GAMCO Investors, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter & Full Year Results

GAMCO Investors, Inc. (GAMCO) (NYSE: GBL) announced fourth quarter 2012 earnings of $17.6 million or $0.67 per fully diluted share versus $23.7 million or $0.89 per fully diluted share in the fourth quarter 2011. Fourth quarter 2012 earnings reflect after tax costs of $5.7 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for accelerating all outstanding restricted stock awards (“RSAs”).

For the year ended December 31, 2012, earnings were $75.5 million or $2.86 per diluted share versus $69.7 million or $2.61 per diluted share in 2011. The current year results include after tax costs of $7.8 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, for charges related to the extinguishment of debt ($0.08 per diluted share) and acceleration of all outstanding RSAs ($0.22 per diluted share). The prior year results included after tax costs of $3.2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, related to the launch of a new closed-end fund. Excluding these charges, earnings were $83.3 million, or $3.16 per diluted share, in 2012 versus $72.9 million, or $2.73 per diluted share, in 2011.

We note that operating income and margin in 2013 will benefit from the absence of pre-tax RSA expense which, in 2012, totaled $13.6 million. Everything else constant, Other Income, net will benefit from lower interest expense of approximately $5.0 million from lower average debt outstanding and the absence of the $6.3 million loss related to the extinguishment of debt in 2012.

After dividends of $59.6 million and stock buybacks of $42.5 million, we ended the year with cash and investments of approximately $568.9 million, debt of $216.4 million ($220.7 million face value) and equity attributable to GAMCO shareholders of $367.6 million.

Assets under Management

AUM at December 31, 2012 were $36.4 billion, an increase of 6.8% from AUM of $34.1 billion at December 31, 2011 but 1.5% below the September 30, 2012 AUM of $36.9 billion. During the fourth quarter of 2012, we had net outflows of $1.2 billion versus net outflows of $356 million in the third quarter of 2012 and $50 million of outflows in the fourth quarter of 2011. Dynamics were:

• Our open-end equity funds’ AUM were $12.5 billion on December 31, 2012, 1.9% above the $12.3 billion on December 31, 2011 but 2.0% lower than the $12.8 billion on September 30, 2012. For the year, net outflows were $1.1 billion. Net outflows were $435 million during the fourth quarter of 2012 versus net outflows of $366 million for the third quarter of 2012 and net outflows of $115 million during the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Our closed-end funds had AUM of $6.3 billion on December 31, 2012, 8.4% higher than the $5.8 billion on December 31, 2011 but 1.2% lower than the $6.4 billion on September 30, 2012. For 2012, additions to AUM from at-the-market offerings, rights offerings and preferred share issuances were $569 million, while redemptions were $149 million. For 2012, distributions from all closed-end funds, net of reinvestments, reduced AUM by $454 million. In the fourth quarter of 2012, additions to AUM from at-the-market offerings and rights offerings were $91 million, while redemptions were $76 million. Distributions from all closed-end funds, net of reinvestments, reduced AUM by $123 million.
• Our institutional and private wealth management business ended the quarter with $15.0 billion in AUM, rising 11.1% from $13.5 billion on December 31, 2011 but declining 1.3% from the September 30, 2012 level of $15.2 billion. Net flows, encompassing new and closed accounts as well as additional investments or withdrawals, totaled $668 million of outflows in the fourth quarter of 2012. Over $430 million of the outflows were from two plan sponsors that distributed a portion of assets entrusted to us to cover retiree pension obligations.
• Our investment partnerships’ AUM increased to $801 million on December 31, 2012 from $605 million on December 31, 2011 and $785 million on September 30, 2012. Net cash inflows in the fourth quarter of 2012 were $8 million.
• The GAMCO International SICAV, our Luxembourg based UCITS fund which has two sub-funds, the GAMCO Strategic Value and the GAMCO Merger Arbitrage, totaled $119 million in AUM at December 31, 2012 as compared to $105 million at December 31, 2011 and $121 million at September 30, 2012. Net outflows were $4 million during the fourth quarter of 2012. For the full year 2012 there were net inflows of $10 million.
• AUM in The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund (“GUSTO”), our 100% U.S. Treasury money market fund, were $1.7 billion at December 31, 2012 as compared to the $1.8 billion at both December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012.
• In addition to management fees, we earn incentive fees for certain institutional client assets, assets attributable to certain preferred issues for our closed-end funds, our GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL) and investment partnership assets. As of December 31, 2012, assets with incentive based fees were $3.7 billion, unchanged from December 31, 2011 and 7.5% lower than the $4.0 billion on September 30, 2012. The majority of these assets have calendar year-end measurement periods; therefore, our incentive fees are primarily recognized in the fourth quarter when the uncertainty is removed at the end of the annual measurement period.

For the Fourth quarter

Revenues

Investment advisory and incentive fees for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012 were a record $85.7 million, an increase of 21.4% from the $70.6 million reported in the 2011 period:

• Open-end fund revenues were $31.0 million versus $30.0 million in the fourth quarter 2011, an increase of 3.3%. Average AUM for open-end equity funds rose 3.1% from the prior year quarter and average AUM for all open-end funds were 2.1% higher at $14.3 billion in the 2012 quarter versus $14.0 billion in the prior year quarter.

• Our closed end fund revenues, which are comprised of both a management fee and incentive fee, increased 53.3% to $25.6 million in the 2012 quarter from $16.7 million in the prior year quarter. Management fee revenues rose 13.8% and were driven by the increase in average AUM, which increased 9.4% over the same period. Performance based fees increased $7.3 million to $12.3 million in 2012 quarter versus $5.0 million in the prior year quarter.

• Institutional and private wealth management account revenues, excluding incentive fees, which are generally based upon beginning of quarter AUM, increased 17.7% to $21.9 million in the fourth quarter 2012 from $18.6 million in fourth quarter 2011. During the fourth quarter 2012, we earned $2.6 million in incentive fees, an increase of $0.9 million from the $1.7 million recognized in the fourth quarter 2011.

• Investment partnership gross fee income for the fourth quarter 2012 was $4.6 million, an increase of 31.4% from $3.5 million in the fourth quarter 2011. Incentive fees increased by $0.7 million to $3.0 million in the 2012 fourth quarter versus $2.3 million in the 2011 fourth quarter. Investment advisory fees increased by $0.4 million in the 2012 quarter versus the 2011 quarter, which were driven by the 50.7% increase in average assets managed.

Revenues from the distribution of our open-end funds and other income were $11.1 million for the fourth quarter 2012, a decrease of $0.3 million or 2.8% from the prior year quarter of $11.4 million, largely the result of lower sales of load shares of mutual funds.

Our institutional research services generated revenues of $2.5 million in the fourth quarter 2012, down 16.0% from the $3.0 million in the prior year period principally due to lower trading volume and revenue per share.

Operating Income and Margin

Operating income, which is net of management fee expense, was $24.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 versus $31.4 million in the prior year period, a decline of $6.7 million, or 21.3%. Included in the fourth quarter 2012 operating income is a $10.1 million non-cash charge resulting from the acceleration of RSAs. Excluding this non-cash charge, operating income would have increased $3.4 million, or 10.8%. Operating income before management fee was $27.9 million in the fourth quarter 2012, versus $35.5 million in the fourth quarter 2011. For the fourth quarter 2012, the operating margin before management fee was 28.1% (38.3% excluding RSA acceleration) versus 41.8% in the fourth quarter of 2011. After management fee the operating margin was 24.9% (35.1% excluding RSA acceleration) in the 2012 fourth quarter versus 36.9% in the prior year period. Management believes evaluating operating income before management fee is an important measure in analyzing the Company’s operating results. Further information regarding Non-GAAP measures is included in Notes on Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Table VII included elsewhere herein.

Other Income / (Expense)

Other income/(expense), net, was $0.07 per diluted share, as compared to $0.13 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2011. Mark to market gains, largely unrealized, from proprietary investments in our mutual funds, alternative products and proprietary accounts, were $7.2 million versus $10.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Interest expense was $3.5 million in the 2012 fourth quarter, $0.8 million lower than the prior year quarter following the repurchase of $64.1 million (face value) in 0% debentures through a tender offer during the third quarter of 2012.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2012 was 38.0% compared to the 2011 quarter effective tax rate of 36.9%.

For the Year

Revenues

Investment advisory and incentive fees for the year ended December 31, 2012 were a record $288.5 million, an increase of 7.6% from the $268.0 million reported in the 2011 period:

• Open-end fund revenues were $124.2 million versus $119.6 million in 2011, an increase of 3.8%. Average AUM for open-end equity funds rose 3.5% from the prior year. Average AUM for all open-end funds were 4.3% higher at $14.5 billion in 2012 versus $13.9 billion in the prior year.

• Our closed-end fund revenues increased 18.3% to $62.8 million from $53.1 million in 2011. Average closed-end fund AUM, excluding certain preferred share assets that generate annual incentive fees, increased 3.2% from the prior year. Current year 2012 results benefitted from $12.8 million in incentive fees, an increase of $7.8 million from $5.0 million in incentive fees in 2011.

• The institutional and private wealth management business generated revenues, excluding incentive fees, of $85.9 million, up 6.8%, in 2012 from the $80.4 million realized in 2011 as billable AUM rose 4.9%. We realized $6.5 million in incentive fees during 2012 versus $8.2 million in the prior year.

• Investment partnership revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $8.9 million, an increase of 39.1% from $6.4 million in the prior year period. Incentive fees increased by $0.7 million to $3.0 million in 2012 versus $2.3 million in 2011. Investment advisory fees increased by $1.7 million in 2012 versus 2011, which were driven by the 44.3% increase in average assets managed.

Revenues from the distribution of our open-end funds and other income were $44.8 million for both 2012 and 2011.

Our institutional research services generated revenues of $11.0 million in 2012, versus $14.3 million in the prior year principally due to lower trading volume and revenue per share.

Operating Income and Margin

Operating income, net of management fee expense, decreased $2.2 million, or 1.9%, to $111.1 million for 2012 versus $113.3 million in the prior year period. Adjusting for the $10.1 million of non-cash charges ($0.22 per diluted share) incurred from the fourth quarter acceleration of RSAs and the $5.6 million ($0.12 per diluted share) related to the launch of a new closed end fund in 2011, operating income would be $2.3 million higher, an increase of 1.9%. Operating margin was 32.3% in 2012 (35.2% excluding one-time costs) versus 34.6% in the prior year period (36.3% excluding one-time costs). Operating income before management fee was $124.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, versus $125.6 million in 2011. Operating margin before management fee was 36.1% in the 2012 period (39.0% excluding one-time costs) versus 38.4% in the 2011 period (40.1% excluding one-time costs). Management believes evaluating operating income before management fee is an important measure in analyzing the Company’s operating results. Further information regarding Non-GAAP measures is included in Notes on Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Table VII included elsewhere herein.

Other Income / (Expense)

Other income/(expense), net, was $6.2 million or $0.12 per diluted share net of management fee and tax expense in 2012 versus an expense of $2.9 million or $0.08 per diluted share, net of management fee and tax benefit in 2011. Included in the 2012 results are $6.3 million in charges related to total purchases of $64.6 million (face value) of the Subordinated Debentures. Interest expense was $15.9 million in 2012, $0.9 million higher than the prior year period due to an increase in average debt outstanding of $19.0 million, following the issuance of $100 million of 5.875% Senior Debentures due 2021 in May 2011 and less the purchase of approximately $64.6 million (face value) of Subordinated Debentures in July 2012.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2012 was 35.6% compared to the 2011 effective tax rate of 36.9%. The decrease in the rate was principally due to a benefit of 1.2% resulting from the difference between the tax and book basis of Subordinated Debentures repurchased, including 641,127 bonds bought back through the tender offer completed in July 2012.

Business and Investment Highlights

• On December 12, 2012, GAMCO concluded its modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer to purchase up to 800,000 shares of GBL Class A stock, purchasing 717,389 shares at $50 per share for a total investment of $35.9 million.
• On November 9, 2012 GAMCO’s Board of Directors approved a special dividend of $2.20 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders.
• On December 19, 2012, The Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE: GUT) announced the successful completion of its transferable rights offering in which the Fund issued $54 million in common shares.
• On November 1, 2012, Cornelius V. (“CV”) McGinity was appointed President of Gabelli & Company, Inc. In his new role, CV will be responsible for all of the firm’s institutional research sales and trading initiatives and is leading the effort to significantly grow the company’s client base and team of research analysts. He was most recently a Managing Director, Institutional Sales at Knight Capital Group for fifteen years and had previously worked for Cantor Fitzgerald, Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney.
• GAMCO announced that Paul D. Sonkin, an adjunct professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Business and former portfolio manager of The Hummingbird Value Fund and the Tarsier Nanocap Value Fund, joined the firm as portfolio manager, non-market correlated investments, stubs and spin-offs, focusing on micro and nano-cap stocks.
• During October Gabelli & Company, Inc. hosted its 36th Annual Automotive Aftermarket Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two day conference showcased a full spectrum of leading automotive companies, including aftermarket parts retailers, original equipment and aftermarket parts suppliers, publicly traded dealership groups, and medium and heavy duty truck manufacturers. Additionally, during December Gabelli & Company hosted its 5th annual Best Idea Conference in New York City. The conference was a multi-industry event that allowed institutional investors the opportunity to observe best in class management teams that represent compelling and timely investment ideas. Available on the “In the News” and “On the Air” segments of our website are recent interviews with Portfolio Managers including Mario Gabelli, Barbara Marcin, Howard Ward, Chris Marangi, Kevin Dreyer and Caesar Bryan among others as they address world markets, industries and specific stocks. Complete articles and interviews are on the Gabelli website at www.gabelli.com/inthenews.html.

Other Financial Highlights

Statement of Financial Condition

We ended the quarter with $568.9 million in cash and investments versus $690.9 million at September 30, 2012 and $674.8 million at December 31, 2011. This included approximately $97.1 million in available for sale securities at December 31, 2012 of which $61.9 million was in our sponsored registered investment companies. We have $216 million ($220.7 million in face value) in total debt outstanding of which $99 million in 5.5% senior notes mature in May 2013. With the renewal of our universal shelf registration in May 2012, we continue to have the flexibility of issuing any combination of senior and subordinated debt securities, convertible debt securities and common and preferred securities of up to a total amount of $400 million.

Shareholder Compensation

Dividends

On November 9, 2012 GAMCO’s Board of Directors approved a special dividend of $2.20 per share in addition to a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share to all of its Class A and Class B shareholders.

During 2012, we paid $76.4 million, or $2.88 per share, in dividends, and since our IPO, we have paid cumulative dividends of $420.4 million, or $16.30 per share.

GAMCO announced on February 5, 2013 that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share payable on March 26, 2013 to its Class A and Class B shareholders of record on March 12, 2013.

Share Repurchase

During 2012, we repurchased 1,138,313 shares, at an average price of $48.25 per share for an investment of $54.9 million, including 717,389 shares purchased at $50.00 per share through the Dutch Tender Offer that concluded on December 12, 2012. Overall, we have repurchased a total of 8.5 million shares at an average price of $41.65 per share for an investment of $353.3 million. Since our 1999 IPO in which we sold six million shares at a price of $17.50 per share, we have returned $774 million to our shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.

GAMCO announced on February 5, 2013, that its Board of Directors increased the share buyback authorization by an additional 500,000 shares. As a result, there are 652,443 shares available to be repurchased under our existing buyback plan.

Fully diluted shares outstanding for the fourth quarter 2012 were 26.3 million, 1.0% lower than 26.6 million in the fourth quarter 2011. Diluted shares outstanding were lower in the fourth quarter 2012 due to shares purchased under our Stock Repurchase Program. At the end of 2012 we had 25.7 million shares outstanding.

NOTES ON NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Our disclosure and analysis in this press release contain some forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. You can identify these statements because they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. They also appear in any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance of our products, expenses, the outcome of any legal proceedings, and financial results. Although we believe that we are basing our expectations and beliefs on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of what we currently know about our business and operations, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from what we expect or believe. Some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our expectations or beliefs include, without limitation: the adverse effect from a decline in the securities markets; 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; and unforeseen costs and other effects related to legal proceedings or investigations of governmental and self-regulatory organizations. We also direct your attention to any more specific discussions of risk contained in our Form 10-K and other public filings. We are providing these statements as permitted by the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We do not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements if we subsequently learn that we are unlikely to achieve our expectations or if we receive any additional information relating to the subject matters of our forward-looking statements.

Data presented reflects past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Strong rankings are not indicative of positive fund performance. Absolute performance for some funds was negative for certain periods. Other share classes are available which may have different performance characteristics.

Lipper, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments including mutual funds, retirement funds, hedge funds, fund fees and expenses to the asset management and media communities. Lipper ranks the performance of mutual funds within a classification of funds that have similar investment objectives. Rankings are historical with capital gains and dividends reinvested and do not include the effect of loads. If an expense waiver was in effect, it may have had a material effect on the total return or yield for the period.

Relative long-term investment performance remained strong with approximately 40%, 55%, 70% and 63% of firmwide mutual funds in the top half of their Lipper categories on a one-, three-, five-, and ten-year total-return basis, respectively, as of December 31, 2012.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses of each fund before investing. Each fund's prospectus contains information about these and other matters andshould be read carefully before investing. Each fund’s share price will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the fund’s portfolio securities. Stocks are subject to market, economic and business risks that cause their prices to fluctuate. When you sell fund shares, they may be worth less than what you paid for them. Consequently, you can lose money by investing in a fund. You can obtain a prospectus by calling 800-GABELLI (422-3554), online at www.gabelli.com, or from your financial advisor. Distributed by G.distributors, LLC., One Corporate Center, Rye New York, 10580. Other share classes are available that have different performance characteristics.

The inception date for the Gabelli SRI Green Fund was June 1, 2007.