10-Q
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
 Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-34516
Cowen Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
27-0423711
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
10022
(Zip Code)
(646) 562-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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. Yes Q    No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes  Q  No o 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer Q
 
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o    No Q
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
As of April 29, 2016 there were 106,206,765 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.
 


Table of Contents

Item No.
 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





2



Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
We have made statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including in “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”) that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking terms such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “possible,” “potential,” “intend,” “seek” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology or similar expressions. In addition, our management may make forward-looking statements to analysts, representatives of the media and others. These forward-looking statements represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events (many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control) and are predictions only, based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In particular, you should consider the risks contained in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 as well as Item 1A of this periodic report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016.
Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this filing to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are presented for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2015 were audited.




3
Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Cowen Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
67,046

 
$
158,485

Cash collateral pledged
10,157

 
10,085

Securities owned, at fair value
627,767

 
610,234

Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value
45,725

 
39,618

Other investments
166,785

 
140,647

Receivable from brokers
122,542

 
117,757

Fees receivable, net of allowance
41,172

 
34,413

Due from related parties
34,395

 
39,659

Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $29,457 and $29,953, respectively
37,684

 
27,231

Goodwill
58,361

 
58,361

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $29,438 and $28,301, respectively
24,526

 
25,663

Deferred tax asset, net
146,459

 
143,560

Other assets
43,442

 
71,531

Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
12,348

 
13,934

Securities owned, at fair value
40,523

 
32,000

Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value
125

 
—

Other investments
394,478

 
263,818

Other assets
1,401

 
663

Total Assets
$
1,874,936

 
$
1,787,659

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
$
412,810

 
$
257,159

Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
25,134

 
21,183

Payable to brokers
23,837

 
131,789

Compensation payable
26,262

 
150,403

Notes payable and other debt
90,081

 
68,565

Convertible debt
124,251

 
122,401

Fees payable
1,746

 
5,638

Due to related parties
234

 
329

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
55,607

 
52,233

Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Due to related parties
1

 
3

Contributions received in advance
2,600

 
850

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
1,367

 
—

Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
2

 
—

Payable to brokers
2,315

 
—

Capital withdrawals payable
—

 
78

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
831

 
124

Total Liabilities
767,078

 
810,755

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

 

Redeemable non-controlling interests
324,938

 
186,911

Stockholders' equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized, 120,750 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2016 (aggregate liquidation preference of $120,750,000) and 120,750 shares issued and outstanding as of as of December 31, 2015 (aggregate liquidation preference of $120,750,000), respectively
1

 
1

Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 250,000,000 shares authorized, 142,716,734 shares issued and 106,078,205 outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and 140,120,392 shares issued and 105,604,658 outstanding as of December 31, 2015, respectively (including 497,570 restricted shares, respectively)
1,167

 
1,167

Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 250,000,000 authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
—

 
—

Additional paid-in capital
908,462

 
902,554

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings
18,231

 
23,627

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(3
)
 
—

Less: Class A common stock held in treasury, at cost, 36,638,529 and 34,515,734 shares, respectively
(144,938
)
 
(137,356
)
Total Stockholders' Equity
782,920

 
789,993

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$
1,874,936

 
$
1,787,659

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

Cowen Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
 
 
Investment banking
$
26,147

 
$
65,233

Brokerage
50,935

 
35,454

Management fees
11,030

 
10,384

Incentive income
1,111

 
2,372

Interest and dividends
3,653

 
3,083

Reimbursement from affiliates
3,887

 
3,642

Other revenues
2,725

 
668

Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Interest and dividends
1,076

 
244

Other revenues
475

 
14

Total revenues
101,039

 
121,094

Expenses
 
 
 
Employee compensation and benefits
63,181

 
95,864

Floor brokerage and trade execution
7,791

 
5,903

Interest and dividends
7,310

 
5,779

Professional, advisory and other fees
5,594

 
5,128

Service fees
2,184

 
1,886

Communications
4,139

 
3,642

Occupancy and equipment
8,005

 
6,828

Depreciation and amortization
3,067

 
2,138

Client services and business development
7,040

 
6,470

Other expenses
5,812

 
4,810

Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Interest and dividends
1,120

 
209

Professional, advisory and other fees
302

 
90

Floor brokerage and trade execution
22

 
10

Other expenses
372

 
49

Total expenses
115,939

 
138,806

Other income (loss)
 
 
 
Net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments
3,188

 
38,991

Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other transactions
(2,692
)
 
4,720

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives
3,102

 
397

Net gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions
(13
)
 
(31
)
Total other income (loss)
3,585

 
44,077

Income (loss) before income taxes
(11,315
)
 
26,365

Income tax expense (benefit)
(3,320
)
 
6,947

Net income (loss)
(7,995
)
 
19,418

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries and funds
(4,297
)
 
2,720

Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc.
(3,698
)
 
16,698

Preferred stock dividends
1,698

 
—

Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. common stockholders
$
(5,396
)
 
$
16,698

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 

Basic
106,364

 
112,053

Diluted
106,364

 
118,590

Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.15

Diluted
$
(0.05
)
 
$
0.14

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents


Cowen Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)





 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
$
(7,995
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
19,418

   Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation
 
 
(3
)
 
 
 
 
 
(2
)
 
 
   Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
(3
)
 
 
 
 
 
(2
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
$
(7,998
)
 
 
 
 
 
$
19,416


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents

Cowen Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)

 
Common Shares Outstanding
 
Common Stock
 
Preferred Shares Outstanding
 
Preferred Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings/ (Accumulated deficit)
 
Total Stockholders' Equity
 
Redeemable Non-controlling Interest
Balance, December 31, 2015
105,604,658

 
$
1,167

 
120,750

 
$
1

 
$
(137,356
)
 
$
902,554

 
$
—

 
$
23,627

 
$
789,993

 
$
186,911

Net income (loss)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3,698
)
 
(3,698
)
 
(4,297
)
Foreign currency translation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(3
)
 
—

 
(3
)
 
—

Capital contributions
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
217,633

Capital withdrawals
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,267
)
Deconsolidation of entity
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(73,042
)
Restricted stock awards issued
2,596,342

 
—

 
—

 
—

 


 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Purchase of treasury stock, at cost
(2,122,795
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(7,582
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(7,582
)
 
—

Preferred stock dividends (See Note 13)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,698
)
 
(1,698
)
 
—

Income tax effect from share based compensation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(515
)
 
—

 
—

 
(515
)
 
—

Amortization of share based compensation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,423

 
—

 
—

 
6,423

 
—

Balance, March 31, 2016
106,078,205

 
$
1,167

 
$
120,750

 
$
1

 
$
(144,938
)
 
$
908,462

 
$
(3
)
 
$
18,231

 
$
782,920

 
$
324,938

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Shares Outstanding
 
Common Stock
 
Preferred Shares Outstanding
 
Preferred Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Retained Earnings/ (Accumulated deficit)
 
Total Stockholders' Equity
 
Redeemable Non-controlling Interest
Balance, December 31, 2014
111,691,199

 
$
1,160

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(79,771
)
 
$
772,296

 
$
17

 
$
(16,027
)
 
$
677,675

 
$
86,076

Net income (loss)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
16,698

 
16,698

 
2,720

Foreign currency translation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

 
(2
)
 
—

Capital contributions
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
3,379

Capital withdrawals
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(6,210
)
Restricted stock awards issued
1,367,618

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Purchase of treasury stock, at cost
(1,889,920
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(9,982
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(9,982
)
 
—

Income tax effect from share based compensation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,536

 
—

 
—

 
1,536

 
 
Amortization of share based compensation
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,162

 
—

 
—

 
4,162

 
—

Balance, March 31, 2015
111,168,897

 
$
1,160

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
(89,753
)

$
777,994


$
15


$
671

 
$
690,087

 
$
85,965

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

Table of Contents

Cowen Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(7,995
)
 
$
19,418

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
3,067

 
2,138

Amortization of debt issuance costs
291

 
291

Amortization of debt discount
1,665

 
1,524

Tax benefit (expense) from share-based payment arrangements
(515
)
 
1,536

Share-based compensation
6,423

 
4,162

Deferred tax benefit
(2,384
)
 
3,663

Deferred rent obligations
107

 
351

Net loss on disposal of fixed assets
—

 
31

Contingent liability adjustment
(2,135
)
 
—

Purchases of securities owned, at fair value
(1,293,147
)
 
(1,026,453
)
Proceeds from sales of securities owned, at fair value
1,263,611

 
1,252,567

Proceeds from sales of securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
1,068,580

 
525,223

Payments to cover securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
(910,751
)
 
(592,564
)
Net (gains) losses on securities, derivatives and other investments
(2,836
)
 
(38,661
)
Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Purchases of securities owned, at fair value
(7,355
)
 
—

Proceeds from sales of securities owned, at fair value
878

 
—

Proceeds from sales of securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
2,049

 
—

Payments to cover securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
(855
)
 
—

Purchases of other investments
(212,028
)
 
(985
)
Proceeds from sales of other investments
855

 
4,845

Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on investments and other transactions
245

 
(4,769
)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
 
 
 
Cash collateral pledged
(72
)
 
(617
)
Securities owned, at fair value, held at broker-dealer
8,004

 
13,164

Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value
(6,106
)
 
(7,076
)
Securities borrowed
—

 
676,100

Receivable from brokers
(4,785
)
 
(24,843
)
Fees receivable, net of allowance
(6,759
)
 
(19,588
)
Due from related parties
5,264

 
2,377

Other assets
(11,257
)
 
(3,565
)
Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
1,586

 
(142
)
Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value
(125
)
 
—

Other assets
(738
)
 
750

Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
 
 
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value, held at broker-dealer
(6,141
)
 
16,039

Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
3,951

 
2,896

Securities loaned
—

 
(682,493
)
Payable to brokers
(107,952
)
 
(107,903
)
Compensation payable
(128,152
)
 
(70,004
)
Fees payable
(3,892
)
 
15,352

Due to related parties
(95
)
 
(76
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
3,841

 
(3,438
)
Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Contributions received in advance
1,750

 
—

Payable to brokers
2,314

 
—

Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
2

 
—

Due to related parties
265

 
—

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
707

 
67

Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities
$
(340,620
)
 
$
(40,683
)
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

Table of Contents

Cowen Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(continued)
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of other investments
$
(16,187
)
 
$
(5,760
)
Payment to acquire loan held for investment (see Note 18)
—

 
(15,000
)
Proceeds from sales of other investments
5,937

 
35,050

Proceeds from loans held for investment
39,200

 
—

Purchase of fixed assets
(12,383
)
 
(301
)
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities
16,567

 
13,989

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings on notes and other debt
22,072

 
2,140

Repayments on notes and other debt
(660
)
 
(1,030
)
Income tax effect from share-based payment arrangements
(515
)
 
1,536

Purchase of treasury stock
(3,571
)
 
(7,205
)
Cash paid to acquire net assets (contingent liability payment)
—

 
(108
)
Capital withdrawals to redeemable non-controlling interests in operating entities
(2,267
)
 
(4,457
)
Consolidated Funds
 
 
 
Capital contributions by redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds
217,633

 
3,379

Capital withdrawals to redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Funds
(78
)
 
(2,404
)
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities
232,614

 
(8,149
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
(91,439
)
 
(34,843
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
158,485

 
129,509

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
67,046

 
$
94,666

 
 
 
 
Supplemental non-cash information
 
 
 
Purchase of treasury stock, at cost, through net settlement (see Note 13)
$
4,012

 
$
2,777

Preferred stock dividends declared (See Note 13)
$
1,698

 
$
—

Net assets of deconsolidated entities
$
73,309

 
$
—












The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

9

Table of Contents

Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1. Organization and Business
Cowen Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation formed in 2009, is a diversified financial services firm and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Cowen,” “Cowen Group” or the “Company”), provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, sales and trading and prime brokerage services through its two business segments: alternative investment and broker-dealer. The Company's alternative investment segment, includes hedge funds, private equity structures, registered investment companies and listed vehicles. The Company's broker-dealer segment offers research, sales and trading, prime brokerage and investment banking services to companies and primarily institutional investor clients. Our primary target sectors are healthcare, technology, media and telecommunications, information and technology services, consumer, aerospace and defense, industrials, real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), and energy and transportation sectors.
2. Acquisitions and Divestitures
Acquisitions
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company completed two acquisitions. On September 1, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding interests in Concept Capital Markets, LLC ("Concept") offering prime brokerage services and outsourced trading. On October 1, 2015 the Company completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding interests in Conifer Securities, LLC ("Conifer") representing the prime brokerage services division of Conifer Financial Services LLC. Following the acquisitions Concept was renamed Cowen Prime Services LLC ("Cowen Prime") and Conifer was renamed Cowen Prime Services Trading LLC ("Cowen Prime Trading"). Both are registered broker-dealers (members Financial Industry Regulatory Authority "FINRA" and Securities Industry Protection Corporation "SIPC").
The acquisitions were accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"). As such, the results of operations for Concept and Conifer are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations since the dates of the respective acquisitions and the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and the resulting goodwill were recorded at their fair values within their respective line items on the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.
The Company is currently in the process of finalizing the valuation for certain acquired assets of Concept and Conifer; therefore, the fair value measurements and goodwill are preliminary and subject to measurement period adjustments. The allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired will be finalized as necessary, up to one year after the acquisitions' respective closing dates, as the information becomes available. Both of the acquisitions were not deemed material individually but were material in the aggregate.
Included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are revenues of $11.4 million and net income of $1.8 million (excluding corporate allocated expenses) related to the Concept and Conifer combined results of operations.
The following unaudited supplemental pro forma information presents consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as if the acquisitions were completed as of the beginning of that period. This supplemental pro forma information has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not intended to be indicative of what the Company's results would have been had the acquisitions been completed on January 1, 2015, nor does it purport to be indicative of any future results.
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2015
 
(dollars in thousands, 
except per share data)
 
(unaudited)
Revenues
$
132,363

Net income (loss) attributable to Cowen Group, Inc. common stockholders
16,547

 
 
Net income per common share:
 
  Basic
$
0.15

  Diluted
$
0.14


10

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

3. Significant Accounting Policies
a. Basis of Presentation
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") through Accounting Standards Codification as the source of authoritative accounting principles in the preparation of financial statements, and include the accounts of the Company, its operating and other subsidiaries, and entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest or a substantive, controlling general partner interest. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated on consolidation. Certain fund entities that are consolidated in these accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, as further discussed below, are not subject to the consolidation provisions with respect to their own controlled investments pursuant to their specialized accounting.
The Company serves as the managing member/general partner and/or investment manager to affiliated fund entities which it sponsors and manages. Funds in which the Company has a controlling financial interest are consolidated with the Company pursuant to US GAAP as described below. Consequently, the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of these funds on a gross basis. The ownership interests in these funds that are not owned by the Company are reflected as redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The management fees and incentive income earned by the Company from these funds are eliminated in consolidation.
b.
Principles of consolidation
The Company consolidates all entities that it controls through a majority voting interest or otherwise, including those funds in which the Company either directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest. In addition, the Company consolidates all variable interest entities for which it is the primary beneficiary.
The Company adopted the new accounting pronouncement regarding consolidation accounting using the modified retrospective method with an effective adoption date of January 1, 2016. The modified retrospective method did not require the restatement of prior year periods. The adoption of the new accounting pronouncement also resulted in a reclassification of certain entities which were previously considered voting interest entities and will now be considered variable interest entities.
In accordance with these standards, the Company presently consolidates five funds for which it acts as the general partner and investment manager. As of March 31, 2016 the Company consolidated the following funds: Ramius Enterprise LP (“Enterprise LP”), Ramius Merger Fund LLC (the "Merger Fund"), Cowen Private Investments LP ("Cowen Private"), Ramius Archview Credit and Distressed Fund ("Archview Feeder Fund") and Ramius Archview Credit and Distressed Master Fund ("Archview Master Fund") (collectively the "Consolidated Funds").
The Company determines whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity by first evaluating whether the entity is a voting operating entity ("VOE") or a variable interest entity ("VIE") under US GAAP.
Voting Operating Entities—VOEs are entities in which (i) the total equity investment at risk is sufficient to enable the entity to finance its activities independently and (ii) the equity holders at risk have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance.
Under US GAAP, the usual condition for a controlling financial interest in a VOE is ownership of a majority voting interest. Accordingly, the Company consolidates all VOEs in which it owns a majority of the entity's voting shares or units.
In connection with the adoption, the Company reevaluated all of its investment products for consolidation. As of January 1, 2016, the Company deconsolidated Quadratic Fund LLC ("Quadratic LLC") as the Company did not hold a significant voting interest in the fund. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the net income of Quadratic LLC were not material to the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition or statements of operations. The adoption of the new accounting pronouncement also resulted in a reclassification of certain entities for which the Company was presumed to have control and will now be VIEs.
Variable Interest Entities—VIEs are entities that lack one or more of the characteristics of a VOE. In accordance with US GAAP, an enterprise must consolidate all VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. Under the US GAAP consolidation model for VIEs, an enterprise that (1) has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE's economic performance, and (2) has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE, is considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and thus is required to consolidate it.

11

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

The Company reconsiders whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by performing a periodic qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the VIE that includes a review of, among other things, its capital structure, contractual agreements between the Company and the VIE, the economic interests that create or absorb variability, related party relationships and the design of the VIE. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the total net assets of the consolidated VIEs were $452.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The VIEs act as investment managers or are investment companies that are managed by the Company. The VIEs are financed through their operations and/or loan agreements with the Company.
As of March 31, 2016 the Company holds variable interests in Ramius Enterprise Master Fund Ltd (“Enterprise Master”) and Ramius Merger Master Fund Ltd ("Merger Master") (collectively the “Unconsolidated Master Funds”) through the Consolidated Funds. Investment companies, which account for their investments under the specialized industry accounting guidance for investment companies prescribed under US GAAP, are not subject to the consolidation provisions for their investments. Therefore, the Company has not consolidated the Unconsolidated Master Funds.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company also sponsors various other entities that it has determined to be VIEs. These VIEs are primarily funds and real estate entities for which the Company serves as the general partner, managing member and/or investment manager with decision-making rights.
The Company does not consolidate the Unconsolidated Master Funds or real estate entities that are VIEs as it has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary in each instance. Fund investors are entitled to all of the economics of these VIEs with the exception of the management fee and incentive income, if any, earned by the Company. The Company's involvement with funds and real estate entities that are unconsolidated VIEs is limited to providing investment management services in exchange for management fees and incentive income. Although the Company may advance amounts and pay certain expenses on behalf of the funds and real estate entities that it considers to be VIEs, it does not provide, nor is it required to provide, any type of substantive financial support to these entities outside of regular investment management services (see Note 5 for additional disclosures on VIEs).
Equity Method Investments—For operating entities over which the Company exercises significant influence but which do not meet the requirements for consolidation as outlined above, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's investments in equity method investees are recorded in other investments in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company's share of earnings or losses from equity method investees is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. The difference between the carrying value of the equity method investment and its estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment charge when the loss in value is deemed other than temporary.
Other—If the Company does not consolidate an entity, apply the equity method of accounting or account for an investment under the cost method, the Company accounts for such entities (primarily, all securities of such entity which are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term as trading securities) in accordance with US GAAP, at fair value with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Retention of Specialized Accounting—The Consolidated Funds and certain other consolidated companies are investment companies and apply specialized industry accounting for investment companies. The Company has retained this specialized accounting for these funds pursuant to US GAAP. The Company reports its investments on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at their estimated fair value, with unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and other transactions. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect different accounting policies for investments depending on whether or not they are held through a consolidated investment company. In addition, the Company's broker-dealer subsidiaries, Cowen and Company, LLC ("Cowen and Company"), ATM Execution LLC ("ATM Execution"), Cowen International Limited ("CIL"), Ramius UK Ltd. ("Ramius UK"), Cowen Prime and Cowen Prime Trading apply the specialized industry accounting for brokers and dealers in securities also prescribed under US GAAP. The Company also retains specialized accounting in consolidation.
c.
Use of estimates
The preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of securities and other investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the

12

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, the accounting for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
d.
Valuation of investments and derivative contracts
US GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 Inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has
the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2     Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including
inputs in markets that are not considered to be active; and

Level 3 Fair value is determined based on pricing inputs that are unobservable and includes situations where there is little,
if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The determination of fair value for assets and liabilities in this
category requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Inputs are used in applying the various valuation techniques and broadly refer to the assumptions that market participants use to make valuation decisions, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may include price information, volatility statistics, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. However, the determination of what constitutes “observable” requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be that market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Company's perceived risk of that instrument.
The Company and its operating subsidiaries act as the manager for the Consolidated Funds. Both the Company and the Consolidated Funds hold certain investments which are valued by the Company, acting as the investment manager. The fair value of these investments is generally estimated based on proprietary models developed by the Company, which include discounted cash flow analysis, public market comparables, and other techniques and may be based, at least in part, on independently sourced market information. The material estimates and assumptions used in these models include the timing and expected amount of cash flows, the appropriateness of discount rates used, and, in some cases, the ability to execute, timing of, and estimated proceeds from expected financings. Significant judgment and estimation goes into the selection of an appropriate valuation methodology as well as the assumptions used in these models, and the timing and actual values realized with respect to investments could be materially different from values derived based on the use of those estimates. The valuation methodologies applied impact the reported value of the Company's investments and the investments held by the Consolidated Funds in the consolidated financial statements. Certain of the Company's investments are relatively illiquid or thinly traded and may not be immediately liquidated on demand if needed. Fair values assigned to these investments may differ significantly from the fair values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed and such differences could be material.
The Company primarily uses the “market approach” to value its financial instruments measured at fair value. In determining an instrument's level within the hierarchy, the Company categorizes the Company's financial instruments into three categories: securities, derivative contracts and other investments. To the extent applicable, each of these categories can further be divided between those held long or sold short.
The Company has the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. The election is made on an instrument by instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument.  The Company has elected the fair value option for its investments through Cowen Investments, LLC and certain investments it holds though its operating companies.  This option has been elected because the Company believes that it is consistent with the manner in which the business is managed as well as the way that financial instruments in other parts of the business are recorded. 
Securities—Securities with values based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets are classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. These securities include active listed equities, certain U.S. government and sovereign

13

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

obligations, ETF's, mutual funds and certain money market securities. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments, even in situations where the Company holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.
Certain positions for which trading activity may not be readily visible, consisting primarily of convertible debt, corporate debt and loans and restricted equities, are stated at fair value and classified within level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair values assigned by management are determined in good faith and are based on available information considering, trading activity, broker quotes, quotations provided by published pricing services, counterparties and other market participants, and pricing models using quoted inputs, and do not necessarily represent the amounts which might ultimately be realized. As level 2 investments include positions that are not always traded in active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability.
Derivative contracts—Derivative contracts can be exchange-traded or privately negotiated over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange-traded derivatives, such as futures contracts and exchange-traded option contracts, are typically classified within level 1 or level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether or not they are deemed to be actively traded. OTC derivatives, such as generic forwards, swaps and options, have inputs which can generally be corroborated by market data and are therefore classified within level 2. OTC derivatives, such as swaps and options where market data is not readily available or observable are classified as level 3.
Other investments—Other investments consist primarily of portfolio funds, real estate investments and equity method investments, which are valued as follows:
i.
Portfolio funds—Portfolio funds (“Portfolio Funds”) include interests in funds and investment companies which may be managed by the Company or its affiliates. The Company follows US GAAP regarding fair value measurements and disclosures relating to investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent). The guidance permits, as a practical expedient, an entity holding investments in certain entities that either are investment companies as defined by the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide, Investment Companies, or have attributes similar to an investment company, and calculate net asset value per share or its equivalent for which the fair value is not readily determinable, to measure the fair value of such investments on the basis of that NAV per share, or its equivalent, without adjustment. In accordance with US GAAP, investments which are valued using NAV per share as a practical expedient are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy.
ii.
Real estate investments—Real estate debt and equity investments are valued at fair value. The fair value of real estate investments are estimated based on the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between marketplace participants at the measurement date. Real estate investments without a public market are valued based on assumptions and valuation techniques used by the Company. Such valuation techniques may include discounted cash flow analysis, prevailing market capitalization rates or earnings multiples applied to earnings from the investment, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, actual sale negotiations and bona fide purchase offers received from third parties, consideration of the amount that currently would be required to replace the asset, as adjusted for obsolescence, as well as independent external appraisals. In general, the Company considers several valuation techniques when measuring the fair value of a real estate investment. However, in certain circumstances, a single valuation technique may be appropriate. Real estate investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Company for significant changes at the property level or a significant change in the overall market which would impact the value of the real estate investment resulting in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.
Real estate and capital markets are cyclical in nature. Property and investment values are affected by, among other things, the availability of capital, occupancy rates, rental rates and interest and inflation rates. In addition, the Company invests in real estate and real estate related investments for which no liquid market exists. The market prices for such investments may be volatile and may not be readily ascertainable. Amounts ultimately realized by the Company from investments sold may differ from the fair values presented, and the differences could be material.
The Company's real estate investments are typically categorized as a level 3 investment within the fair value hierarchy as management uses significant unobservable inputs in determining their estimated fair value.
See Notes 5 and 6 for further information regarding the Company's investments, including equity method investments, and fair value measurements.
e.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation or amortization. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of their useful life or lease term. When the Company commits to a plan to abandon fixed assets or leasehold improvements before the end of its original useful life, the estimated depreciation or amortization period is

14

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

revised to reflect the shortened useful life of the asset. Other fixed assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
Operating lease assets, related to our aviation business, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated to estimated residual value using the straight-line method over the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset. Assets received at the end of the lease are marked to the lower of cost or fair value with the adjustment recorded in other income.
Asset
Depreciable Lives
 
Principal Method
Telephone and computer equipment
3-8 years
 
Straight-line
Computer software
3-7 years
 
Straight-line
Furniture and fixtures
5-8 years
 
Straight-line
Leasehold improvements
5-15 years
 
Straight-line
Capitalized lease asset
5 years
 
Straight-line
Airplanes
15-20 years
 
Straight-line
Modifications to airplanes
4-10 years
 
Straight-line
f.
Debt
Long-term debt is carried at the principal amount borrowed net of any discount/premium. The discount is accreted to interest expense using the effective interest method over the remaining life of the underlying debt obligations. Accrued but unpaid coupon interest is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company adopted a new accounting pronouncement, during the first quarter of 2016, which reclassified the unamortized debt issuance costs in our previously reported condensed consolidated statements of financial condition from other assets to a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the debt. Notes payable and other debt and convertible debt as of December 31, 2015 was previously presented as $195.7 million. Due to the retrospective application notes payable and other debt and convertible debt is now presented as $191.0 million as of December 31, 2015.
g.    Deferred rent
Deferred rent primarily consists of step rent, allowances from landlords and valuing the Company's lease properties in accordance with US GAAP. Step rent represents the difference between actual operating lease payments due and straight-line rent expense, which is recorded by the Company over the term of the lease, including the build-out period. This amount is recorded as deferred rent in the early years of the lease, when cash payments are generally lower than straight-line rent expense, and reduced in the later years of the lease when payments begin to exceed the straight-line expense. Landlord allowances are generally comprised of amounts received and/or promised to the Company by landlords and may be received in the form of cash or free rent. These allowances are part of the negotiated terms of the lease. The Company records a receivable from the landlord and a deferred rent liability when the allowances are earned. This deferred rent is amortized into income (through lower rent expense) over the term (including the pre-opening build-out period) of the applicable lease, and the receivable is reduced as amounts are received from the landlord. Liabilities resulting from valuing the Company's leased properties acquired through business combinations are quantified by comparing the current fair value of the leased space to the current rental payments on the date of acquisition. Deferred rent, included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is $11.9 million and $12.0 million, respectively. Deferred rent asset, included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 is $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
h.     Insurance-related contracts
Premiums for insurance-related contracts are earned over the coverage period. In most cases, premiums are recognized as revenues ratably over the term of the contract with unearned premiums computed on a monthly basis. For each of its contracts, the Company determines if the contract provides indemnification against loss or liability relating to insurance risk, in accordance with US GAAP. If the Company determines that a contract does not expose it to a reasonable possibility of a significant loss from insurance risk, the Company records the contract under the deposit method of accounting with any net amount receivable reflected as an asset in other assets, and any net amount payable reflected as a liability within accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
The liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses are recorded at the estimated ultimate payment amounts, including reported losses.  Estimated ultimate payment amounts are based upon (1) reports of losses from policyholders, (2) individual case estimates and (3) estimates of incurred but not reported losses.

15

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are charged to earnings after deducting amounts recovered and estimates of recoverable amounts and are included in other expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Costs of acquiring new policies, which vary with and are directly related to the production of new policies, have been deferred to the extent that such costs are deemed recoverable from future premiums or gross profits. Such costs include commissions and allowances as well as certain costs of policy issuance and underwriting and are included within other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
i.    Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In March 2016, as part of its simplification initiative, the FASB issued a new accounting pronouncement which simplified the requirements for share based payments. The guidance among other things covers the income tax consequences and classification of excess tax benefit and tax withholding on the statement of cash flows. For public business entities, the guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance which amends and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements and most industry-specific guidance and creates a single source of revenue guidance.  The new guidance outlines the principles an entity must apply to measure and recognize revenue and related cash flows.  The guidance also provides a model for the measurement and recognition of gains and losses on the sale of certain non-financial assets. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  In July 2015, the FASB confirmed a deferral of the effective date by one year, with early adoption on the original effective date permitted.  In March and April 2016, the FASB issued new guidance to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations and identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2016, as part of its simplification initiative, the FASB issued a new accounting pronouncement which eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. The guidance is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2016, the FASB issued two amendments relating to Derivatives and Hedging. The amendments clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. The Second amendment relates to Contingent Put and call option in a debt instrument and clarify the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts when assessed under the current guidance. For public business entities the guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial condition and its disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance which amends and supersedes its previous guidance regarding leases. The new guidance requires the lessee to recognize the right to use assets and lease liabilities that arise from leases and present them in its statement of financial condition. The recognition of these lease assets and lease liabilities represents an improvement over previous GAAP, which did not require lease assets and lease liabilities to be recognized for most leases. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. There continues to be a differentiation between finance leases and operating leases. However, the principal difference from previous guidance is that the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases should be recognized in the statement of financial condition. For public business entities the guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial condition and its disclosures.
In January 2016, as a joint project with International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), the FASB issued a new accounting pronouncement to address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendments in the update made improvements to US GAAP for equity investments and investments carried at

16

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

amortized cost. The guidance also simplify the impairment assessment for equity investments and clarify the need for valuation allowance on deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities. For public business entities the guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial condition and its disclosures.   
4. Cash Collateral Pledged
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company pledged cash collateral in the amount of $10.2 million and $10.1 million, respectively, which relates to letters of credit issued to the landlords of the Company's premises in New York City, Boston and San Francisco (See Note 12).
5. Investments of Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds
a.
Operating Entities
Securities owned, at fair value
Securities owned, at fair value are held by the Company and are considered held for trading. Substantially all equity securities are pledged to the clearing brokers under terms which permit the clearing broker to sell or re-pledge the securities to others subject to certain limitations.
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, securities owned, at fair value consisted of the following:
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government securities (a)
$
3,774

 
$
3,016

Preferred stock (b)
23,696

 
25,563

Common stocks (b)
589,359

 
516,108

Convertible bonds (c)
250

 
819

Corporate bonds (d)
6,853

 
47,192

Warrants and rights
2,731

 
3,059

Mutual funds (e)
1,104

 
14,477

 
$
627,767

 
$
610,234

(a)
As of March 31, 2016, maturities ranged from June 2016 to February 2017 with interest rates ranged between 0% to 5.95%. As of December 31, 2015, maturities ranged from January 2016 to August 2016 with interest rates ranged between 0% to 5.95%.
(b)
Included in preferred stocks and common stocks are investments in securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option with the fair value of $4.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, at March 31, 2016 and $7.7 million and $7.4 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015. These investments were acquired in connection with merchant banking transactions.
(c)
As of March 31, 2016, the maturity was March 2018 with an interest rate of 8%. As of December 31, 2015, maturities ranged from July 2016 to March 2018 with interest rates ranged between 8% to 10.00%.
(d)
As of March 31, 2016, maturities ranged from August 2017 to February 2046 and interest rates ranged between 3.48% to 7.25%. As of December 31, 2015, maturities ranged from March 2016 to February 2046 and interest rates ranged between 3.25% to 9.00%.
(e)
Included in this amount as of December 31, 2015, are investments in affiliated funds of $13.4 million all of which was liquidated during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Receivable on and Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
The Company's direct involvement with derivative financial instruments includes futures, currency forwards, equity swaps, and options. The Company's derivatives trading activities exposes the Company to certain risks, such as price and interest rate fluctuations, volatility risk, credit risk, counterparty risk, foreign currency movements and changes in the liquidity of markets.
Upon issuance of the Company's cash convertible unsecured senior notes ("Convertible Notes") (See Note 12), the Company recognized the embedded cash conversion option at fair value of $35.7 million which is valued as of March 31, 2016

17

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

at $20.9 million and is included in payable for derivative contracts in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. Also, on the date of issuance of the Convertible Notes, the Company entered into a separate cash convertible note economic hedge transaction (the "Hedge Transaction") with a counterparty (the “Option Counterparty”) whereby, the Company purchased a cash settled option contract with terms identical to the conversion option embedded in the Convertible Notes and simultaneously sold an equity settled warrant with a higher strike price. The Hedge Transaction is expected to reduce the Company’s exposure to potential cash payments in excess of the principal amount of converted notes that the Company may be required to make upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. The Company paid a premium of $35.7 million for the option under the Hedge Transaction and received a premium of $15.2 million for the equity settled warrant transaction, for a net cost of $20.5 million. The Hedge Transaction is valued at $20.9 million as of March 31, 2016 and is included in receivable on derivative contracts in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial condition. Aside from the initial premium paid, the Company will not be required to make any cash payments under the Hedge Transaction and could be entitled to receive an amount of cash from the Option Counterparty generally equal to the amount by which the market price per share of common stock exceeds the strike price of the Hedge Transaction during the relevant valuation period. The warrants cover 28,048,786 shares of the Company's Class A common stock and have an initial exercise price of $7.18 per share. The warrants expire over a period of 80 trading days beginning on November 14, 2018. The warrant transaction could have a dilutive effect to the extent that the market value per share of the Company’s Class A common stock exceeds the applicable strike price of the warrants.
The Company's long and short exposure to derivatives is as follows:
Receivable on derivative contracts
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Number of contracts / Notional Value
 
Fair value
 
Number of contracts / Notional Value
 
Fair value
 
(dollars in thousands)
Futures
$
17,143

 
$
1,289

 
$
9,416

 
$
189

Currency forwards
$
56,569

 
154

 
$
67,862

 
659

Equity swaps
$
21,012

 
811

 
$
118,488

 
2,327

Options other (a)
334,903

 
38,978

 
289,433

 
31,456

Foreign currency options
$
280,507

 
4,493

 
$
283,797

 
4,987

 
 
 
$
45,725

 
 
 
$
39,618

(a) Includes index, equity, commodity future and cash conversion options.
Payable for derivative contracts
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Number of contracts / Notional Value
 
Fair value
 
Number of contracts / Notional Value
 
Fair value
 
(dollars in thousands)
Futures
$
15,401

 
$
1,834

 
$
11,995

 
$
101

Currency forwards
$
43,658

 
426

 
$
44,156

 
463

Equity and credit default swaps
$
7,236

 
156

 
$
7,605

 
71

Options other (a)
15,775

 
22,718

 
16,632

 
20,548

 
 
 
$
25,134

 
 
 
$
21,183

(a) Includes index, equity, commodity future and cash conversion options.

18

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

The following tables present the gross and net derivative positions and the related offsetting amount, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross amounts not offset in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition
 
 
 
Gross amounts recognized
 
Gross amounts offset on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (a)
 
Net amounts included on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
 
Financial instruments
 
Cash Collateral pledged (b)
 
Net amounts
 
(dollars in thousands)
As of March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value
$
45,725

 
$
—

 
$
45,725

 
$
—

 
$
7,305

 
$
38,420

Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
25,134

 
—

 
25,134

 
—

 
582

 
24,552

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value
39,618

 
—

 
39,618

 
—

 
9,339

 
30,279

Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
21,183

 
—

 
21,183

 
—

 
534

 
20,649

(a)
Includes financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting provisions that are permitted to be offset to the extent an event of default has occurred.
(b)
Includes the amount of collateral held or posted.
The realized and unrealized gains/(losses) related to derivatives trading activities were $2.4 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in other income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Pursuant to the various derivatives transactions discussed above, except for the cash convertible note hedge (see Note 12) and exchange traded derivatives, the Company is required to post/receive collateral. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, collateral consisting of $13.2 million and $27.1 million of cash, respectively, is included in receivable from brokers and payable to brokers on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 all derivative contracts were with multiple major financial institutions.
Other investments
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, other investments included the following:
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(dollars in thousands)
(1) Portfolio Funds, at fair value
$
118,599

 
$
113,281

(2) Equity method investments
47,893

 
27,067

(3) Lehman claims, at fair value
293

 
299

 
$
166,785

 
$
140,647








19

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(1) Portfolio Funds, at fair value
The Portfolio Funds, at fair value as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, included the following:

As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015

(dollars in thousands)
HealthCare Royalty Partners (a)(*)
$
12,251

 
$
12,127

HealthCare Royalty Partners II (a)(*)
7,176

 
6,006

Orchard Square Partners Credit Fund LP (b)
4,000

 
4,170

Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP (c)(*)
21,287

 
20,369

Starboard Partners Fund LP (d)(*)
9,396

 
14,036

Starboard Leaders Fund LP (e)(*)
1,209

 
1,080

Formation8 Partners Fund I, L.P. (f)
20,950

 
19,454

Eclipse Ventures Fund I, L.P. (formerly Formation8 Partners Hardware Fund I, L.P.) (g)
1,733

 
1,101

RCG LV Park Lane LLC (h) (*)
575

 
809

RCGL 12E13th LLC (i) (*)
458

 
609

RCG Longview Debt Fund V, L.P. (i) (*)
18,170

 
18,147

RCG LPP SME Co-Invest, L.P. (j) (*)
2,468

 
2,468

Quadratic Fund LLC (k) (*)
4,865

 
—

Other private investment (l) (*)
7,534

 
6,909

Other affiliated funds (m)(*)
6,527

 
5,996

 
$
118,599

 
$
113,281

* These portfolio funds are affiliates of the Company.
The Company has no unfunded commitments regarding the portfolio funds held by the Company except as noted in Note 11.
(a)
HealthCare Royalty Partners, L.P. and HealthCare Royalty Partners II, L.P. are private equity funds and therefore distributions will be made when cash flows are received from the underlying investments, typically on a quarterly basis.
(b)
Orchard Square Partners Credit Fund LP has a quarterly redemption policy with a 60 day notice period and a 4% penalty on redemptions of investments of less than a year in duration.
(c)
Starboard Value and Opportunity Fund LP permits quarterly withdrawals upon 90 days notice.
(d)
Starboard Partners Fund LP permits redemptions on a semi-annual basis on 180 days prior written notice subsequent to an initial two year lock up.
(e)
Starboard Leaders Fund LP does not permit withdrawals, but instead allows terminations with respect to capital commitments upon 30 days prior written notice at any time following the first anniversary of an investors initial capital contribution.
(f)
Formation8 Partners Fund I, L.P. is a private equity fund which invests in early stage and growth transformational information and energy technology companies. Distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.
(g)
Eclipse Ventures Fund I, L.P. (Formerly Formation8 Partners Hardware Fund I, L.P.) is a private equity fund which invests in early stage and growth hardware companies. Distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.
(h)
RCG LV Park Lane LLC is a single purpose entity formed to participate in a joint venture which acquired, at a discount, the mortgage notes on a portfolio of multifamily real estate properties located in Birmingham, Alabama.  RCG LV Park Lane LLC is a private equity structure and therefore distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.
(i)
RCGL 12E13th LLC and RCG Longview Debt Fund V, L.P. are real estate private equity structures and therefore distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.

20

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(j)
RCG LPP SME Co-Invest, L.P. is a single purpose entity formed to participate in a joint venture which acquired two fully entitled residential development sites in the New York City metro area. RCG LPP SME Co-Invest, L.P. is a private equity structure and therefore distributions will be made when the underlying investments are liquidated.
(k)
Quadratic Fund LLC permits redemptions on a 30 days prior written notice.
(l)
Other private investment represents the Company's closed end investment in a portfolio fund that invests in a wireless broadband communication provider in Italy.
(m)
The majority of these funds are affiliates of the Company or are managed by the Company and the investors can redeem from these funds as investments are liquidated.
(2)
Equity method investments
Equity method investments include investments held by the Company in several operating companies whose operations primarily include the day to day management of a number of real estate funds, including the portfolio management and administrative services related to the acquisition, disposition, and active monitoring of the real estate funds' underlying debt and equity investments. The Company's ownership interests in these equity method investments range from 20% to 55%. The Company holds a majority of the outstanding ownership interest (i.e., more than 50%) in RCG Longview Partners II, LLC. The operating agreement that governs the management of day-to-day operations and affairs of this entity stipulates that certain decisions require support and approval from other members in addition to the support and approval of the Company. As a result, all operating decisions made in this entity requires the support of both the Company and an affirmative vote of a majority of the other managing members who are not affiliates of the Company. As the Company does not possess control over any of these entities, the presumption of consolidation has been overcome pursuant to current accounting standards and the Company accounts for these investments under the equity method of accounting. Also included in equity method investments are the investments in (a) HealthCare Royalty Partners General Partners and (b) Starboard Value (and certain related parties) which serves as an operating company whose operations primarily include the day to day management (including portfolio management) of several activist hedge funds and related managed accounts and c) Surf House Ocean Views Holdings, LLC which is a joint venture in a real estate development project. The Company recorded no impairment charges in relation to its equity method investments for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
The following table summarizes equity method investments held by the Company:
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(dollars in thousands)
RCG Longview Debt Fund IV Management, LLC
$
331

 
$
331

RCG Longview Debt Fund V Partners, LLC
5,278

 
4,655

HealthCare Royalty GP, LLC
999

 
989

HealthCare Royalty GP II, LLC
1,215

 
1,017

HealthCare Royalty GP III, LLC
86

 
88

HealthCare Overflow Fund GP, LLC
50

 
—

Surf House Ocean Views Holdings, LLC
13,000

 
—

Starboard Value LP
22,805

 
15,769

RCG Longview Management, LLC
710

 
656

RCG Urban American, LLC
120

 
120

RCG Urban American Management, LLC
379

 
379

RCG Longview Equity Management, LLC
114

 
114

Urban American Real Estate Fund II, LLC
1,211

 
1,211

RCG Kennedy House, LLC
359

 
304

Other
1,236

 
1,434

 
$
47,893

 
$
27,067

 
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company's share of losses in its equity method investment in RCG Longview Partners II, LLC has exceeded the carrying amount recorded in this investee. These amounts are included in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. RCG Longview Partners II, LLC, as general partner to a real estate fund, has reversed previously recorded incentive income allocations and has recorded a current clawback obligation to the limited partners in the fund. This obligation is due to a change in unrealized value of the fund on which there have previously been distributed carried interest realizations; however, the

21

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

settlement of a potential obligation is not due until the end of the life of the respective fund. As the Company is obligated to return previous distributions it received from RCG Longview Partners II, LLC, it has continued to record its share of gains/losses in the investee including reflecting its share of the clawback obligation in the amount of $6.2 million.
The Company's income (loss) from equity method investments was $4.6 million and $14.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and is included in net gains (losses) on securities, derivatives and other investments on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
(3)
Lehman Claims, at fair value
Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“LBIE”), through certain affiliates, was a prime broker to the Company, and the Company held cash and cash equivalent balances with LBIE. On September 15, 2008, LBIE was placed into administration (the “Administration”) in the United Kingdom and, as a result, the assets held by the Company in its LBIE accounts were frozen at LBIE. The assets which the Company believed were held at LBIE at the time of Administration (the “Total Net Equity Claim”) consisted of $1.0 million, which represented an unsecured claim against LBIE. The total amounts received to date in respect of the Company’s unsecured claim against LBIE are approximately $1.0 million, representing 100.0% of its agreed claim. The Company may receive further distributions in respect of its claim, but the amount and timing of these distributions remains uncertain. The Company does not expect future distributions to be material.
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value represent obligations of the Company to deliver a specified security at a contracted price and, thereby, create a liability to purchase that security at prevailing prices. The Company's liability for securities to be delivered is measured at their fair value as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. However, these transactions result in off-balance sheet risk, as the Company's ultimate cost to satisfy the delivery of securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value may exceed the amount reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Substantially all equity securities and options are pledged to the clearing broker under terms which permit the clearing broker to sell or re-pledge the securities to others subject to certain limitations. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value consisted of the following:
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(dollars in thousands)
Common stocks
$
412,750

 
$
257,101

Corporate bonds (a)
60

 
58

 
$
412,810

 
$
257,159

(a)
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the maturity was January 2026 with an interest rate of 5.55%.
Variable Interest Entities
The total assets and liabilities of the variable interest entities for which the Company has concluded that it holds a variable interest, but for which it is not the primary beneficiary, are $5.4 billion and $1.0 billion as of March 31, 2016 and $3.1 billion and $473.3 million as of December 31, 2015, respectively. In addition, the maximum exposure relating to these variable interest entities as of March 31, 2016 was $483.8 million, and as of December 31, 2015 was $327.8 million, all of which is included in other investments, at fair value in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The exposure to loss primarily relates to the Consolidated Feeder Funds' investment in their Unconsolidated Master Funds and the Company's investment in unconsolidated investment companies.








22

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

b.
Consolidated Funds
Securities owned, at fair value
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, securities owned, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds consisted of the following:
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(dollars in thousands)
     Preferred stock
$
28,000

 
$
32,000

     Common stocks
7,100

 
—

     Corporate bonds (a)
4,218

 
—

     Term Loan
1,205

 
—

 
$
40,523

 
$
32,000

(a) As of March 31, 2016, maturities ranged from March 2017 to May 2049 and interest rates ranged between 3.25% and 14.37%.
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
As of March 31, 2016, securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds consisted of the following:
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
     Common stocks
$
352

     Corporate bonds (a)
1,015

 
$
1,367

(a) As of March 31, 2016, maturities ranged from September 2019 to March 2025 and interest rates ranged between 4.38% and 9.25%.
Receivable on derivative contracts
As of March 31, 2016, receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of:
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
(dollars in thousands)
Currency forwards
$
2

Equity swaps
61

Options
62

 
$
125

Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
As of March 31, 2016, payable for derivative contracts, at fair value, held by the Consolidated Funds are comprised of currency forwards of $2.0 thousand.
Other investments, at fair value
Investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, investments in Portfolio Funds, at fair value, included the following:

As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015

(dollars in thousands)
Investments of Enterprise LP
$
113,696

 
$
111,075

Investments of Merger Fund
280,782

 
74,348

Investments of Quadratic LLC
—

 
78,395


$
394,478

 
$
263,818


23

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Consolidated portfolio fund investments of Enterprise LP    
Enterprise LP operates under a “master-feeder” structure, whereby Enterprise Master's shareholders are Enterprise LP and RCG II Intermediate Fund, L.P. The consolidated investments in Portfolio Funds include Enterprise LP's investment of $113.7 million and $111.1 million in Enterprise Master as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. On May 12, 2010, the Company announced its intention to close Enterprise Master. Prior to this announcement, strategies utilized by Enterprise Master included merger arbitrage and activist investing, investments in distressed securities, convertible hedging, capital structure arbitrage, equity market neutral, investments in private placements of convertible securities, proprietary mortgages, structured credit investments, investments in mortgage backed securities and other structured finance products, investments in real estate and real property interests, structured private placements and other relative value strategies. Enterprise Master had broad investment powers and maximum flexibility in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Enterprise Master was permitted to invest in equity securities, debt instruments, options, futures, swaps, credit default swaps and other derivatives. As Enterprise Master winds down its positions, it will return capital to its investors. There are no unfunded commitments at Enterprise LP.
Consolidated portfolio fund investments of Merger Fund    
The Merger Fund operates under a “master-feeder” structure, whereby Ramius Merger Master Ltd's ("Merger Master") shareholders are Merger Fund and Ramius Merger Fund Ltd. The consolidated investments in Portfolio Funds include Merger Fund's investment of $280.8 million and $74.3 million in Merger Master as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Merger Master’s investment objective is to achieve consistent absolute returns while emphasizing the preservation of investor capital. The Merger Master seeks to achieve these objectives by taking a fundamental, research-driven approach to investing, primarily in the securities of issuers engaged in, or subject to, announced (or unannounced but otherwise anticipated) extraordinary corporate transactions, which may include, but are not limited to, mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, tender offers, hostile takeover bids, sale processes, exchange offers, and recapitalizations. Merger Master invests in the securities of one or more issuers engaged in or subject to such extraordinary corporate transactions. Merger Master typically seeks to derive a profit by realizing the price differential, or “spread,” between the market price of securities purchased or sold short and the market price or value of securities realized in connection with the completion or termination of the extraordinary corporate transaction, or in connection with the adjustment of market prices in anticipation thereof, while seeking to minimize the market risk associated with the aforementioned investment activities. Merger Master will, depending on markets conditions, generally focus the majority of its investment program on announced transactions. If the investment manager of Merger Master considers it necessary, it may either alone or as part of a group, also initiate shareholder actions seeking to maximize value. Such shareholder actions may include, but are not limited to, re-orienting management’s focus or initiating the sale of the company (or one or more of its divisions) to a third party. There are no unfunded commitments at Merger Fund.
Consolidated portfolio fund investments of Quadratic Fund LLC     
Quadratic LLC operates under a “master-feeder” structure, whereby Quadratic Master Fund Ltd's ("Quadratic Master") shareholders are Quadratic Fund LLC and Quadratic Fund Ltd. The consolidated investments in Portfolio Funds include Quadratic Fund LLC's investment of $78.4 million in Quadratic Master as of December 31, 2015. Quadratic LLC was deconsolidated on January 1, 2016 (See Note 3). The Quadratic Master’s investment objective is to achieve attractive, risk-adjusted rates of return through the use of proprietary fundamental global macro and options/swaptions based strategies. Quadratic Master’s strategy is primarily executed via options and swaptions.
Indirect Concentration of the Underlying Investments Held by Consolidated Funds
From time to time, either directly or indirectly through its investments in the Consolidated Funds, the Company may maintain exposure to a particular issue or issuer (both long and/or short) which may account for 5% or more of the Company's equity. Based on information that is available to the Company as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company assessed whether or not its interests in an issuer for which the Company's pro-rata share exceeds 5% of the Company's equity. There were no indirect concentrations that exceed 5% of the Company's equity as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Underlying Investments of Unconsolidated Funds Held by Consolidated Funds
Enterprise Master and Merger Master
Enterprise LP's investment in Enterprise Master represents Enterprise LP's proportionate share of Enterprise Master's net assets; as a result, the investment balances of Enterprise Master reflected below may exceed the net investment which Enterprise LP has recorded. Merger Fund's investment in Merger Master represents Merger Fund's proportionate share of Merger Master's net assets; as a result, the investment balances of Merger Master reflected below may exceed the net investment which Merger Fund has recorded. The following tables present summarized investment information for the

24

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

underlying investments and derivatives held by Enterprise Master and Merger Master as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
Securities owned by Enterprise Master, at fair value
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(dollars in thousands)
Common stock
736

 
724

Preferred stock
1,478

 
1,484

Restricted stock
124

 
124

Rights
—

 
321

Trade claims
128

 
128

 
$
2,466

 
$
2,781

Receivable/(Payable) on derivative contracts, at fair value, owned by Enterprise Master
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
Description
(dollars in thousands)
Currency forwards
$
—

 
$
(4
)
 
$
—

 
$
(4
)
Portfolio Funds, owned by Enterprise Master, at fair value
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Strategy
 
(dollars in thousands)
RCG Longview Equity Fund, LP*
Real Estate
 
$
7,407

 
$
7,635

RCG Longview II, LP*
Real Estate
 
702

 
698

RCG Longview Debt Fund IV, LP*
Real Estate
 
3,042

 
3,577

RCG Soundview, LLC*
Real Estate
 
452

 
452

RCG Urban American Real Estate Fund, L.P.*
Real Estate
 
307

 
312

RCG Special Opportunities Fund, Ltd*
Multi-Strategy
 
85,435

 
81,544

RCG Energy, LLC *
Energy
 
—

 
1,189

RCG Renergys, LLC*
Energy
 
1

 
1

Other Private Investments
Various
 
10,472

 
10,515

Other Real Estate Investments (*)
Real Estate
 
5,045

 
5,753

 
 
 
$
112,863

 
$
111,676

*
Affiliates of the Company.
Merger Master
Securities owned by Merger Master, at fair value

As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015

(dollars in thousands)
Common stocks
$
814,309

 
$
157,429

Corporate bonds (a)
—

 
492

 
$
814,309

 
$
157,921

(a)
As of December 31, 2015, the maturity was June 2024 with an interest rate of 5.25%.
Securities sold, not yet purchased, by Merger Master, at fair value
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Merger Master held common stock, sold not yet purchased, of $581.3 million and $73.8 million, respectively.

25

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value, owned by Merger Master
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
Description
(dollars in thousands)
Options
$
16,582

 
$
1,275

Currency forwards
24

 
235

Equity swaps
1,289

 
1,001

 
$
17,895

 
$
2,511

Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value, owned by Merger Master
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
Description
(dollars in thousands)
Options
$
1,293

 
$
563

Currency forwards
21

 
—

Equity swaps
283

 
30

 
$
1,597

 
$
593


26

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

6. Fair Value Measurements for Operating Entities and Consolidated Funds
The following table presents the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
Assets at Fair Value as of March 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
 
Operating Entities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Securities owned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
US Government securities
$
3,774

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
3,774

Preferred stock
6,669

 
3,381

 
13,646

 
23,696

Common stocks
580,184

 
2,910

 
6,265

 
589,359

Convertible bonds
—

 
—

 
250

 
250

Corporate bonds
—

 
6,853

 
—

 
6,853

Warrants and rights
226

 
—

 
2,505

 
2,731

Mutual funds
1,104

 
—

 
—

 
1,104

    Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 


Futures
1,289

 
—

 
—

 
1,289

Currency forwards
—

 
154

 
—

 
154

Equity swaps
—

 
811

 
—

 
811

Options
16,238

 
6,341

 
20,892

 
43,471

    Other investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lehman claim
—

 
—

 
293

 
293

Consolidated funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Securities owned
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock
—

 
—

 
28,000

 
28,000

Common stocks
806

 
6,294

 
—

 
7,100

Corporate Bonds
—

 
4,218

 
—

 
4,218

Term Loan
—

 
1,205

 
—

 
1,205

   Receivable on derivative contracts, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency forwards
—

 
2

 
—

 
2

Equity swaps
—

 
61

 
—

 
61

Options
46

 
16

 
—

 
62

 
$
610,336

 
$
32,246

 
$
71,851

 
$
714,433

Percentage of total assets measured at fair value
85.4
%
 
4.5
%
 
10.1
%
 
 
Portfolio funds measured at net asset value (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
118,599

Consolidated funds' portfolio funds measured at net asset value (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
394,478

Equity method investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
47,893

Total investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,275,403


27

Table of Contents
Cowen Group, Inc.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 
Liabilities at Fair Value as of March 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)
Operating Entities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks
$
412,750

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
412,750

Corporate bonds
—

 
60

 
—

 
60

    Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Futures
1,834

 
—

 
—

 
1,834

Currency forwards
—

 
426

 
—

 
426

Equity and credit default swaps
—

 
156

 
—

 
156

Options
1,826

 
—

 
20,892

 
22,718

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities


 


 


 
 
          Contingent consideration liability (b)
—

 
—

 
8,293

 
8,293

Consolidated funds
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Securities sold, not yet purchased
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stocks
352

 
—

 
—

 
352

Corporate bonds
—

 
1,015

 
—

 
1,015

   Payable for derivative contracts, at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency forwards