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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 31, 2011

REGISTRATION NO. 333-177492

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

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Pre-Effective
Amendment No. 1

to

Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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COWEN GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 845-7900
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

Owen S. Littman
General Counsel
Cowen Group, Inc.
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 845-7900
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

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Copies to:

David K. Boston, Esq.
Laura L. Delanoy, Esq.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York 10019
(212) 728-8000

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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

           If the only securities being registered on this Form are to be offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:    o

           If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box:    ý

           If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    o

           If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    o

           If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

(1)

This registration statement covers shares of common stock of Cowen Group, Inc. that may be offered, sold, distributed or otherwise transferred from time to time by the selling stockholders named herein.

(2)

Includes an undetermined number of additional shares of common stock as may from time to time be issued by reason of stock splits, stock dividends and other similar transactions, which shares are registered hereunder pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(3)

Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The proposed maximum offering price is based on a per share price of 2.72, the average of the high and low prices of our common stock on October 20, 2011, as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market.

(4)

Determined in accordance with Section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at a rate equal to $114.60 per $1 million of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.

(5)

$7,497.74 has previously been paid.

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           The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion) Dated October 31, 2011

24,053,393 Shares

COWEN GROUP, INC.

Class A common stock

        This prospectus covers up to 24,053,393 shares of Class A common stock of Cowen Group, Inc. held by RCG Holdings LLC (our largest shareholder) which holds 32,616,294 shares of our Class A common stock in the aggregate and that may be sold, transferred, distributed or otherwise disposed of from time to time by the selling stockholders named herein, or their transferees. The shares held by RCG Holdings LLC are attributable to its members and may be distributed to them or sold on their behalf, as described in this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from any of such sales or distributions. The selling stockholders will bear all sales commissions and similar expenses. Of the 24,053,393 shares covered by this prospectus, 5,763,994 are attributable to certain members of RCG Holdings LLC named herein (who we refer to as the individual selling stockholders) who are directors and/or executive officers of Cowen Group, Inc. This prospectus covers both the distribution of shares to those individual selling stockholders and the subsequent resale by those individual selling stockholders of such shares.

        The selling stockholders, which may include certain of our directors and/or executive officers as transferees of RCG Holdings LLC, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.

        Our Class A common stock is presently traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "COWN". On October 28, 2011, the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock was $2.78 per share.

        An investment in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 5 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our Class A common stock.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission or other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is            , 2011.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to which the selling stockholders may sell, transfer, distribute or otherwise dispose of up to 24,053,393 shares of our Class A common stock from time to time. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described in the sections titled "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation By Reference" below.

        You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The selling stockholders will not make an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we have previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, is accurate only as of the date of the documents containing the information. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have subsequently changed.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

        In this prospectus, references to "the Company," "Cowen Group," "we," "our" and "us" are to Cowen Group, Inc. and, except as the context otherwise requires, its consolidated subsidiaries. In this prospectus, references to "Ramius" refer to Ramius LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, references to "Cowen Holdings" refer to Cowen Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and references to "RCG" refer to RCG Holdings LLC, an entity which holds approximately 28.28% of our Class A common stock as of the date of this prospectus, in each case unless the context indicates otherwise.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are not limited to historical facts, but our current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expect," "plan," "project," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "possible," "pursue," "seek," "target," "continue," the negative of those terms and other comparable terminology or similar expressions.

        The forward-looking statements involve particular risks and uncertainties. The ability of the Company to predict results or the actual effects of its plans and strategies is subject to inherent uncertainty. Factors that may cause actual results or earnings to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include those set forth in the section titled "Risk Factors," as well as, among others, the following:

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Difficult market conditions, market disruptions and volatility have adversely affected and may in the future continue to adversely affect the Company's businesses, results of operations and financial condition; and



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The Company's alternative investment management and investment banking businesses have incurred losses in recent periods and may incur losses in the future.

        Our forward-looking statements may include or relate to the following:

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the extent and duration of continued economic and market disruptions and governmental regulatory proposals to address these disruptions;



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our plans to continue to grow our business through organic growth and integration of previous and any future acquisitions;



•

the risk of reduction in revenue from the elimination of existing and potential customers due to consolidation in the banking, retail and financial services industries;



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actions that may be taken by our competitors, customers and suppliers that may cause harm to the Company's businesses; and



•

decisions to restructure, divest or eliminate business units or otherwise change the Company's business mix.

        Because these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or such other date that may be specified herein. You should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive statement of all of the risks, uncertainties, or potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause our current expectations or beliefs to change.

        All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the offering or other matters addressed in this prospectus and attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this prospectus. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you and is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and our financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus before you decide to invest in our Class A common stock. This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those discussed in "Risk Factors" and other sections of this prospectus.

Our Business

        Cowen Group is a diversified financial services firm and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, provides alternative investment management, investment banking, research, market-making and sales and trading services through its two business segments: alternative investment management and broker-dealer. The alternative investment management segment includes hedge funds, replication products, mutual funds, managed futures funds, fund of funds, real estate, healthcare royalty funds, cash management services and mortgage advisory services, offered primarily under the Ramius name. The broker-dealer segment offers industry focused investment banking for growth-oriented companies including advisory and global capital markets origination and domain knowledge-driven research, a sales and trading platform for institutional investors, primarily under the Cowen name and an ETF market-making business, both domestically and internationally.

        On November 2, 2009, the Company consummated certain transactions (which we refer to collectively as the Transactions), including: (1) the merger with Cowen Holdings, pursuant to which each outstanding share of common stock of Cowen Holdings was converted into one share of our Class A common stock and (2) the transfer by RCG of substantially all of its assets and liabilities to Ramius in exchange for the Company's issuance to RCG of 37,536,826 shares of our Class A common stock. In connection with the Transactions, RCG awarded membership interests (which corresponded to an aggregate of 2,859,426 of the shares of Class A common stock RCG received in the Transactions) to certain key employees, which we refer to as the "Transaction REOP." The Transaction REOP was a one-time award which will vest over a three-year period, with 50% of the awards vesting on each of the second and third anniversaries of the closing of the Transactions.

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        The diagram below shows the structure of the Company:

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(1)

Members of our senior management control the managing member of RCG. RCG members also include certain of our directors, officers and other employees.

(2)

This prospectus covers up to (i) 20,493,858 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG and attributable to certain of its members who may withdraw one-third of their capital in RCG in shares of our Class A common stock as of each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing of the Transactions, which were consummated on November 2, 2009, subject to certain additional distribution restrictions for certain of its members to whom 7,435,759 of such shares are attributable in the aggregate, as discussed in the section entitled "Selling Stockholders," (ii) 872,093 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG and attributable to certain of its members who may withdraw one-third of their capital in RCG in cash as of the end of each calendar year, and who may request that RCG distribute the shares to them or sell the shares on their behalf and distribute the net proceeds of such sales to them and (iii) 2,687,442 shares of our Class A common stock which were granted in connection with the Transactions and which are held by RCG and attributable to Transaction REOP awards held by certain of its members who may withdraw 50% of their shares of our Class A common stock attributable to the Transaction REOP awards upon the vesting of such Transaction REOP as of each of November 2, 2011 and November 2, 2012, subject to certain additional distribution restrictions for certain of its members to whom 1,960,249 of such shares are attributable in the aggregate, as discussed in the section entitled "Selling Stockholders." Of the 24,053,393 shares covered by this prospectus, 5,763,994 are attributable to certain of our executive officers and directors. This prospectus covers any distribution of these shares to the individual selling stockholders and any subsequent resale by those individual selling stockholders of such shares.

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Principal Executive Offices

        Our principal executive offices are located at 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022, and our telephone number is (212) 845-7900. Our website address is http://www.cowen.com. Our website and the information contained on, or that can be accessed through, the website are not part of this prospectus.

Shares Covered by this Prospectus

        This prospectus covers up to (i) 20,493,858 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG and attributable to certain of its members who may withdraw one-third of their capital in RCG in shares of our Class A common stock as of each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing of the Transactions, which were consummated on November 2, 2009, subject to certain additional distribution restrictions for certain of its members, to whom 7,435,759 of such shares are attributable in the aggregate, as discussed in the section entitled "Selling Stockholders," (ii) 872,093 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG and attributable to certain of its members who may withdraw one-third of their capital in RCG in cash as of the end of each calendar year, and who may request that RCG distribute the shares to them or sell the shares on their behalf and distribute the net proceeds of such sales to them and (iii) 2,687,442 shares of our Class A common stock which were granted in connection with the Transactions and which are held by RCG and attributable to Transaction REOP awards held by certain of its members who may withdraw 50% of the shares of our Class A common stock attributable to their Transaction REOP awards upon the vesting of such Transaction REOP as of each of November 2, 2011 and November 2, 2012, subject to certain additional distribution restrictions for certain of its members to whom 1,960,249 of such shares are attributable in the aggregate, as discussed in the section entitled "Selling Stockholders." Of the 24,053,393 shares covered by this prospectus, 5,763,994 are attributable to certain of our executive officers and directors. This prospectus covers any distribution of these shares to the individual selling stockholders and any subsequent resale by those individual selling stockholders of such shares.

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RISK FACTORS

        An investment in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following information, together with the other information in this prospectus, prior to making a decision to purchase shares of our Class A common stock. In addition to the following risk factors, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed in Item 1A. of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011, and in other documents that we subsequently file with the SEC that update, supplement or supersede such information, which documents are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

        This prospectus contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein. If any of the following risks occur or if any additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not currently believed to be material occur, our business, results of operations, financial condition or prospects could be materially adversely affected.

Risks Related to the Offering

The ability of RCG and some of the Company's employees to sell Class A common stock could cause the stock price to decrease.

        The sale of a substantial number of shares of Class A common stock by RCG or the members of RCG who receive distributions of our Class A common stock from RCG within a short period of time, or the possibility of such sales, may adversely affect the price of the Company's Class A common stock and impede the Company's ability to raise capital through the issuance of equity securities.

        Approximately 20,493,858 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG underlie the capital in RCG of those members of RCG who may withdraw one-third of their capital in RCG in shares of our Class A common stock as of each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing of the Transactions, which were consummated on November 2, 2009, subject to certain additional distribution restrictions for certain of its members to whom 7,435,759 of such shares are attributable in the aggregate. In connection with the withdrawal of capital by certain of these members of RCG, this prospectus covers 20,493,858 shares of our Class A common stock attributable to such members who may request to withdraw such shares on the second and third anniversaries of the closing of the Transactions and which RCG will distribute to such requesting members as soon as practicable after each such anniversary or at such later date as may be requested.

        Approximately 872,093 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG underlie the capital in RCG of those members of RCG who may request to withdraw one-third of their capital in RCG in cash as of the end of each calendar year following the closing of the Transactions. In connection with the withdrawal of capital by certain of these non-affiliate members of RCG, RCG intends to sell 504,698 shares of our Class A common stock attributable to these members or distribute the shares to them. If RCG sells such shares, RCG will use the net proceeds of such sales to satisfy the withdrawal requests of these members in cash.

        Approximately 2,687,442 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG were granted in connection with the Transactions and are attributable to Transaction REOP awards held by certain of its members who may request to withdraw 50% of the shares of our Class A common stock attributable to their Transaction REOP awards upon the vesting of such Transaction REOP as of each of November 2, 2011 and November 2, 2012, subject to certain additional distribution restrictions for certain of its members to whom 1,960,249 of such shares are attributable in the aggregate, as discussed in the section entitled "Selling Stockholders." Additionally, certain shares of our Class A common stock may be sold by RCG on behalf of the members or by the members to whom such shares are

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attributable prior to such dates in order to satisfy tax obligations with respect to such members. In connection with the withdrawal of capital by RCG and certain of these members of RCG, this prospectus covers 2,687,442 shares of our Class A common stock attributable to such members. If requested by the members, RCG will distribute these shares, other than those sold to satisfy tax obligations (if any), to the such requesting members as soon as practicable following the applicable vesting date or at such later date as may be requested.

        RCG and the Company anticipate that, following November 2, 2012 and the vesting of certain Transaction REOP as of such date, there will be no distribution restrictions on any shares of Class A common stock held by RCG or the members of RCG who receive distributions of such shares of Class A common stock from RCG.

        Of the 24,053,393 shares covered by this prospectus, approximately 6,825,783 are attributable to the individual selling stockholders. Following the distribution of these shares by RCG, to the individual selling stockholders, this prospectus will cover any subsequent resale of such shares by the individual selling stockholders.

The Company does not intend to pay dividends on shares of its Class A common stock for the foreseeable future.

        The Company intends to use earnings in the future to fund and develop the Company's business and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends on Class A common stock. Your potential gain from your investment in Class A common stock, therefore, will be solely the capital appreciation, if any, of Class A common stock.

Under the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company, the Company is able to issue more shares of common stock than are currently outstanding. As a result, such future issuances of common stock could have a dilutive effect on the earnings per share and voting power of the Company stockholders.

        The amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Company authorizes a greater number of shares of common stock than are currently outstanding. If the board of directors of the Company elects to issue additional shares of common stock in the future, whether in public offerings, in connection with mergers and acquisitions or otherwise, such additional issuances could dilute the earnings per share and voting power of the Company stockholders.

Certain provisions of the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law may have the effect of delaying or preventing an acquisition by a third party.

        The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain several provisions that may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of the Company, even if such acquisition would be financially beneficial to the Company's stockholders. These provisions also may delay, prevent or deter a merger, acquisition, tender offer, proxy contest or other transaction that might otherwise result in the Company's stockholders receiving a premium over the then-current trading price of Class A common stock. For example, the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes its board of directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of "blank check" preferred stock. Without stockholder approval, the board of directors has the authority to attach special rights, including voting and dividend rights, to this preferred stock. With these rights, preferred stockholders could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire the Company. In addition, the Company's amended and restated bylaws provide for an advance notice procedure with regard to the nomination of candidates for election as directors and with regard to business to be brought before a meeting of stockholders. The Company is also subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL. Under these provisions, if anyone becomes an "interested stockholder," the Company may not enter into a "business combination" with

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that person for three years without special approval, which could discourage a third party from making a takeover offer and could delay or prevent a change of control. For the purposes of Section 203, "interested stockholder" means, generally, someone owning 15% or more of the Company's outstanding voting stock or an affiliate of the Company that owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock during the past three years, subject to certain exceptions as described in Section 203.

USE OF PROCEEDS

        Any proceeds from the sale, transfer, distribution or other disposition of the shares of common stock covered hereby will be solely for the account of the selling stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale, transfer, distribution or other disposition of the shares by the selling stockholders.

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

        This prospectus covers up to 24,053,393 shares of Class A common stock of Cowen Group, Inc. held by RCG (our largest shareholder, which holds 32,616,294 shares of our Class A common stock in the aggregate) that may be sold, transferred, distributed or otherwise disposed of from time to time by the selling stockholders named herein and their successors and assigns, including those selling stockholders who receive such shares after the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, distribution or other transfer. The shares held by RCG are attributable to its members and may be distributed to them or sold on their behalf, as described in this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from any of such sales or distributions. The selling stockholders will bear all sales commissions and similar expenses. This prospectus covers both the distribution of these shares by RCG to its members (or sales made by RCG on their behalf) and the resale, if any, of any shares distributed to any of our directors or executive officers who are members of RCG.

        Approximately 20,493,558 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG underlie the capital in RCG of those members of RCG who may request to withdraw one-third of their capital in RCG in shares of our Class A common stock as of each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing of the Transactions, which were consummated on November 2, 2009, subject to certain additional distribution restrictions for certain of its members to whom 7,435,759 of such shares are attributable in the aggregate, who are restricted from withdrawing (x) 50% of their capital in RCG in shares of our Class A common stock until the date that is thirty months after the closing of the Transactions and (y) 50% of their capital in RCG in shares of our Class A common stock until the third anniversary of the closing of the Transactions. In connection with the withdrawal of capital by certain of these members of RCG, this prospectus covers 20,493,558 shares of our Class A common stock attributable to these members. If requested by such members, RCG will distribute these shares to the members as soon as practicable following the second or third anniversaries of the closing of the Transactions, as applicable, or at such later date as may be requested.

        Approximately 872,093 shares of our Class A common stock held by RCG underlie the capital in RCG of those members of RCG who may request to withdraw one-third of their capital in RCG in cash as of the end of each calendar year following the closing of the Transactions. In connection with the withdrawal of capital by certain of these non-affiliate members of RCG as of December 31, 2011, this prospectus covers and RCG intends to sell, on or prior to December 31, 2011, 504,698 shares of our Class A common stock attributable to these members or distribute the shares to them. If RCG sells such shares, RCG will use the net proceeds of such sales to satisfy the withdrawal requests of these members in cash.

        Approximately 2,687,442 shares of our Class A common stock were granted in connection with the Transactions and are held by RCG and attributable to Transaction REOP awards held by certain of its members who may request to withdraw 50% of their capital in RCG with respect to the Class A

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common stock attributable to their Transaction REOP awards upon the vesting of such Transaction REOP as of each of November 2, 2011 and November 2, 2012. Further, in addition to these vesting requirements, certain members of RCG, including the individual selling stockholders, are restricted from withdrawing (x) 50% of their capital in RCG in shares of our Class A common stock, until the date that is thirty months after the closing of the Transactions and (y) 50% of their capital in RCG shares of our Class A common stock on the third anniversary of the closing of the Transactions. However, such members are entitled to receive shares of our Class A common stock in, an amount necessary to satisfy tax obligations incurred with respect to the vesting of such Transaction REOP awards. Additionally, certain shares of our Class A common stock may be sold by RCG on behalf of the members or by the members to whom such shares are attributable in order to satisfy tax obligations with respect to such members. RCG has confirmed with the Company that it is its intention to distribute all shares of our Class A common stock attributable to Transaction REOP awards to the applicable members of RCG upon vesting of such Transaction REOP, except for those shares (excluding shares distributed or sold by RCG in order to satisfy tax obligations, if any) attributable to such members of RCG, including the individual selling stockholders, that are subject to further restrictions (as described above). In connection with the withdrawal of capital by certain of these members of RCG, this prospectus covers 2,687,442 shares of our Class A common stock attributable to these members. If requested by the members, RCG will distribute these shares, other than those sold to satisfy tax obligations (if any), to the such requesting members as soon as practicable following the applicable vesting date or at such later date as may be requested. This prospectus covers the distribution by RCG of these shares to the individual selling stockholders (or sales by RCG on their behalf) and the resale by the individual selling stockholders of such distributed shares.

        The table below presents certain information as of October 28, 2011 regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

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Transactions with the Selling Stockholders

        RCG is our largest shareholder and holds 32,616,294 shares of our Class A common stock in the aggregate. Under RCG's operating agreement, the members of RCG generally will not be entitled to receive any distributions of those shares of our Class A common stock or other capital attributable to them, and RCG's managing member has agreed in RCG's operating agreement not to make any distributions of shares of our Class A common stock or other capital to these members for specified periods of time.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We are registering 24,053,393 shares of Class A common stock on behalf of the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders, which as used herein includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus from a selling stockholder as a gift, pledge, limited partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.

        Of these shares, 20,493,858 are held by RCG and are attributable to certain of its members who may request that RCG distribute the shares to them so that they may hold them directly, 872,092 are held by RCG and are attributable to certain of its members who may request that RCG sell the shares on their behalf and distribute the net proceeds to them and 2,687,442 are held by RCG and are attributable to certain of its members (i) who may request that RCG distribute shares to them so that they may hold them directly (and who may sell a portion of such shares to satisfy tax obligations) and/or (ii) who may request that RCG sell certain shares in order to satisfy tax obligations.

        The selling stockholders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares:

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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;



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block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;



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purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;



•

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;



•

privately negotiated transactions;



•

short sales effected after the date the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC;



•

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;



•

broker-dealers may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; and



•

a combination of any such methods of sale.

        The selling stockholders may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

        In connection with the sale of our common stock, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling stockholders may

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also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

        The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the common stock offered by them will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. Each of the selling stockholders reserves the right to accept and, together with their agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering.

        The selling stockholders also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, provided that they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.

        The selling stockholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock may be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Selling stockholders who are "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

        To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling stockholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement that includes this prospectus.

        In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.

        We have advised the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, to the extent applicable we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

        We have agreed to indemnify certain of the selling stockholders against liabilities, including liabilities of any violation by the Company of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to the Company and relating to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus.

        We have agreed with the selling stockholders to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part effective until the earlier of such time as all of the shares covered by this prospectus have been disposed of pursuant to and in accordance with the registration statement, provided that Rule 415 of the Securities Act, or any successor rule under the Securities Act, permits an offering on a continuous or delayed basis.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the issuance of the common stock offered by this prospectus and certain other legal matters are being passed upon for us by our counsel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

        The financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We have also filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 to register the common stock being offered pursuant to this prospectus. This prospectus, which forms part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information about us or the selling stockholders and the shares of common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits.

        Our annual reports on Form 10-K, along with all other reports and amendments filed with or furnished to the SEC, are publicly available free of charge on the investor relations section of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Our website is located at www.cowen.com. The information on our website is not part of this or any other report that we file with, or furnish to, the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. You may also read and copy any documents we file with the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operations of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces this information. All documents we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the initial filing of this registration statement and prior to effectiveness of this registration statement and after the date of this prospectus and until we sell all the securities, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following previously filed documents:

(1)

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K (in all cases other than information furnished rather than filed pursuant to any Form 8-K) filed with the SEC on January 5, 2011, February 11, 2011, February 17, 2011, March 4, 2011, April 11, 2011, May 2, 2011, May 6, 2011, June 2, 2011, June 16, 2011, June 29, 2011, August 5, 2011, August 31, 2011, September 12, 2011 and October 7, 2011;

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(2)

Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2011 and June 30, 2011;



(3)

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as amended by the Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on May 2, 2011;



(4)

Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on August 3, 2011; and



(5)

The description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement filed under the Exchange Act on Form S-1 (File No. 333163372) as filed with the SEC on November 25, 2010, as amended, including any amendment or report for the purpose of updating such description.

        To receive a free copy of any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits) call or write us at the following address Cowen Group, Inc., 599 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, (212) 845-7900.

        You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus. Neither we nor the selling stockholders have authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. The selling stockholders are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

        Set forth below is an estimate (except in the case of the registration fee) of the amount of fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the offered securities, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the expenses set forth below shall be borne by us.

Item 15.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may indemnify any person in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than a derivative action by or in the right of such corporation) who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or serving at the request of such corporation in such capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of such corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

        The Delaware General Corporation Law also permits indemnification by a corporation under similar circumstances for expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in connection with the defense or settlement of a derivative action or suit, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to such corporation unless the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.

        To the extent a director, officer, employee or agent is successful in the defense of such an action, suit or proceeding, the corporation is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to indemnify such person for actual and reasonable expenses incurred thereby. Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by such persons in defending any action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be so indemnified.

        The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that the indemnification described above shall not be deemed exclusive of other indemnification that may be granted by a corporation pursuant to its by-laws, disinterested directors' vote, stockholders' vote, agreement or otherwise.

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        The Delaware General Corporation Law also provides corporations with the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation in a similar capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability as described above.

        The indemnification and advancement of expenses shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

        The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws permit the Company to indemnify any director or officer of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to the Company or any stockholder for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except that liability of a director shall not be eliminated for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders; acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of law; under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

        The foregoing is only a general summary of certain aspects of Delaware law and the Company's amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws dealing with indemnification of directors and officers and does not purport to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the detailed provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws of the Company.

Item 16.    Exhibits

Item 17.    Undertakings

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(a)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:



(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;



(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,

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individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;

(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(i), (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrants pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(b)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.



(c)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)

If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:



(a)

Each prospectus filed by such registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and



(b)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the

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registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(ii)

If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of our annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(a)

For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and



(b)

For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth or described in Item 15 of this registration statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Cowen Group, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in New York, NY on the 31^st day of October 2011.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.

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        Owen S. Littman by signing his name below, signs this document on behalf of each of the above named persons specified by an asterisk (*), pursuant to a power of attorney duly executed by such persons and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Cowen Group, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on October 24, 2011.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

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