WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Commission File No. 333-73996
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files) Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated
filer”, “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section13(a) of the Exchange
Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of the latest practical date.
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
* Items other than those listed above have been omitted because they are not applicable.
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
UNAUDITED
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
UNAUDITED
See accompanying notes.
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
CASH FLOWS
UNAUDITED
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Organization and Business Description
Morgan Group Holding Co. (the “Company,” “Morgan Group,” or “Morgan”) was incorporated in November 2001 as a Delaware corporation to serve as a holding company which seeks acquisitions as part of its
strategic alternatives. Prior to the October 31, 2019 merger with G.research, LLC (“G.research”), discussed below, Morgan Group had no operating companies.
The Company acquired G.research from Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”), an affiliate of the Company, on October 31, 2019, in exchange for issuing 50,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to AC (the “Merger”).
Accordingly, G.research became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to the transaction, G.research was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Institutional Services holdings, LLC, which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AC. After the
transaction, AC has an 83.3% ownership interest in the Company. As a result of this common ownership, the transaction was treated as a combination between entities under common control that led to a change in the reporting entity. The recognized
assets and liabilities were transferred at their carrying amounts at the date of the transaction. Further, the companies were also combined retrospectively for prior year comparative information in the financial statements of the Company issued
after the Merger, including for the three months ended March 31, 2019 in these condensed consolidated financial statements. Consistent with our financial statements as of December 31, 2019 in our Form 10K, the common stock, additional paid in
capital, and accumulated deficit amounts in these condensed consolidated financial statements have been restated as of December 31, 2018 to reflect the recapitalization in accordance with the shares issued as a result of the Merger.
On March 16, 2020, AC’s Board of Directors approved the spin-off of the Company to AC’s shareholders. Upon execution of the spin-off, AC will distribute to its shareholders on a pro rata basis the
50,000,000 shares of Morgan that AC owns.
G.research is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
The Company provides institutional investors and investment partnerships with investment research with a particular focus on small-cap and mid-cap companies. The team of sell-side analysts follows
industry sectors on a global basis and performs fundamental security analysis using a Private Market Value (“PMV”) framework. PMV investing is a disciplined, research-driven approach based on security analysis. In this process, the analyst selects
stocks whose intrinsic value, based on the analyst’s estimate of current asset value and future growth and earnings power, is significantly different from the public market value as reflected in the public market. PMV is defined as the price an
informed industrial buyer would be likely to pay to acquire the business. The research focuses on company fundamentals, cash flow statistics, and catalysts that will help realize returns.
The Company generates brokerage commission revenues from securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of institutional clients and mutual funds, private wealth management clients, and
retail customers of affiliated companies. The Company generates revenue from syndicated underwriting activities. It primarily participates in the offerings of certain closed-end funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GBL”), an affiliate. The Company also earns investment income generated from its proprietary trading activities.
The Company acts as an introducing broker, and all securities transactions for the Company and its customers are cleared through and carried by three New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) member firms on a
fully disclosed basis. The Company has Proprietary Accounts of Introducing Brokers (“PAIB”) agreements with these firms. Accordingly, open customer transactions are not reflected in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial
Condition. The Company is exposed to credit losses on these open transactions in the event of nonperformance by its customers, pursuant to conditions of its clearing agreements with its clearing brokers. This exposure is mitigated by the clearing
brokers’ policy of monitoring the collateral and credit of the counterparties until the transaction is completed.
The Company’s principal market is in the United States (“U.S”).
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and
pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the
unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for the fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Morgan for the
interim periods presented and are not necessarily indicative of a full year’s results.
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, G.research, from the date of the Merger with retrospective application.
Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2019.
Use of Estimates
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during that reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Developments
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which amends the guidance in U.S. GAAP for the accounting for leases.
ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities arising from most operating leases in the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2019 with no material impact on its
consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Accounting for Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires an organization to
measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Currently, U.S. GAAP requires an “incurred loss” methodology that
delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. Under ASU 2016-13, the allowance for credit losses must be deducted from the amortized cost of the financial asset to present the net amount expected to be collected. The
consolidated statements of operations will reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. In November
2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates (ASU 2019-10), which deferred the effective date
of this guidance for smaller reporting companies for three years. This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2023 and requires a modified retrospective transition method, which will result in a cumulative-effect adjustment in retained
earnings upon adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of this new guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
2. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company records revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(“Topic 606”). Under Topic 606, the Company must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the
contract, and recognize revenue when the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
Significant judgments that affect the amounts and timing of revenue recognition:
The Company’s analysis of the timing of revenue recognition of each revenue stream is based on the provisions of each respective contract. Performance obligations could, however, change from time to
time if and when existing contracts are modified or new contracts are entered into. These changes could potentially affect the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, the determination of the transaction price, and the allocation of the
price to performance obligations. In the case of the revenue streams discussed below, the performance obligation is satisfied either at a point in time or over time. The judgments outlined below, where the determination as to these factors is
discussed in detail, are continually reviewed and monitored by the Company when new contracts or contract modifications occur. Transaction price is in all instances formulaic and not subject to significant (or any) judgment at the current time.
The Company’s assessment of the recognition of these revenues is as follows:
Revenue from contracts with customers includes commissions, fees earned from affiliated entities pursuant to research services agreements, underwriting fees, and sales manager fees.
Commissions
Brokerage commissions. Acting as agent, the Company buys and sells securities on behalf of its customers. Commissions are charged on the execution of these securities transactions made on
behalf of client accounts and are negotiated. The Company recognizes commission revenue when the related securities transactions are executed on the trade date. The Company believes that the performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date
because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon, and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to/from the customer. Commissions earned are typically collected from the
clearing brokers utilized by the Company on a daily or weekly basis.
Hard dollar payments. The Company provides research services to unrelated parties, for which direct payment is received. The company may, or may not, have contracts for such services. Where a
contract for such services is in place, the contractual fee for the period is recognized ratably over the contract period, which is considered the period over which the Company satisfies its performance obligation. For payments where no research
contract exists, revenue is not recognized until agreement is reached with the client at which time the performance obligation is considered to have been met and revenue is recognized.
Commission revenues are impacted by the perceived value of the research product provided to clients, the volume of securities transactions, and the acquisition or loss of new client relationships.
Fees earned from affiliated entities pursuant to research services agreements
The Company receives direct payments for research services provided to related parties pursuant to contracts. The contractual fee for the period is fixed and recognized ratably over the contract
period, typically a calendar year, which is considered the period over which the Company satisfies its performance obligation. Payments for contracts with affiliated parties are collected monthly.
Underwriting fees
Underwriting fees. The Company acts as underwriter in an agent capacity. Revenues are earned from fees arising from these offerings and the terms are
set forth in contracts between the underwriters and the issuer. The Company’s underwriting revenue is considered to be conditional revenue because it is subject to reduction to zero once the offsetting syndicate expenses have been quantified by the
syndicate manager (i.e., lead underwriter) and allocated to each underwriter in proportion to their participation in the offering. Revenue recognition is therefore delayed until it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue
recognized will not occur. That is, it is recognized only when uncertainty associated with the syndicate expenses is subsequently resolved and final settlement of syndicate accounts is affected by the syndicate manager. Payment is typically
received from the syndicate manager within ninety days after settlement date.
Selling concessions. The Company participates as a member of the selling group of underwritten equity offerings and receives compensation based on the
difference between what its customers pay for the securities sold to its institutional clients and what the issuer receives. The terms of the selling concessions are set forth in contracts between the Company and the underwriter. Revenue is
recognized on the trade date (the date on which the Company purchases the securities from the issuer) for the portion the Company is contracted to buy. The Company believes that the trade date is the appropriate point in time to recognize revenue
for securities underwriting transactions as there are no significant actions the Company needs to take subsequent to this date, and the issuer obtains the control and benefit of the capital markets offering at this point. Selling concessions earned
are typically collected from the clearing brokers utilized by the Company on a daily or weekly basis.
Sales manager fees
The Company participates as sales manager of at-the-market offerings of certain affiliated closed-end funds and receives a tiered percentage of proceeds as stipulated in agreements between the
Company, the funds and the funds’ investment adviser. The Company recognizes sales manager fees upon sale of the related closed-end funds. Sales manager fees earned are fixed and typically collected from the clearing brokers utilized by the Company
on a daily or weekly basis.
Revenue Disaggregated
Total revenues from contracts with customers by type were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
3. Related Party Transactions
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had an investment of $5,661,750 and $6,579,577, respectively, in The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which
is an affiliate of the Company. The amount is recorded in cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Income earned from this investment totaled $29,550 and $59,035 for the three months ended March 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively, and is included in dividends and interest revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company earned $691,784 and $1,132,845, or approximately 67% and 74%, respectively, of its commission revenue from transactions executed on
behalf of funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC. (“Gabelli Funds”) and private wealth management clients advised by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., (“GAMCO Asset”), each affiliates of the Company. GAMCO Asset and Gabelli Funds paid a total of $377,500
to the Company pursuant to research services agreements (see Note 2) for the three months ended March 31, 2019. No amounts for such services were paid during the three months ended March 31, 2020. These agreements were terminated effective January
1, 2020.
The Company participated as agent in the secondary offerings of the GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust (“GGN”). Pursuant to sales agreements between the parties, the Company
earned sales manager fees related to this offering of $334,825 and $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Sales manager fees are separately disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company participated in the secondary offerings of the preferred stock of affiliated closed end funds in December 2019. The final settlements were received during March 2020 resulting in
additional underwriting profit of $30,488.
The Company pays AC a management fee equal to 20% of the Company’s year-to-date pretax profits before consideration of this fee. In the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company did not
pay a management fee to AC as there were no pretax profits.
AC has a sublease agreement with GBL that expired on April 1, 2020 and continues on a month to month basis. AC allocates this expense to the
Company based on the percentage of square footage occupied by the Company’s employees (including pro rata allocation of common space). For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company paid $27,113 and $82,913, respectively, to
AC. These amounts are included within occupancy and equipment expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
4. Fair Value
The carrying amounts of all financial instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition approximate their fair values.
The Company’s financial instruments have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy:
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities by major category measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and
indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of March 31, 2020:
|
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
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
Total assets at fair value
|
|
$
|
5,661,750
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
There were no transfers between any Levels during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2019:
|
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
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
Total assets at fair value
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
There were no transfers between any Levels during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Cash equivalents primarily consist of an affiliated money market mutual fund which is invested solely in U.S. Treasuries and valued based on the net asset value of the fund.
Financial assets disclosed but not carried at fair value
The carrying value of other financial assets and liabilities approximates their fair value based on the short term nature of these items.
5. Retirement Plan
The Company participates in Associated Capital’s incentive savings plan (the “Plan”), covering substantially all employees. Company contributions to the Plan are determined annually by management of
the Company and AC’s Board of Directors but may not exceed the amount permitted as a deductible expense under the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts expensed for allocated contributions to this Plan amounted to approximately $4,436 and $4,436 for the
three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and were recorded as compensation and related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
6. Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was 32.6% and 20.4%, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 the rate impact was related to a net operating loss carryback at
higher federal rates.
7. Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income / (loss) attributable to shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. There were no dilutive shares
outstanding during the periods.
The computations of basic and diluted net loss per share are as follows:
8. Equity
In conjunction with the Merger on October 31, 2019, the Company issued 50,000,000 shares of common stock to AC. The common stock, additional paid in capital, earnings per share, and accumulated
deficit amounts in these consolidated financial statements for the period prior to the Merger have been restated to reflect the recapitalization in accordance with the shares issued as a result of the Merger.
See the Organization and Business Description Note above for detail.
9. Guarantees, Contingencies, and Commitments
The Company has agreed to indemnify its clearing brokers for losses they may sustain from the customer accounts that trade on margin introduced by the Company. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019,
the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification (i.e., unsecured margin debits) was immaterial. The Company also has entered into arrangements with various other third parties, many of which provide for indemnification of the third
parties against losses, costs, claims, and liabilities arising from the performance of the Company’s obligations under the agreements. The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements, and management believes the
likelihood of a claim being made is remote, and therefore, an accrual has not been made in the consolidated financial statements.
From time to time, the Company is named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company
is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions, or other relief. The Company cannot predict the
ultimate outcome of such matters. The consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable, if any. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether losses exist which may be
reasonably possible and, if material, makes the necessary disclosures. Such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not considered material to the Company’s financial condition, operations, or cash flows.
10. Net Capital Requirements
As a registered broker-dealer, G.research is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”), which specifies, among other requirements, minimum net capital requirements for registered
broker-dealers. G.research computes its net capital under the alternative method as permitted by the Rule, which requires that minimum net capital be the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those
broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3. G.research is exempt from Rule 15c3-3 pursuant to paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of that rule which exempts all customer transactions cleared through another broker-dealer on a fully disclosed basis. In addition, our
assets at the clearing broker-dealer are treated as allowable assets for net capital purposes as we have in place PAIB agreements pursuant to Rule 15c3-3. These requirements also provide that equity capital may not be withdrawn, advances to
affiliates may not be made, or cash dividends paid if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. G.research had net capital, as defined, of $4,347,017 and $4,618,033, exceeding the required amount of $250,000 by $4,097,017 and $4,368,033
at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
11. Subsequent Events
On May 4, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 1-for-100 reverse split of the authorized, issued, and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01, subject to shareholder approval.
Unless indicated otherwise, or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to the “Company,” “Morgan Group,” “Morgan,” “we,”
“us,” and “our” or similar terms are to Morgan Group Holding Co. and its subsidiary.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Our disclosure and analysis in this Form 10-Q contains 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,” “will,” “should,” “may,” 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. 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.
OVERVIEW
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the
notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated by such forward-looking statements as discussed under “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.
Morgan Group (OTC Pink®: MGHL), through G.research, acts as an underwriter and provides institutional research services. Institutional research services revenues consist of brokerage
commissions derived from securities transactions executed on an agency basis or direct payments from institutional clients as well as underwriting profits, selling concessions and management fees associated with underwriting activities.
Commission revenues vary directly with the perceived value of the research provided, as well as account activity and new account generation.
In light of the dynamics created by COVID-19, its impact on the global supply chain and economy, including government imposed restrictions on travel and the temporary closure of
businesses deemed non-essential across the United States, we anticipate lower transaction volumes from our institutional clients. As a result of this pandemic, the majority of our employees are working remotely, including our order execution
services. However, there has been no material impact of remote work arrangements on our operations, including our financial reporting systems, internal control over financial reporting, and disclosure controls and procedures, and there has been
no material challenge in implementing our business continuity plan. The sponsored conferences are taking place as planned using virtual service providers. While at the present time, the Company is unable to estimate the potential impact of
COVID-19 on its financial condition, a significant prolonged disruption in the financial markets leading to materially lower trading activity of the Company’s clients would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenue, operating
results and financial position. Any potential impact to our results of operations and financial condition will depend to a large extent on future developments and new information that could emerge regarding the duration and severity of
COVID-19 and the actions taken by authorities and other entities to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact, all of which are beyond our control. We will continue to monitor the virus’ impact on our customers,
clients, and financial results.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table (in thousands, except per share data) and discussion of our results of operations are based upon data derived from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income contained in our condensed
consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with those statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 as Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Revenues
Institutional research service revenues were $1.4 million for three months ended March 31, 2020, $0.5 million, or 26.6%, lower than total revenues of $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31,
2019. Institutional research services revenues by revenue component, excluding principal transactions and dividends and interest, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Commissions and hard dollar payments in the 2020 period were $1.0 million, a $0.5 million, or 32.3%, decrease from $1.5 million in the 2019 period. The decrease was primarily due to lower brokerage
commissions from fewer securities transactions executed on an agency basis. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, G.research earned $0.7 million and $1.1 million, or approximately 62% and 74%, of its commission revenue
from transactions executed on behalf of funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli Funds”) and clients advised by GAMCO Asset Management Inc. (“GAMCO Asset”).
The agreements between G.research and Gabelli Funds and GAMCO Asset to provide institutional research services were terminated effective January 1, 2020. Amounts earned for the three months ended
March 31, 2019 were $0.4 million.
The Company participated as agent in the secondary offerings of the GAMCO Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust (“GGN”). Pursuant to sales agreements between the parties, the Company earned sales manager fees
related to this offering of $0.3 million and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Principal Transactions
During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, net losses from principal transactions were negligible.
Interest and dividend income declined $0.03 million to $0.03 million in 2020 from $0.06 million in 2019 primarily due to lower cash and cash equivalents balances.
Expenses
Total expenses were $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of $1.4 million, or 43.4%, from $3.3 million in the 2019 period. The decrease results primarily from lower
compensation costs and a reduction of expenses across all categories.
Compensation costs, which includes salaries, bonuses, and benefits, were $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, a decrease of $1.4 million from $2.5 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2019 and was due to headcount reductions.
Income Tax Benefit
We recorded income tax benefits of $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The ETR was 32.6% and 20.4% for the periods ended March 31, 2020 and
2019, respectively.
Net Loss
Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $0.3 million versus $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our principal assets are highly liquid in nature and consist of cash and cash equivalents, comprised primarily of a 100% U.S. Treasury money market fund, The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money
Market Fund, advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC, which is an affiliate of the Company. Summary cash flow data for the first three months of 2020 and 2019 was as follows (in thousands):
Net cash used by operating activities was $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, resulting from a net loss of $0.3 million and net decrease in operating liabilities of $0.9 million
offset by an increase in operating assets of $0.4. Net cash used by operating activities was $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily as a result of a net loss of $1.0 million and a decrease in operating liabilities of $0.8
million.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. See Note B in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and the Company’s
Critical Accounting Policies in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in Morgan Group’s 2019 annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC
on April 2, 2020 for details on Critical Accounting Policies.
Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.
The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be timely disclosed, is recorded,
processed, summarized, and reported to management within the time periods specified in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness
of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable
assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in
the SEC’s rules and forms.
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined by Rule 13a-15(f) that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.