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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries and investment products that are consolidated. Voting interest entities ("VOEs") are consolidated when the Company is considered to have a controlling financial interest, which is typically present when the Company owns a majority of the voting interest in an entity or otherwise has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity.

The Company evaluates the appropriateness of consolidation of any variable interest entity ("VIEs") in which the Company has a variable interest. A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) where as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not possess: (i) the power through voting or similar rights to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; (ii) the obligation to absorb expected losses or the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity; or (iii) proportionate voting and economic interests and where substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionately fewer voting rights. If an entity has any of these characteristics, it is considered a VIE and is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. See Note 20 for additional information related to the consolidation of investment products. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests include third-party investments in consolidated investment products ("CIP") and minority interests held in an affiliate.

Noncontrolling interests - CIP

Noncontrolling interests - CIP represent third-party investments in the Company's CIP and are classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests if investors in those products may request withdrawal at any time.

Noncontrolling interests - affiliate

Noncontrolling interests - affiliate represents minority interests held in a consolidated affiliate. These interests are subject to holder put rights and Company call rights at established multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and, as such, are considered redeemable at other than fair value. The rights are exercisable at pre-established intervals (between four and seven years from their issuance) or upon certain conditions such as retirement. The put and call rights are not legally detachable or separately exercisable and are deemed to be embedded in the related noncontrolling interests. The Company, in purchasing affiliate equity, has the option to settle in cash or shares of the Company's common stock
and is entitled to the cash flow associated with any purchased equity. Minority interests in an affiliate are recorded at estimated redemption value within redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and any changes in the estimated redemption value are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within noncontrolling interests.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Management believes the estimates used in preparing the consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information

Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 280, Segment Reporting, establishes disclosure requirements relating to operating segments in annual and interim financial statements. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources to the segment and assess its performance. The Company operates in one business segment, namely as an asset manager providing investment management and related services for individual and institutional clients. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is the Company’s chief operating decision maker. Although the Company provides disclosures regarding assets under management and other asset flows by product, the Company’s determination that it operates in one business segment is based on the fact that the same investment professionals manage both retail and institutional products, operational resources support multiple products, such products have the same or similar regulatory framework and the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews the Company’s financial performance on a consolidated level. Investment managers within the Company are generally not aligned with specific product lines.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and money market fund investments.

Restricted Cash

The Company considers cash and cash equivalents of CIP and cash pledged or on deposit of CIP to be restricted as it is not available to the Company for its general operations.
 
Investments

Investment securities - fair value     

Investment securities - fair value consist primarily of investments in the Company's sponsored funds, equity securities and trading debt securities and are carried at fair value in accordance with ASC 320, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities ("ASC 320") and Topic 321, Investments-Equity Securities ("ASC 321"). These securities are marked to market based on the respective publicly quoted net asset values of the funds or market prices of the equity securities or bonds. These securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Any unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investment securities is reported as realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Investment securities - available for sale

Investment securities - available for sale consist of investments in collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs") for which the Company provides investment management services and does not consolidate. These investments are carried at fair value in accordance with ASC 320.  Any unrealized appreciation or depreciation on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes, is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in equity attributable to stockholders in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

On a quarterly basis, the Company conducts a review to assess whether other-than-temporary impairments exist on its available-for-sale investment securities. Other-than-temporary declines in value may exist if the fair value of an investment security has been below the carrying value for an extended period of time. If an other-than-temporary decline in value is
determined to exist, the unrealized investment loss, net of tax, is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which the decline occurs, and an accompanying permanent adjustment is made to accumulated other comprehensive income.

Equity Method Investments

Equity method investments consist of Company investments in noncontrolled entities, where the Company does not hold a controlling financial interest but has the ability to significantly influence operating and financial matters. Equity method investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s share of the noncontrolled entities' net income or loss is recorded in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Distributions received reduce the Company’s investment. The investment is evaluated for impairment if events or changes indicate that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. If the carrying amount of an investment does exceed its fair value and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge will be recorded.

Non-qualified Retirement Plan Assets and Liabilities

The Company has a non-qualified retirement plan (the "Excess Incentive Plan") that allows certain employees to voluntarily defer compensation. Assets held in trust, which are considered investment securities, are included in investments at fair value in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820"); the associated obligations to participants, which approximate the fair value of the associated assets, are included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 6 for additional information related to the Excess Incentive Plan.

Deferred Commissions

Deferred commissions, which are included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are commissions paid to broker-dealers on sales of certain mutual fund share classes. Deferred commissions are recovered by the receipt of monthly asset-based distributor fees from the mutual funds or contingent deferred sales charges received upon redemption of shares within the contingent deferred sales charge period, depending on the fund share class. The deferred costs resulting from the sale of shares are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period during which redemptions by the purchasing shareholder are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, depending on the fund share class, or until the underlying shares are redeemed. Deferred commissions are periodically assessed for impairment. If impairment is indicated, impairment adjustments are recognized in operating income as a component of amortization of deferred commissions.

Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net

Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of three to seven years for furniture and office equipment and three to five years for computer equipment and software. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the remaining estimated lives of the related leases or useful lives of the improvements. Major renewals or betterments are capitalized, and recurring repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Leases

The Company leases office space and equipment under various leasing arrangements. In accordance with ASU 2016-02, Leases, the Company's leases are evaluated and classified as either financing leases or operating leases, as appropriate. The Company recognizes a lease liability and a corresponding right of use (“ROU”) asset on the commencement date of any lease arrangement. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term using the rate implicit in the arrangement or, if not readily determinable, the Company's incremental borrowing rate. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rate through market sources, including relevant industry rates. A ROU asset is measured initially as the value of the lease liability plus initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments, and less lease incentives received. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded within other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of acquisitions and mergers over the identified assets and liabilities acquired. In accordance with ASC 350, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, goodwill is not amortized. A single reporting unit has been identified for the purpose of assessing potential impairments of goodwill. An impairment analysis of goodwill is performed annually or more frequently, if warranted by events or changes in circumstances affecting the Company’s business. The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which provides the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, it is determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. The Company’s 2019 and 2018 annual goodwill impairment analysis did not result in any impairment charges.

Definite-lived intangible assets are comprised of certain fund investment advisory contracts, trade names and non-competition agreements. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of such assets, which range from five to sixteen years. Definite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment on an ongoing basis whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the definite-lived intangible asset may not be recoverable. The Company determines if impairment has occurred by comparing estimates of future undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value of assets. Assets are considered impaired, and an impairment is recorded, if the carrying value exceeds the expected future undiscounted cash flows.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are comprised of certain trade names and fund investment advisory contracts. These assets are tested for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired. The Company follows ASU 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, which provides the option to perform a qualitative assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment to determine if additional impairment testing is necessary. The Company’s 2019 and 2018 annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment analysis did not result in any impairment charges.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is accounted for under the cost method and is included as a deduction from equity in the Stockholders’ Equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon any subsequent resale, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock.

Revenue Recognition

The Company's revenues are recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied, which occurs when control of the services is transferred to customers. Investment management fees, distribution and service fees, and administration and shareholder service fees are generally calculated as a percentage of average net assets of the investment portfolios managed. The net asset values from which investment management, distribution and service, and administration and shareholder service fees are calculated are variable in nature and subject to factors outside of the Company's control such as additional investments, withdrawals and market performance. Because of this, these fees are considered constrained until the end of the contractual measurement period (monthly or quarterly), which is when asset values are generally determinable.

Investment Management Fees

The Company provides investment management services pursuant to investment management agreements through its affiliated investment advisers (each an "Adviser"). Investment management services represent a series of distinct daily services that are performed over time. Fees earned on funds are based on each fund’s average daily or weekly net assets that are generally calculated and received on a monthly basis. The Company records investment management fees net of fees paid to unaffiliated subadvisers, as the Company considers itself an agent of the fund as it relates to the day-to-day investment management services performed by unaffiliated subadvisers, with the Company's performance obligation being to arrange for the provision of that service and not control the specified service before that service is performed. Amounts paid to unaffiliated subadvisers for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were $40.5 million, $46.7 million and $46.7 million, respectively.

Retail separate account fees are generally based on the end of the preceding or current quarter's asset values or on an average of month-end balances. Institutional account fees are generally based on an average of daily or month-end balances or the current quarter’s asset values. Fees for structured finance products, for which the Company acts as the collateral manager, consist of senior, subordinated and, in certain instances, incentive management fees. Senior and subordinated management fees are calculated at a contractual fee rate applied against the end of the preceding quarter par value of the total collateral being managed with subordinated fees being recognized only after certain portfolio criteria are met. Incentive fees on certain of the Company's CLOs are typically a percentage of the excess cash flows available to holders of the subordinated notes, above a threshold level internal rate of return.
      
Distribution and Service Fees

Distribution and service fees are primarily sales- and asset-based fees earned from open-end funds for marketing and distribution services. Depending on the fund type or share class, these fees primarily consist of an asset-based fee that is paid by the fund over a period of years to cover allowable sales and marketing expenses, or front-end sales charges that are based on a percentage of the offering price. Asset-based distribution and service fees are primarily earned as percentages of the average daily net assets value and are paid monthly pursuant to the terms of the respective distribution and service fee contracts.

Distribution and service fees represent two performance obligations comprised of distribution and related shareholder servicing activities. Distribution services are generally satisfied upon the sale of a fund share. Shareholder servicing activities are generally services satisfied over time.

The Company distributes its open-end funds through unaffiliated financial intermediaries that comprise national and regional broker-dealers. These unaffiliated financial intermediaries provide distribution and shareholder service activities on behalf of the Company. The Company passes related distribution and service fees to these unaffiliated financial intermediaries for these services and considers itself the principal in these arrangements since it has control of the services prior to the services being transferred to the customer. These payments are classified within distribution and other asset-based expenses.

Administration & Shareholder Service Fees

The Company provides administrative fund services to its open-end funds and certain of its closed-end funds and shareholder services to its open-end funds. Administration and shareholder services are performed over time. The Company earns fees for these services, that are calculated and paid monthly, based on each fund’s average daily or weekly net assets. Administrative fund services include: record keeping, preparing and filing documents required to comply with securities laws, legal administration and compliance services, customer service, supervision of the activities of the funds’ service providers, tax services and treasury services. The Company also provides office space, equipment and personnel that may be necessary for managing and administering the business affairs of the funds. Shareholder services include maintaining shareholder accounts, processing shareholder transactions, preparing filings and performing necessary reporting.

Other income and fees consist primarily of redemption income on the early redemption of certain share classes of mutual funds.

Advertising and Promotion

Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred. These costs are classified in other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Stock-based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation ("ASC 718"), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for share-based awards based on the estimated fair value on the date of grant.

Restricted stock units ("RSUs") are stock awards that entitle the holder to receive shares of the Company’s common stock as the award vests over time or when certain performance metrics are achieved. The fair value of each RSU award is based on the fair market value price on the date of grant unless it contains a performance metric that is considered a "market condition." Compensation expense for RSU awards is recognized ratably over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. The value of
RSUs that contain a performance metric ("PSUs") is determined based on (a) the fair market value price on the date of grant, for awards that contain a performance metric that represents a "performance condition" in accordance with ASC 718 or (b) the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model for awards that contain a "market condition" performance metric under ASC 718. Compensation expense for PSU awards that contain a market condition is fixed at the date of grant and is not adjusted in future periods based upon the achievement of the market condition. Compensation expense for PSU awards with a performance condition is recorded each period based upon a probability assessment of the expected outcome of the performance metric with a final adjustment upon measurement at the end of the performance period.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740"), which requires recognition of the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company’s methodology for determining the realizability of deferred tax assets includes consideration of taxable income in prior carryback year(s), if carryback is permitted under the tax law, as well as consideration of the reversal of deferred tax liabilities that are in the same period and jurisdiction and are of the same character as the temporary differences that gave rise to the deferred tax assets. The Company’s methodology also includes estimates of future taxable income from its operations as well as the expiration dates and amounts of carry-forwards related to net operating losses and capital losses. These estimates are projected through the life of the related deferred tax assets based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable and consistent with demonstrated operating results. Unanticipated changes in future operating results may have a significant impact on the realization of deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances are provided when it is determined that it is more likely than not that the benefit of deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Comprehensive Income

The Company reports all changes in comprehensive income in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes net income (loss), foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax) and unrealized gains and losses on investments classified as available-for-sale (net of tax).

Earnings per Share

Earnings per share ("EPS") is calculated in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share. Basic EPS excludes dilution for potential common stock issuances and is computed by dividing basic net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock, including (a) shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs and stock option exercises using the treasury stock method and (b) shares issuable upon the conversion of the Company's mandatory convertible preferred stock, as determined under the if-converted method. For purposes of calculating diluted EPS, preferred stock dividends are subtracted from net income (loss) in periods in which utilizing the if-converted method would be anti-dilutive.

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and a valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability. The FASB defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Classification within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The valuation hierarchy contains three levels as follows:

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 1 assets and liabilities may include debt securities and equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market.

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 inputs may include observable market data such as closing market prices provided by
independent pricing services after considering factors such as the yields or prices of comparable investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. In addition, pricing services may determine the fair value of equity securities traded principally in foreign markets when it has been determined that there has been a significant trend in the U.S. equity markets or in index futures trading. Level 2 assets and liabilities may include debt and equity securities, purchased loans and over-the-counter derivative contracts whose fair value is determined using a pricing model without significant unobservable market data inputs.

Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable in active exchange markets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Standards Implemented

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements. This standard, which does not prescribe any new accounting guidance, clarifies several different FASB ASC areas based on comments and suggestions made by various stakeholders. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted this standard. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This standard provides financial statement preparers with the option to reclassify tax effects within other comprehensive income (referred to as stranded tax effects) to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (or portion thereof) is recorded. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted this standard. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), with several amendments (collectively, "ASU 2016-02"). This standard requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet arising from operating leases. For both finance leases and operating leases, the lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments. In addition to the lease liability, companies are required to recognize a corresponding ROU asset initially measured as the value of the lease liability plus initial direct costs and prepaid lease payments, and less lease incentives received. ASU 2016-02 allows the option to apply its provisions at the effective date without adjusting comparative periods presented. The Company elected this optional transition method along with the package of practical expedients permitted under the standard, which allowed the Company to forgo (a) reassessing whether expired or existing non-lease contracts that commenced before January 1, 2019 contained an embedded lease, (b) reevaluating the accounting classification of our existing operating leases, and (c) determining whether initial direct costs related to existing leases should be capitalized. The Company also elected to combine lease and non-lease components in calculating the lease liability and ROU asset for operating leases. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted this standard, which resulted in the recording of a ROU asset of $20.5 million and lease liability of $28.6 million representing a non-cash activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 9 for further discussion.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Implemented

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) ("ASU 2018-15"). This standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, including an internal-use software license. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). This standard modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.