GAMCO Investors, Inc. Reports Results for the First Quarter 2022

Rhea-AI Summary

GAMCO Investors reported strong Q1 2022 results, with a net income of $17.5 million, up $1.5 million year-over-year. GAAP earnings per share increased to $0.66 from $0.59 in Q1 2021. Revenues rose to $69.6 million, driven by growth in investment advisory fees. GAMCO ended the quarter with $131.5 million in cash and investments. The firm continued its commitment to ESG initiatives and launched new semi-transparent ETFs focused on sustainability and automation. Additionally, shareholders have designated $48 million in charitable contributions since 2013, showcasing corporate responsibility.

Positive

• Net income increased by $1.5 million year-over-year to $17.5 million.
• GAAP earnings per share rose to $0.66 from $0.59 in Q1 2021.
• Revenues grew to $69.6 million, up from $67.9 million in the same quarter last year.
• Investment advisory fees increased to $63.8 million from $61.5 million.
• Cash and investments at $131.5 million, net of debt.

Negative

• Mark-to-market investment losses of $2.6 million compared to gains of $0.9 million in Q1 2021.
• Distribution fees decreased to $5.8 million from $6.4 million in the prior year quarter.

- First quarter net income for 2022 was $17.5 million, an increase of $1.5 million

- GAAP earnings of $0.66 per share compared to $0.59 per share in 2021 and $0.41 per share for Q4 2021

- AUM of $33.4 billion at March 31, 2022 and 2021

- Ended quarter with $131.5 million of cash and investments, net of debt

GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO”) (NYSE: GBL) today reported its operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022.

First Quarter Results

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
U.S. GAAP Basis		Three Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)		March 31, 2022			March 31, 2021
Revenues		$	69,623		$	67,928
Operating income			25,961			22,454
Net income			17,454			15,950
Diluted earnings per common share		$	0.66		$	0.59
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding			26,493			26,887
Shares outstanding			26,584			27,392
Assets Under Management
AUM - end of period (in millions)		$	33,378		$	33,409
AUM - average (in millions)			33,286			33,380

Giving Back to Society – (Y)our “S” in ESG

We are committed to allowing our shareholders to choose the recipients of our charitable contributions. Each shareholder has the ability to designate the recipients of charitable contributions by our company in proportion to the number of shares of GAMCO that the registered shareholder owns.

Since the inception of GAMCO’s SDCC program in 2013, and counting this current amount, shareholders have designated charitable gifts of $48 million to approximately 350 charitable organizations. Since our initial public offering in February 1999, our firm’s combined charitable donations total approximately $74 million.

The Board of Directors of GAMCO approved an $11.3 million SDCC for registered shareholders of record on December 21, 2021.

This charitable program is just one aspect of our firm’s commitment to ESG investing at both the firm level as well as within our portfolios – where we have been managing dedicated mandates since 1987.

New Climate and Environmental Initiative

To demonstrate our commitment to promoting a healthier environment we have waived the fees and absorbed the costs on the initial $100 million in assets in Love Our Planet & People (“LOPP”). LOPP, the first in a series of semi-transparent exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), invests in companies promoting sustainability in areas including renewable power generation and transmission, water purification, and conservation, the reduction and elimination of long-lived wastes and transportation electrification.

Across all products, our bottom-up research process seeks to identify potential environmental liabilities and, often more importantly, opportunities to solve environmental issues with new products, services, or approaches to delivering existing products and services.

Within our own operations we continue to find ways to limit our firm’s environmental footprint, for example, by implementing a solar capability on the roof of our headquarters and installing car charging ports for electric vehicles on the premises to combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our collective dependence on fossil fuels.

Results for the First Quarter

Revenues

- Revenues for the first quarter of 2022 were $69.6 million compared with $67.9 million in the first quarter of 2021.

- Investment advisory fees were $63.8 million in the first quarter of 2022 versus $61.5 million in the year ago quarter:

- Mutual Fund revenues were $43.0 million compared to $42.2 million in the first quarter of 2021.

- Institutional and Private Wealth Management revenues, which are generally billed on portfolio values at the beginning of the quarter, were $18.6 million compared to $17.6 million in last year’s first quarter.

- SICAV revenues were $2.2 million compared to $1.7 million in the year ago quarter.

- Distribution fees from our equity mutual funds and other income were $5.8 million during the first quarter of 2022 and $6.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Operating Income

Operating income was $26.0 million versus $22.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. Waiver of CEO compensation bolstered operating income by $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2022.

Non-Operating Income

Mark-to-market investment losses were $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2022 versus gains of $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2021. Interest expense was $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2022 versus $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Income Taxes

GAMCO’s effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 was 22.6% versus 29.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Balance Sheet

GAMCO ended the quarter with cash and investments of $182.4 million and $50.9 million of subordinated debt maturing on June 15, 2023.

Business Highlights

- On January 3, 2022, the third Gabelli actively managed semi-transparent ETF, the Gabelli Automation ETF, was launched. The ETF focuses on firms that design, develop, support, or manufacture automation equipment, related technology, software, or processes. The Fund’s adviser is absorbing expenses, including management fees, from the commencement of the Fund’s operations on the first $25 million of net assets for one year.

- On February 24^th, we hosted our 32^nd Annual Pump, Valve & Water Systems Symposium. The meeting featured presentations by senior management of several leading industrial companies with an emphasis on industrial and municipal water use and the role of technology.

- On March 10^th, we hosted our 13^th Annual Specialty Chemicals Symposium. The symposium featured presentations from senior management of leading specialty chemicals companies.

- On March 28^th, the GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL) completed the placement of $35 million of 4% Series E Cumulative Preferred Shares.

- On March 28^th, the Company commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash up to $10 million aggregate principal amount of its 2-Year Puttable Subordinated Notes due June 15, 2023.

- On March 31^st, we hosted our 8^th Annual Waste & Environmental Services Symposium in person and virtually. The timely conference featured presentations by leading companies.

Subsequent to the end of the 1^st quarter:

- On April 25^th, the tender for the 2-Year Puttable Notes due June 15, 2023 expired and the Company accepted $4.0 million of tendered notes.

- GAMCO hosted its 16th annual Omaha Research Trip on April 29 in conjunction with the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting.  This Value Investor Conference attracted a record number of participants with Gabelli portfolio managers anchoring panels with noted Berkshire experts and regional CEOs.

- The fourth Gabelli actively managed semi-transparent ETF, the Gabelli Financial Services Opportunity Fund, will be launched in early May. The ETF will focus on companies in financial services. The Fund’s adviser will be absorbing expenses, including management fees, on the first $25 million of net assets for one year from the commencement of the Fund’s operations.

Return to Shareholders

During the quarter, GAMCO paid a dividend of $0.04 per share for a total of $1.1 million and purchased 140,895 shares for $3.1 million at an average price of $22.34 per share. From April 1, 2022 to May 3, 2022, the Company has purchased 89,332 shares at an average price of $20.74 per share.

On May 3, 2022, GAMCO’s board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share, which is payable on June 28, 2022 to class A and class B shareholders of record on June 14, 2022.

About GAMCO Investors, Inc.

GAMCO is known for its research-driven approach to equity investing. GAMCO conducts its investment advisory business principally through two subsidiaries: GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (approximately 1,400 institutional and private wealth separate accounts, principally in the U.S.) and Gabelli Funds, LLC (24 open-end funds, 14 closed-end funds, 3 actively managed semi-transparent ETFs, and a SICAV). GAMCO serves a broad client base including institutions, intermediaries, offshore investors, private wealth, and direct retail investors. In recent years, GAMCO has successfully integrated new teams of RIAs by providing attractive compensation arrangements and paying finder’s fees.

GAMCO offers a wide range of solutions for clients across Value and Growth Equity, ESG, Convertibles, sector-focused strategies including Gold and Utilities, Merger Arbitrage, and Fixed Income. In 1977, GAMCO launched its flagship All Cap Value strategy, Gabelli Value, and in 1986 entered the mutual fund business.

Table I: Assets Under Management and Fund Flows - 1st Quarter 2022 (in millions)
																Fund
												Market				distributions,
		December 31,										appreciation/				net of				March 31,			March 31,
		2021			Inflows			Outflows				(depreciation)				reinvestments				2022			2021
Equities:
Mutual Funds		$	10,249		$	326		$	(396	)		$	(351	)		$	(4	)		$	9,824		$	9,825
Closed-end Funds			8,656			36			(245	)			(211	)			(139	)			8,097			8,100
Institutional & PWM (a)			13,497			127			(387	)			(563	)			-				12,674			13,145
SICAV			831			196			(133	)			(15	)			-				879			582
Total Equities			33,233			685			(1,161	)			(1,140	)			(143	)			31,474			31,652
100% U.S. Treasury Fund			1,717			967			(812	)			-				-				1,872			1,725
Institutional & PWM Fixed Income			32			-			-				-				-				32			32
Total Treasuries & Fixed Income			1,749			967			(812	)			-				-				1,904			1,757
Total Assets Under Management		$	34,982		$	1,652		$	(1,973	)		$	(1,140	)		$	(143	)		$	33,378		$	33,409
(a) Includes $183, $185, and $180 of 100% U.S. Treasury Fund AUM at December 31, 2021, March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2021, respectively.

Table II
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2022				2021
Investment advisory and incentive fees		$	63,762			$	61,470
Distribution fees and other income			5,861				6,458
Total revenues			69,623				67,928
Compensation costs (a)			29,058				30,682
Management fee expense (a)			1,312				2,517
Distribution costs			7,145				6,971
Other operating expenses			6,147				5,304
Total expenses			43,662				45,474
Operating income			25,961				22,454
Investment gain/(loss)			(2,594	)			865
Interest expense			(816	)			(662	)
Non-operating gain/(loss)			(3,410	)			203
Income before income taxes			22,551				22,657
Provision for income taxes			5,097				6,707
Net income		$	17,454			$	15,950
Net income:
Basic		$	0.67			$	0.60
Diluted		$	0.66			$	0.59
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic			26,237				26,393
Diluted			26,493				26,887
Actual shares outstanding (b)			26,584				27,392

(a)		For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the CEO waiver reduced compensation costs by $3,385, and management fee expense by 736.
(b)		Includes 411 and 1,066 RSA shares at March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Table III
GAMCO INVESTORS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In thousands)
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,
		2022			2021			2021
ASSETS
Cash, cash equivalents, and U.S. Treasury Bills		$	144,369		$	142,027		$	118,868
Investments in securities			22,308			20,259			29,109
Seed capital			15,674			12,085			11,320
Receivable from brokers			2,873			3,930			4,344
Other receivables			25,517			34,943			27,466
Deferred tax asset and income tax receivable			7,456			6,707			9,292
Other assets			11,985			11,721			13,394
Total assets		$	230,182		$	231,672		$	213,793
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Payable for investments purchased		$	-		$	14,990		$	132
Income taxes payable			7,373			315			11,383
Compensation payable			20,139			21,049			29,302
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			44,320			50,448			47,080
Sub-total			71,832			86,802			87,897
5.875% Senior Notes (due June 1, 2021)			-			-			24,221
Subordinated Notes (due June 15, 2023)			50,935			50,990			-
Total liabilities			122,767			137,792			112,118
Stockholders' equity (a)			107,415			93,880			101,675
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	230,182		$	231,672		$	213,793
(a) Shares outstanding of 26,584, 26,728, and 27,392, respectively.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Our disclosure and analysis in this press release, which do not present historical information, contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements convey 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, the economy, the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other conditions, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from what we expect or believe. Therefore, you should proceed with caution in relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.

Forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors, some of which are listed below, that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that may cause our actual results to differ from our expectations include risks associated with the duration and scope of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic resulting in volatile market conditions, a decline in the securities markets that adversely affect our assets under management, negative performance of our products, the failure to perform as required under our investment management agreements, a general downturn in the economy that negatively impacts our operations, and the ongoing impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act with respect to tax rates and the non-deductibility of certain portions of named executive officer compensation. We also direct your attention to the more specific discussions of these and other risks, uncertainties and other important factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other public filings. Other factors that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We do not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements if we subsequently learn that we are unlikely to achieve our expectations whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Gabelli Funds, LLC is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (NYSE: GBL).

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund before investing. The prospectus, which contains more complete information about this and other matters, should be read carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, please call 800 GABELLI or visit www.gabelli.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005719/en/

Howard Green

SVP of Corporate Development

(914) 921-7729

For further information please visit

www.gabelli.com

Source: GAMCO Investors, Inc.

FAQ

What was GAMCO Investors' net income for Q1 2022?

GAMCO Investors reported a net income of $17.5 million for Q1 2022.

How much did GAMCO earn per share in Q1 2022?

GAMCO's GAAP earnings per share increased to $0.66 in Q1 2022.

What were GAMCO's total revenues for Q1 2022?

Total revenues for GAMCO in Q1 2022 were $69.6 million.

What is the assets under management for GAMCO at the end of Q1 2022?

GAMCO had assets under management of $33.4 billion at the end of Q1 2022.

What new initiatives did GAMCO launch in early 2022?

GAMCO launched new semi-transparent ETFs focused on sustainability and automation in early 2022.

What is the status of GAMCO's charitable contributions?

Since 2013, GAMCO shareholders have designated $48 million in charitable contributions.