Great Elm Group, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes that are normally included in the Company’s Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023. These financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring items or items discussed herein) that management believes are necessary to fairly state results for the interim periods presented. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results of operations.

The historical results of the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) business, primarily consisting of HC LLC and its subsidiaries, sold on January 3, 2023 and related activity have been presented in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2022 as discontinued operations. Further, the historical segment information was recast to reflect our ongoing business as a single reportable segment and to remove the activity of discontinued operations. Unless otherwise specified, disclosures in these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect continuing operations only.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates all of these estimates and assumptions. The most important of these estimates and assumptions relate to revenue recognition, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, estimates associated with accounting for asset acquisitions, and fair value measurements, including stock-based compensation. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be different from these estimates.

Principles of Consolidation

The Company consolidates the assets, liabilities, and operating results of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, majority-owned subsidiaries, and subsidiaries in which we hold a controlling financial interest as of the financial statement date. In most cases, a controlling financial interest reflects ownership of a majority of the voting interests. We consolidate a variable interest entity (VIE) when we possess both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Non-controlling interests in the Company’s subsidiaries are reported as a component of equity, separate from the parent company’s equity or outside of permanent equity for non-controlling interests that are contingently redeemable. Results of operations attributable to the non-controlling interests are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of purchase. Cash equivalents consist primarily of exchange-traded money market funds and U.S. treasury bills. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of default by the financial institutions or the issuers of these investments to the extent the amounts on deposit or invested are in excess of amounts that are insured.

Investments in Marketable Securities

Investments in marketable securities consist of U.S. treasury bills with original maturity exceeding 90 days. The Company classifies investments in debt securities as either trading, held-to-maturity, or available-for-sale. Securities are classified as trading if they are purchased and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term and as held-to-maturity when the Company has both the positive intent and ability to hold the security to maturity. Investments in debt securities not classified as either trading or held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale securities. Trading securities are measured at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported within net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. Held-to-maturity securities are measured at amortized cost with realized gains and losses reported within net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. Available-for-sale securities are measured at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

As of September 30, 2023, all investments in marketable securities were classified as held-to-maturity and had original maturities (at the time of purchase) exceeding 90 days. As of September 30, 2023, the amortized cost basis for these securities approximated their fair value.

Investments, at Fair Value

Investments, at fair value, consist of equity and equity-related securities and debt securities classified as trading carried at fair value, as well as investments in private funds measured using the net asset value (NAV) as reported by each fund’s investment manager. The private funds calculate NAV in a manner consistent with the measurement principles of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies, as of the valuation date. Changes in the fair value and NAV are recorded within net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. Dividends received are recorded within dividends and interest income on the consolidated statements of operations.

Real Estate under Development

Real estate under development is classified as follows: (i) real estate under development (current), which includes real estate projects that are in the process of being developed and expected to be completed and disposed of within one year of the balance sheet date; (ii) real estate under development (non-current), which includes real estate projects that are in the process of being developed and expected to be completed and disposed of more than one year from the balance sheet date; and (iii) real estate held for sale, which includes land and completed improvements thereon that meet all of the “held for sale” criteria.

Real estate under development is carried at cost less impairment, if applicable. We capitalize costs that are directly identifiable with the specific real estate projects, including pre-acquisition and pre-construction costs, development and construction costs, taxes, and insurance. We do not capitalize any general and administrative or overhead costs, regardless of whether the costs are internal or paid to third parties. Capitalization begins when the activities related to development have begun and ceases when activities are substantially complete and the asset is available for occupancy.

Real estate held for sale is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less cost to sell. If an asset’s fair value less cost to sell, based on discounted future cash flows, management estimates or market comparisons, is less than its carrying amount, an allowance is recorded against the asset.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include real estate under development, property and equipment, definite-lived intangible assets, and lease right-of-use assets. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable based on undiscounted cash flows. Impairment losses are recorded when undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by an asset are less than the asset’s carrying amount. The amount of the impairment loss, if any, is calculated as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value, which is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, management estimates or market comparisons.
 

Earnings per Share

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had 3,264,424 potential shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options that are not included in the diluted net income (loss) per share calculation because to do so would be anti-dilutive for the three months ended September 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had 10,392,545 potential shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Convertible Notes (as defined below), 1,527,130 potential shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options, and 1,330,273 potential shares issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards that are not included in the diluted net income (loss) per share calculation for the three months ended September 30, 2022 because to do so would be anti-dilutive.

As of September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company had an aggregate of 1,362,723 and 1,303,386 issued shares, respectively, that are not considered outstanding for accounting purposes since they are unvested and subject to forfeiture by the employees at a nominal price if service milestones are not met.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Current Expected Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), which changes the impairment model for financial instruments, including trade receivables from an incurred loss method to a new forward looking approach, based on expected losses. The estimate of expected credit losses will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical experience, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this ASU as of July 1, 2023, which did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

The Company recognizes investment management revenue at amounts that reflect the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for providing services to its customers. Investment management revenue primarily consists of fees based on a percentage of assets under management, fees based on the performance of managed assets, and administration and service fees. Fees are based on agreements with each investment product and may be terminated at any time by either party subject to the specific terms of each respective agreement.

Management Fees

The Company earns management fees based on the investment management agreements GECM has with Great Elm Capital Corp. (GECC), Monomoy Properties UpREIT, LLC, the operating partnership of Monomoy Properties REIT, LLC (Monomoy UpREIT) and other private funds managed by GECM (collectively, the Funds). The performance obligation is satisfied and management fee revenue is recognized over time as the services are rendered, since the Funds simultaneously receive and consume the benefits provided as GECM performs services. Management fee rates range from 1.0% to 1.5% of the management fee assets specified within each agreement and are calculated and billed in arrears of the period, either monthly or quarterly.

Property Management Fees

Under the Monomoy UpREIT investment management agreement, GECM is also entitled to 4.0% of rent collected. These fees are collected monthly in arrears. Property management fee revenue is recognized over time as the services are provided.

Incentive Fees

The Company earns incentive fees based on the investment management agreements GECM has with GECC and Monomoy Properties II, LLC (MP II), a feeder fund of Monomoy Properties REIT, LLC. Where an investment management agreement includes both management fees and incentive fees, the performance obligation is considered to be a single obligation for both fees. Incentive fees are variable consideration associated with the investment management agreements. Incentive fees are earned based on investment performance during the period, subject to the achievement of minimum return levels or high-water marks, in accordance with the terms of the respective investment management agreements. Incentive fees are typically 20% of the performance-based metric specified within each agreement. Incentive fees are recognized when it is determined that they are no longer probable of significant reversal. During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded revenue in respect to the incentive fees due from GECC of $1.3 million.

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Administration and Service Fees

The Company earns administration fees based on the administration agreement GECM has with GECC whereby the investment vehicles reimburse GECM for costs incurred in performing certain administrative functions. This revenue is recognized over time as the services are performed. Administration fees are billed quarterly in arrears, which is consistent with the timing of the delivery of services and reflect agreed upon rates for the services provided. The services are accounted for as a single performance obligation for each investment vehicle that is a series of distinct services with substantially the same pattern of transfer as the services are provided on a daily basis.

The following tables summarize activity and outstanding balances between the managed investment products and the Company:

The assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis are summarized in the tables below: