U S GLOBAL INVESTORS INC - Quarter Report: 2017 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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OR

 

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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

  

On January 29, 2018, there were 13,866,691 shares of Registrant’s class A nonvoting common stock issued and 13,074,270 shares of Registrant’s class A nonvoting common stock issued and outstanding; no shares of Registrant’s class B nonvoting common shares outstanding; and 2,068,857 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, 2017, 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 Advisors Inc. (“Galileo”). U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc. ceased operations in December 2015.

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.

There are two primary consolidation models in U.S. GAAP, the variable interest entity (“VIE”) and voting interest entity models. The Company’s evaluation for consolidation includes whether entities in which it has an interest or from which it receives fees are 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, specifically, certain funds in U.S. Global Investors Funds (“USGIF” or the “Funds”) and one of the offshore funds. The Company’s interests in these VIEs consist of the Company’s direct ownership therein and any fees earned but uncollected. See further information about these funds in Notes 2 and 3. 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 $8.9 million at December 31, 2017, and $11.3 million at June 30, 2017.

The Company holds a variable interest in a fund advised by Galileo, but this fund does not qualify as a VIE. Since the fund is not a VIE, the Company evaluated if it should consolidate the fund under the voting interest entity model. Under the voting interest model, for legal entities other than partnerships, the usual condition for control is ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting shares over an entity. The Company does not have control of the fund and, therefore, does not consolidate the fund. However, the Company owns approximately 30 percent of the fund, and is considered to have the ability to exercise significant influence. Thus, the investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. See further information about this investment in Note 2.

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, 2017, 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 March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and disclosed. ASU 2016-09 is effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted this guidance on July 1, 2017, without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

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 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, 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). Early adoption is permitted, but the Company currently does not expect to implement the new standard before the required effective date. Additional ASUs have been issued to clarify certain aspects of ASU 2014-09. ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) amends ASU 2014-09 to clarify 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. ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, clarifies the guidance related to identifying performance obligations and the licensing guidance in ASU 2014-09. ASU 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, and ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements in Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, provide additional clarification to a number of topics addressed in ASU No. 2014-09. These ASUs are effective in conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2014-09. The Company expects to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. 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. While the Company continues to evaluate the impact of the revenue recognition guidance and cannot currently quantify the impact of the guidance, the Company has begun a preliminary assessment of the impact. The assessment includes a detailed review of the investment management agreements, establishing which agreements are expected to be in place, and understanding when revenue would be recognized under those agreements. The Company anticipates completing its evaluation in the year ending June 30, 2018.

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 equity investments classified as available-for-sale will no longer be reported through other comprehensive income, but rather through earnings, causing investment income (loss) to be more volatile. As a significant amount of the Company’s assets are in available-for-sale equity investments, the effect of adoption is currently expected to be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 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 by recording a lease asset and a lease liability. 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 does not expect that adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated statements of operations because its leases are currently classified as operating leases, which under the guidance will continue to be recognized as expense on a straight-line basis. The adoption, however, will result in a gross up in total assets and total liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 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 ASU 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 ASU 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 but does not currently expect the adoption to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2. INVESTMENTS

As of December 31, 2017, the Company held investments with a fair value of approximately $29.8 million and a cost basis of approximately $12.6 million. The fair value of these investments is approximately 66.1 percent of the Company’s total assets. In addition, the Company held other investments of $2.1 million accounted for under the cost method of accounting and an investment of approximately $3.3 million accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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.

Investments classified as equity method consist of investments in companies in which the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is initially recorded at cost, then the Company’s proportional share of investee’s underlying net income or loss is recorded as a component of “other income” with a corresponding increase or decrease to the carrying value of the investment. Distributions received from the investee reduce the Company’s carrying value of the investment. These investments are evaluated for impairment if events or circumstances arise that indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.

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 at fair value as of December 31, 2017, and June 30, 2017.

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	Corporate debt matures in 2024.

4	Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities gross and net of tax as of December 31, 2017, are $17,353 and $13,847, respectively, and as of June 30, 2017, are $461 and $461, respectively.

On December 31, 2017, the Company had $8.8 million at fair value invested in USGIF. These investments were included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the table above as “trading securities” and “available-for-sale securities.”

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. There were no impairment losses for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, or the three months ended December 31, 2016. During the six months ended December 31, 2016, impairment losses resulted from fair values of securities being lower than book value, and two securities with a combined cost basis of $98,000 were written down to a combined fair value of $82,000. 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, 2017, 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 and securities valued with an adjustment to the quoted price due to restrictions.

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. The fair value of a security that has a restriction is based on the quoted price for an otherwise identical unrestricted instrument that trades in a public market, adjusted for the estimated effect of the restriction. 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 periodically 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, 2017, and June 30, 2017, 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, 2017, approximately 30 percent of the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value were classified as Level 1 and 70 percent of the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value were classified as Level 2. As of June 30, 2017, 100 percent of the Company’s financial assets were classified in the fair value hierarchy as Level 1. The Company recognizes transfers between levels at the end of each quarter.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company invested in 10 million common shares of HIVE Blockchain Technologies Ltd. (“HIVE”), a company that is headquartered and traded in Canada with cryptocurrency mining facilities in Iceland and Sweden, at a cost of $2.4 million. The shares held by the Company are restricted for resale until mid-March 2018 and are also subject to Canadian insider regulations. The original restriction on the shares until January 2018 was extended to mid-March 2018 to facilitate additional share offerings by HIVE. The investment, classified as available-for-sale, was valued at approximately $19.1 million at December 31, 2017, based on the quoted market price adjusted for the restriction on resale and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Cryptocurrency markets and related stocks have been, and are expected to continue to be, volatile. Cryptocurrency mining is considered an early stage high-risk industry, and the nature of mining is expected to evolve. There is potential for significant volatility in the market price of HIVE, which could materially impact the investment’s value included on the balance sheet and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in comprehensive income. A unit trust investment fund managed by Galileo, described below under Investment Classified as Equity Method, also holds common shares of HIVE. The Company had a direct ownership of HIVE of approximately 3.3 percent as of December 31, 2017, and a combined direct and indirect ownership of HIVE of approximately 4.0 percent as of December 31, 2017. Frank Holmes is the non-executive chairman of HIVE and held shares and options at December 31, 2017.

The Company has available-for-sale investments in corporate debt securities maturing in 2024 which were valued at $1.7 million as of December 31, 2017, based on the mean between the last reported bid/ask quotation and were classified as Level 2. As of June 30, 2017, these securities were valued at $1.5 million based on a quoted price on the reporting date and were classified as Level 1.

The Company had an investment in an affiliated offshore fund, classified as trading, which invested in companies in the energy and natural resources sectors. The fair value of this investment was estimated based on the net asset value per share at $415,000 as of June 30, 2017. This offshore fund liquidated during the current fiscal year, with partial liquidation proceeds received in the quarter ended September 30, 2017, and final proceeds received during the quarter ended December 31, 2017.

Investment Classified as Equity Method

During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the Company, through USCAN, invested approximately $500,000 in the Galileo Partners Fund, a Canadian unit trust investment fund managed by Galileo. This fund’s primary investment is in HIVE, the same company described above that the Company has also invested in directly; the fund held 6.5 million common shares of HIVE as of December 31, 2017. This concentration may result in volatility in the valuation of the Galileo Partners Fund. The Company owns approximately 30 percent of Galileo Partners Fund and is considered to have the ability to exercise significant influence. Thus, the investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, the Company’s proportional share of the fund’s net income or loss, which primarily consists of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments offset by fund expenses, is recognized in the Company’s earnings. Included in other income for the three and six months ending December 31, 2017, is $1.2 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of equity method income of Galileo Partners Fund. The Company’s investment in the fund was valued at approximately $3.3 million at December 31, 2017. Frank Holmes also directly held an investment in the fund as of December 31, 2017.

Summarized income statement information on the Galileo Partners Fund since the Company’s investment is as follows:

Subsequent to December 31, 2017, the Company redeemed a portion of its investment in the Galileo Partners Fund. See Note 12, Subsequent Event, for further information.

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 $2.3 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, compared with $1.2 million and $2.6 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, 2017, the Company realized a decrease in its base advisory fees from USGIF of $192,000 and $308,000, respectively. 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.

The Company has agreed to contractually limit the expenses of the Near-Term Tax Free Fund through April 2018. The Company has voluntarily waived or reduced its fees and/or agreed to pay expenses on the remaining USGIF 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, 2017, were $102,000 and $334,000, respectively, compared with $313,000 and $546,000, 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.

The Company also serves as investment advisor to two exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The U.S. Global Jets ETF commenced operations in April 2015, and U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF commenced operations in June 2017. The Company receives a unitary management fee of 0.60 percent of average net assets and has agreed to bear all expenses of the ETFs. The Company recorded ETF advisory fees totaling $184,000 and $369,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, compared with $76,000 and $142,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in the prior fiscal year.

The Company provided 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 $2,000 and $3,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, compared with $32,000 and $68,000, 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, 2017, and 2016. Frank Holmes, CEO, served as a director of the offshore clients. The offshore clients completed their respective liquidations in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018.

 

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 $287,000 and $505,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, compared with $303,000 and $603,000, respectively, for the corresponding periods in the prior fiscal year. Galileo may also receive performance fees from certain clients when market appreciation or realized net gains exceeds established benchmarks. Galileo recorded performance fees of $464,000 from these clients for three and six months ended December 31, 2017. The majority of the performance fees recorded in the current period are annual performance fees calculated at calendar year-end. Galileo recorded no performance fees for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016. Galileo may, at its discretion, waive and absorb some of its clients’ operating expenses. The amount of expenses waived and absorbed was $9,000 and $33,000 for the three and months ended December 31, 2017, and $9,000 and $21,000 for the three and months ended December 31, 2016, respectively. On September 29, 2017, Galileo launched its first ETF, U.S. Global GO GOLD and Precious Metal Miners ETF (ticker GOGO), on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had just over $1.0 million in receivables from fund clients, of which $381,000 was from USGIF, $605,000 from Galileo clients and $63,000 from ETFs.

NOTE 4. NOTES RECEIVABLE

The Company has invested in notes receivable consisting of two promissory notes. One note with a principal amount of $2 million was entered into with an unrelated third party in June 2016 with a one-year maturity. As allowed by the agreement, in June 2017, the initial maturity was extended one-year to June 2018, and the Company received a $50,000 extension fee and all interest to date. The fee, which is included in Notes Receivable on the balance sheet, is amortized to interest income using the interest method over the remaining term of the note. 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 balance of this note was approximately $2.0 million at December 31, 2017, and June 30, 2017.

The other note of $234,000 is with an unrelated third party, has an annual interest rate of 15 percent and matures in 2021. Interest is paid monthly. Principal repayments are scheduled to start in February 2019. The balance of this note was $234,000 at December 31, 2017, and June 30, 2017.

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, 2017, the Company has no borrowings or long-term liabilities except for deferred taxes.

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, 2018, and the Company intends to renew annually. The credit facility is collateralized by $1 million at December 31, 2017, 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, 2017, 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 2017 and is authorized through March 2018, 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. In December 2013, December 2014, December 2015, December 2016, and December 2017, the Board of Directors renewed the repurchase program for calendar years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. The total amount of shares that may be repurchased in calendar year 2018 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, 2017, the Company repurchased 36,748 and 45,947 class A shares using cash of $117,000 and $131,000, respectively. 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, 2017, at a weighted average exercise price of $12.31. There were no options granted, exercised or forfeited for the six months ended December 31, 2017.

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, 2017, and 2016. As of December 31, 2017, and 2016, 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.

ASU 2016-09, which was issued in March 2016 and became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, simplifies several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on July 1, 2017, without a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

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 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, 2017, and 2016, 2,000 options were excluded from diluted EPS.

During the three and months ended December 31, 2017, and 2016, 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 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and creates new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings. In the second quarter, the Company revised its estimated annual effective rate to reflect a change in its U.S. federal statutory rate from 34 percent to 21 percent. The rate change is effective on January 1, 2018; therefore, the Company’s blended U.S. statutory tax rate for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, is approximately 28 percent.

At December 31, 2017, the Company has not completed its accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Act; however, in certain cases, as described below, the Company has made a reasonable estimate of the effects on existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition tax. In other cases, the Company has not been able to make a reasonable estimate and continues to account for those items based on existing accounting under ASC 740, Income Taxes, and the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to enactment. The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued guidance that allows for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts. The final transitional impacts of the Act may differ from the initial estimates.

Provisional amounts

 

 

 

 

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 ETF clients; 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 includes operating revenues from USGIF of $1.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, and $1.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016. Net operating revenues from investment management services also include operating revenues from ETF clients of $184,000 and $369,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, and $76,000 and $142,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016.

Net operating revenues from investment management services in Canada includes revenues from Galileo funds of $747,000 and $961,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, and $223,000 and $448,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, and from other significant advisory clients of $78,000 and $148,000, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016.

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 2018, 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 2018 is approximately $114,000.

NOTE 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

As discussed in Note 2, the Company owned approximately 30 percent of Galileo Partners Fund at December 31, 2017. This investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Effective January 31, 2018, a portion of the investment in the fund was redeemed (sold) for proceeds of approximately $1.5 million. As the Company had recorded its proportional shares of the fund’s net income under the equity method of accounting, the proceeds will reduce the carrying value of the investment. After this transaction, the Company owns approximately 24 percent of the fund. As the Company will continue to have the ability to exercise significant influence, the investment will continue to be accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The results of this transaction will be reflected in the financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

 

 

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 usually 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. 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.

The Company provides advisory services for two exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) clients and receives monthly advisory fees based on the net asset values of the funds. Information on the ETFs can be found at www.usglobaletfs.com, including the prospectus, performance and holdings. The ETFs’ authorized participants are not required to give advance notice prior to redemption of shares in the ETFs, and the ETFs do not charge a redemption fee.

The Company provided advisory services for offshore clients and received 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. Frank Holmes, CEO, served as a director of the offshore clients. The offshore clients completed their respective liquidations in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018.

At December 31, 2017, total assets under management, including USGIF and ETF clients, were $681.2 million versus $683.1 million at December 31, 2016, a decrease of 0.3 percent. During the six months ended December 31, 2017, average assets under management were $702.4 million versus $773.9 million during the six months ended December 31, 2016. Total assets under management as of period-end at December 31, 2017, including USGIF and ETF clients, were $681.2 million versus $711.9 million at June 30, 2017, the Company’s prior fiscal year end.

The following tables summarize the changes in assets under management for USGIF for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, and 2016:

As shown above, period-end assets under management were lower at December 31, 2017, compared to December 31, 2016. Also, average net assets for the three- and six-month periods in the current fiscal year were lower than the same periods in the previous fiscal year. Both the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, had net market appreciation, primarily in the equity funds, compared to net market depreciation for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016, also primarily in the equity funds. A significant portion of the dividends and distributions shown above are reinvested and included in net shareholder purchases (redemptions). The combined amounts for these two lines for all periods shown were negative, thus contributing to the decline in net assets.

The average annualized investment management fee rate (total advisory fees, excluding performance fees, as a percentage of average assets under management) was 82 and 80 basis points for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, and 70 and 73 basis points for the same periods in the prior year. The average investment management fee for the equity funds was 100 basis points for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, and 94 and 96 basis points for the same periods in the prior year. The Company has agreed to contractually or voluntarily limit the expenses of the Funds. Therefore, the Company waived or reduced its fees and/or agreed to pay expenses of the Funds. Due to fee waivers, the average investment management fee for the fixed income funds was 17 and 8 basis points for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, compared to nil for the three and six months ended December 31, 2016.