U S GLOBAL INVESTORS INC - Quarter Report: 2016 December (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 

 

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FORM 10-Q

 

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☒  Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended December 31, 2016

OR

☐  Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from ____________ to ____________.

 

Commission File Number 0-13928

 

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES ☒                                NO ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

YES ☒                                NO ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

YES ☐                                NO ☒

 

On January 27, 2017, there were 13,866,601 shares of Registrant’s class A nonvoting common stock issued and 13,133,787 shares of Registrant’s class A nonvoting common stock issued and outstanding, no shares of Registrant’s class B nonvoting common shares outstanding, and 2,068,947 shares of Registrant’s class C voting common stock issued and outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

U.S. Global Investors, Inc. (the “Company” or “U.S. Global”) has prepared the consolidated financial statements pursuant to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. The financial information included herein reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments), which are, in management’s opinion, necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods presented. The Company has consistently followed the accounting policies set forth in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, except for the adoption of new accounting pronouncements discussed below.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc., U.S. Global Investors (Bermuda) Limited, U.S. Global Investors (Canada) Limited (“USCAN”), and U.S. Global Indices, LLC, and its 65 percent interest in Galileo Global Equity Advisor Inc. (“Galileo”). U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc. ceased operations in December 2015 as discussed in Note 12.

Galileo is consolidated with the operations of the Company. The non-controlling interest in this subsidiary is included in “non-controlling interest in subsidiary” in the equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Frank Holmes, CEO, and Susan McGee, President and General Counsel, serve as directors of Galileo.

The Company’s evaluation for consolidation includes whether entities in which it has an interest or from which it receives fees are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of any VIEs identified in its analysis. A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) the group of holders of the equity investment at risk lack certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has the obligation to absorb a majority of the expected losses or the right to receive the majority of the residual returns and consolidates the VIE on the basis of having a controlling financial interest.

The Company holds variable interests in, but is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of, certain funds it advises. The Company’s interests in these VIEs consist of the Company’s direct ownership therein and any fees earned but uncollected. In the ordinary course of business, the Company may choose to waive certain fees or assume operating expenses of the funds it advises for competitive, regulatory or contractual reasons (see Note 3 for information regarding fee waivers). The Company has not provided financial support to any of these entities outside the ordinary course of business. The Company’s risk of loss with respect to these VIEs is limited to the carrying value of its investments in, and fees receivable from, the entities. The Company does not consolidate these VIEs because it is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s total exposure to unconsolidated VIEs, consisting of the carrying value of investment securities and receivables for fees, was $11.3 million at December 31, 2016, and $11.8 million at June 30, 2016.

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes. The results of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

The unaudited interim financial information in these condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s annual report.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Period

In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), which amends the consolidation requirements in ASC 810, Consolidation. This standard modifies existing consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. ASU 2015-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires either a retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adoption. The Company adopted this standard on a modified retrospective approach effective July 1, 2016. The adoption did not result in any change in consolidated entities. See further discussion of the Company’s analysis for consolidation in Note 1, Basis of Presentation.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (“ASU 2015-07”). ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share practical expedient. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and requires the retrospective adoption approach. The Company adopted this standard for the September 30, 2016, financial statements on a retrospective basis and modified the presentation of the fair value hierarchy tables included in the notes to financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”). ASU 2015-17 requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. It simplifies the current guidance, which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and liabilities as current or noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Netting by tax jurisdiction is still required under the new guidance. The update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, and early adoption is permitted. Entities are permitted to apply the amendments either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company early adopted this guidance effective September 30, 2016, on a prospective basis. As a valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax balances, adoption of the guidance did not result in any changes or reclassifications in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016. No prior periods were retrospectively adjusted.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted, but the Company currently does not expect to implement the new standard before the required effective date. The standard allows adoption using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). Management has not yet determined the method by which it will adopt the standard. The Company is in the process of evaluating its contracts using the prescribed five-step process to determine the impact of this standard and does not currently expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). This update requires an entity’s management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable). When conditions or events raise substantial doubts about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, management shall disclose: i) the principal conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern; ii) management’s evaluation of the significance of those conditions or events in relation to the entity’s ability to meet its obligations; and iii) management’s plans that are intended to mitigate the conditions or events - and whether or not those plans alleviate the substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual period and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. Management does not currently anticipate that this update will have any impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 amends the guidance on the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities. It also amends certain presentation and disclosure requirements. Under the amended guidance, all equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) will generally be measured at fair value through earnings. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification (changes in fair value reported in other comprehensive income) for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As indicated, when this standard is adopted, changes in the fair value of the Company’s investments securities classified as available-for-sale will no longer be reported through other comprehensive income, but rather through earnings, causing our investment income (loss) to be more volatile. The Company is currently evaluating other potential impacts of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 introduces a lessee model that brings most leases on the balance sheet. The new guidance will be effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted. The Company’s current leases are primarily for equipment and for office space for the Canadian subsidiary. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts from Customers - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) (“ASU 2016-08”). ASU 2016-08 amends the guidance in ASU 2014-09, which is not yet effective. Among other things, the ASU clarifies that an entity should evaluate whether it is the principal or the agent for each specified good or service promised in a contract with a customer. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in ASU 2016-08 are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. The Company is evaluating the effect of this ASU in conjunction with the evaluation of ASU 2014-09.

In June 2016, the FASB issued 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model (known as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model) that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public business entities that are SEC filers for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. Earlier application is permitted only for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 may change how an entity classifies certain cash receipts and cash payments on its statement of cash flows to reduce existing diversity in practice. The guidance will generally be applied retrospectively and is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, and the Company is in the process of determining whether the standard will be early adopted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard but does not currently expect the adoption to have a material impact on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

In November 2016, the FASB issued 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). Under ASU 2016-18, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance will be applied retrospectively, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of determining whether the standard will be early adopted.

NOTE 2. INVESTMENTS

As of December 31, 2016, the Company held investments with a fair value of approximately $13.3 million and a cost basis of approximately $13.9 million. The fair value of these investments is approximately 50.3 percent of the Company’s total assets. In addition, the Company owned other investments of $2.7 million accounted for under the cost method of accounting. On December 31, 2016, the Company had $10.7 million and $408,000 at fair value invested in U.S. Global Investors Funds (“USGIF” or the “Funds”) and an offshore fund the Company advises, respectively. These amounts were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “trading securities” and “available-for-sale securities.”

Investments in securities classified as trading are reflected as current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on trading securities are included in earnings in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Investments in securities classified as available-for-sale, which may not be readily marketable, are reflected as non-current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized.

Other investments consist of equity investments in entities over which the Company is unable to exercise significant influence and which do not have readily determinable fair values. These investments are accounted for under the cost method of accounting and evaluated periodically for impairment.

The Company considers many factors in determining impairment, including the severity and duration of the decline in value below cost, the Company’s interest and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for an anticipated recovery in value, and the financial condition and specific events related to the issuer. When an impairment of a security is determined to be other than temporary, the impairment is recognized as a loss in the Company’s earnings.

The Company records security transactions on trade date. Realized gains (losses) from security transactions are calculated on the first-in/first-out cost basis, unless otherwise identifiable, and are recorded in earnings on the date of sale.

The following details the components of the Company’s investments recorded as fair value as of December 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016.

 

1	Unrealized and realized gains and losses on trading securities are included in earnings in the statement of operations.

2	Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and recorded in other comprehensive income as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized.

3	Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities gross and net of tax as of December 31, 2016, are $399 and $399, respectively, and as of June 30, 2016, are $45 and $45, respectively.

Investment income can be volatile and varies depending on market fluctuations, the Company’s ability to participate in investment opportunities, and timing of transactions. The Company expects that gains and losses will continue to fluctuate in the future.

Investment income (loss) from the Company’s investments includes:

•	realized gains and losses on sales of securities;

•	unrealized gains and losses on trading securities;

•	realized foreign currency gains and losses;

•	other-than-temporary impairments on available-for-sale securities;

•	other-than-temporary impairments on held-at-cost securities; and

•	dividend and interest income.

The following summarizes investment income (loss) reflected in earnings for the periods discussed:

Included in investment income were other-than temporary declines in value on available-for-sale securities of approximately $16,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2016, and $199,000 and $259,000 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015, respectively. There were no impairment losses for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The impairment losses resulted from fair values of securities being lower than book value and from proposed changes to debt securities. During the six months ended December 31, 2016, two securities with a combined cost basis of $98,000 were written down to a combined fair value of $82,000. During the three and six months ended December 31, 2015, five and eight securities with a combined cost basis of $653,000 and $702,000, respectively, were written down to a combined fair value of $454,000 and $466,000, respectively. Also during the six months ended December 31, 2015, a debt security with a cost basis of $970,000 was written down to $947,000 based on the net present value of estimated cash flows. In making these determinations, the Company considered the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost basis, financial condition and prospects of the issuers and the Company’s ability to hold the investment until recovery.

Unrealized Losses

The following tables show the gross unrealized losses and fair values of available-for-sale investment securities with unrealized losses aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position. The Company reviewed the gross unrealized losses shown as of December 31, 2016, and determined that the losses were not other-than-temporary based on consideration of the nature of the investment and the cause, severity and duration of the loss.

Fair Value Hierarchy

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value and requires companies to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (i.e., Levels 1, 2, and 3 inputs, as defined below). The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

Financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reporting date. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, value of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in markets for which not all significant inputs are observable, directly or indirectly. Corporate debt securities valued in accordance with the evaluated price supplied by an independent service are categorized as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Other securities categorized as Level 2 include securities valued at the mean between the last reported bid and ask quotation.

Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with the investing in those securities. Because of the inherent uncertainties of valuation, the values reflected may materially differ from the values received upon actual sale of those investments.

For actively traded securities, the Company values investments using the closing price of the securities on the exchange or market on which the securities principally trade. If the security is not traded on the last business day of the quarter, it is generally valued at the mean between the last bid and ask quotation. Mutual funds, which include open- and closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, and offshore funds, are valued at net asset value or closing price, as applicable. Certain corporate debt securities not traded on an exchange may be valued by an independent pricing service using an evaluated quote based on such factors as institutional-size trading in similar groups of securities, yield, quality maturity, coupon rate, type of issuance and individual trading characteristics and other market data. As part of its independent price verification process, the Company reviews the fair value provided by the pricing service using information such as transactions in these investments, broker quotes, market transactions in comparable investments, general market conditions and the issuer’s financial condition. Certain debt securities may be valued based on review of similarly structured issuances in similar jurisdictions, when possible, or based on other traded debt securities issued by the issuer. The Company also takes into consideration numerous other factors that could affect valuation such as overall market conditions, liquidity of the security and bond structure. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at their fair value as determined by the portfolio management team. The portfolio management team includes representatives from the investment, accounting and legal/compliance departments. The portfolio management team meets periodically to consider a number of factors in determining a security’s fair value, including the security’s trading volume, market values of similar class issuances, investment personnel’s judgment regarding the market experience of the issuer, financial status of the issuer, the issuer’s management, and back testing, as appropriate. The fair values may differ from what may have been used had a broader market for these securities existed. The portfolio management team reviews inputs and assumptions and reports material items to the board of directors.

The following presents fair value measurements, as of December 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016, for the major categories of U.S. Global’s investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

1

In accordance with Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of December 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016, 100 percent of the Company’s financial assets classified in the fair value hierarchy were derived from Level 1 inputs. The Company recognizes transfers between levels at the end of each quarter.

The Company has an available-for-sale investment in an international common stock which was valued at $417,000 at December 31, 2016, that is subject to a regulatory restriction. This regulatory restriction will expire in April 2017.

The Company has available-for-sale investments in corporate debt securities maturing in 2020 which were valued at $1.5 million as of December 31, 2016, based on a quoted price on the reporting date and were classified as Level 1. As of June 30, 2016, these securities were valued at $1.1 million based on a quoted price on the reporting date and were classified as Level 1. As of September 30, 2016, these securities were valued at $1.0 million based on the mean between the last reported bid/ask quotation and were classified as Level 2.

The Company has an investment in an affiliated offshore fund, classified as trading, which invests in companies in the energy and natural resources sectors. The fair value of this investment has been estimated based on the net asset value per share at $408,000 and $358,000 as of December 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016, respectively. The Company may redeem this investment on the first business day of each month after providing a redemption notice at least forty-five days prior to the proposed redemption date.

The following table is a reconciliation of investments for which unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value during the six months ended December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015:

NOTE 3. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER FEES

The Company serves as investment adviser to USGIF and receives a fee based on a specified percentage of net assets under management. The Company recorded base advisory fees from USGIF totaling $1.2 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, compared with $879,000 and $1.8 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in the prior fiscal year.

The advisory agreement for the equity funds within USGIF provides for a base advisory fee that is adjusted upwards or downwards by 0.25 percent when there is a performance difference of 5 percent or more between a fund’s performance and that of its designated benchmark index over the prior rolling 12 months. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, the Company realized a (decrease) increase in its base advisory fees from USGIF of ($9,000) and $30,000, respectively. For the corresponding periods in the prior fiscal year, base advisory fees were adjusted downward by $70,000 and $238,000, respectively.

The Company has agreed to contractually limit the expenses of the Near-Term Tax Free Fund through April 2017. The Company has voluntarily waived or reduced its fees and/or agreed to pay expenses on the remaining funds. These caps will continue on a voluntary basis at the Company’s discretion. The aggregate fees waived and expenses borne by the Company for USGIF for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, were $313,000 and $546,000, respectively, compared with $373,000 and $751,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in the prior fiscal year. Management cannot predict the impact of future waivers due the number of variables and the range of potential outcomes.

The Company receives administrative service fees from USGIF based on the average daily net assets at an annual rate 0.05 percent per investor class and 0.04 percent per institutional class of each fund. Effective December 10, 2015, the agreement was amended and the level of administrative services performed and corresponding fees was reduced. Prior to the amendment, the administrative fees were at an annual rate of 0.10 percent per investor class and 0.08 percent per institutional class of each fund, plus a base fee of $7,000 per fund.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $516,000 in receivables from fund clients, of which $347,000 was from USGIF.

The Company also serves as investment adviser to an exchange traded fund (“ETF’) client, U.S. Global Jets ETF, which commenced operations in April 2015. The Company receives a unitary management fee of 0.60 percent of average net assets and has agreed to bear all expenses of the ETF. The Company recorded ETF advisory fees totaling $76,000 and $142,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, compared with $73,000 and $143,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in the prior fiscal year.

The Company provides advisory services for offshore clients and receives advisory fees based on the net asset values of the clients and performance fees, if any, based on the overall increase in net asset values. The Company recorded advisory fees from these clients of $32,000 and $68,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, compared with $22,000 and $44,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in the prior fiscal year. The Company recorded no performance fees from these clients for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, and 2015. Frank Holmes, CEO, serves as a director of the offshore clients.

Galileo provides advisory services for clients in Canada and receives advisory fees based on the net asset values of the clients. Galileo recorded advisory fees from these clients totaling $303,000 and $603,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, compared with $293,000 and $623,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in the prior fiscal year.

NOTE 4. NOTES RECEIVABLE

The Company has invested in notes receivable consisting of two promissory notes. One note in the amount of $2 million was entered into with an unrelated third party in June 2016 and matures in June 2017. The note has a one-year extension option by the issuer upon payment of a 2.5 percent extension fee. The note bears interest at 12 percent, with 10 percent payable monthly and 2 percent payable at maturity. In case of prepayment, there would be a penalty for the amount of lost interest.

The other note of $234,000 is with an unrelated third party, has an annual interest rate of 15 percent and matures in 2021. This note was amended in November 2016. Upon amendment, the maturity date was extended from 2017 to 2021, unpaid interest was added to the principal, and provisions for penalty interest were added for failure to make schedule interest or principal payments or failure to provide timely financial statements. Principal repayments on the amended note are scheduled to start in February 2019. The Company considered the credit quality of the other parties and determined that no allowance for credit losses is necessary.

NOTE 5. BORROWINGS

As of December 31, 2016, the Company has no borrowings or long-term liabilities.

The Company has access to a $1 million credit facility for working capital purposes. The credit agreement requires the Company to maintain certain covenants; the Company has been in compliance with these covenants during the current fiscal year. The credit agreement will expire on May 31, 2017, and the Company intends to renew annually. The credit facility is collateralized by $1 million at December 31, 2016, shown as restricted cash on the balance sheet, held in deposit in a money market account at the financial institution that provided the credit facility. As of December 31, 2016, the credit facility remains unutilized by the Company.

NOTE 6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Payment of cash dividends is within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and is dependent on earnings, operations, capital requirements, general financial condition of the Company, and general business conditions. A monthly dividend of $0.0025 per share was paid for July through December 2016 and is authorized through March 2017, at which time it will be considered for continuation by the Board.

The Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program on December 7, 2012, authorizing the Company to purchase up to $2.75 million of its outstanding common shares, as market and business conditions warrant, on the open market in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 through December 31, 2013. On December 12, 2013, December 10, 2014, December 9, 2015, and December 6, 2016, the Board of Directors renewed the repurchase program for calendar years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The total amount of shares that may be repurchased in calendar year 2017 under the renewed program is $2.75 million. The acquired shares may be used for corporate purposes, including shares issued to employees in the Company’s stock-based compensation programs. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 32,605 and 47,552 class A shares using cash of $50,000 and $80,000, respectively.

Stock compensation plans

The Company’s stock option plans provide for the granting of class A shares as either incentive or nonqualified stock options to employees and non-employee directors. Options are subject to terms and conditions determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. There were 2,000 options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016, at a weighted average exercise price of $12.31. There were no options granted, exercised or forfeited for the six months ended December 31, 2016.

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded for the cost of stock options. There was no stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, and 2015. As of December 31, 2016, and 2015, there was no unrecognized share-based compensation cost related to share-based compensation granted under the plans to be recognized over the remainder of their respective vesting periods.

NOTE 7. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The basic earnings per share (“EPS”) calculation excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of EPS that could occur if options to issue common stock were exercised.

The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted EPS:

The diluted EPS calculation excludes the effect of stock options when their exercise prices exceed the average market price for the period. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, 2,000 options were excluded from diluted EPS. For the three and six months ended December 31, 2015, 22,000 options were excluded from diluted EPS.

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, and 2015, the Company repurchased class A shares on the open market. Upon repurchase, these shares are classified as treasury shares and are deducted from outstanding shares in the earnings per share calculation.

NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES

The Company and its non-Canadian subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. USCAN and Galileo file separate tax returns in Canada. Provisions for income taxes include deferred taxes for temporary differences in the bases of assets and liabilities for financial and tax purposes, resulting from the use of the liability method of accounting for income taxes. The Company has not recognized deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of Galileo since such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely.

For federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2016, the Company has charitable contribution carryovers totaling approximately $126,000, with $68,000 expiring in fiscal year 2018, $34,000 expiring in fiscal year 2019, $19,000 expiring in fiscal year 2020 and $5,000 expiring in 2021. The Company has federal net operating loss carryovers of $5.3 million with $2.5 million expiring in fiscal year 2035 and $2.8 million expiring in fiscal year 2036. For Canadian income tax purposes, Galileo has cumulative eligible capital carryovers of $245,000 with no expiration and net operating loss carryovers of $1,000; $116,000; $43,000 and $119,000 expiring in fiscal 2025, 2027, 2030 and 2036, respectively. If certain changes in the Company’s ownership should occur, there could be an annual limitation on the amount of net operating loss carryovers that could be utilized.

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax amount will not be realized. At December 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016, a valuation allowance of $3.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively, was included to fully reserve for net operating loss carryovers, other carryovers and book/tax differences in the balance sheet.

In November 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance that simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. The guidance requires that deferred tax balances be classified as non-current in a statement of financial position. The Company early adopted this guidance effective September 30, 2016, on a prospective basis. As a valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax balances, adoption of the guidance did not result in any changes or reclassifications in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. No prior periods were retrospectively adjusted.

NOTE 9. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table presents change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) by component:

1.	Amounts reclassified from unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax, were recorded in investment income (loss) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

NOTE 10. FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

The Company operates principally in three business segments: providing investment management services to USGIF, offshore clients and an ETF client; investment management services in Canada; and investing for its own account in an effort to add growth and value to its cash position. The following schedule details total revenues and income by business segment:

Net operating revenues from investment management services include revenues from USGIF of $1.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, and $902,000 and $1.7 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015. The loss from discontinued operations in investment management services includes revenues from USGIF of $261,000 and $608,000 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015.

Net operating revenues from investment management services in Canada includes revenues from Galileo funds of $223,000 and $448,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, and $229,000 and $496,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015, and from other significant advisory clients of $78,000 and $148,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, and $62,000 and $123,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015.

NOTE 11. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

The Company continuously reviews all investor, employee and vendor complaints, and pending or threatened litigation. The likelihood that a loss contingency exists is evaluated through consultation with legal counsel, and a loss contingency is recorded if probable and reasonably estimable.

During the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to claims, legal proceedings, and other contingencies. These matters are subject to various uncertainties, and it is possible that some of these matters may be resolved unfavorably. The Company establishes accruals for matters for which the outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Management believes that any liability in excess of these accruals upon the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

The Board has authorized a monthly dividend of $0.0025 per share through March 2017, at which time it will be considered for continuation by the Board. Payment of cash dividends is within the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and is dependent on earnings, operations, capital requirements, general financial condition of the Company, and general business conditions. The total amount of cash dividends expected to be paid to class A and class C shareholders from January to March 2017 is approximately $114,000.

NOTE 12. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In December 2015, USGIF elected a new slate of trustees to the Board of Trustees of the Funds. The Company proposed the election of new trustees with the intention of streamlining the Company’s responsibilities, so it can better focus on strategic activities. The new Board of Trustees of USGIF adopted several new agreements. As anticipated, effective December 10, 2015, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc., ceased to be the distributor for USGIF and no longer receives distribution fees and shareholder services fees from USGIF. Due to this transition, the Company is no longer responsible for paying certain distribution and shareholder servicing related expenses and is reimbursed for certain distribution expenses from the new distributor for USGIF. As a result of this change, the Company filed Form BDW, the Uniform Request Withdrawal From Broker-Dealer Registration, with FINRA, which was approved in February 2016. This constitutes a strategic shift that has had, and will continue to have, a major effect on the Company’s operating revenues and expenses.

The distribution and shareholder services revenues and the expenses associated with certain distribution operations for USGIF are reflected as discontinued operations in the Statements of Operations and are, therefore, excluded from continuing operations results. Comparative periods shown in the Statements of Operations have been adjusted to conform with this presentation. These revenues and expenses had previously been included in the investment management services segment.

The discontinued operations did not have depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures or significant non-cash operating and investing items.

There were no assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations at December 31, 2016, and June 30, 2016.

The components of loss from discontinued operations were as follows for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015:

 

Through December 9, 2015, USGIF paid the Company a distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.25 percent of the average daily net assets of the investor class of each of the equity funds. Effective December 10, 2015, the Company, through U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc., ceased to be the distributor for USGIF and no longer receives distribution fees directly from the Funds.

In addition, through December 9, 2015, the Company received shareholder servicing fees from USGIF based on the value of Fund assets held through broker-dealer platforms. Effective December 10, 2015, the Company ceased to be the distributor for USGIF and no longer receives shareholder services fees from the Funds.

Due to this transition, the Company is no longer responsible for paying the platform fees for the USGIF equity funds and is reimbursed for certain distribution expenses from the new distributor for USGIF.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

U.S. Global Investors, Inc. (the “Company” or “U.S. Global”) has made forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s performance, financial condition, and operations in this report. The Company from time to time may also make forward-looking statements in its public filings and press releases. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties and do not guarantee future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, including: (i) the volatile and competitive nature of the investment management industry, (ii) changes in domestic and foreign economic conditions, (iii) the effect of government regulation on the Company’s business, and (iv) market, credit, and liquidity risks associated with the Company’s investment management activities. Due to such risks, uncertainties, and other factors, the Company cautions each person receiving such forward-looking information not to place undue reliance on such statements. All such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date on which such statements were made.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company, with principal operations located in San Antonio, Texas, manages three business segments: (1) the Company offers a broad range of investment management products and services to meet the needs of individual and institutional investors; (2) the Company, through its Canadian subsidiary, owns a 65 percent controlling interest in Galileo Global Equity Advisors Inc. (“Galileo”), which offers investment management products and services in Canada; and (3) the Company invests for its own account in an effort to add growth and value to its cash position. Although the Company generates the majority of its revenues from its investment advisory segments, the Company holds a significant amount of its total assets in investments. The following is a brief discussion of the Company’s three business segments.

Investment Management Services

The Company generates operating revenues from managing and servicing U.S. Global Investors Funds (“USGIF” or the “Funds”) and other advisory clients. These revenues are largely dependent on the total value and composition of assets under its management. Fluctuations in the markets and investor sentiment directly impact the asset levels of the Funds and other advisory clients, thereby affecting income and results of operations. As discussed further in Results of Operations, distribution services to USGIF ceased in December 2015. Detailed information regarding the Funds managed by the Company within USGIF can be found on the Company’s website, www.usfunds.com, including the prospectus and performance information for each Fund.

The mutual fund shareholders in USGIF are not required to give advance notice prior to redemption of shares in the Funds; however, the USGIF equity funds charge a redemption fee if the Fund shares have been held for less than the applicable periods of time set forth in the Funds’ prospectuses. The fixed income funds do not charge a redemption fee. Detailed information about redemption fees can be found in the Funds’ prospectuses, which are available on the Company’s website, www.usfunds.com.