Cohen & Steers, Inc.

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)

x    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009

OR

¨     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM              TO             .

Commission File No. 001-32236

COHEN & STEERS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or
Organization)
   14-1904657
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
280 Park Avenue, New York, New York
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
   10017
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 832-3232

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class    Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value    New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

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 proceeding 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  x    No  ¨

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  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in the definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x

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  ¨    Accelerated Filer  x
Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2009 was approximately $258 million. There is no non-voting common stock of the Registrant outstanding.

As of March 11, 2010, there were 42,555,660 shares of the Registrant’s common stock issued and outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement of Cohen & Steers, Inc. to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the general rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on May 7, 2010 (“Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.


 

COHEN & STEERS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

            Page
PART I      
Item 1.   

Business

   1
Item 1A.   

Risk Factors

   7
Item 1B.   

Unresolved Staff Comments

   13
Item 2.   

Properties

   13
Item 3.   

Legal Proceedings

   13
Item 4.   

(Removed and Reserved)

   13
PART II      
Item 5.   

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   13
Item 6.   

Selected Financial Data

   14
Item 7.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   16
Item 7A.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   26
Item 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

   27
Item 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   27
Item 9A.   

Controls and Procedures

   27
Item 9B.   

Other Information

   27
PART III      
Item 10.   

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   27
Item 11.   

Executive Compensation

   27
Item 12.   

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

   28
Item 13.   

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

   28
Item 14.   

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   28
PART IV      
Item 15.   

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

   29

 

 

 

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PART I

Item 1. Business

OVERVIEW

Cohen & Steers, Inc. (“CNS”), a Delaware corporation formed in 2004, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries manages income-oriented equity portfolios specializing in U.S. and international real estate securities, large cap value stocks, listed infrastructure and utilities, and preferred securities. CNS and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our.” We also manage alternative investment strategies such as hedged real estate securities portfolios and private real estate multimanager strategies for qualified investors. We serve individual and institutional investors through a broad range of investment vehicles.

We completed the initial public offering of our common stock in 2004. Prior to the completion of the initial public offering and pursuant to a reorganization into a holding company structure, CNS became the parent holding company of Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (“CSCM”), our asset management subsidiary, and together with our direct and indirect subsidiaries, succeeded to the business conducted by CSCM and its subsidiaries since 1986.

Our revenue is derived primarily from investment advisory, administration, distribution and service fees received from open-end and closed-end mutual funds and investment advisory fees received from institutional separate accounts. These fees are based on contractually specified percentages of the assets of each client’s portfolio. Revenue fluctuates with changes in the total value of the portfolios and is recognized over the period that the assets are managed.

At December 31, 2009, we managed $24.8 billion in assets—$6.3 billion in 14 open-end mutual funds, $5.5 billion in nine closed-end mutual funds and $13.0 billion in 111 institutional separate account portfolios for institutional investors.

The assets we manage increased 64% to $24.8 billion at December 31, 2009 from $15.1 billion at December 31, 2008. Changes in the assets we manage can come from two sources—inflows (or outflows) and market appreciation (or depreciation). The $9.7 billion increase in the assets we managed from 2008 to 2009 was the result of market appreciation of $5.7 billion and net inflows of $4.0 billion.

Account Types

We manage three types of accounts: open-end mutual funds, closed-end mutual funds and institutional separate accounts.

Open-End Mutual Funds. The 14 open-end mutual funds for which we are the investment advisor offer and issue new shares continuously as funds are invested and redeem shares when funds are withdrawn. The share price for purchases and redemptions of each of the open-end mutual funds is determined by each fund’s net asset value, which is calculated at the end of each business day. The net asset value per share is the current value of a fund’s assets less liabilities, divided by the fund’s total shares outstanding.

Investment advisory fees for the open-end mutual funds vary based on each fund’s investment objective and strategy, fees charged by other comparable mutual funds and the nature of the investors to whom the mutual fund is offered. In addition, we receive a separate fee for providing administrative services to each open-end mutual fund at a rate that is designed to reimburse us for the cost of providing these services. Each of the open-end mutual funds pays us a monthly administration fee based on a percentage of the fund’s average assets under management. In the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, investment advisory and administrative fees from our open-end mutual funds totaled approximately $40.5 million, $63.4 million and $92.7 million, respectively, and accounted for 36%, 39% and 43%, respectively, of investment advisory and administrative fee revenue.

Our investment advisory and administration agreements with the open-end mutual funds are generally terminable upon 60 or fewer days notice, and each investment advisory agreement, including the fees payable thereunder, is subject to annual approval, after the first two years, by the open-end mutual fund’s board, as well as by a majority of the directors who are not interested persons, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”).

Closed-End Mutual Funds. The nine closed-end mutual funds for which we are the investment advisor are registered investment companies that have issued a fixed number of shares through public offerings. These

 

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shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and cannot be redeemed by their shareholders. The trading price of the shares of a closed-end mutual fund is determined by supply and demand in the marketplace, which means the shares may trade at a premium or discount to the net asset value of the funds.

Investment advisory fees for the closed-end mutual funds vary based on each fund’s investment objective and strategy, fees charged by other comparable mutual funds and prevailing market conditions at the time each closed-end mutual fund initially offered its shares to the public. In addition, we receive a separate fee for providing administrative services to seven of the nine closed-end mutual funds at a rate that is designed to reimburse us for the cost of providing these services. For services under the investment advisory and administration agreements, closed-end mutual funds pay us a monthly fee based on a percentage of the fund’s average assets under management. In the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, investment advisory and administrative fees from our closed-end mutual funds totaled approximately $34.5 million, $61.9 million and $78.0 million, respectively, and accounted for 31%, 38% and 36%, respectively, of investment advisory and administrative fee revenue.

In order to reduce expenses for certain of the closed-end mutual funds, we have agreed to waive a portion of the investment advisory fees otherwise payable by such funds. These waivers began to expire in January 2006 and continue through March 2012. Each of our investment advisory agreements with a closed-end mutual fund, including the fees payable under the waiver agreements, is subject, following the initial two year term, to annual approval by the mutual fund’s board of directors, including at least a majority of the independent directors. Our investment advisory and administration agreements with the closed-end mutual funds are generally terminable upon 60 or fewer days notice.

The table below describes each such closed-end mutual fund’s investment advisory fee charged in 2009 and what is scheduled to be charged, after giving effect to the amount of the fee that we have agreed to waive for each year (as a percentage of managed assets):

 

Year   Cohen & Steers
Advantage
Income Realty
Fund, Inc.
(through 12/31)*
  Cohen & Steers
Quality Income
Realty Fund,
Inc. (through
12/31)
  Cohen & Steers
Premium
Income Realty
Fund, Inc.
(through 8/31)*
  Cohen & Steers
REIT and Utility
Income Fund,
Inc. (through
1/31)**
  Cohen & Steers
Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
(formerly Cohen & Steers
Select Utility Fund, Inc.)
(through 3/31)
2009   0.71%   0.71%   0.70%   0.70%   0.70%
2010     0.77%       0.75%
2011     0.83%       0.80%
2012     0.85%       0.85%

 

 

*   Merged into Cohen & Steers Quality Income Realty Fund, Inc. on December 18, 2009.

** Merged into Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc. on March 12, 2010.

Institutional Separate Accounts. The 111 institutional separate accounts for which we are the investment advisor represent portfolios of securities we manage for institutional clients. We manage the assets in each institutional separate account in a manner tailored to the investment preferences of that individual client as defined within each client’s individual investment advisory agreement. Our investment advisory agreements with the institutional separate account clients are generally terminable upon 60 days notice. In the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, investment advisory fees from our institutional separate accounts totaled approximately $37.3 million, $38.5 million and $46.6 million, respectively, and accounted for 33%, 24% and 21%, respectively, of investment advisory and administrative fee revenue.

Sub-advisory assets, which may be sold to retail investors, are included in our institutional separate account assets. Sub-advisory assets represent accounts for which we have been named as a sub-advisor by the investment advisor to that account. As sub-advisor, we have responsibility for managing the portfolio’s investments, while the investment advisor oversees our performance as sub-advisor.

Portfolio Consulting and Other Services. As portfolio consultant, we provide several services in connection with investment products such as unit investment trusts (“UITs”). A UIT is a registered investment company that holds a portfolio of securities that generally does not change during the life of the product (generally two to five years) except that the sponsor of the UIT may sell portfolio securities under certain narrowly defined circumstances. As portfolio consultant to a number of UITs, we construct a portfolio of securities that we believe is well suited to satisfying the investment objective of the UIT. We also provide ongoing portfolio monitoring services related to the portfolio. Finally, we provide a license to certain firms to use our name in

 

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connection with certain of their investment products. At December 31, 2009, we provided such advisory consulting services to UITs with aggregate assets of $1.3 billion. These assets are not included in the assets we manage.

Additionally, we provide services in connection with unified managed accounts (“UMAs”). A UMA is an investment advisory service that offers diversified portfolios for investors with long-term investment horizons. As portfolio consultant on a number of UMAs, we construct portfolios of securities that fulfill the investment objective of the mandate and supply daily models. As of December 31, 2009 we provided such advisory consulting services to UMAs with aggregate assets of $447 million. These assets are not included in the assets we manage.

In addition, we maintain two proprietary indices, Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index (RMP) and Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors Index (GRM), which are the basis for the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund (ICF) sponsored by BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. and Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors Fund (GRI) sponsored by ALPS Fund Services, Inc., respectively. We earn a licensing fee based on the funds’ assets for the use of our indices.

Our fee schedules for these relationships vary based on the type of services we provide for each relationship.

Our Investment Process. Our investment process is based on fundamental portfolio and company research. Our investment committees and portfolio managers formulate investment strategies that take into account the economy, industry fundamentals and valuation for each of our portfolio strategies. An investment committee oversees the portfolio manager and research team responsible for each of our portfolio strategies. Martin Cohen and Robert H. Steers, our co-chairmen and co-chief executive officers, and Joseph M. Harvey, our president, head our investment committees.

Our research analysts must subject the companies that they cover to a detailed fundamental analysis. They focus on a company’s management, business plan, balance sheet, industry position and corporate governance. We also require our research analysts to spend a significant amount of time interacting with and visiting company management, as well as talking to competitors, vendors, analysts and other industry participants. Investment performance is a primary determinant of incentive compensation for our investment professionals.

We have developed valuation models that are unique to each of our portfolio strategies. These models have been shown to be highly effective in identifying relative value. We use our valuation models daily to build and manage portfolios with the strict discipline to which we adhere.

Each of the portfolios that we currently manage adheres to one of the following investment strategies, which may employ leverage:

U.S. Realty Total Return is a core U.S. real estate investment trust (“REIT”) strategy that seeks total return with a balance of current income and capital appreciation.

U.S. Realty Focus is a concentrated U.S. REIT strategy that seeks maximum total return.

U.S. Realty Income is a U.S. REIT strategy that seeks above-average income and capital appreciation.

Global Realty Income is a strategy that invests in real estate securities of companies based in the United States and in other countries that seeks above-average income and capital appreciation.

Global Real Estate Securities is a strategy that invests in real estate securities of companies based in the United States and in other developed and emerging countries that seeks total return.

International Real Estate Securities is a total return-oriented strategy that invests in real estate securities of companies based outside the United States.

European Real Estate Securities is a total return-oriented strategy that invests in real estate securities of companies based in Europe.

Asia Pacific Real Estate Securities is a total return-oriented strategy that invests in real estate securities of companies based in Asia and the Pacific.

Large Cap Value is a total return strategy that invests predominately in large capitalization securities of U.S. based companies with above-average dividend growth.

REIT Preferred Securities is an income-oriented strategy that invests exclusively in REIT preferred securities.

Preferred Securities is an income-oriented strategy that invests exclusively in preferred securities.

 

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REIT and Preferred is a balanced strategy combining the equity characteristics of REITs with the fixed income characteristics of preferred securities.

REIT and Utility is a balanced strategy combining the equity characteristics of both REITs and utility securities.

Global Listed Infrastructure is a total return-oriented strategy that invests exclusively in publicly traded infrastructure companies around the world and seeks above average income.

Closed-end Opportunity is a total return strategy consisting of high current income and potential capital appreciation that invests in the common stock of other closed-end mutual funds.

Global Income Builder is a total return strategy that allocates to all five of our dividend-oriented portfolios and employs a covered call options overwriting strategy to enhance current income.

Global Real Estate Long-Short is a strategy that makes long and short investments in real estate securities to maximize absolute and risk-adjusted returns with modest volatility.

Global Private Real Estate Multimanager is a strategy that invests in private global real estate funds that provide the potential for attractive risk-adjusted returns.

Our Distribution Network. Our distribution network encompasses the major channels in the asset management industry, including large brokerage firms, registered investment advisors and institutional investors. The open-end mutual funds for which we are the investment advisor are available for purchase with and without commissions through full service and discount broker/dealers and the significant networks serving financial advisors. We provide advisory and administration services to our open-end and closed-end mutual funds under the Cohen & Steers brand name.

Our institutional separate account relationships extend to institutions such as corporate and public pensions, endowments and foundations and insurance funds. Institutional separate account assets include investment sub-advisory portfolios managed for several mutual funds and variable annuity funds, with assets of approximately $8.1 billion as of December 31, 2009. These funds are sponsored by other financial institutions and are distributed in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan.

Discontinued Operations

On December 5, 2008, the Company announced its plan to exit the investment banking business. Effective May 1, 2009, CSCM sold its membership interest in Cohen & Steers Capital Advisors, LLC (“Advisors”) to an entity controlled by the former managing directors of Advisors. The transaction did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In conjunction with our exit of the investment banking business, the results from the investment banking activities, which have historically been reported as a separate business segment, Investment Banking, are reflected in discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements.

Competition

We face substantial competition in every aspect of our business. Factors affecting our business include brand recognition, business reputation, investment performance, quality of service, and the continuity of client relationships. Fee competition also affects the business, as do compensation, administration, commissions and/or other expenses paid to intermediaries.

Performance and price are the principal methods of competition. Prospective clients and mutual fund shareholders will typically base their decisions on our ability to generate returns that exceed a market index, i.e. our “performance,” and on our fees, or “price.” Individual mutual fund holders may also base their decision on the ability to access the mutual funds we manage through a particular distribution channel. Institutional separate account clients are often advised by consultants who may include other factors in their decisions for these clients.

We compete with a large number of global and U.S. investment advisors, commercial banks, broker/dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions. We are considered a small to mid-sized investment advisory firm. Many competing firms are parts of larger financial services companies and attract business through numerous means including retail bank offices, investment banking and underwriting contacts, insurance agencies and broker/dealers.

 

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More specifically, in the real estate securities investment advisory business we face competition from a variety of competitors. Real estate security mutual fund sponsors include: large nationally recognized investment advisory firms that offer a variety of mutual funds across many different asset types; investment advisors that offer mutual funds whose primary investment objective is income; smaller boutique type firms that specialize solely in publicly traded real estate securities and firms that invest directly in real estate. Additionally, a number of financial advisors offer clients the ability to manage separate real estate security portfolios.

The growing acceptance of REITs and other high-income equity securities by both institutional and individual investors has encouraged a number of firms to begin managing income oriented equity securities, and our competitors seek to expand their market share among the same client base that we serve. Financial intermediaries that provide our products to their clients may also provide competing products. Many current and potential competitors have greater brand name recognition and more extensive client bases, which could be to our disadvantage. In addition, our larger competitors have more resources and may have more leverage to expand their distribution channels and capture market share through ongoing business relationships and extensive marketing efforts. Conversely, relative to our larger competitors, we are potentially able to grow our business at a faster rate from a relatively smaller asset base. In addition, we believe we are able to shift resources to respond to changing market conditions more quickly than many larger investment advisory firms.

The open-end mutual funds for which we are the investment advisor face significant competition from other open-end mutual funds, exchange traded funds and other investment companies and hedge funds. They vary both in size and investment philosophy and their shares are offered to the public on a load and no load basis. Advertising, sales promotions, the type and quality of services offered and investment performance influence competition for open-end mutual fund sales.

On an annual basis, investment advisory fees for the mutual funds we manage are subject to approval by the mutual fund board of directors, as well as by a majority of the directors who are not interested persons, as defined by the Investment Company Act. On this basis, we believe that fund performance and expenses, based on the level of services we provide, for the mutual funds for which we are the investment advisor, compare favorably to competitor funds.

We also face competition in attracting and retaining qualified employees. The ability to continue to compete effectively in our business depends in part on our ability to compete effectively in the market for investment professionals.

Regulation

Our business, and the securities business in general, is subject to extensive regulation in the United States at both the federal and state level, as well as by self regulatory organizations (each, a “SRO”). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is responsible for enforcing the U.S. federal securities laws and serves as a supervisory body for all federally registered investment advisors, as well as for national securities exchanges and associations.

CSCM is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC and is subject to the requirements and regulations of the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). Such requirements relate to, among other things, custody, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, disclosure requirements, limitations on agency cross and principal transactions between an advisor and advisory clients, as well as general anti-fraud prohibitions. Moreover, in our capacity as an investment advisor to mutual funds, we are subject to the Investment Company Act and its rules and regulations. The Investment Company Act regulates the relationship between a mutual fund and its investment advisor and prohibits or severely restricts principal transactions and joint transactions between a mutual fund and its investment advisor and other affiliates. The SEC is authorized to institute proceedings and impose sanctions for violations of the Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act, ranging from fines and censure to termination of an investment adviser’s registration. Investment advisers also are subject to certain state securities laws and regulations. Non-compliance with certain provisions of the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act or other U.S. federal and state securities laws and regulations could result in investigations, sanctions and reputational damage.

Our trading and investment activities for client accounts are regulated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as the rules of various U.S. and non-U.S. securities exchanges and self-regulatory organizations, including laws governing trading on inside information, market manipulation and a broad number of technical trading requirements (e.g., volume limitations, reporting

 

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obligations) and market regulation policies in the United States and globally. In addition, we manage a variety of investment funds listed on U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges, which are subject to the rules of such exchanges. Violation of these laws and regulations could result in restrictions on our activities and in damage to our reputation. We manage a variety of private pools of capital, including hedge funds. Congress, regulators, tax authorities and others continue to explore, on their own and in response to demands from the investment community, increased regulation related to private pools of capital, including changes with respect to investor eligibility, certain limitations on trading activities, the scope of anti-fraud protections and a variety of other matters. We may be adversely affected by new legislation or rule-making or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing rules and regulations imposed by various regulators.

Our subsidiary, Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC (“Securities”), is a broker/dealer. The regulation of broker/dealers has, to a large extent, been delegated by the federal securities laws to SROs, which adopt rules that govern the industry. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) is the designated SRO for Securities and conducts periodic examinations of its operations. Broker/dealers are subject to regulations which cover all aspects of the securities business, including sales practices, market making and trading among broker/dealers, use and safekeeping of clients’ funds and securities, capital structure, recordkeeping and the conduct of directors, officers and employees. Our registered broker/dealer subsidiary is subject to certain net capital requirements under the Exchange Act. The net capital requirements, which specify minimum net capital levels for registered broker/dealers, are designed to measure the financial soundness and liquidity of broker/dealers. In addition, Securities is subject to regulation under the laws of the states and territories in which it is registered to conduct securities or investment advisory business.

Our subsidiaries are subject to the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”), which contains the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001. The PATRIOT Act contains anti-money laundering measures affecting insured depository institutions, broker/dealers and certain financial institutions. The PATRIOT Act requires U.S. financial institutions to adopt policies and procedures to combat money laundering and grants the Secretary of the Treasury broad authority to establish regulations and to impose requirements and restrictions on financial institutions’ operations. We have established policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the PATRIOT Act and the related regulations.

Our subsidiaries, Cohen & Steers Asia Limited, Cohen & Steers UK Limited, and Cohen & Steers Europe S.A. are subject to the laws of Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Belgium, respectively, and are regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority, and the Belgium Banking, Finance and Insurance Commission, respectively. They each have developed comprehensive compliance systems in order to satisfy applicable regulatory requirements. Cohen & Steers Europe S.A. is also regulated by the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance de Secteaur Financier. In addition, Cohen & Steers UK Limited and Cohen & Steers Europe S.A. must comply with certain pan-European regulations, including the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive which regulates the provision of investment services throughout the European Economic Area, and the Capital Requirements Directive, which delineates regulatory capital requirements.

In addition, public and private funds sponsored or managed in whole or in part by our subsidiaries are subject to regulation by the SEC and various other authorities depending on their country of domicile, type of fund, and method of marketing or distribution. Finally, our dealings in securities and other financial instruments on behalf of our funds and clients are subject to the rules and regulations of the financial markets in which those transactions occur.

The failure of our internal operations to comply with the applicable regulatory frameworks could have a material adverse effect on us.

Additional legislation, changes in rules promulgated by the SEC, other international, federal and state regulatory authorities and SROs, or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules may directly affect our method of operation and profitability. Our profitability could also be affected by rules and regulations that impact the business and financial communities in general, including changes to the laws governing taxation, antitrust regulation and electronic commerce. In addition, the SEC and other governmental agencies have been very active in investigating the investment advisory business and the mutual and private fund industries. The SEC has adopted and proposed various rules, and legislation has been introduced in Congress, the effect of which will further regulate these industries that could potentially restrict, modify or hamper our business activities or impose additional compliance obligations, and costs for fulfilling such obligations, on us.

 

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Employees

As of December 31, 2009, we had 202 full-time employees. None of our employees are subject to any collective bargaining agreements. We believe we have good relations with our employees.

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and all amendments to these reports and other information with the SEC. We make available free of charge on or through our Web site at www.cohenandsteers.com our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K (and all amendments to those reports) as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC, and also make available on our Web site the charters for the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers and our Corporate Governance Guidelines. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including our filings, are also available to the public from the SEC’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

We depend on Martin Cohen and Robert Steers, our co-chairmen and co-chief executive officers, and the loss of their services would have a material adverse effect on us.

We depend on the efforts of Mr. Cohen and Mr. Steers. Mr. Cohen and Mr. Steers head each of our investment committees with our president, Joseph Harvey, and they oversee the portfolio manager and research teams responsible for each of our portfolio strategies. Although we expect Mr. Cohen and Mr. Steers to continue to act in their current positions, the loss of their services would have a material adverse effect on us.

Our ability to operate our company effectively could be impaired if we lose, fail to retain or recruit key personnel.

The market for qualified portfolio managers is extremely competitive. It is imperative for us to add and retain the portfolio managers and investment analysts that form the foundation of our company. However, we may not be successful in our efforts to recruit and retain the required personnel. In addition, our investment professionals and senior marketing personnel have direct contact with our institutional separate account clients, which can lead to strong client relationships. The loss of these personnel could jeopardize our relationships with certain institutional separate account clients, and result in the loss of such accounts. Further, we employ compensation mechanisms involving the use of equity compensation that may not be effective, especially if the market price of our common stock declines. The loss of key personnel or the inability to recruit and retain portfolio managers or marketing personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.

A decline in the prices of securities could lead to a decline in revenue and earnings.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from the investment advisory and administration fees we receive from our clients. These fees are based on the market value of the assets underlying the agreements that govern the fee calculations. Accordingly, a decline in the price of the securities in which we invest on behalf of our clients generally, and real estate securities in particular, could cause our revenue and earnings to decline. For example, the unprecedented turmoil in the global capital markets and in the REIT industry in particular during 2008 extended to first quarter of 2009 had a significant material adverse effect on the value of the assets we manage and our earnings and revenue, causing our assets under management to decline. In addition, a continued decline in the market value of these assets could cause our clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments they perceive as offering greater opportunity or lower risk, which could also negatively impact our revenue and earnings.

The securities markets are highly volatile, and securities prices may increase or decrease for many reasons, including economic, financial or political events.

 

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Our operating margin may also be adversely affected by our fixed costs and other expenses and the possibility that we would be unable to scale back other costs within a time frame sufficient to match any decreases in revenue relating to changes in our assets under management.

A general decline in the performance of securities in the real estate sector could have an adverse effect on the assets we manage and our revenue.

As of December 31, 2009, 43% of the assets we managed were concentrated in U.S. real estate common stocks and 28% were concentrated in non-U.S. real estate securities. Real estate securities and real property investments owned by the issuers of real estate securities are subject to varying degrees of risk. The returns from investments in real estate depend on the amount of income and capital appreciation generated by the related properties. Income and real estate values may also be adversely affected by such factors as applicable laws (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act and tax laws), interest rate levels, and the availability of financing. If the properties do not generate sufficient income to meet operating expenses, the income and ability of a real estate company to make payments of any interest and principal on debt securities or any dividends on common or preferred stocks will be adversely affected. In addition, real property and loans on real property may be subject to the quality of credit extended and defaults by borrowers and tenants. Real estate investments are relatively illiquid and, therefore, the ability of real estate companies to vary their portfolios promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions is limited. A real estate company may also have joint venture investments in certain properties and, consequently, its ability to control decisions relating to such properties may be limited. Declines in the performance of real estate securities (such as that which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2008 and extended into the first quarter of 2009) could reduce the assets we manage and our revenue.

Our growth may be constrained by the limited size and number of issuers in the real estate securities market.

Real estate securities investment continues to play an important role in the overall prospects of our business. Our ability to continue our growth in real estate securities management depends in part on growth in the size and number of issuers in the real estate securities market, particularly in the United States. For example, due to the constraints in the size and number of U.S. public real estate securities and issuers, we have in the past and may in the future stop accepting new assets in real estate securities institutional separate account portfolios in certain strategies and in certain open-end mutual funds. We also may be constrained in our ability to sponsor new closed-end mutual funds that invest primarily or significantly in U.S. real estate securities. Such constraints may impair our ability to increase the assets we manage and our revenue.

We may have limited ability to raise additional closed-end mutual fund assets to manage.

Market conditions may preclude us from increasing the assets we manage in closed-end mutual funds. A significant portion of our growth in the assets we manage has resulted from public offerings of the common and preferred shares of closed-end mutual funds. As of December 31, 2009, we raised $9.4 billion in closed-end mutual fund offerings of common and preferred shares since May 2001, none of which was raised in 2009. The market conditions for these offerings may continue to be unfavorable in the future, which will adversely impact our ability to grow the assets we manage and our revenue.

Certain of the closed-end funds managed by the Company utilized leverage in the form of auction market preferred securities (“AMPS”). These AMPS were issued by the funds to provide additional capital with the objective of increasing the net income available for the funds’ shareholders. Due to the disruption in the capital markets over the past two years, in 2008 and 2009 the funds redeemed all of the AMPS and replaced a portion of these AMPS with bank financing in the aggregate amount of $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2009.

To the extent the closed-end funds managed by the Company elect or are required by regulation or the terms of the bank financing to reduce leverage and repay the bank financing, the funds may need to liquidate investments, thereby decreasing the Company’s assets under management.

Our clients can withdraw the assets we manage on short notice, making our future client and revenue base unpredictable.

Our investment advisory and administration agreements are generally terminable upon 60 or fewer days notice. In addition, open-end mutual fund investors may redeem their investments in the mutual funds at any time without prior notice. Moreover, each investment advisory agreement, including the fees payable thereunder, with a mutual fund is subject to annual approval by the mutual fund’s board, as well as by a

 

8


 

majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined by the Investment Company Act; such approval may not be granted. Institutional and individual clients, and firms with which we have strategic alliances, can terminate their relationships with us, reduce the aggregate amount of the assets we manage or shift their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures for any of a number of reasons, including investment performance, changes in prevailing interest rates and financial market performance. In a declining stock market, the pace of mutual fund redemptions could accelerate. Poor performance relative to other asset management firms tends to result in decreased purchases of mutual fund shares, increased redemptions of mutual fund shares, and the loss of institutional or individual accounts. Under certain circumstances, stockholder activists may pressure closed-end mutual funds for which we are the investment advisor to tender for their shares, open-end, liquidate or take other actions that may adversely affect the fees we receive from the affected closed-end mutual funds. The decrease in revenue that could result from any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business.

In addition, as required by the Investment Company Act and the Advisers Act, each of our investment advisory agreements automatically terminates upon its “assignment.” A sale of a sufficient number of shares of our voting securities could be deemed an “assignment” in certain circumstances. An assignment, actual or constructive, will trigger these termination provisions and may adversely affect our ability to continue managing open-end and closed-end mutual funds and institutional separate accounts.

Loss of significant separate accounts would decrease our revenue.

At December 31, 2009, our three largest separate account relationships, covering numerous strategies and accounts, represented approximately 13% of our total revenue in 2009. Approximately 45% of the separate account assets we managed and approximately 23% of the total assets we managed was derived from these three separate account relationships. Loss of, or significant withdrawal from, any of these separate accounts would reduce our revenue. We have, from time to time, lost separate accounts because of decisions by our clients to reallocate their assets to different asset classes or to move their assets to our competitors. In the future, we could lose accounts under these or other circumstances, such as adverse market conditions or poor investment performance.

Future investment performance could reduce the assets we manage and our revenue and income.

Success in the asset management business is dependent on investment performance as well as distribution and client service. Relatively poor performance tends to result in decreased sales, increased withdrawals and redemptions in the case of the open-end mutual funds, and in the loss of separately managed accounts, with corresponding decreases in revenue. Many analysts of the mutual fund business believe that investment performance is the most important factor for the growth of open-end mutual funds. Failure of our investment products to perform well could, therefore, have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and future growth.

A rise in interest rates could negatively impact our business.

Our asset management business could be negatively impacted by rising interest rates. An increase in interest rates could cause the price of certain REITs and other securities in our clients’ portfolios to decline. In addition, an increase in interest rates could negatively impact net flows into open-end mutual funds and institutional separate accounts and our ability to offer new closed-end mutual funds. These events would negatively affect our revenue and net income.

The inability to access clients through intermediaries could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our ability to distribute mutual funds and subadvisory services is highly dependent on access to the client base of national and regional securities firms, banks, insurance companies, defined contribution plan administrators and other intermediaries which generally offer competing investment products. To a lesser extent, our institutional separate account asset management business depends on recommendations by consultants, financial planners and other professional advisors, as well as our existing clients. We may not be able to continue to gain access to these channels. The inability to have this access could have a material adverse effect on our business.

A significant portion of the growth in the mutual fund assets we manage in recent years has been accessed through intermediaries. Loss of any of these distribution channels, and the inability to access clients through new distribution channels, could adversely affect our results of operations and business prospects.

 

9


 

Fee pressures could reduce our revenue and profitability.

There has been a trend toward lower fees in some segments of the asset management business. In order for us to maintain our fee structure in a competitive environment, we must be able to provide clients with investment returns and service that will encourage them to be willing to pay such fees. In addition, the SEC has adopted rules that are designed to improve mutual fund corporate governance. These rules could result in further downward pressure on investment advisory fees in the mutual fund industry. Accordingly, we may not be able to maintain our current fee structure or take advantage of scheduled fee increases. Fee reductions on existing or future new business would have an adverse impact on our revenue and profitability.

Our business strategy may not be successful.

Our business strategy involves diversifying our asset management business to include products and services outside the U.S. real estate securities area. This has entailed hiring additional portfolio managers in areas in which we do not have significant prior experience, including the global real estate long-short and multimanager strategies, as well as opening offices both within and outside the United States. In the future, it may entail acquiring other asset management firms.

We may not be successful in locating and hiring or acquiring such portfolio managers or asset management firms and any such hiring activity or acquisitions may not be successful. In addition, our business prospects and future growth are subject to our ability to successfully manage multiple offices and navigate legal and regulatory systems outside the United States. Furthermore, a change in the current tax treatment of dividends could adversely impact our business strategy.

We could suffer losses in earnings or revenue if our reputation is harmed.

Our reputation is important to the success of our business. We believe that the Cohen & Steers brand has been, and continues to be, well received both in our industry and with our clients, reflecting the fact that our brand, like our business, is based in part on trust and confidence. If our reputation is harmed, existing clients may reduce amounts held in, or withdraw entirely from, funds that we advise or funds may terminate their management agreements with us, which could reduce the amount of assets under management and cause us to suffer a corresponding loss in earnings or revenue. Moreover, reputational harm may cause us to lose current employees and we may be unable to continue to attract new ones with similar qualifications, motivations or skills. If we fail to address, or appear to fail to address, successfully and promptly the underlying causes of any reputational harm, we may be unsuccessful in repairing any existing harm to our reputation and our future business prospects would likely be affected.

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect our business.

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships. Cohen & Steers, and the funds and accounts that it manages, have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry. Many of these transactions expose Cohen & Steers or the funds and accounts that it manages to credit risk in the event of default of its counterparty or client. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely impact our revenues and earnings.

Expansion into international markets and new products and services increases our operational, regulatory and other risks.

We have increased and expanded our product offerings and international business activities over the past several years, including the management of a global real estate long-short and multimanager strategies. As a result of such expansion, we face increased operational, regulatory, compliance, reputation and foreign exchange rate risks. The failure of our compliance and internal control systems to properly mitigate such additional risks, or of our operating infrastructure to support such international expansion, could result in operational failures and regulatory fines or sanctions.

Compliance failures and changes in regulation could adversely affect us.

Our asset management business is subject to client guidelines and our mutual fund business involves compliance with numerous investment, asset valuation, distribution and tax requirements. A failure to adhere to these guidelines or satisfy these requirements could result in losses that could be recovered by the client from us in certain circumstances.

 

10


 

Our business is also subject to extensive regulation in the United States, including by the SEC and FINRA and internationally, including the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority, the Belgium Banking, Finance and Insurance Commission and the Luxembourg Commission de Surveillance de Secteaur Financier. Our failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations could result in fines, suspensions of personnel or other sanctions, including revocation of the registration of any of our subsidiaries as an investment advisor or broker/dealer. Changes in laws or regulations or in governmental policies could have a material adverse effect on us. These changes could have a substantial impact on the regulation and operation of mutual funds and could adversely affect the assets we manage and our revenue and net income.

Regulatory developments designed to increase the independence of mutual fund boards of directors may result in downward pressure on our fees and could result in mutual funds not renewing their investment advisory and administration agreements with us.

The SEC has adopted rules relating to the composition of mutual fund boards of directors and the practices of the independent directors who serve on those boards. The SEC has also adopted rules that require mutual fund shareholder reports to discuss, in reasonable detail, the material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the approval by a mutual fund’s board of directors of any investment advisory agreement, including the fees payable under the agreement. The board of directors of each mutual fund for which we are the investment advisor, including at least a majority of the mutual fund’s independent directors, must determine both initially and, following the initial two year term, annually thereafter that the mutual fund’s investment advisory fee is reasonable in relation to, among other things, the performance of the mutual fund, the services provided by the investment advisor and the advisory fees charged to comparable mutual funds. These directors have a fiduciary duty to the mutual fund shareholders. If regulatory developments designed to increase the independence of mutual fund boards of directors result in reductions in the fees payable to other fund managers, this could in turn result in downward pressure on our fees. In addition, the continued receipt of mutual fund revenue by our asset management business is subject to the risk that our mutual fund boards of directors may determine not to renew investment advisory and administration agreements with us or that they may renew such agreements at lower fee rates than are then in effect.

Failure to comply with “fair value” pricing and late trading policies and procedures may adversely affect us.

The SEC has adopted rules that require mutual funds to adopt “fair value” pricing procedures to address time zone arbitrage, selective disclosure procedures to protect mutual fund portfolio information and procedures to ensure compliance with a mutual fund’s disclosed market timing policy. SEC rules also require our funds to ensure compliance with their own market timing policies. Our funds are subject to these rules and, in the event of non-compliance, we may be required to disgorge certain revenue. In addition, we could have penalties imposed on us, be required to pay fines or be subject to private litigation which could decrease our future income, or negatively impact our current business and our future growth prospects.

Regulations restricting the use of “soft dollars” could result in an increase of our expenses.

On behalf of our mutual fund and investment advisory clients, we make decisions to buy and sell securities for each portfolio, select broker/dealers to execute trades and negotiate brokerage commission rates. In connection with these transactions, we may receive “soft dollar credits” from broker/dealers that have the effect of defraying certain of our expenses. If the ability of asset managers to use “soft dollars” were reduced or eliminated our operating expenses would potentially have increased by approximately $4.0 million in 2009. We would expect a similar increase in operating expenses for future periods if the use of “soft dollars” was eliminated or significantly reduced.

The asset management industry is intensely competitive.

Our funds and separate accounts compete against an ever-increasing number of investment products and services sold to the public by investment management companies, investment dealers, banks, insurance companies and others. Many institutions competing with us have greater resources than we do. We compete with other providers of investment products on the basis of the products offered, the investment performance of such products, quality of service, fees charged, the level and type of financial intermediary compensation, the manner in which such products are marketed and distributed, our reputation and the services provided to investors. In addition, our ability to market investment products is highly dependent on access to the various distribution systems of national and regional securities dealer firms, which generally offer competing internally

 

11


 

and externally managed investment products which could limit the distribution of our investment products. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain access to these channels. The inability to have such access could have a material adverse effect on our business. To the extent that existing or potential customers, including securities broker/dealers, decide to invest in or broaden distribution relationships with our competitors, the sales of our products as well as our market share, revenue and net income could decline.

Failure to maintain adequate infrastructure could impede our ability to support business growth.

We continue to experience significant growth in our business activities, both domestically and internationally. We must maintain adequate infrastructure to support this growth, including technological capacity, data centers, backup facilities and sufficient space for expanding staff levels. The failure to maintain an infrastructure commensurate with our expansion, particularly our international expansion, could impede our growth.

Our corporate investments may become impaired by further deterioration of the financial markets.

We follow an established cash investment policy and set of objectives designed to preserve capital to meet operating cash needs, achieve our liquidity requirements, generate a market return given the policy’s guidelines and avoid inappropriate concentration and credit risk. Our cash, cash equivalents, and investments, available-for-sale portfolio as of December 31, 2009 consisted of bank deposits, corporate preferred and debt securities, seed investments in our mutual funds and auction market preferred securities (“AMPS”). Due to the adverse global economic conditions that have impacted the financial markets and our underlying investments, we have written down the values of certain of our investments, available-for-sale. In the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded other-than-temporary impairment charges of $32.3 million (pre-tax) on our investments, available-for-sale which are included in gain (loss) from available-for-sale securities in our consolidated statements of operations.

We cannot predict future market conditions or market liquidity, or the future value of our investments. As a result, we can provide no assurance that our investment portfolio will not be further impaired in the future and that any such impairment will not materially and adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK

We are controlled by Mr. Cohen and Mr. Steers, whose interests may differ from those of other stockholders.

Our principals, Mr. Cohen and Mr. Steers, beneficially own, in the aggregate, approximately 56% of our common stock as of March 11, 2010. As long as Mr. Cohen and Mr. Steers control a majority of the common stock, they will have the ability to, among other things:

• elect all of the members of our board of directors and thereby control our management and affairs;

• determine the outcome of matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders for approval; and

• preclude any unsolicited acquisition of us and, consequently, adversely affect the market price of the common stock or prevent our stockholders from realizing a premium on their shares.

The interests of our principals could differ from those of other stockholders in instances where, for example, our principals’ compensation is being determined or where an unsolicited acquisition of us could result in a change in our management.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, and the issuance of additional shares will dilute all other stockholdings.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Our principals, who directly or indirectly own, in the aggregate, 23,667,593 shares of our common stock as of March 11, 2010, may sell shares of our common stock, subject to the securities laws restrictions on sales by affiliates. We granted our principals and two trusts benefiting their families, their affiliates and certain of their transferees the right to require us to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), shares of our common stock (and other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of common stock) held by them under certain circumstances.

 

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In November 2009, a registration statement that covered resales of an aggregate of 12,000,000 shares owned by Messrs. Cohen and Steers and 10,000,000 primary shares which may be offered and sold by us, was declared effective by the SEC.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in control.

Our certificate of incorporation may delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that a stockholder may consider favorable by permitting our board of directors to issue one or more series of preferred stock. In addition, provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law restrict certain business combinations with interested stockholders. These provisions may also discourage acquisition proposals or delay or prevent a change in control, which could harm our stock price.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

The Company has no unresolved SEC comments.

Item 2. Properties

Our principal executive offices are located in leased office space at 280 Park Avenue, New York, New York. In addition, we have leased office space in Seattle, Hong Kong, London and Brussels.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company, in the normal course of business, may be subject to various pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages may be asserted. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not at the present time anticipate that the ultimate aggregate liability, if any, arising out of any such lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, although at the present time, management is not in a position to determine whether any such pending or threatened litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in any future reporting period.

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and is traded under the symbol “CNS.” As of March 11, 2010, there were 67 holders of record of our common stock. Common stockholders include institutional and omnibus accounts that hold common stock for numerous underlying investors. The closing sale price of our common stock on March 11, 2010 was $23.36 per share.

The declaration and payment of dividends to holders of our common stock by us, if any, are subject to the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors will take into account such matters as general economic and business conditions, our strategic plans, our financial results and condition, contractual, legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends by us and our subsidiaries and such other factors as our board of directors may consider to be relevant. On March 11, 2010, we declared a quarterly cash dividend on our common stock in the amount of $0.10 per share.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low reported sale prices and dividends declared per share for our common stock:

 

Three Months Ended 2009    March 31    June 30    September 30    December 31

High price

   $ 13.46    $ 17.93    $ 24.32    $ 25.86

Low price

   $ 8.13    $ 10.66    $ 13.05    $ 18.61

Cash dividend declared per share

   $ 0.05    $ 0.05    $ 0.05    $ 0.05
           
Three Months Ended 2008    March 31    June 30    September 30    December 31

High price

   $ 30.05    $ 32.68    $ 33.50    $ 30.00

Low price

   $ 21.01    $ 25.13    $ 17.42    $ 7.65

Cash dividend declared per share

   $ 0.22    $ 0.22    $ 0.22    $ 0.10

 

 

 

13


 

During the three months ended December 31, 2009, we made the following purchases of our equity securities that are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

 

Period    Total Number of
Shares Purchased(1)
   Average Price
Paid Per Share
  

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

   Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs

October 1 through October 31, 2009

   22    $ 25.60      

November 1 through November 30, 2009

   340    $ 19.78      

December 1 through December 31, 2009

      $      
             

Total

   362    $ 20.13      
             

 

 

(1) Purchases made by us to satisfy income tax withholding obligations of certain employees.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, we did not sell any equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected consolidated financial data, together with other information presented below, has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The data reflect certain reclassifications to conform to the current year’s presentation. The amounts related to these reclassifications are not material to our consolidated financial statements.

The 2006 results included a $75.7 million expense associated with the termination of additional compensation agreements entered into in connection with common share offerings of certain closed-end mutual funds.

The 2007 results included a $5.8 million expense associated with a payment made in conjunction with an additional compensation agreement entered into in connection with the offering of a closed-end mutual fund.

The 2008 results included a $10.8 million expense associated with losses recorded on available-for-sale securities, $3.7 million of impairment charges associated primarily with previously acquired intangible assets and $1.9 million severance expense and other employee related costs.

The 2009 results include a $32.3 million expense resulting from the impairment of available-for-sale securities.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

 

     Years Ended December 31,
($ in thousands, except per share data)   2009     2008     2007     2006     2005

Consolidated Statement of Operations

         

Total revenue

  $ 123,553      $ 185,830      $ 255,069      $ 172,714      $ 134,395

Total operating expenses

    105,990        132,537 (4)      155,597 (2)      184,487 (1)      89,335
                                     

Operating income (loss)

    17,563        53,293        99,472        (11,773     45,060

Total non-operating (loss) income

    (13,399 )(5)      (7,413 )(3)      10,009        6,858        6,017
                                     

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliate

    4,164        45,880        109,481        (4,915     51,077

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

    4,490        20,822        41,378        (1,511     21,711

Equity in earnings of affiliate

                         1,541        922
                                     

(Loss) income from continuing operations

  $ (326   $ 25,058      $ 68,103      $ (1,863   $ 30,288

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

    (10     (6,997     7,393        5,067        1,633
                                     

Net (loss) income

  $ (336   $ 18,061      $ 75,496      $ 3,204      $ 31,921

Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

    (1,374                         
                                     

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (1,710   $ 18,061      $ 75,496      $ 3,204      $ 31,921
                                     

Earnings per share data—Basic

         

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.04   $ 0.60      $ 1.63      $ (0.05   $ 0.76
                                     

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.00   $ (0.17   $ 0.18      $ 0.13      $ 0.04
                                     

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.04   $ 0.43      $ 1.80      $ 0.08      $ 0.80
                                     

Earnings per share data—Diluted

         

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.04   $ 0.60      $ 1.60      $ (0.05   $ 0.75
                                     

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.00   $ (0.17   $ 0.17      $ 0.12      $ 0.04
                                     

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.04   $ 0.43      $ 1.77      $ 0.08      $ 0.79
                                     

Cash dividends declared per share

  $ 0.20      $ 0.76      $ 0.80      $ 0.48      $ 0.42

Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 153,002      $ 121,857      $ 136,971      $ 139,360      $ 39,092

Investments, available-for-sale

    45,758        44,845        93,703        39,408        87,276

Total assets

    328,711        286,122        332,245        285,146        198,548

Total liabilities

    40,376        41,180        50,330        43,737        33,853

Total stockholders’ equity

    284,869        244,942        281,915        241,409        164,695

Other Financial Data (unaudited) ($ in Millions)

         

Assets under management (AUM) by account type:

         

Open-end mutual funds

  $ 6,285      $ 4,280      $ 8,900      $ 9,575      $ 5,591

Closed-end mutual funds

    5,546        4,278        10,274        11,391        9,674

Institutional separate accounts

    12,954        6,544        10,612        8,930        5,226
                                     

Total AUM

  $ 24,785      $ 15,102      $ 29,786      $ 29,896      $ 20,491
                                     

 

 

(1) Includes $75.7 million expense associated with the termination of additional compensation agreements entered into in connection with common share offerings of certain closed-end mutual funds.

(2) Includes $5.8 million expense associated with a payment made in conjunction with an additional compensation agreement entered into in connection with the offering of a closed-end mutual fund.

(3) Includes $10.8 million expense associated with losses recorded on investments, available-for-sale.

(4) Includes $3.7 million of impairment charges associated primarily with previously acquired intangible assets and $1.9 million severance expense and other employee related costs.

(5) Includes $32.3 million expense resulting from the impairment of available-for-sale securities.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This report and other documents filed by us contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “may,” “should,” “seeks,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative versions of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, those described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

OVERVIEW

Cohen & Steers, Inc. (“CNS”), a Delaware corporation formed in 2004, and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our.”

We are a manager of income-oriented equity portfolios specializing in U.S. and international real estate securities, large cap value stocks, listed infrastructure and utilities, and preferred securities. We also manage alternative investment strategies such as hedged real estate securities portfolios and private real estate multimanager strategies for qualified investors. We serve individual and institutional investors through a broad range of investment vehicles.

Assets Under Management

We manage three types of accounts: open-end mutual funds, closed-end mutual funds and institutional separate accounts.

 

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The following table sets forth information regarding the net flows and appreciation/(depreciation) of assets under management for the years presented (in millions):

 

      Years Ended December 31,  
      2009      2008      2007  

OPEN-END MUTUAL FUNDS

        

Assets under management, beginning of year

   $ 4,280       $ 8,900       $ 9,575   
                          

Inflows

     2,112         2,665         5,837   

Outflows

     (1,595      (3,860      (4,713
                          

Net inflows (outflows)

     517         (1,195      1,124   

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     1,488         (3,425      (1,799
                          

Total increase (decrease)

     2,005         (4,620      (675
                          

Assets under management, end of year

   $ 6,285       $ 4,280       $ 8,900   
                          

Average assets under management for period

   $ 4,527       $ 7,089       $ 10,559   
                          

CLOSED-END MUTUAL FUNDS

        

Assets under management, beginning of year

   $ 4,278       $ 10,274       $ 11,391   
                          

Inflows

     628                 736   

Outflows

     (395      (2,098        
                          

Net inflows (outflows)

     233         (2,098      736   

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     1,035         (3,898      (1,853
                          

Total increase (decrease)

     1,268         (5,996      (1,117
                          

Assets under management, end of year

   $ 5,546       $ 4,278       $ 10,274   
                          

Average assets under management for period

   $ 4,425       $ 8,534       $ 11,441   
                          

INSTITUTIONAL SEPARATE ACCOUNTS

        

Assets under management, beginning of year

   $ 6,544       $ 10,612       $ 8,930   
                          

Inflows

     4,516         2,016         5,698   

Outflows

     (1,306      (2,075      (2,154
                          

Net inflows (outflows)

     3,210         (59      3,544   

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     3,200         (4,009      (1,862
                          

Total increase (decrease)

     6,410         (4,068      1,682   
                          

Assets under management, end of year

   $ 12,954       $ 6,544       $ 10,612   
                          

Average assets under management for period

   $ 8,491       $ 9,290       $ 10,752   
                          

TOTAL

        

Assets under management, beginning of year

   $ 15,102       $ 29,786       $ 29,896   
                          

Inflows

     7,256         4,681         12,271   

Outflows

     (3,296      (8,033      (6,867
                          

Net inflows (outflows)

     3,960         (3,352      5,404   

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     5,723         (11,332      (5,514
                          

Total increase (decrease)

     9,683         (14,684      (110
                          

Assets under management, end of year

   $ 24,785       $ 15,102       $ 29,786   
                          

Average assets under management for period

   $ 17,443       $ 24,913       $ 32,752   
                          

 

 

Assets under management were $24.8 billion at December 31, 2009, a 64% increase from $15.1 billion at December 31, 2008. The increase in assets under management was due to market appreciation of approximately $5.7 billion and net inflows of $4.0 billion during the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

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A significant majority of our revenue, approximately 91%, 88% and 85% in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, is derived by providing asset management services to our sponsored open-end and closed-end mutual funds and to institutional separate accounts. This revenue is earned pursuant to the terms of the underlying advisory contract, and is based on a contractual investment advisory fee generally applied to the average assets under management in the client’s portfolio.

Average assets under management were $17.4 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, a 30% decrease from $24.9 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008. Given the recent market decline in general, and real estate securities specifically, the decrease in average assets under management was in line with the markets.

Open-end mutual funds

Open-end mutual fund assets under management were $6.3 billion at December 31, 2009, compared with $4.3 billion at December 31, 2008 and $8.9 billion at December 31, 2007. The increase in assets under management from December 31, 2008 was attributable to $1.5 billion of market appreciation and $517 million of net inflows. The decrease in assets under management during 2008 was attributable to $3.4 billion of market depreciation and $1.2 billion of net outflows. The decrease in assets under management during 2007 was attributable to $1.8 billion of market depreciation partially offset by net inflows of $1.1 billion.

Average assets under management were $4.5 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of 36% from $7.1 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008, and a decrease of 57% from $10.6 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Net inflows for open-end mutual funds were $517 million in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with net outflows of $1.2 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008 and net inflows of $1.1 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007. Gross inflows decreased to $2.1 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared with $2.7 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008 and $5.8 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007. Gross outflows totaled $1.6 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $3.9 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008 and $4.7 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Market appreciation was $1.5 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with market depreciation of $3.4 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008 and market depreciation of $1.8 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Closed-end mutual funds

Closed-end mutual fund assets under management were $5.5 billion at December 31, 2009 compared with $4.3 billion at December 31, 2008 and $10.3 billion at December 31, 2007. The increase in assets under management from December 31, 2008 was primarily attributable to market appreciation of $1.0 billion and $233 million of net inflows due to line of credit borrowings achieved through the funds’ credit facilities. The decrease in assets under management during 2008 was primarily attributable to market depreciation of $3.9 billion and the redemption of $2.1 billion of auction market preferred securities. The decrease in assets under management during 2007 was attributable to market depreciation of $1.9 billion partially offset by $736 million from offerings of common shares for a new fund and preferred shares for existing funds.

Average assets under management were $4.4 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of 48% from $8.5 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008, and a decrease of 61% from $11.4 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007.

On December 18, 2009, Cohen & Steers Advantage Income Realty Fund, Inc. and Cohen & Steers Premium Income Realty Fund, Inc. were merged into Cohen & Steers Quality Income Realty Fund, Inc. The merger did not affect our assets under management.

Closed-end mutual fund inflows from common and preferred stock offerings were $736 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. In July 2007, Cohen & Steers Global Income Builder, Inc. (“INB”) was launched, raising $534 million, including leverage. Also, Cohen & Steers REIT and Utility Income Fund, Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, and Cohen & Steers Closed End Opportunity Fund, three existing closed-end mutual funds, raised $202 million of variable rate preferred shares in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Market appreciation was $1.0 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with market depreciation of $3.9 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008 and market depreciation of $1.9 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

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Institutional separate accounts

Institutional separate account assets under management were $13.0 billion at December 31, 2009, compared with $6.5 billion at December 31, 2008 and $10.6 billion at December 31, 2007. The increase in assets under management from December 31, 2008 was attributable to $3.2 billion of market appreciation and $3.2 billion net inflows. The decrease in assets under management during 2008 was attributable to $4.0 billion of market depreciation and $59 million of net outflows. The increase in assets under management during 2007 was attributable to net inflows of $3.5 billion partially offset by market depreciation of $1.9 billion.

Average assets under management were $8.5 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, a decrease of 9% from $9.3 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008, and a decrease of 21% from $10.8 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Institutional separate accounts had net inflows of $3.2 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with net outflows of $59 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 and net inflows of $3.5 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007. Gross inflows were $4.5 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared with $2.0 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008 and $5.7 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007. Gross outflows totaled $1.3 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $2.1 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008 and $2.2 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Market appreciation was $3.2 billion in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with market depreciation of $4.0 billion in the year ended December 31, 2008 and market depreciation of $1.9 billion in the year ended December 31, 2007.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

      Years Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2009      2008      2007  

Results from continuing operations

        

Total revenue

   $ 123,553       $ 185,830       $ 255,069   

Total expenses

     (105,990      (132,537      (155,597

Net non-operating (loss) income

     (13,399      (7,413      10,009   
                          

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

   $ 4,164       $ 45,880       $ 109,481   
                          

Results from discontinued operations

        

Total revenue

   $       $ 1,181       $ 27,323   

Total expenses

     (21      (13,417      (16,502

Net non-operating income

     4         405         1,466   
                          

(Loss) income from discontinued operations before provision for income taxes

   $ (17    $ (11,831    $ 12,287   
                          

 

 

Discontinued Operations

On December 5, 2008, the Company announced its plan to exit the investment banking business. Effective May 1, 2009, Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (“CSCM”) sold its membership interest in Cohen & Steers Capital Advisors, LLC (“Advisors”) to an entity controlled by the former managing directors of Advisors.

In conjunction with our decision to exit the investment banking business, the results of the investment banking activities, which had historically been reported as a separate business segment, Investment Banking, are reflected in discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements.

2009 COMPARED WITH 2008

Results from Continuing Operations

Revenue

Revenue decreased 34% to $123.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 from $185.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower levels of average assets under management. Investment advisory and administration fees decreased 31% to $112.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $163.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

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In the year ended December 31, 2009, total investment advisory and administration revenue from open-end mutual funds decreased 36% to $40.5 million from $63.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower levels of average assets under management resulting from market depreciation and net outflows during the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.

In the year ended December 31, 2009, total investment advisory and administration revenue from closed-end mutual funds decreased 44% to $34.5 million from $61.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in closed-end mutual fund revenue was attributable to lower levels of average assets under management resulting from market depreciation and the redemption of auction market preferred securities during the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.

In the year ended December 31, 2009, total investment advisory and administration revenue from institutional separate accounts decreased 3% to $37.3 million from $38.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease was attributable to lower levels of average assets under management in 2009.

Distribution and service fee revenue decreased 56% to $7.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 from $17.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease in distribution and service fee revenue was primarily due to lower levels of average assets under management in 2009.

Expenses

Total operating expenses decreased 20% to $106.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 from $132.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily due to decreases in distribution and service fees of $9.5 million, restructuring and impairment charges of $5.6 million, employee compensation and benefits of $4.6 million, general and administrative expense of $3.9 million and amortization of deferred commission of $3.4 million.

Distribution and service fees decreased 39% to $14.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 from $24.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease was primarily due to lower levels of average assets under management in open-end load mutual funds for the 2009 period.

Restructuring and impairment was $5.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, which included severance expense of approximately $1.9 million and impairment charges associated primarily with previously acquired intangible assets of approximately $3.7 million.

Employee compensation and benefits decreased 7% to $58.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 from $62.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. This was primarily due to lower incentive based compensation of approximately $2.6 million and decreased salary and payroll taxes of approximately $1.9 million.

General and administrative decreased 12% to $28.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2009, from $32.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower travel and entertainment expense of approximately $1.8 million, lower professional fees of approximately $749,000 and lower office expense of approximately $706,000.

Amortization of deferred commissions decreased 81% to $789,000 in the year ended December 31, 2009 from $4.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower subscriptions in class C shares in our open-end load mutual funds for which commissions are capitalized and amortized.

Non-operating Income (loss)

Non-operating loss was $13.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with non-operating loss of $7.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. The 2009 and 2008 results included previously disclosed impairment charges on available-for-sale securities of $32.3 million and $10.8 million, respectively. Excluding these items, non-operating income would have been $18.8 million and $3.3 million in the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. This increase was primarily attributable to increased gains from trading securities of $14.5 million attributable to the consolidation of our long short global real estate funds.

Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax expense of $4.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2009, compared with $20.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2008. The provision for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2009 included the reversal of an approximate $3.2 million valuation allowance associated with

 

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available-for-sale securities recorded in 2008 and approximately $7.3 million related to non-deductible impairment charges recorded during the year ended December 31, 2009. The provision for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2008 included the $3.2 million valuation allowance mentioned above and $2.1 million due to the non-deductibility of realized losses on sales of securities. The income tax expense in the year ended December 31, 2008 also included a $1.3 million expense reduction due to an adjustment from the estimated provision to the actual 2007 U.S. federal tax return. The provision for income taxes in the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 include U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes at an approximate effective tax rate of 21% and 37%, respectively, excluding the items mentioned above.

2008 COMPARED WITH 2007

Results from Continuing Operations

Revenue

Revenue decreased 27% to $185.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $255.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower levels of average assets under management. Investment advisory and administration fees decreased 25% to $163.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared with $217.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007.

In the year ended December 31, 2008, total investment advisory and administration revenue from open-end mutual funds decreased 32% to $63.4 million from $92.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease was attributable to lower levels of average assets under management resulting from market depreciation and net outflows.

In the year ended December 31, 2008, total investment advisory and administration revenue from closed-end mutual funds decreased 21% to $61.9 million from $78.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in closed-end mutual fund revenue was attributable to lower levels of average assets under management resulting from market depreciation and the redemption of auction market preferred securities during the fourth quarter of 2008.

In the year ended December 31, 2008, total investment advisory and administration revenue from institutional separate accounts decreased 17% to $38.5 million from $46.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower levels of assets under management resulting primarily from market depreciation.

Distribution and service fee revenue decreased 40% to $17.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $28.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease in distribution and service fee revenue was primarily due to lower levels of average assets under management in 2008.

Expenses

Total operating expenses decreased 15% to $132.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $155.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to decreases in distribution and service fees of $16.3 million, amortization of deferred commission of $6.6 million, and employee compensation and benefits of $4.1 million, partially offset by restructuring and impairment of $5.6 million.

Distribution and service fees decreased 40% to $24.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $40.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. The 2007 expenses included a $5.8 million payment associated with an additional compensation agreement entered into in connection with the offering of a closed-end mutual fund. Excluding this payment, distribution and service fee expenses would have decreased 30% in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $34.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease in distribution and service fee expenses was primarily due to lower levels of average assets under management in 2008.

Amortization of deferred commissions decreased 61% to $4.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $10.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower subscriptions in class C shares in our open-end load mutual funds for which commissions are capitalized and amortized.

Employee compensation and benefits decreased 6% to $62.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $66.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily due to lower incentive and production based compensation of approximately $10.9 million, partially offset by increased salary of

 

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approximately $5.3 million due to new employees hired during 2007 and 2008 and higher amortization of stock based compensation of approximately $1.4 million.

Restructuring and impairment include severance expense of approximately $1.9 million and impairment charges associated primarily with previously acquired intangible assets of approximately $3.7 million.

Non-operating Income (Loss)

Non-operating loss was $7.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared with non-operating income of $10.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease was primarily attributable to $14.0 million of losses recorded on available-for-sale securities, primarily from permanent impairments on our investments in Federal National Mortgage Association preferred securities as well as decreased interest and dividend income due to lower levels of cash and cash equivalents coupled with lower interest rates.

Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax expense of $20.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared with income tax expense of $41.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. The income tax expense in the year ended December 31, 2008 included a $3.2 million valuation allowance associated with available-for-sale securities and $2.1 million due to the non-deductibility of realized losses on sales of securities. The income tax expense in the year ended December 31, 2008 also included a $1.3 million expense reduction due to an adjustment from the estimated provision to the actual 2007 U.S. federal tax return. The provision for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2008 included U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes at an approximate effective tax rate of 37%, excluding the items mentioned above. The provision for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2007 included U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes at an approximate effective tax rate of 38%.

Discontinued Operations

The net of tax loss from discontinued operations was $7.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared with the net of tax income from discontinued operations of $7.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007.

Revenue

Revenue decreased 96% to $1.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $27.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. Revenue from investment banking activity is primarily dependent on the completion of transactions, the timing of which cannot be predicted.

Expenses

Total operating expenses decreased 19% to $13.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $16.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily due to decreases in employee compensation and benefits of $1.2 million and depreciation and amortization of $1.7 million.

Employee compensation and benefits decreased 9% to $12.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $13.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This was primarily due to decreased production based and incentive compensation of approximately $9.9 million resulting from less investment banking fees generated during the period, partially offset by higher amortization of stock-based compensation and severance charges of approximately $8.9 million.

Depreciation and amortization decreased 91% to $156,000 in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $1.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease was primarily due to a reduction in amortization expense of approximately $1.7 million associated with the intangible asset attributable to non-compete agreements established in connection with our initial public offering, which fully amortized in January 2008.

Non-operating Income

Non-operating income decreased 72% to $405,000 in the year ended December 31, 2008 from $1.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease was attributable to lower interest and dividends due to lower cash balances associated with decreased investment banking fees combined with lower interest rates.

Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax benefit of $4.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2008, compared with income tax expense of $4.9 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. The benefit for income taxes in the

 

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year ended December 31, 2008 included U.S. federal, state and local taxes at an approximate effective tax rate of 41%. The provision for income taxes in the year ended December 31, 2007 included U.S. federal, state and local taxes at an approximate effective tax rate of 40%.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our investment advisory business does not require us to maintain significant capital balances. Our current financial condition is highly liquid, with a significant amount of our assets comprised of cash and cash equivalents, investments, available-for-sale and accounts receivable. Our cash flows generally result from the operating activities of our business, with investment advisory and administrative fees being the most significant contributor. Cash and cash equivalents, investments, available-for-sale, and accounts receivable were 68% and 64% of total assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Included in the investments, available-for-sale were $5.1 million of auction rate preferred securities and $2.6 million of corporation debt securities which were classified as level 2 investments in accordance with the Accounting Standard Codification (the “Codification”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) at December 31, 2009. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements relating to investments.

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $22.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 from $35.2 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 and decreased from $116.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. We expect that cash flows provided by operating activities will continue to serve as the principal source of working capital in our near future.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $10.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared with net cash provided by investing activities of $1.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 and net cash used in investing activities of $72.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. In 2009, net cash provided by investing activities was primarily comprised of $45.6 million of proceeds from sale and maturities of investments, available-for-sale, partially offset by $32.8 million of purchase of investments, available-for-sale and $2.5 million of purchases of property and equipment. In 2008, net cash provided by investing activities was primarily comprised of $45.1 million of proceeds from sale and maturities of investments, available-for-sale, partially offset by $35.4 million of purchases of investments, available-for-sale and $8.0 million of purchases of property and equipment. In 2007, net cash used in investing activities was primarily comprised of $83.5 million of purchases of investments, available-for-sale and $5.3 million of purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by $15.3 million of proceeds from sale and maturities of investments.

Net cash used in financing activities was $1.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2009 compared with net cash used in financing activities of $52.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2008 and net cash used in financing activities of $47.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. In 2009, net cash used in financing activities was primarily comprised of $8.5 million for the payment of dividends to stockholders, a reduction to previously recorded excess tax benefits associated with the delivery of restricted stock units of $3.4 million, and $2.3 million for the repurchase of common stock, partially offset by proceeds from redeemable noncontrolling interest of $11.8 million. In 2008, net cash used in financing activities was primarily comprised of $32.0 million for the repurchase of common stock and $31.6 million for the payment of dividends to stockholders, partially offset by $10.8 million of excess tax benefits associated with delivery of restricted stock awards. In 2007, net cash used in financing activities was primarily comprised of $38.7 million for the payment of dividends to stockholders and $38.3 million for the repurchase of common stock, partially offset by $28.7 million of excess tax benefits associated with delivery of restricted stock awards.

It is our policy to continuously monitor and evaluate the adequacy of our capital. We have consistently maintained net capital in excess of the regulatory requirements for our broker/dealer, as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At December 31, 2009, we exceeded our aggregate minimum regulatory capital requirements by approximately $11.4 million. The SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 imposes certain requirements that may have the effect of prohibiting a broker/dealer from distributing or withdrawing capital and requiring prior notice to the SEC for certain withdrawals of capital. Our non-U.S. subsidiaries are regulated outside the U.S. by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, the United Kingdom Financial Securities Authority, and the Belgium Banking, Finance and Insurance Commission. At December 31, 2009, our non-U.S. subsidiaries exceeded their aggregate minimum regulatory requirements by approximately $38.5 million. We believe that our cash flows from operations will be more than adequate to meet our anticipated capital requirements and other obligations as they become due.

 

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Contractual Obligations

We have contractual obligations to make future payments in connection with our non-cancelable operating lease agreements for office space. There were no material capital leases obligations as of December 31, 2009. The following summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

Contractual Obligations    Payments Due by December 31,
      2010    2011    2012    2013    2014    2015 and
after
   Total

Operating leases

   $ 7,646    $ 7,290    $ 7,040    $ 7,241    $ 1,007    $ 746    $ 30,970

 

 

We had $4.9 million, $5.7 million and $5.5 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $2.5 million, $3.4 million and $3.5 million (net of the federal benefit on state issues) as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for additional disclosures related to income taxes.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not invest in any off-balance sheet vehicles that provide liquidity, capital resources, market or credit risk support, or engage in any leasing activities that expose us to any liability that is not reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We believe the estimates used in preparing the consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

A thorough understanding of our accounting policies is essential when reviewing our reported results of operations and our financial position. Management considers the following accounting policies critical to an informed review of our consolidated financial statements. For a summary of these and additional accounting policies, see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.

Investments

Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such determination at each statement of financial condition date. Securities owned and securities sold but not yet purchased are classified as trading securities and are measured at fair value based on quoted market prices, market prices obtained from independent pricing services engaged by management or as determined by our fair value committee, with unrealized gains and losses reported as gain (loss) from trading securities reported in our consolidated statement of operations. Trading securities are attributable to the consolidation of our investment in the onshore global real estate long-short fund. Investments classified as an equity investment represent our equity interest in our offshore global real estate long-short fund using the equity method of accounting, under which the investor recognizes its respective share of the investee’s net income for the period. Investments classified as available-for-sale are primarily comprised of investment-grade preferred instruments and investments in our sponsored open-end and closed-end mutual funds. These investments are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices or market prices obtained from independent pricing services engaged by management, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We periodically review each individual security position that has an unrealized loss, or impairment, to determine if that impairment is other than temporary. If we believe an impairment of a security position is other than temporary, the loss will be recognized in our consolidated statement of operations.

 

24


 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of our investment in the net assets of an acquired company over the fair value of the underlying identifiable net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment by comparing the fair value to their carrying amounts. Finite lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives.

Stock-based Compensation

We recognize compensation expense for the grant-date fair value of awards of equity instruments granted to employees. This expense is recognized over the period during which employees are required to provide service. We also estimate forfeitures. During the year ended December 31, 2008, we reduced our estimated forfeiture rate, resulting in an increase in employee compensation and benefits of approximately $1.0 million.

Income Taxes

We record the current and deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the provisions of the enacted tax laws. Deferred tax assets are recognized for temporary differences that will result in deductible amounts in future years. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for temporary differences that will result in taxable income in future years. We record a valuation allowance, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance as an amendment to fair value measurements and disclosures. The new guidance adds requirements for disclosure about transfers into and out of level 1 and level 2 fair value measurements and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to level 3 measurements. The guidance also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques in level 2 and level 3 fair value measurements. This new guidance is effective for the first quarter of our 2010 fiscal year. The adoption of this new guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) and a new hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles. The new guidance became the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. As a result, all of the Codification’s content now carries the same level of authority, effectively superseding the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles previously issued. The new guidance was effective for the third quarter of our 2009 fiscal year. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance related to consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) which required careful reconsideration of previous conclusions, including (1) whether an entity is a VIE, (2) whether the enterprise is the VIE’s primary beneficiary, and (3) what type of financial statement disclosures are required. This guidance is effective for the first quarter of our 2010 fiscal year. In February 2010, the FASB issued new guidance as an amendment to consolidation of VIEs. The amendment deferred the consolidation requirements for a reporting entity’s interest in an entity (1) that has all the attributes of an investment company, or (2) for which it is industry practice to apply measurement principles for financial reporting purposes that are consistent with those followed by investment companies. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements because we meet the criteria under the deferral afforded by the amendment.

In May 2009, the FASB issued new guidance related to subsequent events. This guidance established general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. This new guidance was effective for the second quarter of our 2009 fiscal year. In February 2010, the FASB issued new guidance as an amendment to disclosure requirements for subsequent events. The amendment removes the requirement for an SEC filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in an entity’s financial statements. The new guidance was effective for the fourth quarter of our 2009 fiscal year. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance which:

• Required disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements.

 

25


 

• Provided guidance to determine when the volume and level of transaction activity for assets or liabilities have significantly decreased and identify transactions that are not representative of an orderly market where quoted prices may not be determinative of fair value.

• Amended guidance with respect to the other-than-temporary impairment evaluation model for debt securities.

The above new guidance was effective for the second quarter of our 2009 fiscal year. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2008, the FASB issued guidance to clarify the application of fair value measurements in an inactive market and provided an illustrative example to demonstrate how the fair value of a financial asset is determined when the market for that financial asset is not active. The guidance provided is consistent with our approach to valuing financial assets for which there are no active markets.

In March 2008, the FASB amended previous guidance enhancing disclosure about derivative instruments and hedging activities. This guidance was effective for the first quarter of our 2009 fiscal year. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB amended previous guidance to establish accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries and for the deconsolidation of subsidiaries. The amended guidance was effective for the first quarter of our 2009 fiscal year. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the normal course of our business, we are exposed to the risk from changes in interest and currency rates and securities market and general economic fluctuations, which may have an adverse impact on the value of our investments and securities owned. At December 31, 2009, we had approximately $17.6 million of securities owned and approximately $16.1 million of securities sold but not yet purchased, which were comprised primarily of domestic equities. At December 31, 2009, we had approximately $10.8 million of an equity investment, which represented our equity interest in our offshore global real estate long-short fund. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately $45.8 million of investments, available-for-sale which were comprised of approximately $22.0 million invested in our sponsored mutual funds, $15.5 million invested in perpetual preferred securities, $5.7 million invested in foreign and domestic common stocks and $2.6 million invested in fixed income instruments. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded an impairment loss of approximately $32.3 million from investments, available-for-sale, primarily from preferred securities and seed money investments in our sponsored mutual funds, $12.3 million of which related to securities that were sold during the year ended December 31, 2009.

A significant majority of our revenue—approximately 91%, 88% and 85% in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively—is derived from investment advisory agreements with our clients. Under these agreements, the investment advisory and administration fee we receive is based on the market value of the assets we manage. Accordingly, a decline in the prices of securities generally, and real estate securities in particular, attributable to such market factors as inflation, interest changes and economic downturn, may cause our revenue and income to decline by:

• causing the value of the assets we manage to decrease, which would result in lower investment advisory and administration fees; or

• causing our clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments that they perceive as offering greater opportunity or lower risk, which would also result in lower investment advisory and administration fees.

In addition, market conditions currently preclude us from increasing the assets we manage in closed-end mutual funds. The market conditions for these offerings may continue to be unfavorable in the future, which will adversely impact our ability to grow the assets we manage and realize higher fee revenue associated with such growth. Further, depending on market conditions, the closed-end funds we manage may increase or decrease their leverage in order to maintain the funds’ target leverage ratios, thereby increasing or decreasing the assets we manage.

As of December 31, 2009, 43% and 28% of the assets we managed were concentrated in U.S. real estate common stocks and global real estate common stocks, respectively. An increase in interest rates or prolonged economic downturn could have a negative impact on the valuation of REITs and other securities in our clients’

 

26


 

portfolios, which could reduce our revenue. In addition, an increase in interest rates or prolonged economic downturn could negatively impact our ability to increase open-end mutual fund assets and to offer new mutual funds.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

The report of our independent registered public accounting firm and financial statements listed in the accompanying index are included in Item 15 of this report. See the Index to Financial Statements on page F-1.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There have been no disagreements on accounting and financial disclosure matters.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Our management, including our co-chief executive officers and our chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2009.

Based on that evaluation, our co-chief executive officers and our chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2009 were effective.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is located on page F-2 of this Report on Form 10-K and Deloitte & Touche LLP’s report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is located on page F-3.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information regarding directors and executive officers set forth under the captions “Item 1: Election of Directors—Information Concerning the Nominees and Directors” and “Item 1: Election of Directors—Other Executive Officers” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act set forth under the caption “Item 1: Election of Directors—Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

The information regarding our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and committees of our Board of Directors under the caption “Item 1: Election of Directors—Corporate Governance at Cohen & Steers” and “Item 1: Election of Directors—Information about the Board and its Committees” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information contained in the sections captioned “Item 1: Election of Directors—Compensation of Executive Officers”, “Item 1: Election of Directors—Compensation of Directors” and “Item 1: Election of Directors—Report of the Compensation Committee” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

27


 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information contained in the sections captioned “Item 1: Election of Directors—Ownership of Cohen & Steers Common Stock” and “Item 1: Election of Directors—Equity Compensation Plan Information” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information contained in the section captioned “Item 1: Election of Directors—Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Item 1: Election of Directors—Corporate Governance at Cohen  & Steers” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information regarding our independent registered public accounting firm fees and services in the section captioned “Item 2: Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

28


 

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)   1.   Financial Statements
    Included herein at pages F-1 through F-27.
  2.   Financial Data Schedules
    All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information required is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
  3.   Exhibits

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
3.1   

—Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant(1)

3.2   

—Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant(2)

4.1   

—Specimen Common Stock Certificate(1)

4.2   

—Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant, Martin Cohen, Robert H. Steers, The Martin Cohen 1998 Family Trust and Robert H. Steers Family Trust(1)

10.1   

—Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement among Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Martin Cohen, Robert H. Steers, The Martin Cohen 1998 Family Trust and Robert H. Steers Family Trust(1)

10.2   

—Form of Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Martin Cohen*(1)

10.3   

—Form of Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Robert H. Steers*(1)

10.4   

—Cohen & Steers, Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan*(3)

10.5   

—Cohen & Steers, Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Annual Incentive Plan*(3)

10.6   

—Cohen & Steers, Inc. 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan*(1)

10.7   

—Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Cohen & Steers, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan*(4)

10.8   

—Form of Voluntary Deferral Program Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Cohen & Steers, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan*(4)

10.9   

—Form of Mandatory Deferral Program Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Cohen & Steers, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan*(4)

10.10   

—Additional Compensation Termination Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2006, between Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.(5)

10.11   

—Amendment to Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Martin Cohen*(6)

10.12   

—Amendment to Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Robert H. Steers*(6)

21.1   

—Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith)

23.1   

—Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (filed herewith)

24.1   

—Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereto).

31.1   

—Certification of the co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

31.2   

—Certification of the co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

31.3   

—Certification of the co-Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

29


 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
32.1   

—Certification of the co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).

32.2   

—Certification of the co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).

32.3   

—Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).

 

 

(1) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-114027), as amended, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004.

(2) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

(3) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), filed on May 15, 2008.

(4) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.

(5) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

(6) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the year ended December 31, 2007.

* Denotes compensatory plan.

 

30


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

COHEN & STEERS, INC.
By:   /S/    MARTIN COHEN        
  Martin Cohen
  Co-Chairman, Co-Chief Executive
Officer and Director

March 16, 2010

Each of the officers and directors of Cohen & Steers, Inc. whose signature appears below, in so signing, also makes, constitutes and appoints each of Martin Cohen and Robert H. Steers, or either of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power and substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the SEC any and all amendments to the Report on Form 10-K, with exhibits thereto and other documents connected therewith and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file such documents, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature    Title   Date

/S/ MARTIN COHEN

Martin Cohen

   Co-Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director (Co-Principal Executive Officer)   March 16, 2010

/S/ ROBERT H. STEERS

Robert H. Steers

   Co-Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director (Co-Principal Executive Officer)   March 16, 2010

/S/ RICHARD E. BRUCE

Richard E. Bruce

   Director   March 16, 2010

/S/ PETER L. RHEIN

Peter L. Rhein

   Director   March 16, 2010

/S/ RICHARD P. SIMON

Richard P. Simon

   Director   March 16, 2010

/S/ EDMOND D. VILLANI

Edmond D. Villani

   Director   March 16, 2010

/S/ MATTHEW S. STADLER

Matthew S. Stadler

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   March 16, 2010

/S/ BERNARD M. DOUCETTE

Bernard M. Doucette

   Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   March 16, 2010

 

 

 

31


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

   F-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-9

 

F-1


 

COHEN & STEERS, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The management of Cohen & Steers, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm that audited the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Their report appears on the following page.

March 16, 2010

 

F-2


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Cohen & Steers, Inc. New York, NY

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Cohen & Steers, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and redeemable noncontrolling interest, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cohen & Steers, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

/s/    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York

March 16, 2010

 

F-3


 

COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

(in thousands, except share data)    December 31, 2009      December 31, 2008  

ASSETS

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 153,002       $ 121,857   

Securities owned

     17,621         19,070   

Equity investment

     10,842           

Investments, available-for-sale

     45,758         44,845   

Accounts receivable

     23,324         17,373   

Due from broker

     28,234         15,755   

Income tax receivable

     777         12,470   

Property and equipment—net

     14,866         16,420   

Deferred commissions—net

     523         772   

Goodwill

     21,196         20,783   

Intangible assets—net

     2,057         2,146   

Deferred income tax asset—net

     6,649         9,704   

Other assets

     3,862         4,927   
                 

Total assets

   $ 328,711       $ 286,122   
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Liabilities:

     

Accrued compensation

   $ 12,009       $ 15,529   

Securities sold but not yet purchased

     16,118         10,676   

Deferred rent

     2,656         2,947   

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

     9,593         12,028   
                 

Total liabilities

     40,376         41,180   
                 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

     3,466           
                 

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 44,834,012 and 44,181,042 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively

     448         442   

Additional paid-in capital

     357,886         347,088   

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

     (5,382      4,981   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     11,119         (30,620

Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 2,594,982 and 2,422,139 shares at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively

     (79,202      (76,949
                 

Total stockholders’ equity

     284,869         244,942   
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 328,711       $ 286,122   
                 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F-4


 

COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)   2009     2008     2007

Revenue:

     

Investment advisory and administration fees

  $ 112,566      $ 163,870      $ 217,370

Distribution and service fees

    7,545        17,055        28,402

Portfolio consulting and other

    3,442        4,905        9,297
                     

Total revenue

    123,553        185,830        255,069
                     

Expenses:

     

Employee compensation and benefits

    57,962        62,549        66,677

Restructuring and impairment

           5,586       

Distribution and service fees

    14,668        24,119        40,460

General and administrative

    28,350        32,242        32,566

Depreciation and amortization

    4,221        3,885        5,165

Amortization, deferred commissions

    789        4,156        10,729
                     

Total expenses

    105,990        132,537        155,597
                     

Operating income

    17,563        53,293        99,472
                     

Non-operating income (expense):

     

Interest and dividend income—net

    1,870        5,910        7,782

Gain (loss) from trading securities—net

    14,055        (492    

(Loss) gain from available-for-sale securities—net

    (30,245     (13,476     1,784

Other

    921        645        443
                     

Total non-operating (loss) income

    (13,399     (7,413     10,009
                     

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

    4,164        45,880        109,481

Provision for income taxes

    4,490        20,822        41,378
                     

(Loss) income from continuing operations

    (326     25,058        68,103

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

    (10     (6,997     7,393
                     

Net (loss) income

    (336     18,061        75,496

Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

    (1,374           
                     

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (1,710   $ 18,061      $ 75,496
                     

Earnings per share—Basic:

     

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.04   $ 0.60      $ 1.63
                     

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.00   $ (0.17   $ 0.18
                     

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.04   $ 0.43      $ 1.80
                     

Earnings per share—Diluted:

     

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.04   $ 0.60      $ 1.60
                     

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.00   $ (0.17   $ 0.17
                     

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.04   $ 0.43      $ 1.77
                     

Weighted average shares outstanding:

     

Basic

    42,339        41,864        41,869
                     

Diluted

    42,339        42,094        42,655
                     

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F-5


 

COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

 

     Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007  
(in thousands)   Common
Stock
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   

(Accumulated
Deficit)

Retained

Earnings

    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss),
Net
    Treasury
Stock
    Total
Stockholder’s
Equity
    Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interest
 

Beginning balance, January 1, 2007

  $ 388   $ 265,326      $ (22,053   $ 4,376      $ (6,628   $ 241,409      $   

Dividends

               (33,876                   (33,876       

Issuance of common stock

    23     1,210                             1,233          

Tax benefits associated with restricted stock units

        29,537                             29,537          

Repurchase of common stock

                             (38,313     (38,313       

Issuance of restricted stock units

        3,170                             3,170          

Amortization of restricted stock units—net

        11,622                             11,622          

Forfeitures of vested restricted stock units

        (406                          (406       

Net income

               75,496                      75,496          

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes

                      (7,957            (7,957       
                                                     

Ending balance, December 31, 2007

    411     310,459        19,567        (3,581     (44,941     281,915          
                                                     

Dividends

               (32,647                   (32,647       

Issuance of common stock

    31     914                             945          

Tax benefits associated with restricted stock units

        11,189                             11,189          

Repurchase of common stock

                             (32,008     (32,008       

Issuance of restricted stock units

        3,114                             3,114          

Amortization of restricted stock units—net

        21,552                             21,552          

Forfeitures of vested restricted stock units

        (140                          (140       

Net income

               18,061                      18,061          

Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes

                      (27,039            (27,039       
                                                     

Ending balance, December 31, 2008

    442     347,088        4,981        (30,620     (76,949     244,942          
                                                     

Dividends

               (8,653                   (8,653       

Issuance of common stock

    6     625                             631          

Reduction of tax benefit associated with restricted stock units

        (3,312                          (3,312       

Repurchase of common stock

                             (2,253     (2,253       

Issuance of restricted stock units

        642                             642          

Amortization of restricted stock units—net

        12,896                             12,896          

Forfeitures of vested restricted stock units

        (53                          (53       

Net (loss) income

               (1,710                   (1,710     1,374   

Other comprehensive income, net of taxes

                      41,739               41,739          

Proceeds from redeemable noncontrolling interest

                                           11,847   

Transfer of redeemable noncontrolling interest in consolidated entity

                                           (9,755
                                                     

Ending balance, December 31, 2009

  $ 448   $ 357,886      $ (5,382   $ 11,119      $ (79,202   $ 284,869      $ 3,466   
                                                     

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F-6


 

COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

      Years Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2009      2008      2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

        

Net (loss) income

   $ (336    $ 18,061       $ 75,496   

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Stock compensation expense

     13,010         21,694         11,808   

Amortization, deferred commissions

     789         4,156         10,729   

Depreciation and amortization

     4,221         4,027         6,990   

Impairment

             3,732           

Equity in net income of affiliate

     (340                

Deferred rent

     (291      (422      1,596   

(Gain) loss from securities owned

     (14,055      492           

Loss (gain) from investments, available-for-sale

     30,245         13,475         (1,784

Loss from sale of property and equipment

                     2   

Deferred income taxes

     (283      10,431         3,325   

Foreign currency loss (gain)

     186         (403      (103

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable

     (6,137      13,142         1,602   

Due from broker

     (30,411      (15,755        

Deferred commissions

     (540      (1,052      (8,582

Income tax receivable / payable

     11,915         (13,048      5,737   

Securities owned

     865         (19,562        

Other assets

     1,010         (123      (3,063

Accrued compensation

     (3,411      (14,195      9,178   

Securities sold but not yet purchased

     17,546         10,676           

Other liabilities and accrued expenses

     (1,842      (149      3,865   
                          

Net cash provided by operating activities

     22,141         35,177         116,796   
                          

Cash flows from investing activities:

        

Purchases of investments, available-for-sale

     (32,802      (35,427      (83,528

Proceeds from sale and maturities of investments, available-for-sale

     45,583         45,106         15,310   

Purchases of property and equipment

     (2,486      (8,031      (5,330

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

             6         1,175   
                          

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     10,295         1,654         (72,373
                          

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Issuance of common stock

     542         803         1,048   

(Reduction of) increase to excess tax benefits associated with restricted stock units

     (3,386      10,761         28,705   

Dividends to stockholders

     (8,472      (31,592      (38,727

Repurchase of common stock

     (2,253      (32,008      (38,313

Proceeds from redeemable noncontrolling interest

     11,847                   

Payment of capital lease obligations

     (27      (45      (79
                          

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,749      (52,081      (47,366
                          

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     30,687         (15,250      (2,943

Effect of exchange rate changes

     458         136         554   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year

     121,857         136,971         139,360   
                          

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year

   $ 153,002       $ 121,857       $ 136,971   
                          

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 

F-7


 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, cash paid for interest was approximately $632,000 and $105,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2007, there was no cash paid for interest.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company received cash tax refunds, net of taxes paid, of approximately $3,858,000. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, cash paid for taxes, net of refunds, totaled approximately $7,701,000 and $8,046,000, respectively.

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities:

In connection with its stock incentive plan, the Company issued for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, fully vested restricted stock units in the amount of approximately $462,000, $2,059,000 and $2,542,000, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company issued unvested restricted stock units in the amount of approximately $4,784,000, $31,376,000 and $26,091,000, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, forfeitures of restricted stock units totaled approximately $2,730,000, $3,340,000 and $2,511,000, respectively. In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company issued restricted stock unit dividend equivalents in the amount of approximately $181,000, $1,055,000 and $630,000, respectively.

On December 24, 2008, the Company issued shares of its common stock with an aggregate grant date value of approximately $9,455,000 in connection with its exit from the investment banking business.

On December 1, 2009, the Company deconsolidated the assets and liabilities of the offshore global long-short fund resulting in a non-cash reclassification of $10,502,000 to equity investment representing the Company’s proportionate share of the fund.

 

F-8


 

COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

Cohen & Steers, Inc. (“CNS”) was organized as a Delaware corporation on March 17, 2004. CNS was formed to be the holding company for Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (“CSCM”), a New York corporation, and to allow for the issuance of common stock to the public.

The consolidated financial statements set forth herein include the accounts of CNS and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. CNS’s significant wholly-owned subsidiaries are CSCM, Cohen & Steers Securities, LLC (“Securities”), Cohen & Steers Asia Limited, Cohen & Steers UK Limited and Cohen & Steers Europe S.A. (collectively, the “Company”). All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Through CSCM, a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), the Company provides investment management services to individual and institutional investors through a broad range of investment vehicles. The Company manages income-oriented equity portfolios specializing in U.S. and international real estate securities, large cap value stocks, listed infrastructure and utilities, and preferred securities. The Company also manages alternative investment strategies such as hedged real estate securities portfolios and private real estate multimanager strategies for qualified investors. Its clients include Company-sponsored open-end and closed-end mutual funds, U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans, endowment funds and individuals. Through Securities, its registered broker/dealer, the Company provides distribution services for certain of its funds.

On December 5, 2008, the Company announced its plan to exit the investment banking business. Effective May 1, 2009, CSCM sold its membership interest in Cohen & Steers Capital Advisors, LLC (“Advisors”) to an entity controlled by the former managing directors of Advisors. The transaction did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting Estimates—The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Management believes the estimates used in preparing the consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications—Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The amounts related to these reclassifications are not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Except as otherwise indicated, the notes to the consolidated financial statements do not include amounts from the Company’s discontinued investment banking business.

Consolidation—The Company consolidates operating entities deemed to be voting interest entities if the Company owns a majority of the voting interest. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in non-controlled affiliates in which the Company’s ownership ranges from 20 to 50 percent, or in instances in which the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control. The Company also consolidates any variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company provides for non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries for which the Company’s ownership is less than 100 percent.

A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) the group of holders of the equity investment at risk lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has the obligation to absorb a majority of the expected losses or the right to receive the majority of the residual returns. The Company evaluates whether entities in which it has an interest are VIEs and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of any VIEs identified in its analysis. See Note 4 for further discussion.

 

F-9


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments, which are readily convertible into cash and have original maturities of three months or less.

Due from Broker—The Company conducts business with brokers for certain of its investment activities. The clearing and custody operations for these investment activities are performed pursuant to agreements with prime brokers. The due from broker balance represents cash balances at brokers and net receivables and payables for unsettled security transactions. The Company is subject to credit risk to the extent any broker with which the Company conducts business is unable to deliver cash balances or securities, or clear transactions on their behalf. The Company monitors the financial condition of the brokers with which it conducts business and believes the likelihood of loss under the aforementioned circumstances is remote.

Investments—Management of the Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such determination at each statement of financial condition date. Securities owned and securities sold but not yet purchased are classified as trading securities and are measured at fair value based on quoted market prices, market prices obtained from independent pricing services engaged by management or as determined by the Company’s fair value committee, with unrealized gains and losses reported as gain (loss) from trading securities reported in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Trading securities are attributable to the consolidation of the Company’s investment in its onshore global real estate long-short fund. Investments classified as an equity investment represents the Company’s equity interest in its offshore global real estate long-short fund using the equity method of accounting, under which the investor recognizes its respective share of the investee’s net income for the period. Investments classified as available-for-sale are primarily comprised of investment-grade preferred instruments and investments in Company-sponsored open-end and closed-end mutual funds. These investments are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices or market prices obtained from independent pricing services engaged by management, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Company periodically reviews each individual security position that has an unrealized loss, or impairment, to determine if that impairment is other than temporary. If the Company believes an impairment of a security position is other than temporary, the loss will be recognized in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

Long-Lived Assets—Property and equipment are recorded at historical cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the lease. Deferred commissions consist of commissions paid in advance to broker/dealers in connection with the sale of certain shares of Company-sponsored open-end load mutual funds and are capitalized and amortized over a period not to exceed six years. All long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment periodically and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amounts of the assets may be impaired. If the expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying value of such asset exceeded its fair value.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets—Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of the Company’s investment in the net assets of an acquired company over the fair value of the underlying identifiable net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment by comparing the fair value to their carrying amounts. Finite lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. See Note 3 for further discussion about the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest—Redeemable noncontrolling interest represents third-party minority voting interests in the Company’s onshore global real estate long-short fund. This interest is redeemable at the option of the investors and therefore is not treated as permanent equity.

Investment Advisory and Administration Fees—The Company earns revenue by providing asset management services to Company-sponsored open-end and closed-end mutual funds and to institutional separate accounts. This revenue is earned pursuant to the terms of the underlying advisory contract, and is based on a contractual investment advisory fee applied to the assets in the client’s portfolio, net of waivers. The Company also earns revenue from administration fees paid by certain Company-sponsored open-end and

 

F-10


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

closed-end mutual funds, based on the average assets under management of such funds. This revenue is recognized as such fees are earned.

Distribution and Service Fees—Distribution and service fee revenue is earned as the services are performed, based on contractually-predetermined percentages of the average assets under management of the open-end load mutual funds. Distribution and service fee revenue is recorded gross of any third-party distribution and service fee expense arrangements. The expenses associated with these third-party distribution and service fee arrangements are recorded as incurred. During the third quarter of 2007, the Company made a $5.8 million payment associated with an additional compensation agreement entered into in connection with the offering of a closed-end mutual fund. This payment was reflected as an expense in distribution and service fees on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Stock-based Compensation—The Company recognizes compensation expense for the grant-date fair value of awards of equity instruments granted to employees. This expense is recognized over the period during which employees are required to provide service. The Company also estimates forfeitures. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company reduced its estimated forfeiture rate, resulting in an increase in employee compensation and benefits of approximately $1.0 million.

Income Taxes—The Company records the current and deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the provisions of the enacted tax laws. Deferred tax assets are recognized for temporary differences that will result in deductible amounts in future years. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for temporary differences that will result in taxable income in future years. The Company records a valuation allowance, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized.

Currency Translation and Transactions—Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at exchange rates at the applicable consolidated statement of financial condition date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. The gains and losses resulting from translating non-U.S. dollar functional currency into U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, a component of stockholders’ equity. Gains or losses resulting from non-U.S. dollar currency transactions are included in other non-operating income in the consolidated statements of operations.

Comprehensive Income—The Company reports all changes in comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and redeemable noncontrolling interest. Comprehensive income includes net income (loss), unrealized gains and losses on investments classified as available-for-sale (net of tax) and foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax).

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements— In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance as an amendment to fair value measurements and disclosures. The new guidance adds requirements for disclosure about transfers into and out of level 1 and level 2 fair value measurements and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to level 3 measurements. The guidance also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques in level 2 and level 3 fair value measurements. This new guidance is effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2010. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued the Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) and a new hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles. The new guidance became the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. As a result, all of the Codification’s content now carries the same level of authority, effectively superseding the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles previously issued. The new guidance was effective for the Company’s third quarter of 2009. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance related to consolidation of VIEs which required careful reconsideration of previous conclusions, including (1) whether an entity is a VIE, (2) whether the enterprise is the VIE’s primary beneficiary, and (3) what type of financial statement disclosures are required. This guidance is effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2010. In February 2010, the FASB issued new guidance as an

 

F-11


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

amendment to consolidation of VIEs. The amendment deferred the consolidation requirements for a reporting entity’s interest in an entity (1) that has all the attributes of an investment company, or (2) for which it is industry practice to apply measurement principles for financial reporting purposes that are consistent with those followed by investment companies. This guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements because the Company meets the criteria under the deferral afforded by the amendment.

In May 2009, the FASB issued new guidance related to subsequent events. This guidance established general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. This new guidance was effective for the Company’s second quarter of 2009. In February 2010, the FASB issued new guidance as an amendment to disclosure requirements for subsequent events. The amendment removes the requirement for a Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filer to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in an entity’s financial statements. The new guidance was effective for the Company’s fourth quarter of 2009. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance which:

• Required disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements.

• Provided guidance to determine when the volume and level of transaction activity for assets or liabilities have significantly decreased and identify transactions that are not representative of an orderly market where quoted prices may not be determinative of fair value.

• Amended guidance with respect to the other-than-temporary impairment evaluation model for debt securities.

The above new guidance was effective for the Company’s second quarter of 2009. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In October 2008, the FASB issued guidance to clarify the application of fair value measurements in an inactive market and provided an illustrative example to demonstrate how the fair value of a financial asset is determined when the market for that financial asset is not active. The guidance provided is consistent with the Company’s approach to valuing financial assets for which there are no active markets.

In March 2008, the FASB amended previous guidance enhancing disclosure about derivative instruments and hedging activities. This guidance was effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2009. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB amended previous guidance to establish accounting and reporting standards for noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries and for the deconsolidation of subsidiaries. The amended guidance was effective for the Company’s first quarter of 2009. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

On December 18, 2006, the Company acquired Cohen & Steers Europe S.A., a Belgium-based global real estate securities manager. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets as a result of this acquisition.

During 2007, the Company finalized the purchase price valuation and allocation associated with its acquisition of Cohen & Steers Europe S.A.

During 2008, the Company recorded impairment charges of approximately $3,507,000 associated with the finite lived and indefinite lived intangible assets related to management contracts for open-end mutual funds and institutional separate accounts, respectively, acquired with the purchase of Cohen & Steers Europe S.A. The charges represent the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value calculated based on the estimated discounted future cash flows, which were reduced as a result of the decline in the net asset value of the corresponding portfolios managed by the Company caused by market depreciation in the underlying securities. These charges are included in restructuring and impairment in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

F-12


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following summarizes the changes in the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets resulting from the acquisition of Cohen & Steers Europe S.A. during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

 

      Goodwill      Finite Lived Intangible
Assets
     Indefinite Lived
Intangible Assets
 

Balance at January 1, 2008

   $ 21,450       $ 3,470       $ 2,500   

Impairment

             (2,257      (1,250

Currency revaluation

     (667                

Amortization during 2008

             (317        
                          

Balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 20,783       $ 896       $ 1,250   

Currency revaluation

     413                   

Amortization during 2009

             (89        
                          

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 21,196       $ 807       $ 1,250   
                          

 

 

The following is a summary of the intangible assets at December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

 

     

Remaining
Amortization
Period

(In Months)

   Gross
Carrying
Amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
     Intangible
Assets, Net

2009

           

Amortized intangible assets:

           

Client relationships

   108    $ 1,543    $ (736    $ 807

Non-amortized intangible assets:

           

Mutual fund management contracts

        1,250              1,250
                         

Total

      $ 2,793    $ (736    $ 2,057
                         

2008

           

Amortized intangible assets:

           

Non-compete agreements

      $ 15,400    $ (15,400    $

Client relationships

   120      1,543      (647      896

Non-amortized intangible assets:

           

Mutual fund management contracts

        1,250              1,250
                         

Total

      $ 18,193    $ (16,047    $ 2,146
                         

 

 

Amortization expense related to the intangible assets was approximately $90,000, $687,000 and $4,757,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Estimated amortization expense is as follows (in thousands):

 

Years Ended December 31,    Estimated Amortization Expense

2010

   $ 90

2011

     90

2012

     90

2013

     90

2014

     90

Thereafter

     357
      

Total

   $ 807
      

 

 

 

F-13


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

4. Investments

Equity investment

The offshore global real estate long-short fund (the “Offshore Fund”) launched by the Company in 2008 is structured as a partnership in which the Company is the investment manager and general partner, receiving a management fee and a performance fee. The Company’s equity interest in the Offshore Fund represents a seed investment to launch the fund, adjusted for the Company’s proportionate share of the fund’s earnings. At December 31, 2009, the Company had a $10,842,000 equity investment. The fund is a VIE and from January 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009 and the Company was the primary beneficiary of the Offshore Fund, therefore the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the fund were included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2009, the Company was not the primary beneficiary of the Offshore Fund as the Company no longer had a controlling financial interest. The Company’s risk with respect to its investment in the Offshore Fund is limited to its equity ownership and any uncollected management fees.

The Company accounts for its investment in the Offshore Fund using the equity method of accounting, under which the equity investment is adjusted to recognize the Company’s respective share of the investee’s net income for the period. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recognized approximately $340,000 income under this method which is included in other non-operating income in the consolidated statements of operations.

Trading

During 2008, the Company launched an onshore global real estate long-short fund (the “Onshore Fund”). At December 31, 2009, the Company and certain of its employees owned 100% of the voting interest in the Onshore Fund. Accordingly, the underlying assets and liabilities of the Onshore Fund have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements with the third party interests classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest. As the redeemable noncontrolling interests were owned by certain employees of the Company, no management or performance fees are charged. As a result of consolidating the Onshore Fund, the Company recorded approximately $17,621,000 and $13,416,000 of securities owned as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and approximately $16,118,000 and $7,547,000 of securities sold but not yet purchased as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which were comprised primarily of equities. The Company recorded unrealized gain of approximately $2,217,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009 and unrealized loss of approximately $746,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008.

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value. The Company periodically uses currency forwards to manage its exposure to market and currency risk and does not hold currency forwards for speculative or trading purposes. These currency forwards are not designated as hedges and changes in fair values of these derivatives are included in gain (loss) from trading securities-net in the consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the effect of derivative transactions was not material to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Available-for-sale

The following is a summary of the cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value of investments, available-for-sale at December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

 

December 31, 2009                                
          Gross Unrealized     
      Cost    Gains    Losses < 12
months
     Losses > 12
months
   Fair
Value

Perpetual preferred securities

   $ 11,648    $ 3,813    $       $    $ 15,461

Common stocks

     5,204      636      (150           5,690

Fixed income

     1,446      1,179                   2,625

Company-sponsored mutual funds

     18,598      3,384                   21,982
                                    

Total investments, available-for-sale

   $ 36,896    $ 9,012    $ (150    $    $ 45,758
                                    

 

 

 

F-14


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

December 31, 2008                                  
          Gross Unrealized       
      Cost    Gains    Losses < 12
months
     Losses > 12
months
     Fair
Value

Perpetual preferred securities

   $ 37,211    $    $ (3,658    $ (13,310    $ 20,243

Fixed rate preferred securities

     6,888      22      (605      (1,396      4,909

Common stocks

     6,008      260      (1,022      (655      4,591

Fixed income

     5,045           (244      (2,481      2,320

Company-sponsored mutual funds

     24,788           (5,936      (6,070      12,782
                                      

Total investments, available-for-sale

   $ 79,940    $ 282    $ (11,465    $ (23,912    $ 44,845
                                      

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded an impairment loss, which is included in the (loss) gain from available-for-sale securities-net in the consolidated statements of operations, of approximately $32,278,000 from investments primarily from preferred securities and seed money investments in Company-sponsored mutual funds, $12,304,000 of which related to securities that were sold during the year ended December 31, 2009.

Unrealized losses on investments, available-for-sale as of December 31, 2009 were generally caused by market conditions. When evaluating whether an unrealized loss on an investment, available-for-sale is other-than-temporary, the Company reviews such factors as extent and duration of the loss, deterioration in the issuer’s credit quality, reduction or cessation of dividend payments and overall financial strength of the issuer. As of December 31, 2009, the Company determined that it had the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which for fixed income securities may mean until maturity. Accordingly, impairment of these investments is considered temporary.

Sales proceeds, gross realized gains and losses from investments, available-for-sale for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

      Investments, available-for-sale
Years Ended December 31,
 
      2009      2008      2007  

Proceeds from sales and maturities

   $ 45,583       $ 45,106       $ 15,310   

Gross realized gains

   $ 3,510       $ 704       $ 2,658   

Gross realized losses

   $ (13,781    $ (13,905    $ (874

 

 

Fair Value

The Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances disclosures about instruments carried at fair value, but does not change existing guidance as to whether or not an instrument should be carried at fair value.

ASC 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation classifications based on whether the inputs to the valuation techniques used in each valuation classification are observable or unobservable. These classifications are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

• Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

• Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

• Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

 

F-15


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, in which case the Company defaults to the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the investments. In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performed a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to ASC 820. The following table presents fair value measurements as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3    Total  

Cash equivalents*

   $ 118,780       $       $    $ 118,780   
                                 

Securities owned

   $ 16,908       $ 113       $ 600    $ 17,621   
                                 

Investments, available-for-sale

           

Perpetual preferred securities

   $ 10,356       $ 5,105            $ 15,461   

Common stocks

     5,690                      5,690   

Fixed income

             2,625              2,625   

Company-sponsored mutual funds

     21,982                      21,982   
                                 

Total investments, available-for-sale

   $ 38,028       $ 7,730       $    $ 45,758   
                                 

Securities sold but not yet purchased

   $ (16,098    $ (20    $    $ (16,118
                                 

 

 

* Cash equivalents were comprised of investments in treasury money market funds.

The investments classified as level 2 in the above table were comprised primarily of auction rate preferred securities and corporate debt securities.

The following table summarizes the changes in carrying value associated with level 3 investments carried at fair value (in thousands):

 

      2009

Balance at beginning of period

   $

Purchases

     600

Realized gains (losses)

    

Unrealized gains (losses)

    
      

Balance at end of period

   $ 600
      

 

 

The investments classified as level 3 were comprised of investments in non-public entities. Since the fair value of these investments was based on unobservable inputs as determined by the Company’s fair value committee, the investments are included in level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. The Company did not recognize any gains or losses on level 3 investments for the year ended December 31, 2009.

5. Property and Equipment

The following is a summary of property and equipment at December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):

 

      2009      2008  

Equipment

   $ 8,643       $ 8,032   

Furniture and fixtures

     3,445         3,416   

Software

     3,810         2,541   

Leasehold improvements

     11,578         10,902   
                 

Subtotal

     27,476         24,891   

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (12,610      (8,471
                 

Property and equipment, net

   $ 14,866       $ 16,420   
                 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $4,131,000, $3,337,000 and $2,229,000 for the years ended December 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

F-16


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment ranges from 3-9 years.

6. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income by the total weighted average shares of common stock outstanding and common stock equivalents. Common stock equivalents are comprised of dilutive potential shares from restricted stock unit awards. Common stock equivalents are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the treasury stock method.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, due to the Company’s net loss, all common stock equivalents were excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Had the Company earned a profit for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company would have added 194,000 of common stock equivalent shares to the Company’s basic weighted average shares outstanding to compute diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents of 428,000 shares were excluded from the computation for the year ended December 31, 2008. There were no anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the computation for the year ended December 31, 2007.

The following is a reconciliation of the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

      Years Ended December 31,
      2009      2008      2007

(Loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (326    $ 25,058       $ 68,103

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (10      (6,997      7,393
                        

Net (loss) income

     (336      18,061         75,496

Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

     (1,374             
                        

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

   $ (1,710    $ 18,061       $ 75,496
                        

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     42,339         41,864         41,869

Dilutive potential shares from restricted stock awards

             230         786
                        

Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding

     42,339         42,094         42,655
                        

Earnings per share—Basic:

        

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

   $ (0.04    $ 0.60       $ 1.63
                        

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to common shareholders

     (0.00      (0.17      0.18
                        

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

   $ (0.04    $ 0.43       $ 1.80
                        

Earnings per share—Diluted:

        

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

   $ (0.04    $ 0.60       $ 1.60
                        

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to common shareholders

     (0.00      (0.17      0.17
                        

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

   $ (0.04    $ 0.43       $ 1.77
                        

 

 

 

F-17


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

7. Stock-Based Compensation

2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

The Amended and Restated Cohen & Steers 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “SIP”) provides for the issuance of RSUs, stock options and other stock-based awards for a period of up to ten years to eligible employees and directors. A total of 14.0 million shares of common stock may be granted under the SIP. At December 31, 2009, RSUs with respect to approximately 8.5 million shares of common stock were issued.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

Vested Restricted Stock Unit Grants

At the time of the initial public offering, the Company granted awards of vested RSUs to certain employees pursuant to the SIP. Certain of these awards replaced all outstanding Stock Appreciation Rights awards previously made under the Company’s Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, which was subsequently terminated. As of the last business day of January 2008, all shares were delivered.

The Company has granted awards of vested RSUs to the independent directors of the Company pursuant to the SIP. The directors are entitled to receive delivery of the underlying common stock on the third anniversary of the date of the grant. Dividends declared during the delayed delivery period are paid to the directors in cash. At December 31, 2009, vested RSUs with respect to approximately 38,000 shares of common stock are outstanding pursuant to these grants. In connection with the grant of these vested RSUs, the Company recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $300,000, $300,000, and $234,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The following table sets forth activity relating to the Company’s granted awards of vested RSUs under the SIP for awards to the independent directors (share data in thousands):

 

      Year Ended December 31, 2009
      Number of Shares      Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

Balance at January 1, 2009

   23       $ 29.37

Granted

   22       $ 13.79

Delivered

   (7    $ 24.12
         

Balance at December 31, 2009

   38       $ 21.32
         

 

 

Unvested Restricted Stock Unit Grants

The Company grants awards of unvested RSUs to certain employees pursuant to the SIP. The fair value at the date of grant is expensed on a straight-line basis over the applicable service periods. Dividends are not paid to the holders of unvested RSUs. At December 31, 2009, RSUs with respect to approximately 637,000 shares of common stock are outstanding pursuant to these grants. Amortization expense related to the unearned stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures, was approximately $5,088,000, $6,077,000 and $6,662,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The following table sets forth activity relating to the Company’s granted awards under the above mentioned plans (share data in thousands):

 

      Year Ended December 31, 2009
      Number of Shares      Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

Balance at January 1, 2009

   648       $ 28.26

Granted

   244       $ 11.77

Delivered

   (207    $ 26.14

Forfeited

   (48    $ 28.25
         

Balance at December 31, 2009

   637       $ 22.64
         

 

 

 

F-18


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Incentive Bonus Plans for Employees of the Company

The Company has implemented two programs for employees under which (i) based upon compensation levels, it automatically pays a portion of their year-end bonuses in the form of unvested RSUs (“Mandatory Plan”) and (ii) employees can elect to defer, on a pre-tax basis, an additional portion of their year-end bonus in the form of vested RSUs (“Voluntary Plan”). These RSUs are issued pursuant to the SIP. Under both plans, the Company matches a predetermined amount of the employee contribution in the form of unvested RSUs. Dividend equivalents are accrued on the deferred compensation awards and the matches in the form of additional unvested RSUs. The RSUs under the Mandatory Plan, including the Company match, will vest and be delivered pro-rata over four years. The dividend equivalents issued under the Mandatory Plan vest and will be delivered four years after the date of grant. The RSUs granted under the Voluntary Plan vest immediately at the date of grant and will be delivered three years after the date of grant. The Company match and dividend equivalents under the Voluntary Plan vest and will be delivered three years after the date of grant. The fair value at the date of grant of the RSUs under the Mandatory Plan and the matching under both programs is expensed on a straight-line basis.

As of December 31, 2009, approximately 791,000 and 141,000 RSUs under the Mandatory Plan and Voluntary Plan, respectively, including matching and dividend equivalents, were outstanding. In connection with the grant of the vested RSUs issued under the Voluntary Plan, the Company recorded a non-cash stock-based compensation expense, including amortization on the matching component, of approximately $464,000, $510,000, and $1,796,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Amortization expense, net of forfeitures, related to the unearned stock-based compensation of the Mandatory Plan, including the matching component, was approximately $7,538,000, $7,883,000 and $3,496,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The following table sets forth activity relating to the Company’s incentive bonus plans, including Company match and dividend equivalents (share data in thousands):

 

      Year Ended December 31, 2009
      Number of Shares      Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

Balance at January 1, 2009

   1,178       $ 30.42

Granted

   204       $ 11.05

Delivered

   (397    $ 27.92

Forfeited

   (53    $ 27.52
         

Balance at December 31, 2009

   932       $ 27.41
         

 

 

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Pursuant to the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), the Company allows eligible employees, as defined in the ESPP, to purchase common stock at a 15% discount from market value with a maximum of $25,000 in annual aggregate purchases by any one individual. The number of shares of common stock authorized for purchase by eligible employees was 500,000. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, approximately 42,000, 42,000 and 31,000 shares, respectively, had been purchased by eligible employees through the ESPP. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company recorded a non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately $95,000, $120,000 and $162,000, respectively, which represents the discount on the shares issued pursuant to this plan. The ESPP will terminate upon the earliest to occur of the following: (1) termination of the ESPP by the board of directors, (2) issuance of all of the shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP, or (3) the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the ESPP.

8. 401(k) and Profit-Sharing Plan

The Company sponsors a profit-sharing plan (the “Plan”) covering all employees who meet certain age and service requirements. Subject to limitations, the Plan permits participants to defer up to 100% of their compensation pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions are matched

 

F-19


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

by the Company at $0.50 per $1.00 deferred. The Plan also allows the Company to make discretionary contributions, which are integrated with the taxable wage base under the Social Security Act. No discretionary contributions were made for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

Forfeitures occur when participants terminate employment before becoming entitled to their full benefits under the Plan. Forfeited amounts are used to reduce the Company’s contributions to the Plan. Forfeitures for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 totaled approximately $43,000, $53,000 and $19,000, respectively.

Matching contributions, net of forfeitures, to the Plan totaled approximately $812,000, $1,021,000 and $743,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

9. Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income includes net (loss) income and other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The components of comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands):

 

      Years Ended December 31,  
      2009      2008      2007  

(Loss) income from continuing operations

   $ (326    $ 25,058       $ 68,103   

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (10      (6,997      7,393   
                          

Net (loss) income

     (336      18,061         75,496   

Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

     (1,374                
                          

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

     (1,710      18,061         75,496   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     994         (841      1,955   

Net unrealized gain (loss) from investments, available-for-sale, net of tax

     10,500         (18,183      (10,972

Reclassification of realized loss (gain) on investments, available-for-sale, net of tax

     30,245         (8,015      1,060   
                          

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders

   $ 40,029       $ (8,978    $ 67,539   
                          

 

 

10. Related Party Transactions

The Company is an investment advisor to, and has administrative agreements with, affiliated open-end and closed-end mutual funds for which certain employees are officers and/or directors. The following table sets forth the amount of revenue the Company earned from these affiliated funds for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

 

      Years Ended December 31,
      2009    2008    2007

Investment advisory and administration fees

   $ 74,963    $ 125,331    $ 170,763

Distribution and service fees

     7,545      17,055      28,402
                    
   $ 82,508    $ 142,386    $ 199,165
                    

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company had investment advisory agreements with certain affiliated closed-end mutual funds, pursuant to which the Company contractually waived approximately $4,165,000, $11,686,000 and $18,789,000, respectively, of advisory fees it was otherwise entitled to receive. These investment advisory agreements contractually require the Company to waive a portion of the advisory fees the Company otherwise would charge for up to ten years from the respective funds’ inception date. The board of directors of these mutual funds must approve the renewal of the advisory

 

F-20


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

agreements each year, including any reduction in advisory fee waivers scheduled to take effect during that year. As of December 31, 2009, such scheduled reductions in advisory fee waivers were effective for five funds.

Sales proceeds, gross realized gains, and dividend income from investments, available-for-sale in Company-sponsored mutual funds for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are summarized below (in thousands):

 

      Company-Sponsored Mutual Funds
Years Ended December 31,
      2009    2008    2007

Proceeds from sales and maturities

   $    $ 796    $ 7,583

Gross realized gains

   $    $ 205    $ 2,487

Dividend income

   $ 554    $ 255    $ 362

 

 

The Company has agreements with certain affiliated open-end and closed-end mutual funds to reimburse certain fund expenses. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, expenses of approximately $5,147,000, $5,318,000 and $4,179,000, respectively, were incurred by the Company pursuant to these agreements and are included in general and administrative expenses.

The Company receives, in certain instances, reimbursements associated with the launch of its open-end and closed-end mutual funds. These reimbursements, which are included in general and administrative expenses, totaled approximately $776,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Included in accounts receivable at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are receivables due from Company-sponsored mutual funds of approximately $9,087,000 and $6,083,000, respectively.

11. Regulatory Requirements

Securities, a registered broker/dealer in the U.S., is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”), which requires that broker/dealers maintain a minimum level of net capital, as defined. As of December 31, 2009, Securities had net capital of approximately $11,525,000, which exceeded its requirements by approximately $11,417,000. The Rule also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if the resulting net capital of a broker/dealer is less than the amount required under the Rule.

Securities does not carry customer accounts and is exempt from the SEC’s Rule 15c3-3 pursuant to provisions (k)(1) of such rule.

The non-U.S. subsidiaries of the Company are regulated outside the U.S. by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission, the United Kingdom Financial Securities Authority, and the Belgium Banking, Finance and Insurance Commission (collectively, the “Foreign Regulated Entities”). As of December 31, 2009, the Foreign Regulated Entities had aggregate minimum regulatory capital requirements of approximately $1,364,000 and the Foreign Regulated Entities exceeded those requirements by approximately $38,497,000.

 

F-21


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

12. Commitments

The Company leases office space under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through August 2016. The Company subleases some of its office space to a third party under a noncancelable operating lease expiring January 30, 2014. The aggregate minimum future payments under the leases and subleases are as follows (in thousands):

 

Years Ended December 31,    Gross Rent Obligations    Sublease Income      Net Rent Obligations

2010

   $ 7,646    $ (969    $ 6,677

2011

     7,290      (819      6,471

2012

     7,040      (846      6,194

2013

     7,241      (901      6,340

2014

     1,007      (75      932

Thereafter

     746              746
                      
   $ 30,970    $ (3,610    $ 27,360
                      

 

 

Rent expense charged to operations, including escalation charges for real estate taxes and other expenses, totaled approximately $7,005,000, $6,752,000 and $5,309,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Sublease rental income received for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $962,000, $837,000 and $1,100,000, respectively.

13. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 includes U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes. Included in the tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2009 were the reversal of an approximate $3,194,000 valuation allowance associated with available-for-sale securities recorded in 2008 and approximately $7,287,000 related to non-deductible impairment charges recorded during the year ended December 31, 2009. Excluding the items mentioned above, the approximate effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 21%. Included in the tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2008 was a $2,062,000 loss of tax benefit associated with losses recorded on available-for-sale securities, primarily from investments in Federal National Mortgage Association preferred securities, the $3,194,000 valuation allowance mentioned above and a $1,346,000 expense reduction due to an adjustment from the estimated provision to the actual 2007 U.S. federal tax return. Excluding the items mentioned above, the approximate effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 37%. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2007 was approximately 38%.

The Company does not provide for deferred taxes on the excess of the financial reporting over the tax basis in its investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration. That excess totaled approximately $28,510,000 as of December 31, 2009. The determination of the additional deferred taxes that have not been provided is not practicable.

 

F-22


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands):

 

      Years Ended December 31,  
      2009(1)      2008(1)      2007(1)  

(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes—U.S.

   $ (1,976    $ 33,696       $ 89,680   

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes—Foreign

     6,140         12,184         19,801   
                          

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

   $ 4,164       $ 45,880       $ 109,481   
                          

Current:

        

U.S. federal

   $ 2,739       $ 7,268       $ 28,576   

State and local

     421         1,163         4,572   

Non-U.S.

     1,613         2,418         4,636   
                          
     4,773         10,849         37,784   
                          

Deferred taxes:

        

U.S. federal

     (239      8,595         3,203   

State and local

     (37      1,381         512   

Non-U.S.

     (7      (3      (121
                          
     (283      9,973         3,594   
                          

Provision for income taxes

   $ 4,490       $ 20,822       $ 41,378   
                          

 

 

(1) See Note 15 for tax benefit or provision related to discontinued operations.

Deferred income taxes represent the tax effects of the temporary differences between book and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates that will be in effect when such items are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized.

Significant components of the Company’s net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2009 and 2008 consist of the following (in thousands):

 

      2009      2008  

Deferred income tax assets—net:

     

Unrealized losses on investments

   $ 3,906       $ 13,830   

Stock-based compensation

     6,064         7,575   

Non-deductible realized losses on sales of securities

     1,521         3,472   

NOL carry forward(1)

             1,833   

Other

     585         296   
                 

Subtotal

     12,076         27,006   

Less: valuation allowance

     (5,427      (17,302
                 

Deferred income tax asset—net

   $ 6,649       $ 9,704   
                 

 

 

(1) Federal NOL carry forward expires in 2029.

At December 31, 2009, the Company had approximately $4,874,000 of total gross unrecognized tax benefits. Of this total, approximately $2,514,000 (net of the federal benefit on state issues) represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate in future periods. The Company expects to reduce its unrecognized tax benefits by $1,152,000 within the next twelve months due to the lapse of the statute of limitations on certain positions.

 

F-23


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

 

      Liability for Unrecognized Tax Benefits  

Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1, 2007 (adoption date)

   $ 1,731   

Addition for tax positions of current year

     951   

Addition for tax positions of prior years

     2,808   
        

Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2007

   $ 5,490   
        

Addition for tax positions of current year

     1,408   

Addition for tax positions of prior years

     492   

Reduction of tax positions from prior years

     (1,706
        

Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2008

   $ 5,684   
        

Addition for tax positions of current year

     122   

Addition for tax positions of prior years

     88   

Reduction of tax positions from prior years

     (1,020
        

Gross unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 4,874   
        

 

 

The Company recognizes potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had accrued approximately $875,000 and $598,000, respectively, in potential interest associated with uncertain tax positions.

The tax years 2004 through 2009 remain open to examination by various taxing jurisdictions.

A reconciliation of the Company’s statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:

 

      2009      2008      2007  

U.S. statutory tax rate

   35.0    35.0    35.0

State and local income taxes, net of federal income taxes

   5.4    5.6    5.6

Revaluation of deferred tax assets related to unrealized loss on investments, available-for-sale

         7.0      

Non-deductibility of losses on securities

   128.9    4.5      

Reserve adjustments

   9.6            

Adjustment from estimated provision to actual return

         (1.2 )%       

Foreign operations tax differential

   (15.2 )%     (5.3 )%     (3.8 )% 

Other

   (2.8 )%     (0.2 )%     1.0
                    

Effective income tax rate

   160.9    45.4    37.8
                    

 

 

14. Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s cash is principally on deposit with three major financial institutions. The Company is subject to credit risk should these financial institutions be unable to fulfill their obligations.

 

F-24


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following affiliated funds and third party institutional separate account relationship provided 10 percent or more of the total revenue of the Company (in thousands):

 

      Years Ended December 31,  
      2009      2008      2007  

Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund:

        

Investment advisory and administration fees

   $    $ 25,162       $ 37,271   

Percent of total revenue

          14      15

Cohen & Steers Realty Shares, Inc.:

        

Investment advisory and administration fees

   $ 13,374            $ 26,729   

Percent of total revenue

     11           10

One Institutional Separate Account Relationship:

        

Investment advisory and administration fees

   $ 13,259             

Percent of total revenue

     11          

 

 

* Less than 10 percent of total revenue of the Company.

15. Discontinued Operations

On December 5, 2008, the Company announced its plan to exit the investment banking business. Effective May 1, 2009, CSCM sold its membership interest in Advisors to an entity controlled by the former managing directors of Advisors. In accordance with accounting guidance related to the impairment or disposal of long-life assets, the after-tax results of operations of Advisors are reflected as (loss) income from discontinued operations on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

In conjunction with the Company’s decision to exit the investment banking business, the results from the investment banking activities, which had historically been reported as a separate business segment, Investment Banking, are reflected in discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The 2008 results included a pre-tax charge of approximately $7.7 million due to severance and other employee related costs. Total tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were approximately $7,000 and $4.8 million, respectively. Total tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2007 was approximately $4.9 million.

 

F-25


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

16. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

The table below presents selected quarterly financial data for 2009 and 2008. The data presented should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Cohen & Steers, Inc. and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results of Operations” included herein (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Quarter         
     1st     2nd     3rd     4th     Total  

2009

         

Revenue

  $ 23,500      $ 26,355      $ 33,827      $ 39,871      $ 123,553   

Operating income

    137        423        5,815        11,188        17,563   

(Loss) income from continuing operations

    (14,389     (5,911     7,962        12,012        (326

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

    (5     (5                   (10

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

    (14,479     (6,421     7,545        11,645        (1,710

Earnings per share—Basic:

         

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.34   $ (0.15   $ 0.18      $ 0.27      $ (0.04

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.00   $ (0.00   $      $      $ (0.00

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.34   $ (0.15   $ 0.18      $ 0.27      $ (0.04

Earnings per share—Diluted:

         

(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.34   $ (0.15   $ 0.18      $ 0.27      $ (0.04

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.00   $ (0.00   $      $      $ (0.00

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

  $ (0.34   $ (0.15   $ 0.18      $ 0.27      $ (0.04

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

         

Basic

    42,198        42,360        42,396        42,400        42,339   

Diluted

    42,198        42,360        42,633        42,737        42,339   

2008

         

Revenue

  $ 53,587      $ 54,410      $ 48,937      $ 28,896      $ 185,830   

Operating income (loss)

    20,137        21,292        14,004        (2,140     53,293   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

    13,853        14,038        (754     (2,079     25,058   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

    (853     (458     (806     (4,880     (6,997

Net income (loss)

    13,000        13,580        (1,560     (6,959     18,061   

Earnings per share—Basic:

         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ 0.33      $ 0.34      $ (0.02   $ (0.05   $ 0.60   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

  $ (0.02   $ (0.01   $ (0.02   $ (0.12   $ (0.17

Net income (loss)

  $ 0.31      $ 0.32      $ (0.04   $ (0.17   $ 0.43   

Earnings per share—Diluted:

         

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ 0.33      $ 0.33      $ (0.02   $ (0.05   $ 0.60   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

  $ (0.02   $ (0.01   $ (0.02   $ (0.12   $ (0.17

Net income (loss)

  $ 0.31      $ 0.32      $ (0.04   $ (0.17   $ 0.43   

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

         

Basic

    41,903        41,850        41,889        41,813        41,864   

Diluted

    42,134        42,037        41,889        41,813        42,094   

 

 

 

F-26


COHEN & STEERS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

17. Subsequent Event

On March 11, 2010, CNS declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.10 per share. The dividend will be payable on April 16, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2010.

 

F-27


 

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
   Description
3.1   

—Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant(1)

3.2   

—Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant(2)

4.1   

—Specimen Common Stock Certificate(1)

4.2   

—Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Registrant, Martin Cohen, Robert H. Steers, The Martin Cohen 1998 Family Trust and Robert H. Steers Family Trust(1)

10.1   

—Form of Tax Indemnification Agreement among Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc., Martin Cohen, Robert H. Steers, The Martin Cohen 1998 Family Trust and Robert H. Steers Family Trust(1)

10.2   

—Form of Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Martin Cohen*(1)

10.3   

—Form of Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Robert H. Steers*(1)

10.4   

—Cohen & Steers, Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Incentive Plan*(3)

10.5   

—Cohen & Steers, Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Annual Incentive Plan*(3)

10.6   

—Cohen & Steers, Inc. 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan*(1)

10.7   

—Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Cohen & Steers, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan*(4)

10.8   

—Form of Voluntary Deferral Program Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Cohen & Steers, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan*(4)

10.9   

—Form of Mandatory Deferral Program Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for the issuance of awards pursuant to the Cohen & Steers, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan*(4)

10.10   

—Additional Compensation Termination Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2006, between Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.(5)

10.11   

—Amendment to Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Martin Cohen*(6)

10.12   

—Amendment to Employment Agreement between Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc. and Robert H. Steers*(6)

21.1   

—Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith)

23.1   

—Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (filed herewith)

24.1   

—Powers of Attorney (included on signature page hereto)

31.1   

—Certification of the co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

31.2   

—Certification of the co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

31.3   

—Certification of the co-Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

32.1   

—Certification of the co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

32.2   

—Certification of the co-Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

32.3   

—Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)

 

 

(1) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-114027), as amended, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004.

 

F-28


 

(2) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

(3) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), filed on May 15, 2008.

(4) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.

(5) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

(6) Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32236), for the year ended December 31, 2007.

* Denotes compensatory plan.

 

F-29