ARTO GLOB : Artio Global Investors Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results; Announces Quarterly Dividend of $0.06 Per Share

Artio Global Investors Inc. (NYSE: ART) (?Artio Global Investors?, together with its subsidiaries, ?Artio Global? or the ?Company?) today reported its results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

Financial Highlights

• Adjusted¹ net income attributable to Artio Global Investors (?adjusted net income?) of $27.8 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2010 (GAAP net income attributable to Artio Global Investors of $25.7 million, or $0.44 per diluted share)
• Assets under management of $53.4 billion as of December 31, 2010
• Investment management fees of $84.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 and $334.0 million for the full year 2010
• Effective fee rate² of 63.3 basis points for the fourth quarter of 2010
• Adjusted operating margin of 56.0% for the fourth quarter of 2010 and 55.0% for the full year 2010
• Quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share on Class A and Class C common stock
• Authorization of a share repurchase program for up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock

The Company's adjusted results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the three months ended September 30, 2010, assume the Principals'³ non-controlling interests have been fully exchanged for shares of Class A common stock and exclude the effects of the amortization of restricted stock units (?RSUs?) granted at the time of the Company's initial public offering (?IPO?). Adjusted results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, also exclude costs associated with the reorganization of the Company's ownership structure in connection with the IPO and costs relating to the Principals' former compensation structure. Adjusted results are presented to provide more meaningful comparisons between periods.

For the fourth quarter of 2010, Artio Global Investors reported adjusted net income of $27.8 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, an increase of 17% and 15%, respectively, from adjusted net income of $23.8 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010, and a decrease of 23% in each case from adjusted net income of $36.1 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2009.

On a GAAP basis, net income attributable to Artio Global Investors for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $25.7 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, an increase of 29% in each case from net income attributable to Artio Global Investors of $20.0 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2009, net income attributable to Artio Global Investors was essentially unchanged at $25.7 million, while earnings per diluted share decreased 21% from $0.56.

For the full year 2010, Artio Global Investors reported adjusted net income of $103.5 million, or $1.72 per diluted share, a decrease of 1% and 2%, respectively, from adjusted net income of $104.9 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, for the full year 2009.

On a GAAP basis, net income attributable to Artio Global Investors for the full year 2010 was $83.6 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, an increase from a net loss attributable to Artio Global Investors of $378.3 million, or $8.88 per diluted share, for the full year 2009.

The following tables compare the Company's GAAP results and adjusted results. See Exhibits 3 – 5 of this news release for a reconciliation of GAAP results to adjusted results.

Business Highlights⁵

• All five eligible mutual funds⁶ were in the top quartile of Lipper performance rankings for the five-year period ended December 31, 2010
• Seven of the Company's nine mutual funds⁷, representing over 99% of mutual fund assets, were rated four or five stars by Morningstar, as of December 31, 2010
• Net client cash outflows were $3.1 billion for the fourth quarter of 2010 and $6.3 billion for full year 2010
• The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved long-term performance-based awards that provide for grants of RSUs to certain employees that will vest only if specific criteria are satisfied. The awards are intended to provide additional incentives to further align the interests of employees, shareholders and clients⁸

Management Commentary

?For the fourth quarter, sequentially higher investment management fees driven by market appreciation enabled us to maintain an attractive operating margin and strong net income per diluted share,? said Richard Pell, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer. ?Although our flagship International Equity strategies saw disappointing fourth quarter net outflows, their long-term performance remains competitive and they continued to generate meaningful gross inflows.?

?As we move towards our long term goal of developing a diversified, multi-generational asset management company with multiple growth engines, we remain focused on capital management. During the fourth quarter we began making scheduled principal repayments on our term debt facility. We also utilized the strong free cash flow generated by our business to continue to buy back Artio stock, completing our initial one million share repurchase program earlier than originally anticipated. In addition, our Board of Directors authorized a further three million share repurchase program.?

Fourth Quarter of 2010 Comparison with Fourth Quarter of 2009

Assets Under Management⁹ and Net Client Cash Flows

Assets under management were $53.4 billion as of December 31, 2010, down $2.6 billion, or 5%, from $56.0 billion as of December 31, 2009, due to net client cash outflows, partly offset by market appreciation.

Net client cash outflows for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $3.1 billion, driven primarily by net client cash outflows from our International Equity I and II strategies and our High Grade Fixed Income strategy¹⁰.

Revenues and Other Operating Income

Revenues and other operating income for the fourth quarter of 2010 totaled $85.2 million, down 5% from $89.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. The decrease was driven primarily by lower investment management fees, which were $84.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, down 5% from $89.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, due primarily to lower average assets under management.

Expenses

Employee Compensation and Benefits

For the fourth quarter of 2010, adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $21.7 million, up 24% from $17.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase was due primarily to higher incentive compensation, resulting in part from the implementation of a revised deferred compensation plan in the fourth quarter of 2009 that significantly increased the proportion of incentive compensation subject to deferral, and higher salary and benefits costs resulting from an increase in headcount in 2010.

GAAP employee compensation and benefits expenses for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $24.4 million, up 12% from $21.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase was due primarily to the reasons mentioned above, partly offset by a decrease in the amortization of RSUs granted at the time of the IPO, due to the vesting of certain awards in the first quarter of 2010.

Shareholder Servicing and Marketing Expenses

Shareholder servicing and marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $4.9 million, down 4% from $5.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, driven primarily by a decrease in marketing expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $10.9 million, up 14% from $9.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2009, driven primarily by higher professional fees and an increase in business related activities.

Income Taxes

For the fourth quarter of 2010, the adjusted effective tax rate was 42.2%, 6.4 percentage points higher than the 35.8% adjusted effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase was due primarily to a tax benefit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2009 associated with the anticipated amendments of prior years' tax returns to reflect a lower apportionment of income for state and local tax purposes.

The GAAP effective tax rate was 41.4% for the fourth quarter of 2010, 17.5 percentage points higher than the 23.9% GAAP effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2009, due primarily to an increase in the proportion of pre-tax income subject to federal and state taxes¹¹, and the tax benefit referred to above.

Fourth Quarter of 2010 Comparison with Third Quarter of 2010

Assets Under Management

Assets under management were $53.4 billion as of December 31, 2010, a decrease of $0.5 billion, or 1%, from $53.9 billion as of September 30, 2010, due to net client cash outflows, partly offset by market appreciation.

Revenues and Other Operating Income

Revenues and other operating income for the fourth quarter of 2010 totaled $85.2 million, up 5% from $80.9 million for the third quarter of 2010, driven primarily by higher investment management fees. Investment management fees were $84.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, up 6% from $80.2 million for the third quarter of 2010, due primarily to an increase in average assets under management.

Expenses

Employee Compensation and Benefits

For the fourth quarter of 2010, adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $21.7 million, down 2% from $22.2 million for the third quarter of 2010.

GAAP employee compensation and benefits expenses for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $24.4 million, down 2% from $24.8 million for the third quarter of 2010.

Shareholder Servicing and Marketing Expenses

Shareholder servicing and marketing expenses for the fourth quarter of 2010 were $4.9 million, a decrease of 2% from $5.0 million for the third quarter of 2010, driven by lower marketing expenses, partly offset by an increase in shareholder servicing costs due to higher average assets under management in our proprietary funds.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses of $10.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, decreased 3% from $11.2 million for the third quarter of 2010, driven primarily by lower costs related to client-related trading errors, partly offset by higher business related activities.

Income Taxes

For the fourth quarter of 2010, the adjusted effective tax rate was 42.2%, 1.2 percentage points lower than the 43.4% adjusted effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2010, due primarily to the release of a previously recorded tax reserve.

The GAAP effective tax rate was 41.4% for the fourth quarter of 2010, 6.0 percentage points lower than the 47.4% GAAP effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2010, due primarily to a write-off of deferred tax assets in the third quarter of 2010 related to the vesting of RSUs at a price below their grant date fair value.

Full Year 2010 Comparison to Full Year 2009

Net Client Cash Flows

Net client cash outflows for full year 2010 were $6.3 billion, driven primarily by net client cash outflows from our International Equity I and II strategies, and our High Grade Fixed Income strategy, partly offset by net client cash inflows into our High Yield, Global Equity and US Equity strategies¹⁰.

Revenues and Other Operating Income

Revenues and other operating income for 2010 totaled $335.1 million, up 9% from $307.4 million for 2009, driven primarily by higher investment management fees. Investment management fees were $334.0 million for 2010, up 9% from $305.3 million for 2009, due primarily to higher average assets under management.

Expenses

Employee Compensation and Benefits

For 2010, adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $87.9 million, up 18% from $74.7 million for 2009. The increase was due primarily to costs resulting from an increase in headcount in 2010 and the full year impact of the Principals' employment agreements.

GAAP employee compensation and benefits expenses for 2010 of $99.0 million decreased 79% from $476.7 million for 2009. The decrease was due primarily to compensation expenses recorded in 2009 related to the reorganization of the Company's ownership structure in connection with the IPO and costs related to the Principals' former compensation structure, partly offset by the reasons mentioned above as well as an increase in the amortization of RSUs granted at the time of the IPO.

Shareholder Servicing and Marketing Expenses

Shareholder servicing and marketing expenses for 2010 were $20.1 million, up 19% from $16.9 million for 2009, driven primarily by higher shareholder servicing costs resulting from increases in average assets under management in proprietary funds and platform fees, and increased marketing expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses of $42.8 million for 2010 increased 1% from $42.3 million for 2009, driven primarily by an increase in costs resulting from our public company status, higher business related activities and professional fees related to the secondary offering in 2010, partly offset by professional fees related to the IPO in 2009, and the absence of license fees paid to our former parent.

Income Taxes

For 2010, the adjusted effective tax rate was 43.4%, 4.4 percentage points higher than 39.0% for 2009, due primarily to a tax benefit recorded in 2009 associated with the anticipated amendments of prior-years' tax returns to reflect a lower apportionment of income for state and local tax purposes.

GAAP income tax expense of $68.2 million for 2010 decreased 49% from $134.3 million for 2009, due primarily to a non-cash expense of $110.3 million recorded in 2009 related to the de-recognition of a deferred tax asset, partly offset by higher taxable income in 2010 and the tax benefit recorded in 2009 mentioned above.

Liquidity and Capital

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, excluding amounts held in consolidated investment products, of $79.2 million, investments held for deferred compensation of $9.1 million and an undrawn $50.0 million committed revolving credit facility. During the fourth quarter of 2010, in accordance with the terms of the credit agreement, the Company repaid $4.5 million of its $60.0 million term debt facility.

On January 27, 2011, the Company increased its committed revolving credit facility from $50.0 million to $100.0 million.

Total equity on the Statement of Financial Position was $106.3 million as of December 31, 2010, compared to $4.0 million as of December 31, 2009.

Share Repurchase

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company completed its 1,000,000 share repurchase program by repurchasing and retiring 468,800 shares of Class A common stock at an average price of $14.25.

On December 8, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 3,000,000 shares of common stock through December 31, 2013.

Shares

As of December 31, 2010, the total amount of shares of Class A, Class B and Class C common stock outstanding was 59,508,172.

For purposes of calculating adjusted earnings per diluted share, all of the Principals' New Class A Units, held in the intermediate holding company as of the beginning of the period, are assumed to have been fully exchanged into shares of Class A common stock on the first day of the period.

Dividend

On January 24, 2011, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.06 per share on the Class A and Class C common stock for the fourth quarter of 2010, which is payable on February 23, 2011, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 14, 2011.

Teleconference and Webcast Details

Artio Global Investors' management will host a conference call for analysts and investors to review fourth quarter and full year 2010 results, today, January 28, 2011, beginning at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The call can be accessed by dialing +1-888-680-0860 (inside the United States) or +1-617-213-4852 (outside the United States). The number should be dialed at least ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The passcode for the call will be 80728240. A simultaneous webcast (on a listen-only basis), as well as an audio replay of the call will be available to the public on the Investor Relations page of the Company's website at www.ir.ArtioGlobal.com.

About Us

Artio Global Investors Inc. is the indirect holding company of Artio Global Management LLC (?Artio Global Management?), a registered investment adviser headquartered in New York City that actively invests in global equity and fixed income markets, primarily for institutional and intermediary clients.

Best known for International Equities, Artio Global Management also offers a select group of other investment strategies, including High Grade Fixed Income, High Yield and Global Equity, as well as a series of US Equity strategies. Access to these strategies is offered through a variety of investment vehicles, including separate accounts, commingled funds and SEC-registered mutual funds.

Since 1995, our investment professionals have built a successful long-term track record by taking an unconventional approach to investing. Based on a philosophy of style-agnostic investing across a broad range of opportunities, we have consistently pursued a global approach that we believe provides critical insights, thereby adding value for clients over the long term.

For more information, please visit www.artioglobal.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this news release may, and the related prepared remarks do, contain forward?looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the intrinsic value of our common stock, investor behavior, our adjusted compensation ratio, future tax rate, free cash flow and declaration of dividends. These forward?looking statements are based on the Company's current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. Words like ?believe?, ?anticipate?, ?intend?, ?estimate?, ?expect?, ?project?, and similar expressions are used to identify forward?looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward?looking statements discuss matters that necessarily involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward?looking statements.

Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by a forward?looking statement are those described in the sections entitled ?Risk Factors? and ?Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations? in the Company's registration statement on Form S?1 (File No. 333-166992) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 21, 2010, as amended. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on the Company's future results, performance, or achievements.

Any forward?looking statements in this news release and the related prepared remarks speak only as of the date of this news release. The related prepared remarks may contain information about the Company subsequent to December 31, 2010. The Company is not under any obligation and does not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any forward?looking statements to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward?looking statements will not be realized.

Fund Performance and Other Disclaimers

Lipper rankings are for Class I mutual fund shares with a five-year track record only. Other classes may have different performance characteristics. Lipper, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments including mutual funds, retirement funds, hedge funds, fund fees and expenses to the asset management and media communities. Lipper ranks the performance of mutual funds within a classification of funds that have similar investment objectives. Rankings are historical with capital gains and dividends reinvested and do not include the effect of loads. If an expense waiver was in effect, it may have had a material effect on the total return or yield for the period.

Morningstar rankings are for Class I mutual fund shares with a minimum three-year track record. For each mutual fund with at least a three-year history, Morningstar calculates a Morningstar Rating? based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges, loads, and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of funds in each category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. (Each share class is counted as a fraction of one fund within this scale and rated separately, which may cause slight variations in the distribution percentages.) The Overall Morningstar Rating for a mutual fund is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five- and ten-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. This investment's independent Morningstar Rating metric is then compared against the mutual fund universe breakpoints to determine its hypothetical rating.

Data presented reflects past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. © 2011 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This news release is not, and should not be considered, sales material and is not an offer or a solicitation for any securities.

¹ See Exhibits 3 - 5 of this news release for a reconciliation of the Company's U.S. GAAP results to its Non-GAAP adjusted results (?adjusted?).

² Effective fee rate is defined as annualized investment management fees (based on the number of days in the period) divided by the average assets under management for the period.

³ Richard Pell, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, and Rudolph-Riad Younes, Head of International Equities, are collectively referred to as the ?Principals?.

⁴ Represents total revenues and other operating income.

⁵ See section entitled ?Fund Performance and Other Disclaimers? and Exhibit 8 of this news release for further information about Lipper and Morningstar rankings.

⁶ Class I mutual fund shares with a five-year track record; other classes may have different performance characteristics.

⁷ Class I mutual fund shares; other classes may have different performance characteristics.

⁸ For further information on the long-term performance based awards, see the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2011.

⁹ Assets under management information exclude legacy activities.

¹⁰ See Exhibit 7 for more information on ?Assets under Management by Investment Strategy?.

¹¹ Following the Principals' exchanges of an aggregate of 14,400,000 New Class A Units for Class A common stock on May 18, 2010 and June 9, 2010, Artio Global Investors' economic ownership in Artio Global Holdings increased from approximately 74% to approximately 98%.