EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1162283
Filing Year: 2023
Filename: 1162283_10-K_2023_0001140361-23-015466.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1:
BUSINESS
Our offices are located at 401 Theodore Fremd, Rye, NY 10580. Our website address is morgangroupholdingco.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein and is not part of this report. We provide a link on our website to the following filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission” or “SEC”): our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All such filings on our website are available free of charge. In addition, these reports and the other documents we file with the SEC are available at www.sec.gov.
We were incorporated November 2001 in Delaware as a holding company, which seeks acquisitions as part of its strategic alternatives. Morgan Group had no operating companies prior to the October 31, 2019 merger with G.research, LLC (“G.research”) (discussed below). Our wholly-owned subsidiary, G.research is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and is a member of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Our primary source of revenue is our institutional research and securities brokerage services including acting as an underwriter.
Index
Morgan Group Merger with G.research and Spin off
The Company acquired G.research from Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”), an affiliate of the Company, on October 31, 2019, in exchange for issuing 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to AC (the “Merger”). Accordingly, G.research became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to the transaction, G.research was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Institutional Services Holdings, LLC, which, in turn, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of AC. After the transaction, AC had an 83.3% ownership interest in the Company. As a result of this common ownership, the transaction was treated as a combination between entities under common control that led to a change in the reporting entity. The recognized assets and liabilities were transferred at their carrying amounts at the date of the transaction. For 2019 year comparative information, for the period prior to the Merger, the companies have been combined retrospectively.
On March 16, 2020, AC’s Board of Directors approved the spin-off of the Company to AC’s shareholders. Upon execution of the spin-off on August 5, 2020, AC distributed to its shareholders on a pro rata basis the 500,000 shares of Morgan that AC owns.
On May 5, 2020, the Morgan Group board approved a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of their common stock, par value $0.01 per share, in a ratio of 1-for-100 that was effective on June 10, 2020.
Institutional Services
G.research’s revenues derives revenue from institutional services, underwriting fees (primarily for the Company) and selling concessions.
G.research generates revenues via direct fees and commissions on securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of clients. Clients include institutional investors (e.g., hedge funds and asset managers) as well as affiliated mutual funds and managed accounts. Institutional research services revenues totaled $1.9 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
A significant portion of G.research institutional research services are provided to GAMCO Investors Inc., (“GAMCO”) and its affiliates. For each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, G.research earned $1.2 million, or approximately 61% and 55%, respectively, of its commission revenue from transactions executed on behalf of funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC and clients advised by GAMCO Asset Management Inc. We can provide no assurance that GAMCO and its affiliates will continue to use G.research’s institutional brokerage services to the same extent in the future. G.research continues to pursue expansion of third party and affiliated activities.
Underwriting
In October 2021, G.research participated in the secondary offering of the Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust Preferred 4.25% Series K as a member of the underwriting syndicate and selling group earning $50,823 and $144,950, respectively. In December 2021, G.research entered into placement agent agreement for the private placement of The Gabelli Equity Trust Inc. earning $500,000 and was included in a receivable in other assets. No underwriting revenue was earned during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Business Strategy
Our strategy is to continue to operate and expand our institutional brokerage business through the coverage of additional market sectors and companies. In order to achieve performance and growth in revenues and profitability, we are pursuing a strategy which includes the following key elements:
Attracting and Retaining Experienced Professionals
We offer significant variable compensation that provides opportunities to our staff. Our ability to attract and retain highly experienced investment and other professionals with a long-term commitment to us and our clients has been, and will continue to be, a significant factor in our long term growth.
Index
Competition
The institutional brokerages services industry is intensely competitive and is expected to remain so. We face competition in all aspects of our business and in each of our investment strategies from other managers, both in the United States (“U.S.”) and globally. We compete with other institutional research firms, insurance companies, brokerage firms, banks, and other financial institutions that offer services that have similar features and investment objectives. Many of these competitors are subsidiaries of large diversified financial companies and may have access to greater resources, including liquidity sources, not available to us. Historically, we have competed primarily on the basis of the superior service. However, we have taken steps to increase our outreach to the investment community, brand name awareness, and marketing efforts. However, no assurance can be given that our efforts to obtain new business will be successful.
Regulation
Virtually all aspects of our business are subject to various federal, state, and foreign laws and regulations. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investors, the markets, and customers of broker-dealers. Under such laws and regulations, agencies that regulate broker-dealers have broad powers, including the power to limit, restrict, or prohibit such broker-dealer from carrying on its business in the event that it fails to comply with such laws and regulations. In such an event, the possible sanctions that may be imposed include civil and criminal liability, the suspension of individual employees, injunctions, limitations on engaging in certain lines of business for specified periods of time, revocation of registrations, censures, and fines.
Broker-Dealer and Trading and Investment Regulation
G.research is registered as broker-dealer with the SEC and is subject to regulation by FINRA and various states. In its capacity as a broker-dealer, G.research is required to maintain certain minimum net capital amounts. These requirements also provide that equity capital may not be withdrawn, advances to affiliates may not be made, or cash dividends paid if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. G.research’s net capital, as defined, met or exceeded all minimum requirements as of December 31, 2022. As a registered broker-dealer, G.research is also subject to periodic examination by FINRA, the SEC, and the state regulatory authorities.
Our trading and investment activities for client accounts are regulated under 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 requirements (e.g., short sale limits, volume limitations, and reporting obligations) and market regulation policies in the U.S. and globally. Violation of any of these laws and regulations could result in restrictions on our activities and damage our reputation.
The institutional research and brokerage services industry is likely to continue facing a high level of regulatory scrutiny and become subject to additional rules designed to increase disclosure, tighten controls, and reduce potential conflicts of interest. In addition, the SEC has substantially increased its use of focused inquiries, which request information from broker dealers regarding particular practices or provisions of the securities laws. We participate in some of these inquiries in the normal course of our business. Changes in laws, regulations, and administrative practices by regulatory authorities, and the associated compliance costs, have increased our cost structure and could in the future have a material adverse impact. Although we have installed procedures and utilize the services of experienced administrators, accountants, and lawyers to assist us in adhering to regulatory guidelines and satisfying these requirements, and maintain insurance to protect ourselves in the case of client losses, there can be no assurance that the precautions and procedures that we have instituted and installed, or the insurance that we maintain to protect ourselves in case of client losses, will protect us from all potential liabilities.
The Patriot Act
The USA Patriot Act of 2001 contains anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws and mandates the implementation of various new regulations applicable to broker-dealers and other financial services companies, including standards for verifying client identification at account opening, and obligations to monitor client transactions and report suspicious activities. Anti-money laundering laws outside of the U.S. contain some similar provisions. Our failure to comply with these requirements could have a material adverse effect on us.
Index
Employees
The Company has one executive officer and 4 employees performing day-to-day functions. The Company was a subsidiary of AC and can avail itself of the transition services agreement with AC and GAMCO.
Real Estate Properties
The Company does not own any properties. The Company is currently renting office space located at 401 Theodore Fremd Avenue in Rye, New York from GAMCO.
Status as a Smaller Reporting Company
Under the Exchange Act, we qualify as a “smaller reporting company,” which is defined as a company with either (a) public float of less than $250 million or (b) less than $100 million in annual revenues and (1) no public float or (2) public float of less than $700 million. As a smaller reporting company, we are eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “smaller reporting companies.” These exemptions include reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and two, instead of three, fiscal years of audited financial statements.
We may take advantage of some or all of the reduced regulatory and reporting requirements that will be available to us as long as we qualify as a smaller reporting company, except that we have irrevocably elected not to take advantage of the extension of time to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards available under Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A:
RISK FACTORS
Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B:
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2:
PROPERTIES
None.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3:
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are currently not aware of any pending legal proceedings to which we are a party, nor are we aware of any such proceedings that are contemplated by any governmental authority. From time to time, we may be named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. We are also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. Examinations or investigations can result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions or other relief. For any such matters, the Company’s financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that we believe are probable and estimable. Furthermore, we evaluate whether there exist losses which may be reasonably possible and, if material, make the necessary disclosures. There are currently no such matters pending that the Company believes could have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, operations, or cash flows at December 31, 2022.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4:
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
Index
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5:
MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The shares of our common stock trade on the over-the-counter market in the OTC Pink® under the symbol MGHL.
The following table sets forth the high and low market prices of the common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by published sources. These prices represent inter-dealer quotations without retail markup, markdown, or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
High
Low
2022 Fiscal Year
First Quarter
$ 2.25
$ 1.55
Second Quarter
$
1.80
$ 1.00
Third Quarter
$ 2.45
$ 1.25
Fourth Quarter
$ 2.00
$ 1.15
2021 Fiscal Year
First Quarter
$ 8.28
$ 6.00
Second Quarter
$ 8.00
$ 5.00
Third Quarter
$ 6.00
$ 5.20
Fourth Quarter
$ 5.50
$ 2.25

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6:
[Reserved]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7:
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (“MD&A”) OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Through G.research, we act as an underwriter and provide institutional research services. Institutional research services revenues consist of brokerage commissions derived from securities transactions executed on an agency basis or direct payments from institutional clients as well as underwriting profits, selling concessions, and management fees associated with underwriting activities. Commission revenues vary directly with the perceived value of the research provided, as well as account activity and new account generation.
Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2022 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Revenues
Institutional research service revenues were $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, $1.1 million, or 34.2%, lower than total revenues of $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. Institutional research services revenues by revenue component, excluding principal transactions, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Increase (Decrease)
$
%
Commissions
$
1,802
$
2,024
$
(222
)
-11.0
%
Hard dollar payments
(85
)
-37.6
%
1,943
2,251
$
(308
)
-13.7
%
Underwriting fees
-
(702
)
-100.0
%
Total
$
1,943
$
2,953
$
(1,010
)
-34.2
%
Index
Commissions and hard dollar payments in 2022 were $1.9 million, a $0.3 million, or 13.7%, decrease from $2.2 million in 2021. The decrease was primarily due to lower brokerage commissions from securities transactions executed on an agency basis. For each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, G.research earned $1.2 million, or approximately 61% and 55%, respectively, of its commission revenue from transactions executed on behalf of funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC and clients advised by GAMCO Asset Management Inc.
Underwriting fees decreased by $0.7 million to $0 in 2022 from $0.7 million in 2021.
Principal Transactions
During 2022, net gains from principal transactions were $8 thousand, versus net losses from principal transactions of $26 thousand in 2021.
Interest and dividend income increased to $0.05 million in 2022 from $0.02 million in 2021, primarily due to a sharp increase in short-term rates.
Expenses
Total expenses were $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 35.1%, from $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The decrease resulted primarily from lower compensation costs, general and administrative expenses, and occupancy and equipment expenses.
Compensation costs, which includes salaries, bonuses, and benefits, were $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $1.0 million from $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, which decrease was due to headcount reductions related to the cessation of research services and the continued streamlining of operations.
Income Tax Expense
For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we recorded income tax expense of $9 thousand and $1 thousand, respectively, for an effective
tax rate of -1.0% and -0.05%, respectively.
Net Loss
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $1.0 million versus $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Summary Cash flow data is as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Cash flows used in:
Operating activities
$
(603
)
$
(1,708
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(603
)
(1,708
)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year
3,239
4,946
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year
2,636
3,239
Net cash used by operating activities was $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, resulting from a net loss of $1.0 million offset by net decrease in operating assets of $0.3 million. Net cash used by operating activities was $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, resulting from a net loss of $1.6 million and a net increase in operating assets of $0.4 million.
Index
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies
In the ordinary course of business, we make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of results of operations and financial condition in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We base our estimates on historical experience, when available, and on other various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ those estimates and those differences could be material.
We believe that the following critical accounting policies require management to exercise significant judgment:
Revenue Recognition
The Company provides institutional research services and earns brokerage commissions and sales manager fees from securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of institutional clients and mutual funds, private wealth management clients, and retail customers of affiliated companies. Commission revenue and related clearing charges are recorded on a trade-date basis and are included in institutional research services and other operating expenses, respectively, on the consolidated statements of operations.
The Company has also been involved in syndicated underwriting activities that included public equity and debt offerings managed by major investment banks. Underwriting fees include gains, losses, selling concessions and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising from securities offerings in which the Company acts as underwriter or agent and are accrued as earned.
See Note C, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in the consolidated financial statements.
Securities Owned, at Fair Value
Securities owned, at fair value, including common stocks, closed-end funds, and mutual funds, are recorded at fair value with the resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected in principal transactions in the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. All securities transactions and transaction costs are recorded on a trade date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income and interest expense are accrued as earned or incurred.
Allocated Expenses
The Company is charged or incurs certain overhead expenses that are included in general and administrative and occupancy and equipment expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. These overhead expenses are allocated to the Company by AC and other AC affiliates or allocated by the Company to other AC affiliates as the expenses are incurred, based upon methodologies periodically reviewed by the management of the Company and the AC affiliates. In addition, Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc., a wholly - owned subsidiary of AC, and GAMCO Investors, Inc. serve as paymasters for the Company under compensation payment sharing agreements. This includes compensation expense and related payroll taxes and benefits which are allocated to the Company for professional staff performing duties related entirely to the Company and those compensation expenses and related payroll taxes and benefits which relate to professional staff who serve more than one entity and whose compensation is therefore allocated to the Company as well as to its affiliates. These compensation expenses are included in compensation and related costs in the consolidated statements of operations.
Index
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts on the consolidated financial statements using the statutory tax rates in effect for the year when the reported amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled, respectively. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying values of deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. For each tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation. A tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Company recognizes the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions and penalties in the income tax provision on the consolidated statements of operations.
See Note B, Significant Accounting Policies - Income Taxes and G. Income Taxes, in the consolidated financial statements.
Credit Losses
The Company measures all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Any allowance for credit losses are deducted from the amortized cost of the financial asset to present the net amount expected to be collected. The consolidated statements of operations will reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period.
Seasonality and Inflation
We do not believe that our operations are subject to significant seasonal fluctuations. We do not believe inflation will significantly affect our compensation costs, as they are substantially variable in nature. The rate of inflation may affect certain other expenses, however, such as information technology and occupancy costs.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A:
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Smaller reporting companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.
Index

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8:
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 49)
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission that are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable have been omitted.
Index
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Morgan Group Holding Co.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Morgan Group Holding Co. and its subsidiary (the Company) as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/ RSM US, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2021.
New York, New York
March 31, 2023
Index
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Year Ended December 31,
Revenues
Commissions
$
1,943,019
$
2,250,662
Principal transactions
7,780
(25,888
)
Dividends and interest
55,198
20,322
Underwriting fees
-
702,035
Other revenues
5,425
26,889
Total revenues
2,011,422
2,974,020
Expenses
Compensation and related costs
1,137,009
2,141,754
Clearing charges
786,670
803,588
General and administrative
813,356
1,208,046
Occupancy and equipment
214,212
390,969
Total expenses
2,951,247
4,544,357
Loss before provision for income tax
(939,825
)
(1,570,337
)
Provision for income tax
9,366
Net loss
$
(949,191
)
$
(1,571,060
)
Net loss per share
Basic
$
(1.58
)
$
(2.62
)
Diluted
$
(1.58
)
$
(2.62
)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic
600,090
600,090
Diluted
600,090
600,090
Actual shares outstanding
600,090
600,090
See accompanying notes.
Index
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
December 31,
December 31,
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,285,501
$
2,888,897
Receivables from brokers and clearing organizations
330,621
95,746
Receivables from affiliates
20,190
11,715
Deposits with clearing organizations
350,000
350,000
Income taxes receivable (including deferred tax asset of $0 and $0, respectively)
290,785
275,285
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $63,100 and $52,169 respectively
11,772
22,703
Other assets
128,847
679,524
Total assets
$
3,417,716
$
4,323,870
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Compensation payable
$
227,098
$
474,717
Payable to affiliates
Income tax payable
62,535
48,350
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
1,040,435
764,512
Total liabilities
1,330,662
1,287,625
Commitments and contingencies (Note J)
Equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 and 100,000,000 authorized, respectively, and 600,090 issued and outstanding, respectively
6,001
6,001
Additional paid-in capital
53,886,180
53,886,180
Accumulated deficit
(51,805,127
)
(50,855,936
)
Total equity
2,087,054
3,036,245
Total liabilities and equity
$
3,417,716
$
4,323,870
See accompanying notes.
Index
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Additional
Common
Paid-in
Accumulated
Shares
Stock
Capital
Deficit
Total
Balance at December 31, 2020
600,090
$
6,001
$
53,886,180
$
(49,284,876
)
$
4,607,305
Net loss
-
-
(1,571,060
)
(1,571,060
)
Balance at December 31, 2021
600,090
6,001
53,886,180
(50,855,936
)
3,036,245
Net loss
-
-
(949,191
)
(949,191
)
Balance at December 31, 2022
600,090
6,001
53,886,180
(51,805,127
)
2,087,054
See accompanying notes.
Index
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AND 2021
Year Ended December 31,
Operating activities
Net loss
$
(949,191
)
$
(1,571,060
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation
10,931
11,212
(Increase)/decrease in operating assets:
Receivables from brokers and clearing organizations
(234,875
)
(29,535
)
Receivables from affiliates
(8,475
)
50,799
Income taxes receivable
(15,500
)
(1,550
)
Other assets
550,678
(458,725
)
Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities:
Payable to affiliates
(29,329
)
Income taxes payable
14,185
1,500
Compensation payable
(247,619
)
19,225
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
275,922
299,957
Total adjustments
345,795
(136,446
)
Net cash used in operating activities
(603,396
)
(1,707,506
)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
(603,396 )
(1,707,506 )
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year
3,238,897
4,946,403
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year
$ 2,635,501
$ 3,238,897
Reconciliation to cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 2,285,501
$ 2,888,897
Restricted cash: deposits from clearing organizations
350,000
350,000
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$ 2,635,501
$ 3,238,897
See accompanying notes.
Index
MORGAN GROUP HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
A. Organization and Business Description
Morgan Group Holding Co. (the “Company,” “Morgan Group,” or “Morgan”) was incorporated in November 2001 as a Delaware corporation to serve as a holding company which seeks acquisitions as part of its strategic alternatives. Prior to the October 31, 2019 merger with G.research, LLC (“G.research”), discussed below, Morgan Group had no operating companies.
The Company acquired G.research from Associated Capital Group, Inc. (“AC”), an affiliate of the Company, on October 31, 2019, in exchange for issuing 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to AC (the “Merger”). Accordingly, G.research became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Prior to the transaction, G.research was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Institutional Services holdings, LLC, which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AC. After the transaction, AC had an 83.3% ownership interest in the Company. As a result of this common ownership, the transaction was treated as a combination between entities under common control that led to a change in the reporting entity. The recognized assets and liabilities were transferred at their carrying amounts at the date of the transaction.
On March 16, 2020, AC’s Board of Directors approved the spin-off of the Company to AC’s shareholders. Upon execution of the spin-off on August 5, 2020, AC distributed to its shareholders on a pro rata basis the 500,000 shares of Morgan that AC owns.
On May 5, 2020, the Morgan Group board approved a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of their common stock, par value $0.01 per share, in a ratio of 1-for-100 that was effective on June 10, 2020.
G.research is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).
The Company generates brokerage commission revenues from securities transactions executed on an agency basis on behalf of institutional clients and mutual funds, private wealth management clients and retail customers of affiliated companies. The Company generates revenue from syndicated underwriting activities. It primarily participates in the offerings of certain closed-end funds advised by Gabelli Funds, LLC (“Gabelli Funds”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“GAMCO”) an affiliate. The Company also earns investment income generated from its proprietary trading activities.
The Company acts as an introducing broker, and all securities transactions for the Company and its customers are cleared through and carried by three New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) member firms on a fully disclosed basis. The Company has Proprietary Accounts of Introducing Brokers (“PAIB”) agreements with these firms. Accordingly, open customer transactions are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Company is exposed to credit losses on these open transactions in the event of nonperformance by its customers, pursuant to conditions of its clearing agreements with its clearing brokers. This exposure is mitigated by the clearing brokers’ policy of monitoring the collateral and credit of the counterparties until the transaction is completed.
The Company’s principal market is in the United States.
B. Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidated the subsidiary, G.research, from the date of the Merger with retrospective application. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for annual financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-K and Article 6 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of consolidated financial statements for the years presented have been included.
Index
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and those differences could be material.
Segment Analysis
The Company is one segment for reporting purposes.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company held an investment in an affiliated money market mutual fund (The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund), which is highly liquid and invested solely in U.S. Treasuries.
Securities Owned, at Fair Value
Securities owned, at fair value, including common stocks, closed-end funds, and mutual funds, are recorded at fair value with the resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected in principal transactions in the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. All securities transactions and transaction costs are recorded on a trade date basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income and interest expense are accrued as earned or incurred.
Deposits with Clearing Organizations
Deposits with clearing organizations is restricted cash held at the clearing organizations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of all financial instruments in the consolidated statements of financial condition approximate their fair values.
The Company’s financial instruments have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy:
•
Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets include cash equivalents.
•
Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
•
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
Cash equivalents are valued using the mutual fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) to measure fair value. Accordingly, cash equivalents are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Index
Receivables from Affiliates/Payables to Affiliates
Receivables from affiliates consist of receivables from certain affiliates for expenses paid on their behalf. Payables to affiliates are primarily comprised of expenses paid on behalf of the Company due to GAMCO and AC. See Notes D and G.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
See Note C.
Dividends and Interest
Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income and interest expense are accrued as earned or incurred. These amounts are not related to contracts with customers.
Depreciation
Fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of four to seven years.
Allocated Expenses
The Company is charged or incurs certain overhead expenses that are included in general and administrative and occupancy and equipment expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. These overhead expenses are allocated to the Company by AC and other AC affiliates or allocated by the Company to other AC affiliates as the expenses are incurred, based upon methodologies periodically reviewed by the management of the Company and the AC affiliates. In addition, Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (“GCIA”), a wholly - owned subsidiary of AC, and GAMCO serve as paymasters for the Company under compensation payment sharing agreements. This includes compensation expense and related payroll taxes and benefits which are allocated to the Company for professional staff performing duties related entirely to the Company and those compensation expenses and related payroll taxes and benefits which relate to professional staff who serve more than one entity and whose compensation is therefore allocated to the Company as well as to its affiliates. These compensation expenses are included in compensation and related costs in the consolidated statements of operations.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income tax expense/benefit in the period that includes the enactment date of the change in tax rate.
The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. A valuation allowance would be recorded to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination of whether a valuation allowance is necessary, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In the event the Company were to determine that the Company would be more likely than not to realize the Company’s deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would make an adjustment to the previously recorded deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
Index
The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process: (1) the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position; and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company recognizes the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions and penalties in income tax benefit on the consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions are included within accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Credit Losses
The Company measures all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Any allowance for credit losses are deducted from the amortized cost of the financial asset to present the net amount expected to be collected. The consolidated statements of operations will reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period.
C. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue from contracts with customers includes commissions, fees earned from affiliated entities pursuant to research services agreements, underwriting fees and sales manager fees.
Significant judgments that affect the amounts and timing of revenue recognition:
The Company’s analysis of the timing of revenue recognition of each revenue stream is based on the provisions of each respective contract. Performance obligations could, however, change from time to time if and when existing contracts are modified or new contracts are entered into. These changes could potentially affect the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, the determination of the transaction price, and the allocation of the price to performance obligations. In the case of the revenue streams discussed below, the performance obligation is satisfied either at a point in time or over time. The judgments outlined below, where the determination as to these factors is discussed in detail, are continually reviewed and monitored by the Company when new contracts or contract modifications occur. Transaction price is in all instances formulaic and not subject to significant (or any) judgment at the current time.
The Company’s assessment of the recognition of these revenues is as follows:
Commissions
Brokerage commissions: Acting as agent, the Company buys and sells securities on behalf of its customers. Commissions are charged on the execution of these securities transactions made on behalf of client accounts and are negotiated. The Company recognizes commission revenue when the related securities transactions are executed on trade date. The Company believes that the performance obligation is satisfied on the trade date because that is when the underlying financial instrument or purchaser is identified, the pricing is agreed upon and the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to/from the customer. Commissions earned are typically collected from the clearing brokers utilized by the Company on a daily or weekly basis.
Hard dollar payments: The Company provides research services to unrelated parties, for which direct payment is received. The company may, or may not, have contracts for such services. Where a contract for such services is in place, the contractual fee for the period is recognized ratably over the contract period, which is considered the period over which the Company satisfies its performance obligation. For payments where no research contract exists, revenue is not recognized until agreement is reached with the client at which time the performance obligation is considered to have been met and revenue is recognized.
Commission revenues are impacted by the perceived value of the research service provided to clients, the volume of securities transactions, and the acquisition or loss of new client relationships.
Index
Underwriting fees
Underwriting fees: The Company acts as underwriter in an agent capacity. Revenues are earned from fees arising from these offerings and the terms are set forth in contracts between the underwriters and the issuer. The Company’s underwriting revenue is considered to be conditional revenue because it is subject to reduction to zero once the offsetting syndicate expenses have been quantified by the syndicate manager (i.e., lead underwriter) and allocated to each underwriter in proportion to their participation in the offering. Revenue recognition is therefore delayed until it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of revenue recognized will not occur. That is, it is recognized only when uncertainty associated with the syndicate expenses is subsequently resolved and final settlement of syndicate accounts is effected by the syndicate manager. Payment is typically received from the syndicate manager within ninety days after settlement date.
Selling concessions: The Company participates as a member of the selling group of underwritten equity offerings and receives compensation based on the difference between what its customers pay for the securities sold to its institutional clients and what the issuer receives. The terms of the selling concessions are set forth in contracts between the Company and the underwriter. Revenue is recognized on the trade date (the date on which the Company purchases the securities from the issuer) for the portion the Company is contracted to buy. The Company believes that the trade date is the appropriate point in time to recognize revenue for securities underwriting transactions as there are no significant actions the Company needs to take subsequent to this date, and the issuer obtains the control and benefit of the capital markets offering at this point. Selling concessions earned are typically collected from the clearing brokers utilized by the Company on a daily or weekly basis.
Total revenues from contracts with customers by type were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:
Years ended December 31,
Commissions
$
1,801,485
$
2,023,847
Hard dollar payments
141,534
226,815
1,943,019
2,250,662
Underwriting fees
-
702,035
Total
$
1,943,019
$
2,952,697
D. Related Party Transactions
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had an investment of $2,259,801 and $ 2,859,939, respectively, in The Gabelli U.S. Treasury Money Market Fund advised by Gabelli Funds, which is an affiliate of the Company. The amount was recorded in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statements of financial condition. Income earned from this investment in 2022 and 2021 totaled $33,520 and $232, respectively, and was included in dividends and interest in the consolidated statements of operations.
In 2022 and 2021, the Company earned $1,179,888 and $1,243,412, or approximately 61% and 55%, respectively, of its commission revenue from transactions executed on behalf of funds advised by Gabelli Funds and private wealth management clients advised by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., each affiliates of the Company.
The Company participated in the secondary offerings of the preferred stock of affiliated closed end funds during the year ended December 31, 2021 as participants in the underwriting syndicate and selling groups earning $702,035. The Company did not participate in any offering transactions entered into by affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company’s rent is currently being accounted for on a month-to-month basis. GAMI allocates this expense to the Company based on the percentage of square footage occupied by the Company’s employees (including pro rata allocation of common space). Pursuant to the arrangement, GAMI and its affiliates shall pay a monthly fixed lease amount for the twelve month period. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid $56,562 and $80,518, respectively, under the rent arrangement. These amounts are included within occupancy and equipment expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2021, a $500,000 placement fee was due from the Gabelli Equity Trust and was included in a receivable in other assets.
Index
E. Fair Value
The following tables present information about the Company’s assets and liabilities by major category measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value:
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2022:
December 31, 2022
Quoted Prices in Active
Significant Other
Significant
Markets for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Assets (Level 1)
Inputs (Level 2)
Inputs (Level 3)
Total
Cash equivalents
$
2,259,801
$
-
$
-
$
2,259,801
Total assets at fair value
$
2,259,801
$
-
$
-
$
2,259,801
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2021:
December 31, 2021
Quoted Prices in Active
Significant Other
Significant
Markets for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Assets (Level 1)
Inputs (Level 2)
Inputs (Level 3)
Total
Cash equivalents
$
2,859,939
$
-
$
-
$
2,859,939
Total assets at fair value
$
2,859,939
$
-
$
-
$
2,859,939
There were no transfers of assets between levels during the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
F. Retirement Plan
The Company maintains its own incentive savings plan (the “Plan”) covering substantially all employees. Company contributions to the Plan are determined annually by Company Board of Directors but may not exceed the amount permitted as a deductible expense under the Internal Revenue Code. There were no amounts expensed in 2022. Amounts expensed for allocated contributions to this Plan, resulted in a credit of $(10,295) for the year ended December 31, 2021 as reductions in headcount reduced the Plan contribution.
G. Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the years ending December 31 consisted of:
Federal:
Current
$
-
$
-
Deferred
-
-
State and local:
Current
9,366
Deferred
-
Total
$
9,366
$
Index
A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate for 2022 and 2021 is set forth below:
Statutory Federal income tax rate
21.0
%
21.0
%
State income tax, net of Federal benefit
4.19
%
5.10
%
State Valuation Allowance
-4.98
%
-5.14
%
Federal Valuation Allowance
-20.04
%
-21.20
%
Other
-1.17
%
0.19
%
Effective income tax rate
-1.00
%
-0.05
%
Significant components of our net deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Deferred tax assets:
Federal and State NOL Carryforward
1,017,434
779,104
Capital loss carryforward
5,708
-
Other
17,167
13,640
Total Gross DTA
1,040,309
792,744
Less: Valuation Allowance
(1,037,374
)
(789,809
)
Total Deferred Tax Assets
2,935
2,935
Deferred tax liabilities:
Stock Based Compensation
(2,935
)
(2,935
)
Deferred State Income Tax
-
-
(2,935
)
(2,935
)
Net deferred tax assets
-
-
In accordance with IRC Section 382, corporations are generally required to limit the amount of its income in future years that can be offset by historic losses, i.e., net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards and certain built-in losses, after a corporation has undergone an ownership change. As a result of the Company’s equity financings in recent years, the Company underwent changes in ownership pursuant to the provisions of the IRC Section 382, therefore, annual use of any of the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards may be limited if cumulative changes in ownership of more than 50% occur during any three-year period.
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, for Federal taxes and for certain states in which the Company files separate tax returns, the Company recorded net deferred tax assets of approximately $1,037,374 and $789,809 respectively, relating mainly to net operating losses. The Company concluded that it is not more likely than not that the benefit from these net assets will be realized and has provided a valuation allowance for the full amount of the net deferred tax assets.
Included in taxes receivable of $290,785 the amount of $273,735 and a payable of $46,849, respectively, represent a net balance due from AC for the Compnay’s losses utilized by AC through the date of the spin-off, August 5, 2020. These amounts were settled in 2023.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company is not aware of any potentially material uncertain tax positions that were not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company, which includes G. research and was part of AC’s unitary filing group through August 5, 2020, is not under any tax examination as of December 31, 2022. The Company has filed its 2021 corporate income tax returns in states where they have determined a filing obligation exists. The Company believes there are no uncertain tax positions (“UTPs”) as it relates to their federal and state filings, and as such has not recorded any tax expense related to UTPs.
Index
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, management has not identified any potential subsequent events that could have a significant impact on unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. The Company remains subject to income tax examination by the Internal Revenue Service for years after 2018 and state examinations for years after 2017.
H. Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) attributable to shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. There were no dilutive shares outstanding during the years.
The computations of basic and diluted net loss per share are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
For the Years Ending December 31,
Basic:
Net loss attributable to shareholders
$
(949,191
)
$
(1,571,060
)
Weighted average shares outstanding
600,090
600,090
Basic net loss attributable per share
$
(1.58
)
$
(2.62
)
Diluted:
Net loss attributable to shareholders
$
(949,191
)
$
(1,571,060
)
Weighted average share outstanding
600,090
600,090
Diluted net loss per share
$
(1.58
)
$
(2.62
)
I. Equity
On June 10, 2020, the Company completed a 1-for-100
reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock decreased from 60,009,005 shares to 600,090. The par value of the common stock was not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. Accordingly, unless otherwise noted, all historical share and per share information as well as common stock and additional paid in capital balances contained in the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes have been restated to retroactively show the effect of the Reverse Stock Split.
J. Guarantees, Contingencies, and Commitments
The Company has agreed to indemnify its clearing brokers for losses they may sustain from the customer accounts that trade on margin introduced by the Company. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the total amount of customer balances subject to indemnification (i.e., unsecured margin debits) was immaterial. The Company also has entered into arrangements with various other third parties, many of which provide for indemnification of the third parties against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of the Company’s obligations under the agreements. The Company has had no claims or payments pursuant to these or prior agreements, and management believes the likelihood of a claim being made is remote, and therefore, an accrual has not been made in the consolidated financial statements.
From time to time, the Company is named in legal actions and proceedings. These actions may seek substantial or indeterminate compensatory as well as punitive damages or injunctive relief. The Company is also subject to governmental or regulatory examinations or investigations. The examinations or investigations could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, injunctions, restitutions, or other relief. The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of such matters. The consolidated financial statements include the necessary provisions for losses that the Company believes are probable and estimable. Furthermore, the Company evaluates whether losses exist which may be reasonably possible and, if material, makes the necessary disclosures. Such amounts, both those that are probable and those that are reasonably possible, are not considered material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, operations, or cash flows.
Index
K. Net Capital Requirements
As a registered broker-dealer, G.research is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 (the “Rule”), which specifies, among other requirements, minimum net capital requirements for registered broker-dealers. G.research computes its net capital under the alternative method as permitted by the Rule, which requires that minimum net capital be the greater of $250,000 or 2% of the aggregate debit items in the reserve formula for those broker-dealers subject to Rule 15c3-3. G.research is exempt from Rule 15c3-3 pursuant to paragraph (k)(2)(ii) of that rule which exempts all customer transactions cleared through another broker-dealer on a fully disclosed basis. In addition, our assets at the clearing broker-dealer are treated as allowable assets for net capital purposes as we have in place PAIB agreements pursuant to Rule 15c3-3. These requirements also provide that equity capital may not be withdrawn, advances to affiliates may not be made or cash dividends paid if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, G.research had net capital, as defined, of $1,670,152 and $1,874,428, respectively, exceeding the required amount of $250,000 by $1,420,152 and 1,624,428, respectively.
L. Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated subsequent events for adjustment to or disclosure through March 31, 2023, the date of this report and the Company has not identified any subsequent events not otherwise reported in these financial statements or the notes thereto, that required recognition or additional disclosures in the financial statements.
Index

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9:
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A:
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be timely disclosed, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported to management within the time periods specified in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Morgan Group’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Management, with the participation of the principal executive officer and under the supervision of the principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of Morgan’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 as required by Rule 13a-15(c) of the Exchange Act. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting controls can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. In making its assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting, the Company used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework 2013.
Based on its evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2022, the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting. This annual report does not include an audit attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm due to the rules of the SEC for non-accelerated filers.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B:
OTHER INFORMATION
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10:
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The following information provides the name, business address, principal occupation, employment history positions, offices, or employments for the past five years and ages as of March 31, 2023 for our executive officers and directors. The business address of our officers and directors is 401 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye, NY 10580.
Executive Officers
Name
Age
Title
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr.
President
Joseph L. Fernandez
Executive Vice President-Finance
The biographical information of each of our executive officers is included below under the caption “Board of Directors.”
Board of Directors
Under Delaware law, the business and affairs of the Company will be managed under the direction of our Board of Directors (“Board”). Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that the number of directors may be fixed by our Board from time to time. Members of the Board are elected and serve for one year terms or until their successors are elected qualify. As of March 31, 2023, our Board consists of the individuals listed below (ages as of March 31, 2023).
Name
Age
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr.
Joseph L. Fernandez
Cornelius V. McGinitiy
The present principal occupation or employment and five-year employment history of each of our directors is set forth below:
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr. Mr. Amabile assumed the office of president upon consummation of the Merger and is our principal executive officer. Mr. Amabile was appointed president of G.research during August 2019 and prior thereto he was employed as an institutional trader at G.research since 2003 and has been registered as a general securities principal of G.research since 2006. Prior to joining G.research, Mr. Amabile worked on the trading desk of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated from June 2000 and December 2002. Mr. Amabile has served as a director of City College Fund, a non-profit fundraising organization established to benefit students and scholars at the City University of New York, since 2010. Mr. Amabile earned his B.S. from Fairfield University in 2000.
The Board believes that Mr. Amabile’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his two decades career as a trader and his long tenure with G.research, including his service as a general securities principal since 2006, which Board believes will give him unique insight into the brokerage operations of the Company after the Merger.
Joseph L. Fernandez. Mr. Fernandez assumed the office of executive vice president-finance upon consummation of the Merger and is our principal financial officer. He has served as the financial operations principal and controller of G.research since June 2019. From September 2018 to May 2019, Mr. Fernandez was employed as a registered representative of Templum Markets LLC. Prior to that time, he was an independent consultant. From July 2014 to September 2016, Mr. Fernandez served as a managing director of finance for BNY Capital Markets, LLC. Earlier in his career commencing in 2007, Mr. Fernandez was employed at various brokerage houses, including Morgan Stanley, after concluding his ten year tenure beginning in 1997 with ICAP plc as a controller for the firm’s various broker-dealers and Latin America operations. Mr. Fernandez earned his BBA from Pace University in 1986.
Index
The Board believes that Mr. Fernandez’s qualifications to serve on the Board include his over thirty year career in the brokerage industry, including his service as a senior financial and accounting executive, most recently financial operations principal and controller of G.research, which Board believes will bring deep understanding of the financial and accounting affairs of the Company after the Merger.
Cornelius V. McGiniity. Mr. McGinity had previously served as President of G.research since 2012. Previously, he was a Managing Director, Institutional Sales at Knight Capital Group for fifteen years. Prior to joining Knight, he was an institutional sales trader at Cantor Fitzgerald from 1994-1997; and an equity trader with several wire houses, including Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney. A native of Long Island, New York, Mr. McGinity is a graduate of Villanova University.
Corporate Governance
Code of Conduct
Our Board has adopted a corporate code of conduct that is applicable to our directors, officers, and employees with additional requirements for our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and will post a copy of which is available on our corporate website at https://morgangroupholdingco.com. Any shareholder may also obtain a copy of the code of conduct upon request. Shareholders may address a written request for a printed copy of the code of conduct to our secretary at our principal executive offices, Morgan Group Holding Co., 401 Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye, NY 10580. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or a waiver of, a provision of the Code of Conduct by posting such information on our website.
Committees of Our Board
We presently do not have an audit committee, compensation committee, nominating committee, executive committee, stock plan committee, or any other committees. Currently, our full Board serves as the audit committee and approves, when applicable, the appointment of auditors and the inclusion of financial statements in our periodic reports.
Legal Proceedings
None of the directors nor executive officers have been involved in legal proceedings that would be material to an evaluation of our management.
Index

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11:
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information about compensation for our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer (collectively, the “named executive officers”). These named executive officers were employed by G.research during 2022 and 2021 and, as a result, the compensation table reflects compensation received in connection with such employment.
Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position
Year
Salary
Bonus
All Other Compensation
Total
($)
($)
($)
($)
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr. Principal Executive Officer
210,000
-
22,195
(1)
232,195
170,000
29,370
(1)
199,370
Joseph L. Fernandez Principal Financial Officer (2)
190,000
30,000
-
220,000
180,000
40,000
-
220,000
(1) Represents a share of brokerage commissions earned by G.research.
(2) Mr. Fernandez joined G.research as an officer on June 1, 2019.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
The Board of Morgan Group reviewed and approved the compensation paid to Mr. Amabile. The compensation reflects Mr. Amabile’s contributions to the Company and is reviewed no less than annually by the Company.
Index

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12:
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by:
•
each stockholder who beneficially owns more than 5% of our Common Stock;
•
each executive officer;
•
each director; and
•
all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
We have based the percentage of class amounts set forth below on each indicated person’s beneficial ownership of our Common Stock on 600,090 shares outstanding on December 31, 2022.
Number of Shares Beneficially
Owned
Percentage of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Name of Beneficial Owner
5% or More Stockholders
Mario J. Gabelli (1)
343,248
57.20
%
Directors and Executive Officers
Vincent M. Amabile, Jr.
50,000
8.33
%
Joseph L. Fernandez
7,500
1.25
%
Cornelius V. McGinity
7,500
1.25
%
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (3 persons)
65,000
10.83
%
(1)
AC indirectly owned 500,000 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 83.3% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. Based upon information previously filed with the SEC, Mario J. Gabelli controls approximately 95.17% of the voting power over AC and through this controlling interest power over AC may be deemed to beneficially own the 500,000 shares of our Common Stock owned by AC. Mr. Gabelli, directly and indirectly through a partnership of which he serves as general partner, beneficially owns 6,505 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 1.1% of the outstanding shares. Mr. Gabelli also beneficially owns 17,352 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 2.9% of the outstanding shares, held indirectly through LICT Corporation for which Mr. Gabelli currently serves as chief executive officer and owns approximately 39.2% of its outstanding common stock. Following the Spin-Off, (i) GGCP, Inc., a privately held company for which Mr. Gabelli is the chief executive officer, a director and controlling shareholder, will beneficially own approximately 412,638 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 68.76% of the outstanding shares, (ii) Mr. Gabelli will, directly and indirectly through the aforementioned partnership, beneficially own approximately 13,690 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 2.28% of the outstanding shares, (iii) and LICT Corporation will beneficially own 17,352 shares of our Common Stock, representing approximately 2.89% of the outstanding shares. On March 1, 2021 GGCP distributed its ownership in our stock to its shareholders. Following the distribution, Mr Gabelli’s beneficial ownership was reduced to 370,887 shares or 61.81% after the distribution.
Index

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13:
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
As of December 31, 2022, Mario J. Gabelli and his affiliates beneficially own approximately 57.20% of our Common Stock.
G.research has provided research and brokerage services to affiliates of GAMCO in the ordinary course of business for standard compensatory fees and commission. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, G.research earned $1.2 million, or approximately 61% and 55%, respectively, of its commission revenue from transactions executed on behalf of clients advised by affiliates of GAMCO.
Pursuant to that certain transitional administrative and management services agreement, dated as of November 30, 2015, by and between GAMCO and AC, GAMCO provides AC with the specified services which are in turn directly or indirectly provided to the Company pursuant to expense sharing agreements with GAMCO, AC, and a subsidiary of AC, as discussed below. The principal services GAMCO provides to us are:
•
accounting, financial reporting, and consolidation services;
•
treasury services, including, without limitation, insurance and risk management services and administration of benefits;
•
human resources, including but not limited to the sourcing of permanent and temporary employees as needed, recordkeeping, performance reviews and terminations;
•
legal and compliance advice;
•
technical/technology consulting; and
•
operations and general administrative assistance, including office space, office equipment, and furniture, payroll, procurement, and administrative personnel.
G.research has entered the following expense sharing agreements pursuant to which it has received and will receive services directly or indirectly from GAMCO, AC, or GCIA.
•
Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and GAMCO Investors, Inc. Pursuant this agreement, GAMCO provides the services of shared employees, the cost and expense of which are determined pursuant to an allocation schedule that is periodically reviewed.
•
Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. Pursuant this agreement, GCIA provides payroll services and the services of shared employees, the cost and expense of which are determined pursuant to an allocation schedule that is periodically reviewed.
•
Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and Associated Capital Group, Inc. Pursuant this agreement, GAMCO provides G.research with shared office space, general administrative assistance, information technology support, and health insurance coverage, the cost and expense of which are determined pursuant to an allocation schedule that is periodically reviewed.
As required by G.research Code of Ethics, G.research staff members are required to maintain their brokerage accounts at G.research unless they receive permission to maintain an outside account. G.research offers all of these staff members the opportunity to engage in brokerage transactions at discounted rates. Accordingly, many of G.research’s staff members, including the executive officers or entities controlled by them, have brokerage accounts at G.research and have engaged in securities transactions through it at discounted rates.
Index
Our directors, Mr. Amabile and Mr. Fernandez are, respectively, President and Executive Vice President, Financial Operations of G,research, our wholly-owned subsidiary.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14:
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The aggregate fees billed by RSM US LLP for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s 2021 consolidated financial statements were $147,556.
The aggregate fees for RSM US LLP for professional services for the audit of the Company’s 2022 consolidated financial statements are expected to total $154,035.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15:
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) List of documents filed as part of this Report:
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Reports included herein:
See Index on page 11.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
Financial statement schedules are omitted as not required or not applicable or because the information is included in the Financial Statements or notes thereto.
(3) List of Exhibits:
The agreements included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.
Index
The Company acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this report not misleading.
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
3.1
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K dated February, 29, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2019).
3.2
Bylaws of the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K dated February, 26, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2019).
10.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 31, 2019, by and among Morgan Group Holding Co., G.R. acquisition, LLC, G.research, LLC, Institutional Services Holdings, LLC and Associated Capital Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Morgan Group Holding Co. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2019).
10.2
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2019, by and among Morgan Group Holding Co. and the investors signatory thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Morgan Group Holding Co. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2019).
10.3
Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and GAMCO Investors, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Morgan Group Holding Co. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2019).
10.4
Amended and Restated Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and Gabelli & Company Investment Advisers, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Morgan Group Holding Co. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2019).
10.5
Expense Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2016, between G.research, LLC and Associated Capital Group, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Morgan Group Holding Co. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2019).
10.6
License Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2019, between G.research, LLC and GAMCO Investors, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Morgan Group Holding Co. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2019).
21.1
Subsidiary of the Company.
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on page 36 of this Report).
31.1
Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
31.2
Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
32.1
Certification of CEO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
100.INS
XBRL Instance Document
100.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
100.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
100.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
100.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
100.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document