Founder’s death sees Horizon Kinetics (HKHC) elevate Bregman and Doyle as co-CEOs

(Moderate)

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Murray Stahl passed away on April 7, 2026. Stahl co-founded the firm in 1994 and helped build it into a publicly traded company with a market capitalization of approximately $600 million and a debt-free balance sheet.

To implement its succession plan, the company appointed co-founders Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle as Co-Chief Executive Officers and formed a Founders’ Committee with fellow co-founder Tom Ewing to oversee a seamless transition of responsibilities. The company emphasizes its continued commitment to executing Stahl’s long-term vision for clients and shareholders.

Positive

Succession plan activated with founder-leadership continuity: The company promptly appointed co-founders Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle as Co-Chief Executive Officers and formed a Founders’ Committee with Tom Ewing, signaling prepared succession and continuity of the firm’s long-term strategy.
Strong balance sheet foundation highlighted: The announcement reiterates that Horizon Kinetics has an “impeccable and debt-free balance sheet” and a portfolio built for the long horizon, providing financial stability as leadership transitions.

Negative

Sudden loss of founding Chairman and CEO: Murray Stahl’s unexpected passing removes the company’s long-time strategic leader and key figurehead, creating near-term key-person and leadership transition risk despite the presence of a defined succession plan.

Insights

Unexpected CEO loss is material, but a defined succession plan limits disruption.

Horizon Kinetics reports the sudden passing of its Chairman and CEO, Murray Stahl, who co-founded the firm in 1994 and led it to a publicly traded status with a market capitalization of approximately $600 million and a debt-free balance sheet.

The company is activating a pre-existing succession plan by appointing co-founders Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle as Co-Chief Executive Officers and creating a Founders’ Committee with co-founder Tom Ewing. This structure aims to keep leadership within the founding group and preserve strategic continuity.

The filing underscores a focus on “seamless transition” and continuing Stahl’s long-horizon investment approach. Future company disclosures may provide more detail on how responsibilities are divided among the co-CEOs and the committee, and how governance evolves under this new leadership framework.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.

Key Figures

Market capitalization: approximately $600 million CEO passing date: April 7, 2026 Succession announcement date: April 8, 2026 +1 more

4 metrics

Market capitalization approximately $600 million Company size as described in announcement

CEO passing date April 7, 2026 Date of Murray Stahl’s death

Succession announcement date April 8, 2026 Date of press release and 8-K disclosure

Year company co-founded 1994 Founding year of Horizon Kinetics

Key Terms

succession plan, Founders’ Committee, co-Chief Executive Officers, registered investment adviser, +1 more

5 terms

succession plan financial

"Horizon Kinetics is implementing its succession plan, starting with the appointment"

Founders’ Committee financial

"They will join fellow Horizon Kinetics co-founder Tom Ewing on our newly established Founders’ Committee"

co-Chief Executive Officers financial

"appointment of Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle as co-Chief Executive Officers"

registered investment adviser financial

"Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC (“HKAM”), a registered investment adviser"

A registered investment adviser (RIA) is a firm or individual legally registered with regulators to give personalized investment advice and manage clients' money, with a duty to put clients’ interests ahead of their own. Think of an RIA as a licensed financial guide who must disclose fees, conflicts and how they are paid; that transparency and legal duty matter to investors because it reduces the risk of hidden costs or biased recommendations.

alternative value-based investing strategies financial

"investment advisory services for mainly long-only and alternative value-based investing strategies"

FAQ

What did Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation (HKHC) announce in this 8-K filing?

Horizon Kinetics announced that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Murray Stahl, passed away on April 7, 2026. The company simultaneously outlined leadership changes and succession steps to manage the transition while reaffirming its commitment to Stahl’s long-term vision for clients and shareholders.

Who will lead Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation (HKHC) after Murray Stahl’s passing?

Following Murray Stahl’s passing, Horizon Kinetics appointed co-founders Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle as Co-Chief Executive Officers. They will serve alongside fellow co-founder Tom Ewing on a newly formed Founders’ Committee, which is intended to oversee a seamless transition of leadership responsibilities at the firm.

When did Murray Stahl of Horizon Kinetics (HKHC) pass away and what was his role?

Murray Stahl passed away on April 7, 2026, while serving as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and a founding leader of Horizon Kinetics. He co-founded the firm in 1994 and helped build it into a publicly traded company with a debt-free balance sheet and long-horizon investment focus.

How does Horizon Kinetics (HKHC) describe its financial position in the announcement?

The company notes that, under Murray Stahl’s leadership, Horizon Kinetics became a publicly traded firm with a market capitalization of approximately $600 million and an impeccable, debt-free balance sheet. This financial footing is highlighted as the base from which the new leadership will continue pursuing the long-term strategy.

What is the Founders’ Committee at Horizon Kinetics (HKHC) and who serves on it?

The Founders’ Committee is a newly established body created to oversee a seamless leadership transition at Horizon Kinetics. It includes co-Chief Executive Officers Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle, together with fellow co-founder Tom Ewing, reflecting the firm’s intent to maintain guidance from its original founding group.

What business does Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation (HKHC) primarily operate?

Horizon Kinetics primarily offers investment advisory services through its subsidiary Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC, a registered investment adviser. It provides independent proprietary research and advisory services focused mainly on long-only and alternative value-based investment strategies, with offices in New York City, White Plains, and Summit.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Understanding 8-K Material Events →

Accepted by SEC EDGAR 04/08/2026 - 04:06 PM

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 07, 2026

    

HORIZON KINETICS HOLDING CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware	001-13458	84-0920811
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

470 Park Ave S.
New York, New York		10016
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

     Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (646) 291-2300

    

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
None	N/A	N/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On April 8, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing with deep sorrow that Murray Stahl had passed away on April 7, 2026. In light of Mr. Stahl's passing, the firm announced the appointment of Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle as Co-Chief Executive Officers of the Company.

The Board of Directors, executive leadership team, and employees of Horizon Kinetics extend their deepest condolences to Mr. Stahl's family and express profound gratitude for his leadership and extraordinary contributions to the Company.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.


Exhibit	Description
99.1	Press release dated April 8, 2026
104	Cover page interactive data file (embedded within the inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


			HORIZON KINETICS HOLDING CORPORATION

Date:	April 8, 2026	By:	/s/ Jay Kesslen
			Jay Kesslen General Counsel

EXHIBIT 99.1

Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation

Announces Passing of CEO Murray Stahl

NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 8, 2026

We at Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation announce with deep sorrow that Murray Stahl—the company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and leading light—passed away suddenly on April 7, 2026.

Murray co-founded Horizon Kinetics in 1994. He was instrumental in transforming it into a publicly traded company with a market capitalization of approximately $600 million, an impeccable and debt-free balance sheet, and a portfolio built for the long horizon. Murray’s dedication, wisdom, and leadership will be felt for generations to come.

The entire Horizon Kinetics family extends heartfelt condolences to Murray’s wife, Teddi, and their children—and to everyone else who loved him.

As we begin the work of preserving and growing Murray’s legacy, Horizon Kinetics is implementing its succession plan, starting with the appointment of Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle as co-Chief Executive Officers. They will join fellow Horizon Kinetics co-founder Tom Ewing on our newly established Founders’ Committee to oversee a seamless transition of responsibilities.

We feel it is our duty and obligation to finish what Murray started. And it is our honor to remain fully committed to delivering that vision for our clients and shareholders.

About Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation

Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation (OTCQX:HKHC) primarily offers investment advisory services through its subsidiary, Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC (“HKAM”), a registered investment adviser. HKAM provides independent proprietary research and investment advisory services for mainly long-only and alternative value-based investing strategies. The firm has offices in New York City; White Plains, New York; and Summit, New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.hkholdingco.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

ir@hkholdingco.com

SOURCE: Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

2 documents

Press Releases

EX-99.1 EX-99.1 12.1 KB