FIG Simplify Macro Strategy ETF

Announces Dividend of $0.08 per Share

Fortress Investment Group LLC (NYSE: FIG) (“Fortress” or the “Company”) today reported its fourth quarter and year end 2015 financial results.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

• Fortress declares a cash dividend of $0.08 per dividend paying share for the fourth quarter of 2015
• Management Fee Paying Assets Under Management (“AUM”) of $70.5 billion as of December 31, 2015, a decrease of 5% from the previous quarter and an increase of 4% from December 31, 2014
• GAAP net income of $116 million and $182 million (per diluted Class A share of $0.20 and $0.28) for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015, respectively; compared to GAAP net income of $141 million and $240 million (per diluted Class A share of $0.23 and $0.43) for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, respectively
• Pre-tax distributable earnings (“DE”) of $130 million and $391 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015, respectively; compared to pre-tax DE of $123 million and $446 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, respectively
• Pre-tax DE per dividend paying share of $0.30 and $0.87 for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to pre-tax DE per dividend paying share of $0.28 and $0.99 for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014, respectively
• Net cash and investments of $1.2 billion, or $2.94 per dividend paying share, as of December 31, 2015
• $1.0 billion of gross embedded incentive income across funds and permanent capital vehicles as of December 31, 2015, that has not been recognized in DE
• Total uncalled capital, or “dry powder,” of $7.5 billion as of December 31, 2015, including $4.6 billion available for general investment purposes

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

• Repurchased 56.8 million dividend paying shares at a price of $4.50 per share, representing approximately 13% of dividend paying shares outstanding
• Subsequent to year end, Fortress announced the commencement of a modified “Dutch auction” self-tender offer to repurchase up to $100 million in cash of its Class A shares, at a price per share within the range of $4.25 to $4.75
• Subsequent to year end, entered into a new $275 million unsecured revolving credit facility maturing in January 2021

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

• Raised $9.0 billion of capital across alternative investment businesses in 2015
  • Closed Fortress Credit Opportunity Fund (“FCO”) IV at its targeted cap of approximately $5.0 billion
  • Closed Fortress Japan Opportunity Fund (“FJOF”) III at its targeted cap of approximately $1.1 billion
  • Closed Fortress Real Estate Opportunities Fund (“FROF”) II at its targeted cap of approximately $1.0 billion
  • Raised $2.4 billion of new capital across the Permanent Capital Vehicles
  • Raised $0.6 billion of new capital across Credit and Liquid hedge funds
• Investment performance summary as of December 31, 2015:
  • Annualized inception-to-date net IRRs for FCO, FCO II and FCO III of 24.2%, 16.9% and 10.5%, respectively
  • Fourth quarter and full year 2015 net returns of 0.9% and 5.8%, respectively, for Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund (“DBSO”) LP
  • 15 of 16 Logan Circle strategies have outperformed respective benchmarks since inception

“We recorded our highest ever fourth quarter of distributable earnings to cap off a very solid full year for Fortress,” said Fortress CEO Randal Nardone. “We raised $9 billion in new alternative capital in 2015 – our strongest full year since 2007 – with virtually all new commitments made in long-term or permanent structures. We closed the year with $7.5 billion in dry powder, and believe current and developing market dynamics play well to our greatest investment strengths. With strong levels of activity in our main funds and permanent capital vehicles, and substantial levels of embedded value generated by existing investments, we see significant upside potential for earnings and value creation in the years ahead.”

SUMMARY FINANCIAL RESULTS

Fortress’s business model is highly diversified, and management believes that this positions the Company to capitalize on opportunities for investing, capital formation and harvesting profits that can occur at different points in any cycle for our individual businesses. Fortress’s business model generates stable and predictable management fees, which is a function of the majority of Fortress’s alternative AUM residing in long-term investment structures. Fortress’s alternative investment businesses also generate variable incentive income based on performance, and this incentive income can contribute meaningfully to financial results. Balance sheet investments represent a third component of Fortress’s business model, and the Company has built substantial value in these investments, which are made in Fortress funds alongside the funds’ limited partners. The table below summarizes Fortress’s operating results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The consolidated GAAP statement of operations and balance sheet are presented on pages 13-14 of this press release.

              4Q 3Q 4Q % Change FY FY % Change 2015 2015 2014 QoQ   YoY 2015 2014 YoY (in millions, except per share amount) GAAP Revenues $ 415 $ 264 $ 455 57 % (9 )% $ 1,214 $ 1,206 1 % Expenses 242 224 310 8 % (22 )% 1,053 992 6 % Other Income (loss) (18 ) (62 ) (14 ) (71 )% 29 % 76 33 130 % Net income (loss) 116 (26 ) 141 N/A (18 )% 182 240 (24 )% Net income (loss) attributable to Class A Shareholders   54     (14 )   61   N/A (11 )%   78   101 (23 )% Per diluted share $ 0.20   $ (0.07 ) $ 0.23   N/A (13 )% $ 0.28 $ 0.43 (35 )% Weighted average Class A shares outstanding, diluted 425 216 450 443 455   Distributable Earnings Fund management DE $ 113 $ 67 $ 110 69 % 3 % $ 364 $ 340 7 % Pre-tax DE   130     69     123   88 % 6 %   391   446 (12 )% Per dividend paying share/unit $ 0.30   $ 0.15   $ 0.28   100 % 7 % $ 0.87 $ 0.99 (12 )% Weighted average dividend paying shares and units outstanding 430 454 442 447 448   Assets Under Management Private Equity and Permanent Capital $ 15,807 $ 16,091 $ 13,933 (2 )% 13 % $ 15,807 $ 13,933 13 % Credit1 18,107 17,426 13,128 4 % 38 % 18,107 13,128 38 % Liquid Markets2 5,409 7,367 8,128 (27 )% (33 )% 5,409 8,128 (33 )% Logan Circle   31,178     33,446     32,342   (7 )% (4 )%   31,178   32,342 (4 )% Total Assets Under Management $ 70,501   $ 74,330   $ 67,531   (5 )% 4 % $ 70,501 $ 67,531 4 %

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1 The Assets Under Management presented for Credit includes AUM related to co-managed funds in 2015, which was $2,853 million as of 4Q 2015. 2 The Assets Under Management presented for Liquid Markets includes AUM related to Fortress's affiliated manager platform ("Affiliated Managers") in 2015, which was $4,496 million as of 4Q 2015.  

CONSOLIDATED GAAP RESULTS

Fortress recorded GAAP net income of $116 million, or $0.20 per diluted Class A share, for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to GAAP net income of $141 million, or $0.23 per diluted Class A share, for the fourth quarter of 2014. For the full year of 2015, Fortress recorded GAAP net income of $182 million, or $0.28 per diluted Class A share, compared to GAAP net income of $240 million, or $0.43 per diluted Class A share, for the full year of 2014. Our diluted earnings per share for all periods presented includes the income tax effects to net income (loss) attributable to Class A shareholders from the assumed conversion of Fortress Operating Group units and fully vested restricted partnership units to Class A shares. The year-over-year decrease in Fortress’s fourth quarter 2015 GAAP net income was primarily driven by a $40 million decrease in revenues and a $49 million increase in income tax expense, partially offset by a $68 million decrease in expenses. The decrease in revenues was primarily related to lower incentive income, while the decrease in expenses was primarily related to lower compensation and benefits expense. The year-over-year decrease in Fortress’s full year 2015 GAAP net income was primarily driven by a $49 million increase in income tax expense.

CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT RESULTS (NON-GAAP)

This section provides information about each of Fortress’s businesses: (i) Credit Hedge Funds and Credit PE Funds, (ii) Private Equity Funds and Permanent Capital Vehicles, (iii) Liquid Hedge Funds, and (iv) Logan Circle.

Fortress uses DE as the primary metric to manage its businesses and gauge the Company’s performance, and it uses DE exclusively to report segment results. All DE figures are presented on a pre-tax basis. Consolidated segment results are non-GAAP information and are not presented as a substitute for Fortress’s GAAP results. Fortress urges you to read “Non-GAAP Information” below.

    As of December 31, 2015   Private Equity   Credit Funds  

 

 

 

(in millions) Total Funds  

PermanentCapital Vehicles

Hedge Funds PE Funds

Liquid HedgeFunds

Logan CirclePartners

  Assets Under Management3 $ 70,501 $ 8,991 $ 6,816 $ 8,799 $ 9,308 $ 5,409 $ 31,178 Dry Powder $ 7,472 $ 581 $ - $ 322 $ 6,569 N/A N/A Average Management Fee Rate4 1.2 % 1.5 % 2.0 % 1.3 % 1.3 % 0.2 %   Incentive Eligible NAV Above Incentive Income Threshold5 $ 21,888 $ 1,238 $ 3,691 $ 5,520 $ 11,231 $ 86 $ 122   Undistributed Incentive Income: Unrecognized $ 986 $ 31 $ 21 $ 62 $ 867 $ 5 $ - Undistributed Incentive Income: Recognized   -     -     -     -     -     -   $ -   Undistributed Incentive Income6 $ 986   $ 31   $ 21   $ 62   $ 867   $ 5   $ -       Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 Private Equity Credit Funds

 

 

(in millions) Total Funds

PermanentCapital Vehicles

Hedge Funds

PE Funds

Liquid HedgeFunds

Logan CirclePartners

  Third-Party Capital Raised $ 215 $ - $ - $ 21 $ 166 $ 28 $ -   Segment Revenues Management fees $ 148 $ 29 $ 27 $ 38 $ 32 $ 8 $ 14 Incentive income   132     -     30     11     90     1     -   Total 280 29 57 49 122 9 14 Segment Expenses Operating expenses (105 ) (3 ) (19 ) (27 ) (26 ) (16 ) (14 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (47 )   1     (3 )   (5 )   (41 )   1     -   Total (152 ) (2 ) (22 ) (32 ) (67 ) (15 ) (14 )   Earnings From Affiliated Managers (1 ) - - - - (1 ) -   Principal Performance Payments (14 ) - (5 ) (4 ) (5 ) - -               Fund Management DE $ 113   $ 27   $ 30   $ 13   $ 50   $ (7 ) $ -     Net Investment Income7 17 - 1 1 12 5 (1 )               Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 130   $ 27   $ 31   $ 14   $ 62   $ (2 ) $ (1 )

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3 The Assets Under Management presented for the Credit Hedge Funds includes $2,853 million related to co-managed funds and $102 million related to the third-party originated Value Recovery Funds (Fortress earns fees from the Value Recovery Funds based only on collections). The Assets Under Management presented for the Liquid Hedge Funds includes $4,496 million related to Affiliated Managers. 4 The Average Management Fee Rate presented for the Credit Hedge Funds excludes the co-managed funds and third-party originated Value Recovery Funds (see footnote 3 above). The Average Management Fee Rate presented for the Liquid Hedge Funds excludes Affiliated Managers. 5 The Incentive Eligible NAV Above Incentive Income Threshold presented for Credit Hedge Funds excludes co-managed funds and sidepocket investments and for Liquid Hedge Funds, excludes Affiliated Managers and sidepocket investments. The Incentive Eligible NAV Above Incentive Income Threshold presented for Private Equity Funds and Credit PE Funds (except for Fund V and LDVF I, of which a portion of the fund’s capital was above the incentive income threshold as of December 31, 2015), represents total fund NAV. The Incentive Eligible NAV Above Incentive Income Threshold presented for the Permanent Capital Vehicles represents the equity basis that is used to calculate incentive income. 6 The Undistributed Incentive Income presented for the Credit Hedge Funds excludes co-managed funds and for Liquid Hedge Funds, excludes Affiliated Managers. Undistributed Incentive Income includes the impact of sidepocket investments on Credit and Liquid Hedge Funds. Undistributed Incentive Income for Private Equity Funds, Credit PE Funds and Liquid and Credit Hedge Fund sidepocket and redeeming capital account (RCA) investments has not been recognized in Distributable Earnings and will be recognized when realized; Undistributed Incentive Income for other Hedge Fund investments was recognized in Distributable Earnings when earned. Undistributed Incentive Income for Permanent Capital Vehicles includes incentive income that would have been recorded in Distributable Earnings if Fortress had (i) exercised all of its in-the-money options it holds in the Permanent Capital Vehicles and sold all of the resulting shares and (ii) sold all of its Permanent Capital Vehicle common shares which it received as incentive income, based on their December 31, 2015 closing price. 7 Net Investment Income includes Unallocated Expenses of $1 million.  

Pre-tax DE was $130 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, up from $123 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, primarily due to lower profit sharing and operating expenses, partially offset by lower incentive income. Pre-tax DE was $391 million in the full year of 2015, down from $446 million in full year 2014, primarily due to lower net investment income, management fees and incentive income, partially offset by lower profit sharing expenses.

Management fees were $148 million and $582 million in the fourth quarter and full year of 2015, respectively, down from $153 million and $601 million in the fourth quarter and full year of 2014. Management fees included approximately $16 million and $58 million for the fourth quarter and full year of 2014, respectively, attributable to the former Fortress Asia Macro Funds (“FAMF”), which transitioned to an autonomous business in which we have a minority interest named Graticule Asset Management Asia (“Graticule”) in the first quarter of 2015. Adjusting for this transition, Fortress’s management fees increased by approximately $11 million and $39 million year-over-year in the fourth quarter and full year of 2015, respectively. The increase was primarily due to higher management fees from the Permanent Capital Vehicles, Credit Hedge Funds, Credit PE Funds and Logan Circle, partially offset by lower management fees from the Private Equity Funds and Liquid Hedge Funds.

Incentive income in the fourth quarter and full year of 2015 totaled $132 million and $436 million, respectively, down from $191 million and $461 million in the fourth quarter and full year of 2014, respectively. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to lower incentive income from the Credit Hedge Funds, Credit PE Funds and Liquid Hedge Funds, partially offset by higher incentive income from the Permanent Capital Vehicles.

Earnings from Affiliated Managers totaled $9 million in 2015, related to our interests in Graticule.

Additionally, Fortress had $986 million in gross undistributed, unrecognized incentive income based on investment valuations as of December 31, 2015. This includes $965 million from our funds and $21 million from options and common shares in our permanent capital vehicles.

The Company’s segment revenues and distributable earnings will fluctuate materially depending upon the performance of its funds and the realization events within its Private Equity businesses, as well as other factors. Accordingly, the revenues and distributable earnings in any particular period should not be expected to be indicative of future results.

ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT

As of December 31, 2015, AUM totaled $70.5 billion, down from $74.3 billion as of September 30, 2015. During the quarter, Fortress had (i) $1.9 billion of net client outflows for Logan Circle, (ii) $1.5 billion of Liquid Hedge Fund redemptions, primarily related to the closing of the Fortress Macro Funds, (iii) $0.8 billion of capital distributions to investors, (iv) $0.8 billion of market-driven valuation losses, and (v) a $0.6 billion decline in the AUM of Affiliated Managers and co-managed funds. These decreases to AUM were partially offset by a $1.6 billion increase in invested capital and $0.2 billion of capital raised that was directly added to AUM.

As of December 31, 2015, the Credit Funds and Private Equity Funds had $6.9 billion and $0.6 billion of uncalled capital, respectively, that will become AUM if deployed/called. Uncalled capital or dry powder – capital committed to the funds but not invested and generating management fees – includes $2.9 billion that is only available for follow-on investments, management fees and other fund expenses. Notably, approximately 86% of alternative AUM was in funds with long-term investment structures as of December 31, 2015.

BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS

Below is a discussion of fourth quarter and full year 2015 segment results and business highlights.

Credit:

• DBSO LP net returns of 5.8% for the full year ended December 31, 2015

• FCO, FCO II, FCO III, FJOF and FJOF II (Yen) recorded annualized inception-to-date net IRRs of 24.2%, 16.9%, 10.5%, 32.9% and 25.9%, respectively, through December 31, 2015
• Increase in invested capital of $3.0 billion in 2015, including $1.4 billion in the fourth quarter
• Completed fundraising for three successor funds at their targeted caps: FCO IV, FJOF III and FROF II

(See supplemental data on pages 20-21 for more detail on Credit results)

The Credit business, which includes our Credit PE Funds and Credit Hedge Funds, generated pre-tax DE of $76 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, down from $81 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The year-over-year decrease in DE was primarily driven by lower incentive income, partially offset by lower profit sharing expenses and higher management fees. For the full year of 2015, the Credit business generated record pre-tax DE of $224 million, up from $208 million for the full year of 2014. The year-over-year increase in DE was primarily due to higher management fees and net investment income, partially offset by lower incentive income.

The Credit PE Funds generated pre-tax DE of $62 million in the quarter, down slightly from $68 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, as higher management fees were offset by lower incentive income in the quarter. For full year 2015, the Credit PE Funds generated a record $139 million of pre-tax DE, a 14% increase compared to full year 2014, primarily attributable to higher management fees and net investment income. During 2015, the Credit PE Funds generated $244 million of incentive income, while gross unrecognized Credit PE incentive income increased $43 million year-over-year to $867 million at year end.

The Credit Hedge Funds generated pre-tax DE of $14 million and $85 million in the fourth quarter and full year of 2015, roughly flat to the comparable periods in 2014, as higher management fees and lower profit sharing expenses were offset by lower incentive income. Fortress’s flagship credit hedge fund, DBSO LP, had net returns of 0.9% in the fourth quarter, bringing net returns for the full year 2015 to 5.8%.

The Credit business raised a record $6.2 billion of capital in 2015, including $5.9 billion for the Credit PE Funds and $0.3 billion for the Credit Hedge Funds. During the year, the Credit business closed their fourth Credit Opportunities fund, FCO IV, at its cap of approximately $5.0 billion, closed their third Japan Real Estate fund, FJOF III, at its cap of approximately $1.1 billion, and closed their second global Real Estate fund, FROF II, at its cap of approximately $1.0 billion.

Private Equity and Permanent Capital Vehicles:

• AUM increased 13% year-over-year to $15.8 billion, including $9.0 billion in the Private Equity Funds and $6.8 billion in the Permanent Capital Vehicles
• Raised a record $2.4 billion of permanent equity capital in 2015
• Permanent Capital Vehicles generated a record $105 million of pre-tax DE in 2015

(See supplemental data on pages 18-19 for more detail on Private Equity results)

The Private Equity business recorded pre-tax DE of $58 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, including $31 million for the Permanent Capital Vehicles and $27 million for the Private Equity Funds, up from $34 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. The year-over-year increase was primarily driven by higher management fees and incentive income for the Permanent Capital Vehicles as well as lower operating expenses for the Private Equity Funds.

For the full year of 2015, the Permanent Capital Vehicles recorded pre-tax DE of $105 million, up from $41 million in full year 2014, primarily due to higher incentive income and management fees. The Permanent Capital Vehicles generated $106 million of incentive income in 2015, primarily related to New Residential Investment Corp. (NYSE: NRZ) and New Media Investment Group Inc. (NYSE: NEWM).

For the full year of 2015, the Private Equity Funds recorded pre-tax DE of $72 million, down from $183 million in full year 2014, primarily due to lower net investment income and lower management fees. Private Equity Fund valuations declined 3.1% in the fourth quarter, primarily due to changes in value of OneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: OMF) and certain private portfolio company investments.

Liquid Hedge Funds:

• Raised $333 million of capital in 2015, primarily for the Fortress Centaurus Global Funds
• During the quarter, closed the Fortress Macro Funds and related managed accounts

(See supplemental data on page 22 for more detail on Liquid Hedge Funds results)

The Liquid Hedge Funds recorded a pre-tax DE loss of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, down from pre-tax DE of $10 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, primarily due to lower management fees and incentive income, partially offset by lower expenses.

The Liquid Hedge Funds recorded a pre-tax DE loss of $3 million for the full year of 2015, down from pre-tax DE of $22 million for the full year of 2014, primarily due to a one-time $18 million impairment of certain software and technology-related assets, lower management fees and lower incentive income, partially offset by lower expenses and $9 million in Earnings from Affiliated Managers.

Full year 2015 net returns for the Fortress Convex Asia Funds, Fortress Centaurus Global Funds and Fortress Partners Funds were (2.8)%, 1.4% and (5.0)%, respectively. Net returns year-to-date through February 19, 2016 for the Fortress Convex Asia Funds and Fortress Centaurus Global Funds were 5.1% and (2.0)%, respectively.*

During the quarter, Fortress closed the Fortress Macro Funds and related managed accounts. The Fortress Macro Funds had $1.8 billion of AUM, or 2% of Fortress’s total AUM, as of September 30, 2015 and generated a pre-tax DE loss of $12 million for the full year of 2015. Michael Novogratz, a Fortress principal, officer and director and Macro Fund CIO, retired effective January 2016.

The Liquid Hedge Funds had $5.4 billion of AUM at year end, including $4.5 billion related to Affiliated Managers. As of year end, the Liquid Hedge Funds had $275 million of outstanding redemption notices that will be paid in the first quarter of 2016.

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* The net returns for the Fortress Convex Asia Funds reflect returns for the Fortress Convex Asia Funds and Fortress Convex Asia PF Funds collectively. The calculation of net returns for the Fortress Convex Asia PF Funds reflect all expenses, including management fees, accrued incentive allocation (if any), and other expenses over the fund’s Trading Level. “Trading Level” is defined as the product of the fund’s NAV multiplied by the Funding Factor. The “Funding Factor” is 2x for Fortress Convex Asia Fund PF Ltd and Fortress Convex Asia Fund PF LP. The net returns for the Fortress Partners Funds represent the performance of Fortress Partners Fund LP. Please see supplemental data on page 22 for more detail on the returns of each Fortress Partners Fund.

 

Logan Circle:

• 11 out of 16 Logan Circle fixed income investment strategies outperformed their respective benchmarks in the fourth quarter of 2015, and 7 of 16 strategies outperformed respective benchmarks in full year 2015
• AUM totaled $31.2 billion at December 31, 2015, a decrease of 4% compared to December 31, 2014

(See supplemental data on page 23 for more detail on Logan Circle results)

Logan Circle, our traditional asset management business, recorded a pre-tax DE loss of $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, roughly flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.

For the full year of 2015, Logan Circle recorded a pre-tax DE loss of $2 million, compared to a $5 million loss in the full year 2014, primarily due to higher revenues, partially offset by lower investment income.

Logan Circle ended the year with $31.2 billion in AUM, a 4% decline compared to year end 2014, primarily due to market-driven valuation losses in 2015.

For the three and five year period through December 31, 2015, 13 and 12 Logan Circle fixed income strategies, respectively, outperformed their respective benchmarks. Since inception, 15 of 16 Logan Circle fixed income strategies have outperformed their respective benchmarks and eight were ranked in the top quartile of performance for their competitor universe.

LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL

As of December 31, 2015, Fortress had cash and cash equivalents of $340 million and debt obligations of $231 million.

As of December 31, 2015, Fortress had $1.1 billion of investments in Fortress funds and options in publicly traded permanent capital vehicles. As of December 31, 2015, Fortress had a total of $154 million of outstanding commitments to its funds. In addition, the NAV of Fortress’s investments in its own funds exceeded its segment cost basis by $485 million at year end, representing net unrealized gains that have not yet been recognized for segment reporting purposes.

In connection with the purchase of 56.8 million class A or equivalent shares from a former Principal for an aggregate of $256 million in November 2015, Fortress paid $100 million in cash and issued a $156 million promissory note to the Principal, which matures based on the following schedule: $78 million in November 2016 and $78 million in November 2017.

In January 2016, Fortress refinanced its existing $150 million secured revolving credit facility and entered into a new $275 million unsecured facility with a $15 million letter of credit subfacility. After giving effect to the initial extensions of credit thereunder of $75 million, and an additional extension of $100 million in February 2016, approximately $97 million was available to be drawn.

In February 2016, Fortress announced the commencement of a modified "Dutch auction" self-tender offer to repurchase up to $100 million in cash of its Class A shares, at a price per share within the range of $4.25 to $4.75, less applicable withholding taxes and without interest.

DIVIDEND

Fortress’s Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter 2015 cash dividend of $0.08 per dividend paying share. The dividend is payable on March 21, 2016 to Class A shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 16, 2016.

The declaration and payment of any dividends are at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, which may decide to change its dividend policy at any time. Please see below for information on the U.S. federal income tax implications of the dividend.

NON-GAAP INFORMATION

DE is a primary metric used by management to measure Fortress’s operating performance. Consistent with GAAP, DE is the sole measure that management uses to manage, and thus report on, Fortress’s segments, namely: Private Equity, Permanent Capital Vehicles, Credit Hedge Funds, Credit PE Funds, Liquid Hedge Funds and Logan Circle. DE differs from GAAP net income in a number of material ways. For a detailed description of the calculation of pre-tax DE and fund management DE, see Exhibit 3 to this release and note 11 to the financial statements included in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K.

Fortress aggregates its segment results to report consolidated segment results, as shown in the table under “Summary Financial Results” and in the “Total” column of the table under “Consolidated Segment Results (Non-GAAP).” The consolidated segment results are non-GAAP financial information. Management believes that consolidated segment results provide a meaningful basis for comparison among present and future periods. However, consolidated segment results should not be considered a substitute for Fortress’s consolidated GAAP results. The exhibits to this release contain reconciliations of the components of Fortress’s consolidated segment results to the comparable GAAP measures, and Fortress urges you to review these exhibits. Fortress also uses weighted average dividend paying shares and units outstanding (used to calculate pre-tax DE per dividend paying share) and net cash and investments. The exhibits to this release contain reconciliations of these measures to the comparable GAAP measures, and Fortress urges you to review these exhibits.

CONFERENCE CALL

Management will host a conference call today, Thursday, February 25th at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time. A copy of the earnings release is posted to the Investor Relations section of Fortress’s website, www.fortress.com. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-694-6694 (from within the U.S.) or 1-970-315-0985 (from outside of the U.S.) ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call; please reference “Fortress Fourth Quarter Earnings Call.” A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at www.fortress.com. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the necessary software required to listen to the internet broadcast. A telephonic replay of the conference call will also be available by dialing 1-855-859-2056 (from within the U.S.) or 1-404-537-3406 (from outside of the U.S.); please reference access code “45855916.”

ABOUT FORTRESS

Fortress Investment Group LLC (NYSE: FIG) is a leading, highly diversified global investment management firm with $70.5 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2015. Fortress applies its deep experience and specialized expertise across a range of investment strategies - private equity, credit, liquid hedge funds and traditional asset management - on behalf of over 1,700 institutional clients and private investors worldwide. For more information regarding Fortress Investment Group LLC or to be added to its e-mail distribution list, please visit www.fortress.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding Fortress’s sources of management fees, incentive income and investment income (loss), estimated fund performance and the amount and source of expected capital commitments. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. It is possible that the sources and amounts of management fees, incentive income and investment income, the amount and source of expected capital commitments for any new fund or redemption amounts may differ, possibly materially, from these forward-looking statements. Such differences or other changes to forward looking statements could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect such forward-looking statements, see the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is, or will be, available on the Company’s website (www.fortress.com). In addition, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause its actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The Company can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will be obtained. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX IMPLICATIONS OF DIVIDEND

This announcement is intended to be a qualified notice as provided in the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and the Regulations thereunder. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the dividend declared in February 2016 will be treated as a partnership distribution. The per share distribution components are as follows:

        U.S. Long Term Capital Gain (1)   $0.0000 Non-U.S. Long Term Capital Gain $0.0000 U.S. Portfolio Interest Income (2) $0.0480 U.S. Dividend Income (3) $0.0000 Income Not from U.S. Sources (4) $0.0320 Return of Capital

$0.0000

Distribution Per Share

$0.0800

(1)   U.S. Long Term Capital Gain realized on the sale of a United States Real Property Holding Corporation. As a result, the gain from the sale will be treated as income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. (2) Eligible for the U.S. portfolio interest exemption for any holder not considered a 10-Percent shareholder under §871(h)(3)(B) of the Code. (3) This income is subject to withholding under §1441 of the Code. (4) This income is not subject to withholding under §1441 or §1446 of the Code.     Fortress Investment Group LLC Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except share data)

  Three Months Ended December 31, Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015   2014 2015   2014 Revenues Management fees: affiliates $ 134,052 $ 135,710 $ 547,109 $ 539,600 Management fees: non-affiliates 13,823 16,836 59,480 68,948 Incentive income: affiliates 189,898 236,944 345,052 362,578 Incentive income: non-affiliates 78 704 813 1,734 Expense reimbursements: affiliates 68,614 59,600 237,158 213,048 Expense reimbursements: non-affiliates 1,432 3,498 11,005 13,429 Other revenues   6,763     1,654     13,239     6,243   Total Revenues   414,660     454,946     1,213,856     1,205,580     Expenses Compensation and benefits 196,839 251,479 743,862 795,361 General, administrative and other 38,141 51,791 164,194 173,113 Depreciation and amortization 5,042 5,494 39,243 19,829 Interest expense 1,783 889 4,579 3,443 Transfer of interest in Graticule   -     -     101,000     -   Total Expenses   241,805     309,653     1,052,878     991,746     Other Income (Loss) Gains (losses) (3,805 ) 18,351 (18,919 ) (11,757 ) Tax receivable agreement liability adjustment 1,749 (29,080 ) (6,141 ) (33,116 ) Earnings (losses) from equity method investees (16,107 ) (3,551 ) (32,915 ) 78,199 Gain on transfer of Graticule   -     -     134,400     -   Total Other Income (Loss)   (18,163 )   (14,280 )   76,425     33,326     Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes 154,692 131,013 237,403 247,160 Income tax benefit (expense)   (39,004 )   9,987     (55,788 )   (6,947 ) Net Income (Loss) $ 115,688   $ 141,000   $ 181,615   $ 240,213   Allocation of Net Income (Loss) Principals' and Others' Interests in Income (Loss) of Consolidated Subsidiaries 60,980 79,156 103,129 139,956 Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Income (Loss) of Consolidated Subsidiaries - 1,176 (6 ) (709 ) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Class A Shareholders   54,708     60,668     78,492     100,966   $ 115,688   $ 141,000   $ 181,615   $ 240,213    

Earnings (Loss) Per Class A Share

Net income (loss) per Class A share, basic $ 0.24   $ 0.28   $ 0.35   $ 0.47   Net income (loss) per Class A share, diluted $ 0.20   $ 0.23   $ 0.28   $ 0.43   Weighted average number of Class A shares outstanding, basic   217,587,096     208,607,680     216,503,554     210,303,241   Weighted average number of Class A shares outstanding, diluted   425,302,366     449,618,855     442,686,774     455,154,136         Fortress Investment Group LLC Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands)

  December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 339,842 $ 391,089 Due from affiliates 273,811 326,575 Investments 1,055,789 1,121,545 Investments in options 30,427 71,844 Deferred tax asset, net 427,102 417,623 Other assets   148,310     173,708   Total Assets $ 2,275,281   $ 2,502,384     Liabilities and Equity   Liabilities Accrued compensation and benefits $ 318,750 $ 374,709 Due to affiliates 365,218 375,424 Deferred incentive income 332,329 304,526 Debt obligations payable 230,677 75,000 Other liabilities   86,503     88,053   Total Liabilities $ 1,333,477   $ 1,217,712     Commitments and Contingencies   Redeemable Non-controlling Interests - 1,717   Equity Class A shares, no par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 216,790,409 and 208,535,157 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively - - Class B shares, no par value, 750,000,000 shares authorized, 169,514,478 and 226,331,513 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively - - Paid-in capital 1,988,707 1,996,137 Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (1,415,113 ) (1,350,122 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (2,909 )   (2,416 ) Total Fortress shareholders' equity 570,685 643,599 Principals' and others' interests in equity of consolidated subsidiaries   371,119     639,356   Total Equity   941,804     1,282,955   $ 2,275,281   $ 2,502,384       Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 1-a

Supplemental Data for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

  Three Months Ended December 31, 2015   Private Equity   Credit Funds  

 

 

(in millions) Total Funds  

Permanent CapitalVehicles

Hedge Funds   PE Funds

Liquid HedgeFunds

Logan Circle

Assets Under Management AUM - October 1, 2015 $ 74,330 $ 9,195 $ 6,896 $ 9,070 $ 8,356 $ 7,367 $ 33,446 Capital raised 194 - - - 166 28 - Equity raised (Permanent Capital Vehicles) - - - - - - - Increase in invested capital 1,609 227 9 - 1,373 - - Redemptions (1,499 ) - - (1 ) - (1,498 ) - RCA distributions8 (73 ) - - (73 ) - - - Return of capital distributions (800 ) (148 ) (90 ) (19 ) (530 ) (13 ) - Equity buyback (14 ) - (14 ) - - - - Crystallized Incentive Income (2 ) - - (2 ) - - - Change in AUM of Affiliated Managers and co-managed funds (613 ) - - (165 ) - (448 ) - Net Client Flows (1,867 ) - - - - - (1,867 ) Income (loss) and foreign exchange   (764 )   (283 )   15     (11 )   (57 )   (27 )   (401 ) AUM - Ending Balance $ 70,501 $ 8,991 $ 6,816 $ 8,799 $ 9,308 $ 5,409 $ 31,178   Third-Party Capital Raised $ 215   $ -   $ -   $ 21   $ 166   $ 28   $ -     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 148 $ 29 $ 27 $ 38 $ 32 $ 8 $ 14 Incentive income   132     -     30     11     90     1     -   Total 280 29 57 49 122 9 14   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (105 ) (3 ) (19 ) (27 ) (26 ) (16 ) (14 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (47 )   1     (3 )   (5 )   (41 )   1     -   Total (152 ) (2 ) (22 ) (32 ) (67 ) (15 ) (14 )   Earnings From Affiliated Managers (1 ) - - - - (1 ) -               Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   127     27     35     17     55     (7 )   -     Principal Performance Payments (14 ) - (5 ) (4 ) (5 ) - -               Fund Management DE   113     27     30     13     50     (7 )   -     Investment Income 18 - 1 1 12 5 (1 ) Unallocated Investment Income - - - - - - - Unallocated Expenses (1 ) - - - - - -               Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 130   $ 27   $ 31   $ 14   $ 62   $ (2 ) $ (1 ) Pre-tax Distributable Earnings per Dividend Paying Share $ 0.30       Three Months Ended December 31, 2014   Private Equity   Credit Funds  

 

 

(in millions) Total Funds  

Permanent CapitalVehicles

Hedge Funds

  PE Funds

Liquid HedgeFunds

Logan Circle

Assets Under Management AUM - October 1, 2014 $ 66,046 $ 9,787 $ 4,411 $ 6,140 $ 7,083 $ 7,529 $ 31,096 Capital raised 885 - - 49 91 745 - Equity raised (Permanent Capital Vehicles) - - - - - - - Increase in invested capital 1,154 104 195 31 822 2 - Redemptions (329 ) - - - - (329 ) - RCA distributions8 (129 ) - - (129 ) - - - Return of capital distributions (1,150 ) (657 ) (18 ) (31 ) (404 ) (40 ) - Adjustment for capital reset (528 ) - - - (528 ) - - Net Client Flows 1,035 - - - - - 1,035 Income (loss) and foreign exchange   547     132     (21 )   113     (109 )   221     211   AUM - Ending Balance $ 67,531 $ 9,366 $ 4,567 $ 6,173 $ 6,955 $ 8,128 $ 32,342   Third-Party Capital Raised $ 1,692   $ -   $ -   $ 48   $ 899   $ 745   $ -     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 153 $ 32 $ 19 $ 30 $ 25 $ 35 $ 12 Incentive income   191     -     25     19     134     13     -   Total 344 32 44 49 159 48 12   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (126 ) (13 ) (20 ) (19 ) (29 ) (31 ) (14 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (96 )   -     (6 )   (10 )   (68 )   (12 )   -   Total (222 ) (13 ) (26 ) (29 ) (97 ) (43 ) (14 )   Earnings From Affiliated Managers - - - - - - -               Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   122     19     18     20     62     5     (2 )   Principal Performance Payments (12 ) - (3 ) (8 ) (1 ) - -               Fund Management DE   110     19     15     12     61     5     (2 )   Investment Income 15 - - 1 7 5 2 Unallocated Investment Income (1 ) - - - - - - Unallocated Expenses (1 ) - - - - - -               Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 123   $ 19   $ 15   $ 13   $ 68   $ 10   $ -   Pre-tax Distributable Earnings per Dividend Paying Share $ 0.28  

______________________________

8 Represents distributions from (i) assets held by redeeming capital accounts in the Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds, and (ii) the Value Recovery Funds.

    Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 1-b

Supplemental Data for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015   Private Equity   Credit Funds  

 

 

(in millions) Total Funds  

Permanent CapitalVehicles

Hedge Funds   PE Funds

Liquid HedgeFunds

Logan Circle

Assets Under Management AUM - January 1, 2015 $ 67,531 $ 9,366 $ 4,567 $ 6,173 $ 6,955 $ 8,128 $ 32,342

Capital raised

1,565 - - 254 978 333 - Equity raised (Permanent Capital Vehicles) 2,441 - 2,441 - - - - Increase in invested capital 3,764 419 296 46 3,003 - - Redemptions (3,328 ) - - (265 ) - (3,063 ) - RCA distributions9 (361 ) - - (361 ) - - - Return of capital distributions (2,532 ) (560 ) (200 ) (50 ) (1,547 ) (175 ) - Equity Buyback (14 ) - (14 ) - - - - Adjustment for capital reset (168 ) - (168 ) - - - - Crystallized Incentive Income (120 ) - - (120 ) - - - Change in AUM of Affiliated Managers and co-managed funds 3,354 - - 2,853 - 501 - Net Client Flows (121 ) - - - - - (121 ) Income (loss) and foreign exchange   (1,510 )   (234 )   (106 )   269     (81 )   (315 )   (1,043 ) AUM - Ending Balance $ 70,501 $ 8,991 $ 6,816 $ 8,799 $ 9,308 $ 5,409 $ 31,178   Third-Party Capital Raised $ 8,992   $ -   $ 2,441   $ 275   $ 5,943   $ 333   $ -     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 582 $ 116 $ 96 $ 134 $ 118 $ 64 $ 54 Incentive income   436     -     106     85     244     1     -   Total 1,018 116 202 219 362 65 54   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (453 ) (45 ) (69 ) (85 ) (115 ) (84 ) (55 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (168 )   1     (11 )   (36 )   (121 )   (1 )   -   Total (621 ) (44 ) (80 ) (121 ) (236 ) (85 ) (55 )   Earnings From Affiliated Managers 9 - - - - 9 -               Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   406     72     122     98     126     (11 )   (1 )   Principal Performance Payments (42 ) - (19 ) (15 ) (8 ) - -               Fund Management DE   364     72     103     83     118     (11 )   (1 )   Investment Income 32 - 2 2 21 8 (1 ) Unallocated Investment Income (1 ) Unallocated Expenses (4 )               Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 391   $ 72   $ 105   $ 85   $ 139   $ (3 ) $ (2 ) Pre-tax Distributable Earnings per Dividend Paying Share $ 0.87       Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014   Private Equity   Credit Funds  

 

 

(in millions) Total Funds  

Permanent CapitalVehicles

Hedge Funds   PE Funds

Liquid HedgeFunds

Logan Circle

Assets Under Management AUM - January 1, 2014 $ 61,750 $ 11,861 $ 3,722 $ 5,856 $ 7,527 $ 7,398 $ 25,386 Capital raised 3,500 - - 561 122 2,817 - Equity raised (Permanent Capital Vehicles) 483 - 483 - - - - Increase in invested capital 2,680 231 543 46 1,858 2 - Redemptions (1,804 ) - - (37 ) - (1,767 ) - RCA distributions9 (616 ) - - (616 ) - - - Return of capital distributions (5,607 ) (3,455 ) (115 ) (78 ) (1,799 ) (160 ) - Adjustment for capital reset (614 ) - - - (614 ) - - Crystallized Incentive Income (299 ) - - (169 ) - (130 ) - Net Client Flows 5,420 - - - - - 5,420 Income (loss) and foreign exchange   2,638     729     (66 )   610     (139 )   (32 )   1,536   AUM - Ending Balance $ 67,531 $ 9,366 $ 4,567 $ 6,173 $ 6,955 $ 8,128 $ 32,342   Third-Party Capital Raised $ 6,279   $ 206   $ 1,078   $ 995   $ 1,183   $ 2,817   $ -     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 601 $ 136 $ 69 $ 114 $ 97 $ 138 $ 47 Incentive income   461     3     66     122     254     16     -   Total 1,062 139 135 236 351 154 47   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (451 ) (51 ) (69 ) (70 ) (108 ) (99 ) (54 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (242 )   -     (21 )   (59 )   (132 )   (30 )   -   Total (693 ) (51 ) (90 ) (129 ) (240 ) (129 ) (54 )   Earnings From Affiliated Managers - - - - - - -               Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   369     88     45     107     111     25     (7 )   Principal Performance Payments (29 ) - (6 ) (20 ) (2 ) (1 ) -               Fund Management DE   340     88     39     87     109     24     (7 )   Investment Income 109 95 2 (1 ) 13 (2 ) 2 Unallocated Investment Income - Unallocated Expenses (3 )               Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 446   $ 183   $ 41   $ 86   $ 122   $ 22   $ (5 ) Pre-tax Distributable Earnings per Dividend Paying Share $ 0.99  

______________________________

9 Represents distributions from (i) assets held by redeeming capital accounts in the Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds, and (ii) the Value Recovery Funds.                       Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 2-a Assets Under Management and Fund Management DE

(dollars in millions)

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended

 

Fortress

March 31,2014

June 30,2014

September 30,2014

December 31,2014

Full Year2014

March 31,2015

June 30,2015

September 30,2015

December 31,2015

Full Year 2015

Assets Under Management Private Equity Funds $ 11,512 $ 9,810 $ 9,787 $ 9,366 $ 9,366 $ 10,179 $ 9,587 $ 9,195 $ 8,991 $ 8,991 Permanent Capital Vehicles 3,731 4,021 4,411 4,567 4,567 4,622 6,948 6,896 6,816 6,816 Credit Hedge Funds10 5,968 6,084 6,140 6,173 6,173 6,271 6,244 9,070 8,799 8,799 Credit Private Equity Funds 6,979 6,898 7,083 6,955 6,955 7,563 8,247 8,356 9,308 9,308 Liquid Hedge Funds11 7,738 7,867 7,529 8,128 8,128 7,838 7,377 7,367 5,409 5,409 Logan Circle   26,592     29,133     31,096     32,342     32,342     33,416     33,564     33,446     31,178     31,178   AUM - Ending Balance $ 62,520   $ 63,813   $ 66,046   $ 67,531   $ 67,531   $ 69,889   $ 71,967   $ 74,330   $ 70,501   $ 70,501     Third-Party Capital Raised $ 1,609   $ 1,762   $ 1,216   $ 1,692   $ 6,279   $ 5,360   $ 3,213   $ 204   $ 215   $ 8,992     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 147 $ 152 $ 149 $ 153 $ 601 $ 139 $ 144 $ 151 $ 148 $ 582 Incentive income   104     78     88     191     461     51     183     70     132     436   Total 251 230 237 344 1,062 190 327 221 280 1,018   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (104 ) (109 ) (112 ) (126 ) (451 ) (115 ) (121 ) (112 ) (105 ) (453 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (53 )   (39 )   (54 )   (96 )   (242 )   (30 )   (54 )   (37 )   (47 )   (168 ) Total (157 ) (148 ) (166 ) (222 ) (693 ) (145 ) (175 ) (149 ) (152 ) (621 )   Earnings From Affiliated Managers - - - - - 9 (1 ) 2 (1 ) 9                     Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   94     82     71     122     369     54     151     74     127     406     Principal Performance Payments (7 ) (6 ) (4 ) (12 ) (29 ) (3 ) (18 ) (7 ) (14 ) (42 )                     Fund Management DE $ 87   $ 76   $ 67   $ 110   $ 340   $ 51   $ 133   $ 67   $ 113   $ 364     Net Investment Income 10 96 (12 ) 13 106 4 4 2 17 27                     Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 97   $ 172   $ 55   $ 123   $ 446   $ 55   $ 137   $ 69   $ 130   $ 391    

______________________________

10 The Assets Under Management presented for the Credit Hedge Funds includes $2,853 million related to co-managed funds as of December 31, 2015. 11 The Assets Under Management presented for the Liquid Hedge Funds includes $4,496 million related to Affiliated Managers as of December 31, 2015.                 Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 2-b Assets Under Management and Fund Management DE

(dollars in millions)

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended

 

Private Equity Funds

March 31, 2014

 

June 30, 2014

 

September 30, 2014

December 31, 2014

Full Year 2014

March 31, 2015

June 30, 2015

 

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2015

Full Year 2015

  Assets Under Management Main Funds12 $ 7,787 $ 7,053 $ 7,347 $ 6,934 $ 6,934 $ 7,726 $ 7,128 $ 6,874 $ 6,530 $ 6,530 Coinvestment Funds13 3,393 2,401 2,088 2,006 2,006 1,994 1,902 1,785 1,729 1,729 MSR Opportunities Funds14 332 344 341 326 326 336 417 388 360 360 Italian NPL Opportunities Fund - 12 11 25 25 19 20 20 225 225 Fortress Equity Partners   -     -     -     75     75     104     120     128     147     147   AUM - Ending Balance $ 11,512   $ 9,810   $ 9,787   $ 9,366   $ 9,366   $ 10,179   $ 9,587   $ 9,195   $ 8,991   $ 8,991     Third-Party Capital Raised $ 79   $ 26   $ 101   $ -   $ 206   $ -   $ -   $ -   $ -   $ -     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 35 $ 36 $ 33 $ 32 $ 136 $ 29 $ 29 $ 29 $ 29 $ 116 Incentive income   2     1     -     -     3     -     -     -     -     -   Total 37 37 33 32 139 29 29 29 29 116   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (11 ) (12 ) (15 ) (13 ) (51 ) (14 ) (15 ) (13 ) (3 ) (45 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (1 )   1     -     -     -     -     -     -     1     1   Total (12 ) (11 ) (15 ) (13 ) (51 ) (14 ) (15 ) (13 ) (2 ) (44 )                     Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   25     26     18     19     88     15     14     16     27     72     Principal Performance Payments - - - - - - - - - -                     Fund Management DE $ 25   $ 26   $ 18   $ 19   $ 88   $ 15   $ 14   $ 16   $ 27   $ 72     Net Investment Income 4 91 - - 95 - - - - -                     Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 29   $ 117   $ 18   $ 19   $ 183   $ 15   $ 14   $ 16   $ 27   $ 72  

______________________________

12 Combined AUM for Fund III, Fund IV and Fund V.

13 Combined AUM for Fund III Coinvestment, Fund IV Coinvestment, Fund V Coinvestment, FRID, FRIC, FICO, FHIF, FECI and MAPS. FRID and FRIC were closed in the fourth quarter of 2014.

14 Combined AUM for MSR Opportunities Fund I A, MSR Opportunities Fund I B, MSR Opportunities Fund II A, MSR Opportunities Fund II B and MSR Opportunities Fund MA I.                   Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 2-c Assets Under Management and Fund Management DE

(dollars in millions)

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended

 

Permanent Capital Vehicles

March 31, 2014

June 30, 2014

September 30, 2014

December 31, 2014

Full Year 2014

March 31, 2015

 

June 30, 2015

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2015

Full Year 2015

  Assets Under Management Newcastle Investment Corp. $ 1,321 $ 1,381 $ 1,579 $ 768 $ 768 $ 680 $ 680 $ 680 $ 680 $ 680 New Residential Investment Corp. 1,196 1,367 1,366 1,367 1,367 1,367 2,725 2,689 2,689 2,689 Eurocastle Investment Limited 556 553 510 488 488 432 626 605 567 567 New Media Investment Group Inc. 391 390 505 487 487 637 637 637 637 637 New Senior Investment Group Inc. - - - 812 812 813 1,089 1,089 1,076 1,076 Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC15   267     330     451     645     645     693     1,191     1,196     1,167     1,167   AUM - Ending Balance $ 3,731   $ 4,021   $ 4,411   $ 4,567   $ 4,567   $ 4,622   $ 6,948   $ 6,896   $ 6,816   $ 6,816     Third-Party Capital Raised $ -   $ 405   $ 673   $ -   $ 1,078   $ 150   $ 2,291   $ -   $ -   $ 2,441     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 16 $ 17 $ 17 $ 19 $ 69 $ 19 $ 23 $ 27 $ 27 $ 96 Incentive income   4     21     16     25     66     3     74     (1 )   30     106   Total 20 38 33 44 135 22 97 26 57 202   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (14 ) (17 ) (18 ) (20 ) (69 ) (18 ) (16 ) (16 ) (19 ) (69 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   -     (6 )   (9 )   (6 )   (21 )   -     (9 )   1     (3 )   (11 ) Total (14 ) (23 ) (27 ) (26 ) (90 ) (18 ) (25 ) (15 ) (22 ) (80 )                     Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   6     15     6     18     45     4     72     11     35     122     Principal Performance Payments (1 ) (2 ) - (3 ) (6 ) - (11 ) (3 ) (5 ) (19 )                     Fund Management DE $ 5   $ 13   $ 6   $ 15   $ 39   $ 4   $ 61   $ 8   $ 30   $ 103     Net Investment Income - 1 1 - 2 - 1 - 1 2                     Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 5   $ 14   $ 7   $ 15   $ 41   $ 4   $ 62   $ 8   $ 31   $ 105  

______________________________

15 All of the capital of Worldwide Transportation and Infrastructure Investors ("WWTAI"), a private fund formerly managed by Fortress, was contributed to FTAI which completed its initial public offering in 2Q 2015.

                      Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 2-d Assets Under Management and Fund Management DE

(dollars in millions)

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended

 

Credit Hedge Funds

March 31, 2014

June 30, 2014

September 30, 2014

December 31, 2014

Full Year 2014

March 31, 2015

June 30, 2015

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2015

Full Year 2015

  Assets Under Management Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds16 $ 5,616 $ 5,745 $ 5,817 $ 5,929 $ 5,929 $ 6,023 $ 6,021 $ 5,808 $ 5,756 $ 5,756 Value Recovery Funds17 338 324 309 200 200 189 156 150 102 102 Japan Income Fund 14 15 14 44 44 59 67 94 88 88 Co-Managed Funds18   -     -     -     -     -     -     -     3,018     2,853     2,853   AUM - Ending Balance $ 5,968   $ 6,084   $ 6,140   $ 6,173   $ 6,173   $ 6,271   $ 6,244   $ 9,070   $ 8,799   $ 8,799     Third-Party Capital Raised $ 228   $ 554   $ 165   $ 48   $ 995   $ 175   $ 79   $ -   $ 21   $ 275     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 27 $ 28 $ 29 $ 30 $ 114 $ 30 $ 29 $ 37 $ 38 $ 134 Incentive income   32     42     29     19     122     23     50     1     11     85   Total 59 70 58 49 236 53 79 38 49 219   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (17 ) (17 ) (17 ) (19 ) (70 ) (18 ) (19 ) (21 ) (27 ) (85 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (15 )   (20 )   (14 )   (10 )   (59 )   (12 )   (18 )   (1 )   (5 )   (36 ) Total (32 ) (37 ) (31 ) (29 ) (129 ) (30 ) (37 ) (22 ) (32 ) (121 )                     Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   27     33     27     20     107     23     42     16     17     98     Principal Performance Payments (5 ) (3 ) (4 ) (8 ) (20 ) (2 ) (6 ) (3 ) (4 ) (15 )                     Fund Management DE $ 22   $ 30   $ 23   $ 12   $ 87   $ 21   $ 36   $ 13   $ 13   $ 83     Net Investment Income 1 2 (5 ) 1 (1 ) 1 - - 1 2                     Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 23   $ 32   $ 18   $ 13   $ 86   $ 22   $ 36   $ 13   $ 14   $ 85      

Net Returns19

Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund LP 3.2 % 2.6 % 1.9 % 2.1 % 10.0 % 2.2 % 2.3 % 0.3 % 0.9 % 5.8 % Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund Ltd 2.2 % 1.7 % 1.7 % 0.2 % 6.0 % 1.1 % 0.4 %

(0.8

%)

0.0 % 0.6 %

______________________________

16 Combined AUM for Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund LP, Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund Ltd, Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund managed accounts, Worden Fund LP and Worden Fund II LP.

17 Fortress will receive management fees from these funds equal to 1% of cash receipts and may receive limited incentive income if aggregate realizations exceed an agreed threshold.

18 Combined AUM for the Mount Kellett investment funds and related accounts. In July 2015, Fortress became co-manager of the Mount Kellett Funds.

19 The performance data contained herein reflects returns for a "new issue eligible," single investor class as of the close of business on the last day of the relevant period. Net returns reflect performance data after taking into account management fees borne by the Fund and incentive allocations. The returns for the Drawbridge Special Opportunities Funds reflect the performance of each fund excluding special investments and the performance of the redeeming capital accounts which relate to December 31, 2009, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2011, December 31, 2012, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 redemptions.

                      Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 2-e Assets Under Management and Fund Management DE

(dollars in millions)

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended

 

Credit Private Equity Funds

March 31, 2014

June 30, 2014

September 30, 2014

December 31, 2014

Full Year 2014

March 31, 2015

June 30, 2015

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2015

Full Year 2015

  Assets Under Management Long Dated Value Funds20 $ 395 $ 375 $ 361 $ 361 $ 361 $ 352 $ 315 $ 315 $ 315 $ 315 Real Assets Funds 78 70 64 66 66 52 40 41 24 24 Fortress Credit Opportunities Funds21 4,712 4,649 4,960 5,465 5,465 6,029 6,802 6,796 6,848 6,848 Japan Opportunity Funds22   1,794     1,804     1,698     1,063     1,063     1,130     1,090     1,204     2,120     2,120   AUM - Ending Balance $ 6,979   $ 6,898   $ 7,083   $ 6,955   $ 6,955   $ 7,563   $ 8,247   $ 8,356   $ 9,308   $ 9,308     Third-Party Capital Raised $ -   $ 254   $ 30   $ 899   $ 1,183   $ 4,949   $ 672   $ 156   $ 166   $ 5,943     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 25 $ 23 $ 24 $ 25 $ 97 $ 27 $ 30 $ 29 $ 32 $ 118 Incentive income   66     13     41     134     254     24     60     70     90     244   Total 91 36 65 159 351 51 90 99 122 362   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (26 ) (26 ) (27 ) (29 ) (108 ) (30 ) (30 ) (29 ) (26 ) (115 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (35 )   (7 )   (22 )   (68 )   (132 )   (14 )   (30 )   (36 )   (41 )   (121 ) Total (61 ) (33 ) (49 ) (97 ) (240 ) (44 ) (60 ) (65 ) (67 ) (236 )                     Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   30     3     16     62     111     7     30     34     55     126     Principal Performance Payments (1 ) - - (1 ) (2 ) (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) (5 ) (8 )                     Fund Management DE $ 29   $ 3   $ 16   $ 61   $ 109   $ 6   $ 29   $ 33   $ 50   $ 118     Net Investment Income 4 - 2 7 13 1 3 5 12 21                     Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 33   $ 3   $ 18   $ 68   $ 122   $ 7   $ 32   $ 38   $ 62   $ 139  

______________________________

20 Combined AUM for Long Dated Value Fund I, Long Dated Value Fund II, Long Dated Value Fund III and LDVF Patent Fund.

21 Combined AUM for Credit Opportunities Fund, Credit Opportunities Fund II, Credit Opportunities Fund III, Credit Opportunities Fund IV, FCO Managed Accounts, Net Lease Fund I, Global Opportunities Funds, Life Settlements Fund, Life Settlements Fund MA, SIP managed account, Real Estate Opportunities Fund, Real Estate Opportunities Fund II and Real Estate Opportunities REOC Fund.

22 Combined AUM for Japan Opportunity Fund, Japan Opportunity Fund II (Dollar), Japan Opportunity Fund II (Yen), Japan Opportunity Fund III (Dollar) and Japan Opportunity Fund III (Yen).

                      Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 2-f Assets Under Management and Fund Management DE

(dollars in millions)

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended

 

Liquid Hedge Funds

March 31, 2014

June 30, 2014

September 30, 2014

December 31, 2014

Full Year 2014

March 31, 2015

June 30, 2015

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2015

Full Year 2015

  Assets Under Management Fortress Macro Funds23 $ 3,503 $ 3,391 $ 3,083 $ 3,249 $ 3,249 $ 2,779 $ 2,326 $ 1,791 N/A N/A Drawbridge Global Macro Funds24 286 261 223 229 229 227 210 193 101 101 Fortress Convex Asia Funds25 130 136 189 197 197 226 220 208 134 134 Fortress Centaurus Global Funds26 - - - 33 33 64 191 222 204 204 Fortress Partners Funds27 952 965 935 913 913 541 534 497 474 474 Fortress Asia Macro Funds28 2,867 3,114 3,099 3,507 3,507 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Affiliated Managers28   -     -     -     -     -     4,001     3,896     4,456     4,496     4,496   AUM - Ending Balance $ 7,738   $ 7,867   $ 7,529   $ 8,128   $ 8,128   $ 7,838   $ 7,377   $ 7,367   $ 5,409   $ 5,409     Third-Party Capital Raised $ 1,302   $ 523   $ 247   $ 745   $ 2,817   $ 86   $ 171   $ 48   $ 28   $ 333     Segment Revenues Management fees $ 33 $ 37 $ 33 $ 35 $ 138 $ 21 $ 19 $ 16 $ 8 $ 64 Incentive income   -     1     2     13     16     1     (1 )   -     1     1  

Total

33 38 35 48 154 22 18 16 9 65   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (23 ) (24 ) (21 ) (31 ) (99 ) (21 ) (27 ) (20 ) (16 ) (84 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   (2 )   (7 )   (9 )   (12 )   (30 )   (4 )   3     (1 )   1     (1 ) Total (25 ) (31 ) (30 ) (43 ) (129 ) (25 ) (24 ) (21 ) (15 ) (85 )   Earnings From Affiliated Managers - - - - - 9 (1 ) 2 (1 ) 9                     Fund Management DE (before Principal Performance Payments)   8     7     5     5     25     6     (7 )   (3 )   (7 )   (11 )   Principal Performance Payments - (1 ) - - (1 ) - - - - -                     Fund Management DE $ 8   $ 6   $ 5   $ 5   $ 24   $ 6   $ (7 ) $ (3 ) $ (7 ) $ (11 )   Net Investment Income 1 1 (9 ) 5 (2 ) 3 1 (1 ) 5 8                     Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 9   $ 7   $ (4 ) $ 10   $ 22   $ 9   $ (6 ) $ (4 ) $ (2 ) $ (3 )  

Net Returns29

Fortress Macro Fund Ltd (5.5 %) (0.4 %) 1.1 % 3.4 % (1.6 %) (4.7 %) (6.3 %) (7.8 %) (0.0 %) (17.6 %) Drawbridge Global Macro Fund Ltd (5.5 %) (0.6 %) 0.7 % 3.8 % (1.8 %) (4.9 %) (6.5 %) (8.0 %) 0.0 % (18.2 %) Fortress Convex Asia Fund Ltd (1.1 %) (2.6 %) (0.6 %) (0.6 %) (4.9 %) (0.6 %) (0.7 %) 3.3 % (4.6 %) (2.8 %) Fortress Centaurus Global Fund Ltd n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 3.9 % (4.1 %) (3.0 %) 5.0 % 1.4 % Fortress Partners Fund LP30 1.1 % 2.1 % (1.4 %) (1.8 %) (0.1 %) 1.2 % (1.2 %) (4.9 %) (0.1 %) (5.0 %) Fortress Partners Offshore Fund LP30 0.9 % 2.2 % (1.4 %) (1.3 %) 0.4 % 0.3 % (2.5 %) (3.4 %) 0.5 % (5.1 %) Fortress Asia Macro Fund Ltd28 (3.6 %) (1.9 %) 1.4 % 3.1 % (1.2 %) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

______________________________

23 Combined AUM for Fortress Macro Onshore Fund LP, Fortress Macro Fund Ltd, Fortress Macro MA1, Fortress Redwood Fund Ltd and Fortress Macro managed accounts. In 4Q 2015, Fortress closed the Fortress Macro Funds and related managed accounts. 24 Combined AUM for Drawbridge Global Macro Fund LP and Drawbridge Global Macro Intermediate Fund LP. 25Combined AUM for Fortress Convex Asia Fund LP, Fortress Convex Asia Fund Ltd, Fortress Convex Asia Fund PF LP and Fortress Convex Asia Fund PF Ltd. 26 Combined AUM for Fortress Centaurus Global Fund LP and Fortress Centaurus Global Fund Ltd. 27 Combined AUM for Fortress Partners Fund LP and Fortress Partners Offshore Fund LP. 28 Combined AUM for Fortress Asia Macro Fund Ltd, Fortress Asia Macro Fund LP and Fortress Asia Macro managed accounts. In January 2015, the Fortress Asia Macro Funds and related managed accounts transitioned to Graticule Asset Management on Fortress's affiliated manager platform. 29 The performance data contained herein reflects returns for a "new issue eligible," single investor class as of the close of business on the last day of the relevant period. Net returns reflect performance data after taking into account management fees borne by the Fund and incentive allocations. 30 The returns for the Fortress Partners Funds include gains and losses from Special Investments. Investors' specific performance may vary dependent upon their ownership in one or more Special Investments.                       Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 2-g Assets Under Management and Fund Management DE

(dollars in millions)

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended

 

Logan Circle

March 31, 2014

June 30, 2014

September 30, 2014

December 31, 2014

Full Year 2014

March 31, 2015

June 30, 2015

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2015

Full Year 2015

  Assets Under Management AUM - Ending Balance $ 26,592   $ 29,133   $ 31,096   $ 32,342   $ 32,342   $ 33,416   $ 33,564   $ 33,446   $ 31,178   $ 31,178     Net Client Flows $ 477   $ 1,730   $ 2,178   $ 1,035   $ 5,420   $ 589   $ 1,056   $ 101   $ (1,867 ) $ (121 )   Segment Revenues Management fees $ 11 $ 11 $ 13 $ 12 $ 47 $ 13 $ 14 $ 13 $ 14 $ 54 Incentive income   -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   Total 11 11 13 12 47 13 14 13 14 54   Segment Expenses Operating expenses (13 ) (13 ) (14 ) (14 ) (54 ) (14 ) (14 ) (13 ) (14 ) (55 ) Profit sharing compensation expenses   -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -     -   Total (13 ) (13 ) (14 ) (14 ) (54 ) (14 ) (14 ) (13 ) (14 ) (55 )                     Fund Management DE $ (2 ) $ (2 ) $ (1 ) $ (2 ) $ (7 ) $ (1 ) $ -   $ -   $ -   $ (1 )   Net Investment Income - 1 (1 ) 2 2 - - - (1 ) (1 )                     Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ (2 ) $ (1 ) $ (2 ) $ -   $ (5 ) $ (1 ) $ -   $ -   $ (1 ) $ (2 )                       Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 3 Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Pre-tax Distributable Earnings and Fund Management DE, Reconciliation of GAAP Revenues to Segment Revenues and Reconciliation of GAAP Expenses to Segment Expenses

(dollars in millions)

  Three Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

March 31, 2014

June 30, 2014

September 30, 2014

December 31, 2014

Full Year 2014

March 31, 2015

June 30, 2015

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2015

Full Year 2015

                    GAAP Net Income (Loss) $ 9   $ 73   $ 17   $ 141   $ 240   $ 87   $ 5   $ (26 ) $ 116   $ 182   Principals' and Others' Interests in (Income) Loss of Consolidated Subsidiaries (6 ) (42 ) (13 ) (79 ) (140 ) (52 ) (2 ) 12 (62 ) (104 ) Redeemable non-controlling interests in Income (Loss)   -     -     2     (1 )   1     -     -     -     -     -   GAAP Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Class A Shareholders $ 3   $ 31   $ 6   $ 61   $ 101   $ 35   $ 3   $ (14 ) $ 54   $ 78   Private Equity incentive income 37 (10 ) 29 29 85 3 19 21 (16 ) 27 Hedge Fund, PCV and Logan Circle incentive income 30 26 21 (77 ) - 23 23 1 (47 ) - Incentive income received related to exercise of options - 2 7 - 9 - 57 - 1 58 Reserve for clawback 2 - - - 2 - - - - - Distributions of earnings from equity method investees 9 47 6 10 72 4 9 5 17 35 Losses (earnings) from equity method investees (17 ) (20 ) (38 ) 7 (68 ) (27 ) 33 23 17 46 Losses (gains) on options 5 1 23 1 30 (32 ) 9 27 2 6 Losses (gains) on other Investments 5 42 (16 ) (17 ) 14 (1 ) (5 ) 14 (1 ) 7 Impairment of investments - - (3 ) - (3 ) (3 ) - (1 ) (2 ) (6 ) Adjust income from the receipt of options - (1 ) (5 ) - (6 ) (4 ) (21 ) - - (25 ) Gain on transfer of Graticule - - - - - (134 ) - - - (134 ) Amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill - - - - - - - 1 1 Employee, Principal and director compensation 12 6 6 12 36 20 6 2 5 33 Adjust non-controlling interests related to Fortress Operating Group units 5 40 11 78 134 52 1 (12 ) 62 103 Tax receivable agreement liability reduction - - 4 29 33 - 8 - (2 ) 6 Adjust income taxes 6 8 3 (10 ) 7 18 (5 ) 3 39 55 Adjust transfer of interest in Graticule   -     -     -     -     -     101     -     -     -     101   Pre-tax Distributable Earnings $ 97   $ 172   $ 55   $ 123   $ 446   $ 55   $ 137   $ 69   $ 130   $ 391   Investment Loss (income) (10 ) (97 ) 11 (14 ) (109 ) (5 ) (4 ) (3 ) (19 ) (31 ) Interest Expense   -     1     1     1     3     1     -     1     2     4   Fund Management DE $ 87   $ 76   $ 67   $ 110   $ 340   $ 51   $ 133   $ 67   $ 113   $ 364                       GAAP Revenues $ 237   $ 270   $ 243   $ 455   $ 1,205   $ 227   $ 308   $ 264   $ 415   $ 1,214   Adjust management fees - - - (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) 1 - - - Adjust incentive income 69 17 57 (47 ) 96 27 100 22 (59 ) 90 Adjust income from the receipt of options - (1 ) (5 ) - (6 ) (4 ) (21 ) - - (25 ) Other revenues   (55 )   (56 )   (57 )   (65 )   (233 )   (59 )   (61 )   (65 )   (76 )   (261 ) Segment Revenues $ 251   $ 230   $ 238   $ 343   $ 1,062   $ 190   $ 327   $ 221   $ 280   $ 1,018                       GAAP Expenses $ 231   $ 216   $ 235   $ 310   $ 992   $ 329   $ 258   $ 224   $ 242   $ 1,053   Adjust interest expense - (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) (3 ) (1 ) - (1 ) (2 ) (4 ) Adjust employee, Principal and director compensation (12 ) (6 ) (3 ) (3 ) (24 ) (18 ) (2 ) (1 ) (5 ) (26 ) Adjust amortization of intangible assets and impairment of goodwill - - - - - - - - (1 ) (1 ) Adjust expense reimbursements from affiliates and non-affiliates (54 ) (52 ) (55 ) (70 ) (231 ) (59 ) (61 ) (64 ) (68 ) (252 ) Adjust Principal Performance Payments (9 ) (9 ) (9 ) (15 ) (42 ) (5 ) (20 ) (9 ) (14 ) (48 ) Adjust transfer of interest in Graticule - - - - - (101 ) - - - (101 ) Other   -     -     (1 )   1     -     -     -     -     -     -   Segment Expenses $ 157   $ 148   $ 166   $ 221   $ 692   $ 145   $ 175   $ 149   $ 152   $ 621    

‘‘Distributable earnings’’ is Fortress’s supplemental measure of operating performance used by management in analyzing segment and overall results. It reflects the value created which management considers available for distribution during any period. As compared to generally accepted accounting principles (‘‘GAAP’’) net income, distributable earnings excludes the effects of unrealized gains (or losses) on illiquid investments, reflects contingent revenue which has been received as income to the extent it is not expected to be reversed, and disregards expenses which do not require an outlay of assets, whether currently or on an accrued basis. Distributable earnings is reflected on an unconsolidated and pre-tax basis, and, therefore, the interests in consolidated subsidiaries related to Fortress Operating Group units (held by the principals) and income tax expense are added back in its calculation. Distributable earnings is not a measure of cash generated by operations which is available for distribution nor should it be considered in isolation or as an alternative to cash flow or net income in accordance with GAAP and it is not necessarily indicative of liquidity or cash available to fund the Company’s operations. For a complete discussion of distributable earnings and its reconciliation to GAAP, as well as an explanation of the calculation of distributable earnings impairment, see note 11 to the financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Fortress’s management uses distributable earnings:

• in its determination of periodic distributions to equity holders;
• in making operating decisions and assessing the performance of each of the Company’s core businesses;
• for planning purposes, including the preparation of annual operating budgets; and
• as a valuation measure in strategic analyses in connection with the performance of its funds and the performance of its employees.

Growing distributable earnings is a key component to the Company’s business strategy and distributable earnings is the supplemental measure used by management to evaluate the economic profitability of each of the Company’s businesses and total operations. Therefore, Fortress believes that it provides useful information to investors in evaluating its operating performance. Fortress’s definition of distributable earnings is not based on any definition contained in its amended and restated operating agreement.

“Fund management DE” is equal to pre-tax distributable earnings excluding our direct investment-related results. Fund management DE is comprised of “Pre-tax Distributable Earnings” excluding “Investment Loss (Income)” and “Interest Expense.” Fund management DE and its components are used by management to analyze and measure the performance of our investment management business on a stand-alone basis. Fortress defines segment operating margin to be equal to fund management DE divided by segment revenues. The Company believes that it is useful to provide investors with the opportunity to review our investment management business using the same metrics. Fund management DE and its components are subject to the same limitations as pre-tax distributable earnings, as described above.

      Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 4

Reconciliation of Weighted Average Class A Shares Outstanding (Used for Basic EPS) to Weighted Average Dividend Paying Shares and Units Outstanding (Used for DEPS)

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015     2014 2015     2014                    

Weighted Average Class A Shares Outstanding (Used for Basic EPS)

  217,587,096     208,607,680 216,503,554     210,303,241

 

Weighted average fully vested restricted Class A share units with dividend equivalent rights (1,495,044) (164,866) (3,272,595) (1,379,649) Weighted average restricted Class A shares (729,348) (1,045,134) (766,420) (1,016,240)                    

Weighted Average Class A Shares Outstanding

  215,362,704     207,397,680 212,464,539     207,907,352   Weighted average restricted Class A shares31 729,348 1,045,134 766,420 1,016,240 Weighted average fully vested restricted Class A share units which are entitled to dividend equivalent payments 1,495,044 164,866 3,272,595 1,379,649 Weighted average unvested restricted Class A share units which are entitled to dividend equivalent payments 9,738,355 7,018,682 10,023,561 7,017,047 Weighted average Fortress Operating Group units 202,863,607 226,331,513 220,416,315 231,162,793                    

Weighted Average Class A Shares Outstanding (Used for DEPS)

  430,189,058     441,957,875 446,943,430     448,483,081 Weighted average vested and unvested restricted Class A share units which are not entitled to dividend equivalent payments   10,963,693     13,735,896 12,139,050     13,310,978

Weighted Average Fully Diluted Shares and Units Outstanding (Used for Diluted DEPS)

  441,152,751     455,693,771 459,082,480     461,794,059  

“Dividend paying shares and units” represents the number of shares and units outstanding at the end of the period which were entitled to receive dividends or related distributions. The Company believes it is useful for investors in computing the aggregate amount of cash required to make a current per share distribution of a given amount per share. It excludes certain potentially dilutive equity instruments, primarily non-dividend paying restricted Class A share units, and, therefore, is limited in its usefulness in computing per share amounts. Accordingly, dividend paying shares and units should be considered only as a supplement and not an alternative to GAAP basic and diluted shares outstanding. The Company’s calculation of dividend paying shares and units may be different from the calculation used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

______________________________

31 Includes both fully vested and unvested restricted Class A shares.       Fortress Investment Group LLC Exhibit 5

Reconciliation of GAAP Book Value Per Share to Net Cash and Investments Per Share

(dollars and shares in thousands)

 

 

As of December 31, 2015

 

As of December 31, 2014

 

GAAP Book Value

 

Net Cash and Investments

GAAP Book Value

 

Net Cash and Investments

Cash and Cash equivalents $ 339,842   $ 339,842 $ 391,089   $ 391,089 Investments 1,055,789 1,055,789 1,121,545 1,121,545 Investments in options32 30,427 - 71,844 - Due from Affiliates 273,811 - 326,575 - Deferred Tax Asset, net 427,102 - 417,623 - Other Assets   148,310   -   173,708   - Total Assets   2,275,281   1,395,631   2,502,384   1,512,634   Debt Obligations Payable $ 230,677 $ 230,677 $ 75,000 $ 75,000 Accrued Compensation and Benefits 318,750 - 374,709 - Due to Affiliates 365,218 - 375,424 - Deferred Incentive Income 332,329 - 304,526 - Other Liabilities   86,503   -   88,053   - Total Liabilities   1,333,477   230,677   1,217,712   75,000   Less: Redeemable Non-controlling Interests - - 1,717 -         Net $ 941,804 $ 1,164,954 $ 1,282,955 $ 1,437,634  

 

Shares Outstanding

 

Dividend Paying Shares and Units Outstanding

Shares Outstanding

 

Dividend Paying Shares and Units Outstanding

Class A Shares 216,061 216,061 207,490 207,490 Restricted Class A Shares 729 729 1,045 1,045 Fortress Operating Group Units 169,515 169,515 226,332 226,332 Fully Vested Class A Shares - Dividend Paying - 1,361 - 194 Unvested Class A Shares - Dividend Paying   -   9,175   -   7,002 Shares Outstanding   386,305   396,841   434,867   442,063         Per Share $ 2.44 $ 2.94 $ 2.95 $ 3.25  

Net cash and investments represents cash and cash equivalents plus investments less debt outstanding. The Company believes that net cash and investments is a useful supplemental measure because it provides investors with information regarding the Company’s net investment assets. Net cash and investments excludes certain assets (investments in options, due from affiliates, deferred tax asset, other assets) and liabilities (due to affiliates, accrued compensation and benefits, deferred incentive income and other liabilities) and its utility as a measure of financial position is limited. Accordingly, net cash and investments should be considered only as a supplement and not an alternative to GAAP book value as a measure of the Company’s financial position. The Company’s calculation of net cash and investments may be different from the calculation used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.

______________________________

32 The intrinsic value of options in equity method investees totaled $17 million at quarter end and is included in our undistributed, unrecognized incentive income. This value represents incentive income that would have been recorded in Distributable Earnings if Fortress had exercised all of its in-the-money options it holds in the permanent capital vehicles and sold all of the resulting shares at their December 31, 2015 closing price and differs from the fair value derived from option pricing models included in the table above.

   

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Investor & Media Relations:Fortress Investment GroupGordon E. Runté, +1-212-798-6082grunte@fortress.com