4. Investments

The Company’s investments, excluding the assets of consolidated sponsored investment products, discussed in Note 19, are as follows:


	December 31,
	2014		2013
*($ in thousands)*
Marketable securities	$	50,251	$	28,968
Equity method investments		7,209		4,070
Nonqualified retirement plan assets		5,063		4,220
Other investments		925		—

Total investments	$	63,448	$	37,258

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities consist of both trading (including securities held by a broker-dealer affiliate) and available-for-sale securities. The composition of the Company’s marketable securities is summarized as follows:


December 31, 2014
	Cost		Unrealized Loss			Unrealized Gain		Fair Value
*($ in thousands)*
Trading:
Sponsored funds	$	39,079	$	(1,190	)	$	423	$	38,312
Equity securities		8,421		—			319		8,740
Available-for-sale:
Sponsored closed-end funds		3,129		(163	)		233		3,199

Total marketable securities	$	50,629	$	(1,353	)	$	975	$	50,251


December 31, 2013
	Cost		Unrealized Loss			Unrealized Gain		Fair Value
*($ in thousands)*
Trading:
Sponsored funds	$	16,079	$	(704	)	$	2,529	$	17,904
Equity securities		7,043		—			1,336		8,379
Available-for-sale:
Sponsored closed-end funds		2,815		(145	)		15		2,685

Total marketable securities	$	25,937	$	(849	)	$	3,880	$	28,968

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized a realized gain of $8.2 million, $1.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively, on trading securities.

Equity Method Investments

In 2014, the Company acquired an interest in a limited partnership for approximately $5.0 million which includes a future capital commitment for up to $6.7 million in the event that it is called by the partnership.

On April 9, 2013, the Company acquired a 24% noncontrolling Euro-denominated equity interest in Kleinwort Benson Investors International, Ltd. (“KBII”), a subsidiary of Kleinwort Benson Investors (Dublin) (“KBID”) for €2.6 million or $3.4 million. KBII is a U.S. registered investment adviser that provides specialized equity strategies. As of the date of acquisition, the Company allocated $2.5 million of this investment to goodwill, $0.6 million to definite-lived intangible assets that are being amortized over seven years and $0.3 million allocated to the remaining assets and liabilities of KBII. In conjunction with this investment, the Company entered into a put and call option with KBID. This investment is translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates as of the end of each accounting period. Net income or loss of the noncontrolled affiliate is translated at average exchange rates in effect during the accounting period. Net translation exchange gains and losses are excluded from income and recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Nonqualified Retirement Plan Assets

The Excess Incentive Plan allows certain employees to voluntarily defer compensation. The Company holds the Excess Incentive Plan assets in a rabbi trust, which is subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors in the event of the Company’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Assets held in trust are included in investments and are carried at fair value in accordance with ASC 320; the associated obligations to participants are included in other liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Other Investments

Other investments represents interests in affiliate entities not accounted for under the equity method such as the cost method or fair value.