional shares be treated in the Distribution? |
A: | The distribution agent will not distribute any fractional shares of our Common Stock in connection with the Spin-Off. Instead, the distribution agent will aggregate all fractional shares into whole shares and sell the whole shares in the open market at prevailing market prices on behalf of stockholders entitled to receive a |
Q: | What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences to me of the Distribution? |
A: | For U.S. federal income tax purposes, no gain or loss is expected to be recognized by, or be includible in the income of, a U.S. Holder (as defined in “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off”) as a result of the Distribution, except with respect to any cash received by ACG stockholders in lieu of fractional shares. In addition, the aggregate tax basis of the ACG common stock and our Common Stock held by each U.S. Holder immediately after the Distribution will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the ACG common stock held by the U.S. Holder immediately before the Distribution, allocated between the ACG common stock and our Common Stock in proportion to their relative fair market values on the Distribution Date (subject to certain adjustments). |
Q: | Does the Company intend to pay cash dividends? |
A: | Following the Spin-Off, we do not anticipate paying any dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy” for more information. |
Q: | How will our Common Stock trade? |
A: | Our Common Stock is not listed on any securities exchange and currently trades in the over-the-counter market where quotations are available through OTCPink®’s quotation service under the symbol “MGHL.” Our outstanding Common Stock will continue trading in the “regular way” market. |
Q: | Will my shares of ACG common stock continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) following the Spin-Off? |
A: | Yes. Following the Spin-Off, ACG common stock will continue to trade “regular way” on the NYSE under the symbol “AC” through and after the Distribution Date. ACG expects that beginning , 2020 there will be two markets in ACG common stock on the NYSE: “regular way” under the symbol “AC” and “ex-distribution” under the symbol “AC WI.” Prior to the Distribution Date, shares of ACG common stock that trade in the “regular-way” market will trade with the right to receive shares of our Common Stock on the Distribution Date. Shares of ACG common stock that trade in the “ex-distribution” market will trade without the right to receive shares of our Common Stock on the Distribution Date. Holders of ACG common stock are encouraged to consult with their financial advisor regarding the specific implications of selling ACG common stock on or before the Distribution Date. |
Q: | Will the Spin-Off affect the trading price of my ACG common stock? |
A: | We do not expect the trading price of shares of ACG common stock immediately following the Spin-Off to be materially lower than immediately prior to the Spin-Off because the value of Morgan Group Holding Co. |
Q: | Do I have appraisal rights in connection with the Spin-Off? |
A: | No. Holders of ACG common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Spin-Off. |
Q: | What will the relationship be between ACG and the Company after the Spin-Off? |
A: | Following the Spin-Off, we will remain a publicly traded company, and ACG will have no continuing stock ownership interest in or possess control over the Company. However, we will continue to receive services and an allocation of office space from GAMCO Investors, Inc., ACG and affiliates under common control with us by Mario J. Gabelli pursuant to existing expense sharing agreements. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Agreements with ACG.” |
Q: | Who is the transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock? Who is the distribution agent in connection with the Spin-Off? |
A: | American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is the transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock and is serving as the distribution agent in connection with the Spin-Off. |
Q: | Are there risks associated with owning shares of our Common Stock? |
A: | Yes. Our business faces both general and specific risks and uncertainties. Our business also faces risks relating to the Spin-Off. Following the Spin-Off, we will also face risks associated with being a publicly-traded company, separate from ACG. Accordingly, you should read carefully the information set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” in this Prospectus. |
Q: | Are there any conditions to completing the Spin-Off? |
A: | Yes. The Spin-Off is conditional upon a number of matters, including but not limited to the authorization and approval of the ACG Board (which has been obtained) and the declaration of effectiveness of our Registration Statement on Form S-1, of which this Prospectus is a part, by the Securities and Exchange Commission. See “Summary—Summary of the Spin-Off— Conditions to the Spin-Off” for a more detailed explanation of the conditions to completing the Spin-Off. |
Q: | Can ACG decide to not proceed with the Distribution even if all of the conditions to the Distribution have been met? |
A: | Yes. Until the distribution has occurred, the ACG Board has the right to not proceed with the Distribution, even if all of the conditions are satisfied. |
Q: | Could there be any other classes of capital stock of the Company outstanding after the Spin-Off? |
A: | No. After giving effect to the Spin-Off, the only class of our capital stock then outstanding is expected to be our Common Stock. |
Q: | Where can I get more information? |
A: | If you have any questions relating to the mechanics of the Distribution, you should contact the distribution agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, at: |
• | Attracting and retaining additional research analysts; |
• | Leveraging the Private Market Value with a Catalyst™ fundamental research methodology licensed from our affiliate, GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO”); |
• | Pursuing acquisitions of complementary research businesses; and |
• | Continuing our sponsorship of industry conferences. |
• | We have experienced losses and there is a risk that we will continue to incur losses in the future. |
• | There is a possibility of losses associated with our underwriting, trading and market-making activities. |
• | Operational risks may disrupt our businesses, result in regulatory action against us or limit our growth. |
• | Our Common Stock is not listed on any securities exchange; there is limited and sporadic trading in the over-the-counter market and there can be no assurance that an active public trading market will develop. |
• | Our business may experience disruption due to global conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. |
• | the ACG Board shall have authorized and approved the Spin-Off and not withdrawn such authorization and approval, and shall have declared the dividend of our Common Stock to ACG stockholders; |
• | the SEC shall have declared effective our Registration Statement on Form S-1, of which this Prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of our Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC; |
• | no order, injunction or decree issued by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing consummation of the Spin-Off shall be in effect, and no other event outside the control of ACG shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of the Spin-Off; |
• | no other events or developments shall have occurred prior to the Distribution Date that, in the sole judgment of the ACG Board, would result in the Spin-Off having a material adverse effect on ACG or its stockholders; |
• | prior to the Distribution Date, this Prospectus shall have been mailed to the holders of ACG common stock; and |
• | ACG shall have received a certificate signed by our executive vice president-finance, dated as of the Distribution Date, certifying the satisfaction of certain conditions. |
• | our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry; |
• | actual or anticipated reductions in our revenue, net earnings and cash flow; |
• | changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles; |
• | the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies; |
• | overall market fluctuations; and |
• | general economic conditions. |
• | the potential adverse impact on our business resulting from the Spin-Off; |
• | the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets or from catastrophic, unpredictable events like a global health pandemic; |
• | a decline in the performance of our products; |
• | a general downturn in the economy; |
• | changes in government policy or regulation; |
• | changes in our ability to attract or retain key employees; |
• | unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations; and |
• | other factors (including the risks contained in the section titled “Risk Factors”) relating to our industry, our operations and results of operations. |
• | ACG’s and the Company’s expectation that the Spin-Off will enhance the ability of ACG and the Company to focus on their respective strategies. ACG will continue to expand and diversify its alternative investment management business and we will continue to operate and pursue growth in its institutional research and brokerage business as separate companies. |
• | ACG recognizes that our near-term goals for our business include growth through acquisitions or mergers funded, in part, with capital raises and strategic alliances with other companies. We have not targeted any companies for acquisition and have no specific plan concerning identified capital requirements to achieve these goals. We believe that our growth strategy will be facilitated if we operate separately from under the control of ACG and can pursue a capital structure without any consideration of the impact on ACG. |
• | The Spin-Off will establish the Company as a publicly traded company no longer owned and controlled by ACG, which we believe will meaningfully enhance our market profile, and thereby provide us with business opportunities without influence of ACG which may have competing interests from time to time. |
• | The separation resulting from the Spin Off will reduce direct conflicts of interest between the two companies that may otherwise result from the direct parent-subsidiary control relationship that will no longer exist following the Spin Off. |
• | Registered stockholders. If you own your shares of ACG common stock directly through ACG’s transfer agent, Computershare, you are a registered stockholder. In this case, our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, which is serving as the distribution agent in connection with the Distribution, will credit the whole shares of our Common Stock you receive in the Distribution to a new book-entry account established on or shortly after the Distribution Date. Registration in book-entry form refers to a method of recording share ownership where no physical stock certificates are issued to stockholders, as is the case in the Distribution. You will be able to access information regarding your book-entry account holding our shares of Common Stock at American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. Commencing on or shortly after the Distribution Date, the distribution agent will mail to you an account statement that indicates the number of whole shares of our Common Stock that have been registered in book-entry form in your name. We expect it will take the distribution agent up to two weeks after the Distribution Date to complete the distribution of the shares of our Common Stock and mail statements of holding to all registered stockholders. |
• | “Street name” or beneficial stockholders. If you own your shares of ACG common stock beneficially through a bank, broker or other nominee, the bank, broker or other nominee holds the shares in “street name” and records your ownership on its books. If you own your shares of ACG common stock through a bank, broker or other nominee, your bank, broker or other nominee will credit your account with the whole shares of our Common Stock that you receive in the Distribution on or shortly after the Distribution Date. We encourage you to contact your bank, broker or other nominee if you have any questions concerning the mechanics of having shares held in “street name.” |
• | the ACG Board shall have authorized and approved the Distribution and not withdrawn such authorization and approval, and shall have declared the dividend of our Common Stock to ACG stockholders; |
• | the SEC shall have declared effective our Registration Statement on Form S-1, of which this Prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of our Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for that purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the SEC; |
• | no order, injunction or decree issued by any governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing consummation of the Distribution shall be in effect, and no other event outside the control of ACG shall have occurred or failed to occur that prevents the consummation of the Distribution; |
• | no other events or developments shall have occurred prior to the Distribution Date that, in the judgment of the ACG Board, would result in the Spin-Off having a material adverse effect on ACG or its stockholders; |
• | prior to the Distribution Date, this Prospectus shall have been mailed to the holders of ACG common stock; and |
• | ACG shall have received a certificate signed by our Chief Financial Officer, dated as of the Distribution Date, certifying the satisfaction of certain conditions. |
• | an individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States; |
• | a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
• | an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
• | a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or, in the case of a trust that was treated as a domestic trust under law in effect before 1997, a valid election is in place under applicable Treasury Regulations. |
• | dealers or traders in securities or currencies; |
• | tax-exempt entities; |
• | banks, financial institutions or insurance companies; |
• | real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or grantor trusts; |
• | persons who acquired ACG common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation; |
• | stockholders who own, or are deemed to own, 10% or more, by voting power or value, of ACG equity; |
• | stockholders owning ACG common stock as part of a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging, conversion or other risk reduction transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
• | certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States or green card holders; |
• | stockholders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax; or |
• | persons who own ACG common stock through partnerships, certain trusts or other pass-through entities. |
• | no gain or loss will be recognized by, or be includible in the income of, a U.S. Holder as a result of the Distribution, except with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares; |
• | the aggregate tax basis of the ACG common stock and our Common Stock held by each U.S. Holder immediately after the Distribution will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the ACG common stock held by the U.S. Holder immediately before the Distribution, allocated between the ACG common stock and our Common Stock in proportion to their relative fair market values on the date of the Distribution (subject to reduction upon the deemed sale of any fractional shares); and |
• | the holding period of our Common Stock received by each U.S. Holder will include the holding period of their ACG common stock, provided that such ACG common stock is held as a capital asset on the date of the Distribution. |
• | a taxable dividend to the U.S. Holder to the extent of that U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of ACG’s current and accumulated earnings and profits; |
• | a reduction in the U.S. Holder’s basis (but not below zero) in ACG common stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the stockholder’s share of ACG’s earnings and profits; and |
• | a taxable gain from the exchange of ACG common stock to the extent the amount received exceeds the sum of the U.S. Holder’s share of ACG’s earnings and profits and the U.S. Holder’s basis in its ACG common stock. |
(In thousands) | | | As of March 31, 2020 Actual |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | $5,668 |
Stockholder equity: | | | |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized and 60,009,005 shares issued | | | 600 |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 53,292 |
Accumulated deficit | | | (48,137) |
Total equity | | | 5,754 |
Total liabilities and equity | | | $6,925 |
Total capitalization | | | $6,925 |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Revenues | | | | | ||
Commissions | | | $1,039 | | | $1,535 |
Fees earned from affiliated entities pursuant to research services agreements | | | — | | | 378 |
Principal transactions | | | (1) | | | (0) |
Dividends and interest | | | 36 | | | 64 |
Underwriting fees | | | 30 | | | — |
Sales manager fees | | | 335 | | | — |
Other revenues | | | 3 | | | 6 |
Total revenues | | | 1,443 | | | 1,982 |
Expenses | | | | | ||
Compensation and related costs | | | 1,143 | | | 2,479 |
Clearing charges | | | 303 | | | 290 |
General and administrative | | | 311 | | | 325 |
Occupancy and equipment | | | 104 | | | 196 |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Total expenses | | | 1,862 | | | 3,290 |
Loss before income tax benefit | | | (419) | | | (1,308) |
Income tax benefit | | | (137) | | | (267) |
Net loss | | | $(282) | | | $(1,041) |
Net loss per share | | | | | ||
Basic and diluted | | | $(0.00) | | | $(0.02) |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | | | $ | | | % | |
Commissions | | | $937 | | | $1,426 | | | $(489) | | | -34.3% |
Hard dollar payments | | | 102 | | | 109 | | | (7) | | | -6.4% |
| | 1,039 | | | 1,535 | | | $(496) | | | -32.3% | |
Research services | | | — | | | 378 | | | (378) | | | -100.0% |
Underwriting fees | | | 30 | | | — | | | 30 | | | n/a |
Sales manager fees | | | 335 | | | — | | | 335 | | | n/a |
Total | | | $1,404 | | | $1,913 | | | $(509) | | | -26.6% |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | $ | | | % | |
Commissions | | | $5,903 | | | 5,349 | | | $554 | | | 10.4% |
Hard dollar payments | | | 473 | | | 805 | | | (332) | | | -41.2% |
| | 6,376 | | | 6,154 | | | $222 | | | 3.6% | |
Research services | | | 1,503 | | | 2,030 | | | (527) | | | -26.0% |
Underwriting fees | | | 431 | | | 103 | | | 328 | | | 318.4% |
Sales manager fees | | | 733 | | | 16 | | | 717 | | | 4481.3% |
Total | | | $9,043 | | | $8,303 | | | $740 | | | 8.9% |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Cash flows provided by (used in): | | | | | ||
Operating activities | | | $(918) | | | $(1,824) |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (918) | | | (1,824) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 6,587 | | | 11,331 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | | $5,669 | | | $9,507 |
| | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | |
Cash flows provided by (used in): | | | $(2,369) | | | $(247) |
Operating activities | | | — | | | (60) |
Investing activities | | | (2,374) | | | 180 |
Financing activities | | | (4,743) | | | (127) |
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 11,531 | | | 11,658 |
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | | | 6,788 | | | 11,531 |
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year | | | (2,369) | | | (247) |
Name | | | Age |
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr. | | | 42 |
Joseph L. Fernandez | | | 58 |
Stephen J. Moore | | | 55 |
Name | | | Age | | | Title |
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr. | | | 42 | | | President |
Joseph L. Fernandez | | | 58 | | | Executive Vice President–Finance |
Name and Principal Position | | | Year | | | Salary | | | Bonus | | | All Other Compensation | | | Total |
| | | | ($) | | | ($) | | | ($) | | | ($) | ||
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr. (Principal Executive Officer) | | | 2019 | | | 168,750 | | | — | | | 47,254(1) | | | 216,004 |
| | 2018 | | | 165,000 | | | — | | | 22,445(1) | | | 187,445 | |
| | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Joseph L. Fernandez(2) (Principal Financial Officer) | | | 2019 | | | 105,000 | | | — | | | — | | | 105,000 |
| | 2018 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
(1) | Represents a share of brokerage commissions earned by G.research. |
(2) | Mr.Fernandez joined G.research as an officer on June 1, 2019. |
(i) | each person or entity that we believe, based on the assumptions described below, will be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding Common Stock following the Spin-Off; |
(ii) | each person who we expect will serve as a director following the Spin-Off and each named executive officer; and |
(iii) | all our expected directors and executive officers following the Spin-Off as a group. |
Name of Beneficial Owner | | | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Before Spin-Off | | | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned Before Spin-Off(2) | | | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned After Spin-Off(1) | | | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned After Spin-Off(1) |
5% or More Stockholders | | | | | | | | | ||||
Mario J. Gabelli(1) | | | 52,385,844 | | | 87.3% | | | 44,368,134 | | | 73.94% |
Directors and Executive Officers | | | | | | | | | ||||
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr. | | | 5,000,000 | | | 8.35% | | | 5,000,000 | | | 8.35% |
Joseph L. Fernandez | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Stephen J. Moore | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (3 persons) | | | 5,000,000 | | | 8.35% | | | 5,000,000 | | | 8.35% |
(1) | ACG indirectly owns 50,000,000 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 83.3% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. Mario J. Gabelli controls 95.17% of the voting power over ACG and through this controlling interest power over ACG may be deemed to beneficially own the 50,000,000 shares of our Common Stock owned by ACG. Mr. Gabelli, directly and indirectly through a partnership of which he serves as general partner, beneficially owns 650,550 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 1.1% of the outstanding shares. Mr. Gabelli also beneficially owns 1,735,294 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 2.9% of the outstanding shares, held indirectly through LICT Corporation for which Mr. Gabelli currently serves as chief executive officer and owns approximately 39.2% of its outstanding common stock. Following the Spin-Off, (i) GGCP, Inc., a privately held company for which Mr. Gabelli is the chief executive officer, a director and controlling shareholder, will beneficially own approximately 41,263,829 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 68.76% of the outstanding shares, (ii) Mr. Gabelli will, directly and indirectly through the aforementioned partnership, beneficially own approximately 1,369,010 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 2.28% of the outstanding shares, (iii) and LICT Corporation will beneficially own 1,735,294 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 2.89% of the outstanding shares. |
(2) | Shares of our Common Stock that an individual or group has a right to acquire within 60 days after , 2020 pursuant to the exercise of options, warrants or other rights are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person or group shown in the table. |
• | accounting, financial reporting and consolidation services; |
• | treasury services, including, without limitation, insurance and risk management services and administration of benefits; |
• | 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; |
• | technical/technology consulting; and |
• | operations and general administrative assistance, including office space, office equipment and furniture, payroll, procurement, and administrative personnel. |
• | Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and GAMCO Investors, Inc. Pursuant this agreement, GAMCO provides the services of shared employees, the cost and expense of which are determined pursuant to an allocation schedule that is periodically reviewed. G.research reimbursed GAMCO for $3.8 million and $5.2 million of associated costs and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. |
• | Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. Pursuant this agreement, GCIA provides payroll services and the services of shared employees, the cost and expense of which are determined pursuant to an allocation schedule that is periodically reviewed. G.research reimbursed GAMCO for $273,000 and $399,000 of associated costs and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. |
• | Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and Associated Capital Group, Inc. Pursuant this agreement, ACG provides G.research with shared office space, |
• | before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder; |
• | upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested shareholder, those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or |
• | on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested shareholder. |
• | any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested shareholder; |
• | any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested shareholder; |
• | subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested shareholder; |
• | any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested shareholder; or |
• | the receipt by the interested shareholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation. |
• | any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; |
• | any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; |
• | unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or |
• | any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
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Interim Period Financial Statements (Unaudited) | | | |
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Annual Financial Statements (Audited) | | | |
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| | March 31, 2020 | | | December 31, 2019 | |
ASSETS | | | | | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | | | $5,668,869 | | | $6,587,097 |
Receivables from brokers and clearing organizations | | | 299,210 | | | 808,686 |
Receivables from affiliates | | | 171,981 | | | 30,625 |
Deposits with clearing organizations | | | 200,000 | | | 200,000 |
Income taxes receivable (including deferred tax asset of $11,498 and $2,930, respectively) | | | 306,632 | | | 184,396 |
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $31,472 and $28,435, respectively | | | 41,418 | | | 44,456 |
Other assets | | | 237,800 | | | 281,896 |
Total assets | | | $6,925,910 | | | $8,137,156 |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | | | ||
Compensation payable | | | $342,220 | | | $709,663 |
Payable to affiliates | | | 220,588 | | | 985,632 |
Income tax payable | | | 57,245 | | | 53,572 |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 550,970 | | | 350,948 |
Total liabilities | | | 1,171,023 | | | 2,099,815 |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) Equity | | | | | ||
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 60,009,005 shares issued and outstanding | | | 600,091 | | | 600,091 |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 53,292,090 | | | 53,292,090 |
Accumulated deficit | | | (48,137,294) | | | (47,854,840) |
Total equity | | | 5,754,887 | | | 6,037,341 |
Total liabilities and equity | | | $6,925,910 | | | $8,137,156 |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Revenues | | | | | ||
Commissions | | | $1,038,943 | | | $1,535,245 |
Fees earned from affiliated entities pursuant to research services agreements | | | — | | | 377,500 |
Principal transactions | | | (903) | | | (80) |
Dividends and interest | | | 36,256 | | | 63,693 |
Underwriting fees | | | 30,488 | | | — |
Sales manager fees | | | 334,825 | | | — |
Other revenues | | | 3,107 | | | 5,909 |
Total revenues | | | 1,442,716 | | | 1,982,267 |
Expenses | | | | | ||
Compensation and related costs | | | 1,143,433 | | | 2,478,892 |
Clearing charges | | | 302,838 | | | 290,381 |
General and administrative | | | 311,109 | | | 324,842 |
Occupancy and equipment | | | 104,441 | | | 195,842 |
Total expenses | | | 1,861,821 | | | 3,289,957 |
Loss before income tax benefit | | | (419,105) | | | (1,307,690) |
Income tax benefit | | | (136,651) | | | (267,048) |
Net loss | | | $(282,454) | | | $(1,040,642) |
Net loss per share | | | | | ||
Basic and diluted | | | $(0.00) | | | $(0.02) |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | | | | | ||
Basic and diluted | | | 60,009,005 | | | 54,859,055 |
| | Shares | | | Common Stock | | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | | Accumulated Deficit | | | Total | |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | | 60,009,055 | | | $600,091 | | | $53,292,090 | | | $(47,854,840) | | | $6,037,341 |
Net loss | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (282,454) | | | (282,454) |
Balance at March 31, 2020 | | | 60,009,055 | | | 600,091 | | | 53,292,090 | | | (48,137,294) | | | 5,754,887 |
| | Shares | | | Common Stock | | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | | Accumulated Deficit | | | Total | |
Balance at December 31, 2018 | | | 54,859,055 | | | $548,591 | | | $55,717,701 | | | $(45,948,248) | | | $10,318,044 |
Net loss | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,040,642) | | | (1,040,642) |
Balance at March 31, 2019 | | | 54,859,055 | | | 548,591 | | | 55,717,701 | | | (46,988,890) | | | 9,277,402 |
| | Three months ended March 31, | ||||
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | ||
Net loss | | | $(282,454) | | | $(1,040,642) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | ||
Depreciation | | | 3,038 | | | 3,217 |
Deferred income tax, net | | | (8,568) | | | 280,931 |
(Increase)/decrease in assets: | | | | | ||
Receivables from brokers and clearing organizations | | | 509,476 | | | (228,589) |
Receivables from affiliates | | | (141,356) | | | (57,643) |
Income taxes receivable | | | (113,668) | | | 500 |
Other assets | | | 44,096 | | | 40,484 |
Increase/(decrease) in liabilities: | | | | | ||
Payable to affiliates | | | (765,044) | | | 33,570 |
Income taxes payable | | | 3,673 | | | — |
Compensation payable | | | (367,443) | | | (891,546) |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 200,022 | | | 35,600 |
Total adjustments | | | (635,774) | | | (783,476) |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (918,228) | | | (1,824,118) |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | (918,228) | | | (1,824,118) |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | | | 6,787,097 | | | 11,530,705 |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | | | $5,868,869 | | | $9,706,587 |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | | | | ||
Cash received from Associated Capital Group, Inc. for income taxes | | | $18,087 | | | $543,153 |
Reconciliation to cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | | | | | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | | | $5,668,869 | | | $9,506,587 |
Restricted cash: deposits from clearing organizations | | | 200,000 | | | 200,000 |
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | | | $5,868,869 | | | $9,706,587 |
1. | Significant Accounting Policies |
2. | Revenue from Contracts with Customers |
| | Three months ended March 31, | ||||
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Commissions | | | $936,784 | | | $1,426,235 |
Hard dollar payments | | | 102,159 | | | 109,010 |
| | 1,038,943 | | | 1,535,245 | |
Research services | | | — | | | 377,500 |
Underwriting fees | | | 30,488 | | | — |
Sales manager fees | | | 334,825 | | | — |
| | $1,404,256 | | | $1,912,745 |
3. | Related Party Transactions |
4. | Fair Value |
– | Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets include cash equivalents. |
– | 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 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. |
– | 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. These assets include infrequently traded common stocks. |
Assets | | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Total |
Cash equivalents | | | $5,661,750 | | | $— | | | $— | | | $5,661,750 |
Total assets at fair value | | | $5,661,750 | | | $— | | | $— | | | $5,661,750 |
Assets | | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Total |
Cash equivalents | | | $6,579,577 | | | $— | | | $— | | | $6,579,577 |
Total assets at fair value | | | $6,579,577 | | | $— | | | $— | | | $6,579,577 |
5. | Retirement Plan |
6. | Income Taxes |
7. | Earnings per Share |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
| | 2020 | | | 2019 | |
Basic and diluted: | | | | | ||
Net loss attributable to shareholders | | | $(282,454) | | | $(1,040,642) |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 60,009,005 | | | 54,859,055 |
Basic and diluted net loss per share | | | $(0.00) | | | $(0.02) |
8. | Equity |
9. | Guarantees, Contingencies, and Commitments |
10. | Net Capital Requirements |
11. | Subsequent Events |
| | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | |
Revenues | | | | | ||
Commissions | | | $6,376,075 | | | $6,154,567 |
Fees earned from affiliated entities pursuant to research services agreements | | | 1,502,500 | | | 2,030,000 |
Principal transactions | | | (9,416) | | | (22,302,729) |
Dividends and interest | | | 194,955 | | | 1,893,237 |
Underwriting fees | | | 431,114 | | | 102,931 |
Sales manager fees | | | 733,422 | | | 15,616 |
Other revenues | | | 16,833 | | | 23,406 |
Total revenues | | | 9,245,483 | | | (12,082,972) |
Expenses | | | | | ||
Compensation and related costs | | | 8,373,668 | | | 10,864,185 |
Clearing charges | | | 1,299,313 | | | 1,312,578 |
General and administrative | | | 1,223,023 | | | 1,330,831 |
Occupancy and equipment | | | 756,974 | | | 805,266 |
Total expenses | | | 11,652,978 | | | 14,312,860 |
Loss before income tax benefit | | | (2,407,495) | | | (26,395,832) |
Income tax benefit | | | (500,903) | | | (6,102,929) |
Net loss | | | $(1,906,592) | | | $(20,292,903) |
| | | | |||
Net loss per share | | | | | ||
Basic | | | $(0.03) | | | $(0.37) |
Diluted | | | $(0.03) | | | $(0.37) |
| | | | |||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | | | | | ||
Basic | | | 55,733,800 | | | 54,542,617 |
Diluted | | | 55,733,800 | | | 54,542,617 |
| | | | |||
Actual shares outstanding | | | 60,009,005 | | | 54,859,005 |
| | December 31, 2019 | | | December 31, 2018 | |
ASSETS | | | | | ||
| | | | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | | | $6,587,097 | | | $11,330,705 |
Receivables from brokers and clearing organizations | | | 808,686 | | | 194,676 |
Receivables from affiliates | | | 30,625 | | | 19,199 |
Deposits with clearing organizations | | | 200,000 | | | 200,000 |
Income taxes receivable (including deferred tax asset of $2,930 and $273,009, respectively) | | | 184,396 | | | 352,599 |
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $28,435 and $19,253, respectively | | | 44,456 | | | 55,839 |
Other assets | | | 281,896 | | | 231,182 |
Total assets | | | $8,137,156 | | | $12,384,200 |
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | | | ||
| | | | |||
Compensation payable | | | $709,663 | | | $1,439,526 |
Payable to affiliates | | | 985,632 | | | 218,788 |
Income tax payable | | | 53,572 | | | — |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | 350,948 | | | 407,842 |
Total liabilities | | | 2,099,815 | | | 2,066,156 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note J) | | | | | ||
| | | | |||
Equity | | | | | ||
Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 and 10,000,000 shares authorized, respectively, and 60,009,005 and 54,859,005 issued and outstanding, respectively | | | 600,091 | | | 548,591 |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 53,292,090 | | | 55,717,701 |
Accumulated deficit | | | (47,854,840) | | | (45,948,248) |
Total equity | | | 6,037,341 | | | 10,318,044 |
Total liabilities and equity | | | $8,137,156 | | | $12,384,200 |
| | Shares | | | Common Stock | | | Additional Paid- in Capital | | | Accumulated Deficit | | | Total | |
Balance at December 31, 2017 | | | 3,359,055 | | | $33,591 | | | $5,772,368 | | | $(5,793,353) | | | $12,606 |
Retrospective Adjustment for Merger of G.research, net | | | 50,000,000 | | | $500,000 | | | $135,386,592 | | | $(19,861,992) | | | 116,024,600 |
Return of capital / distribution | | | | | | | $(85,606,259) | | | | | (85,606,259) | |||
Issuance of stock | | | 1,500,000 | | | 15,000 | | | 165,000 | | | | | 180,000 | |
Net loss | | | | | | | — | | | (20,292,903) | | | (20,292,903) | ||
Balance at December 31, 2018 | | | 54,859,055 | | | $548,591 | | | $55,717,701 | | | $(45,948,248) | | | $10,318,044 |
| | | | | | | | | | ||||||
Capital contribution | | | | | | | $410,889 | | | | | 410,889 | |||
Return of capital | | | | | — | | | (3,300,000) | | | — | | | (3,300,000) | |
Issuance of stock | | | 5,150,000 | | | 51,500 | | | 463,500 | | | | | 515,000 | |
Net loss | | | | | | | — | | | (1,906,592) | | | (1,906,592) | ||
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | | 60,009,055 | | | $600,091 | | | $53,292,090 | | | $(47,854,840) | | | $6,037,341 |
| | Year Ended December 31, | ||||
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | |
Operating activities | | | | | ||
Net loss | | | $(1,906,592) | | | $(20,292,903) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | ||
Depreciation | | | 11,382 | | | 9,614 |
Deferred income tax, net | |