U.S. Global Investors - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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 þ NO o

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

Large accelerated filer o           Accelerated filer þ            Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO þ

On January 31, 2007, there were 6,412,974 shares of Registrant’s class A nonvoting common stock issued and 6,076,157 shares of Registrant’s class A nonvoting common stock issued and outstanding, no shares of Registrant’s class B nonvoting common shares outstanding, and 1,496,800 shares of Registrant’s class C common stock issued and outstanding.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

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 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 year ended June 30, 2006.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, United Shareholder Services, Inc. (USSI), A&B Mailers, Inc. (A&B), U.S. Global Investors (Guernsey) Limited (USGG), U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc. (USGB), and U.S. Global Investors (Bermuda) Limited (USBERM).

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, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company held investments with a market value of approximately $8.5 million and a cost basis of approximately $7.2 million. The market value of these investments is approximately 27.9 percent of the Company’s total assets.

Investments in securities classified as trading are reflected as current assets on the consolidated balance sheet at their fair market value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on trading securities are included in earnings in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Investments in securities classified as available for sale, which may not be readily marketable, are reflected as non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet 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. The following summarizes the market value, cost, and unrealized gain or loss on investments as of December 31, 2006, and June 30, 2006.

Investment income can be volatile and varies depending on market fluctuations, the Company’s ability to participate in investment opportunities, and timing of transactions. A significant portion of the unrealized gains and losses for the six months ended December 31, 2006, is concentrated in a small number of issuers. The Company expects that gains and losses will continue to fluctuate in the future.

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

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

The Company serves as investment adviser to U.S. Global Investors Funds (USGIF) and U.S. Global Accolade Funds (USGAF) and receives a fee based on a specified percentage of net assets under management. Three of the four funds within USGAF are sub-advised by third-party managers, who are in turn compensated out of the investment advisory fees received by the Company. The Company also serves as transfer agent to USGIF and USGAF and receives a fee based on the number of shareholder accounts. Additionally, the Company provides in-house legal services to USGIF and USGAF for which it is reimbursed and receives certain miscellaneous fees directly from USGAF and USGIF shareholders. Fees for providing investment management and transfer agent services to USGIF and USGAF continue to be the Company’s primary revenue source.

The Company has voluntarily waived or reduced its advisory fees and/or has agreed to pay expenses on several funds within USGIF funds and one USGAF fund through November 1, 2007, and February 28, 2007, respectively, or such later

date as the Company determines in order to maintain competitive yields and to allow assets to grow in newer funds. The aggregate fees waived and expenses borne by the Company for the six months ended December 31, 2006, and December 31, 2005, were $576,812, and $713,929, respectively.

The investment advisory and related contracts between the Company and USGIF and USGAF will expire on February 28, 2007, and May 31, 2007, respectively. Management anticipates the trustees of both USGIF and USGAF will renew the contracts.

The Company provides advisory services for the Meridian Global Gold and Resources Fund Ltd., an offshore fund. The Company receives a monthly advisory fee and a quarterly performance fee, if any, based on the overall increase in value of the net assets in the fund for the quarter. The Company recorded fees totaling $552,264 and $495,989 for the six months ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

The Company provides advisory services to the U.S. Global Investors Balanced Natural Resources Fund, Ltd., an offshore fund. For these services, the Company is paid a monthly advisory fee and a quarterly performance fee, if any, based on a percentage of return above the high water mark in conjunction with the fund reaching a certain hurdle rate per quarter. The Company recorded fees totaling $121,167 and $96,119 for the six months ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

The Company provides investment advisory services to Endeavour Mining Capital Corp., an offshore company. The Company is paid a monthly advisory fee based on the net asset value of the portfolio. A performance fee, if any, is paid annually based on a percentage of consolidated net income from operations in excess of a predetermined percentage return on equity when the net asset value of the portfolio at fiscal year end has increased in comparison with the prior fiscal year end. The Company recorded $863,974 in monthly advisory fees for the six months ended December 31, 2006. The performance fees for this advisory client are calculated and recorded only once a year at the end of each fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the advisory agreement. This and other performance fees may fluctuate significantly from year to year based on factors that may be out of the Company’s control.

In August of 2006, the Company began providing advisory services for the Meridian Global Energy and Resources Fund Ltd., an offshore fund. The Company receives a monthly advisory fee and a quarterly performance fee, if any, based on the overall increase in value of the net assets in the fund for the quarter. The Company recorded fees totaling $44,792 for the six months ended December 31, 2006.

The Company receives additional revenue from several sources including custodial fee revenues, revenues from miscellaneous transfer agency activities including lockbox functions, mailroom operations from A&B, as well as investment income.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company has no borrowings.

The Company has access to a $1 million credit facility with a one-year maturity for working capital purposes. The Company must maintain certain quarterly financial covenants to access the line of credit. The covenants include: (1) liquidity of $1 million or more in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, (2) a debt to equity ratio of .75 or less, and (3) a ratio of current assets to current liabilities of 2.0 or greater. The Company has been in compliance with all financial covenants during the fiscal year. Any use of this credit facility will be secured by the Company’s eligible accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2006, this credit facility remained unutilized by the Company.

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123R). SFAS 123R eliminates the alternative to use the intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB 25), which generally resulted in no compensation expense recorded in the financial statements related to the issuance of equity awards to employees. SFAS 123R requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be

recognized in the financial statements. SFAS 123R establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all companies to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for generally all share-based payment transactions with employees.

On July 1, 2005 (the first day of the Company’s 2006 fiscal year), the Company adopted SFAS 123R using a modified prospective application, as permitted under SFAS 123R. Accordingly, prior period amounts were not restated. Under this application, the Company is required to record compensation expense for all awards granted after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of previously granted awards that remain outstanding at the date of adoption. The reported and pro forma net income and earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2006, are the same since stock-based compensation expense is calculated under the provisions of SFAS 123R.

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company applied Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25) to account for stock-based awards. Beginning with the 2006 fiscal year, with the adoption of SFAS 123R, stock-based compensation expense was recorded for the cost of stock options. Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2006, was $9,855 ($6,504 after tax). As of December 31, 2006, there was approximately $19,710 of total unrecognized share-based compensation cost related to share-based compensation granted under the plans that will be recognized over the remainder of the fiscal year.

The Company’s stock option plans provide for the granting of 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.

The following table summarizes information about our stock option plans for the six months ended December 31, 2006.

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) 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 earnings per share (EPS):

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. 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 current deferred tax liability primarily consists of temporary differences in the deductibility of prepaid expenses and accrued liabilities, as well as unrealized gains on trading securities. The long-term deferred tax liability is composed primarily of unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities.

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax amount will not be realized. No valuation allowance was included at December 31, 2006, or June 30, 2006, respectively.

The Company operates principally in two business segments: providing investment management services to the funds it manages, 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:

The Company continuously reviews all investor, employee and vendor complaints, and pending or threatened litigation. The likelihood that a loss contingency exists is evaluated under the criteria of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” through consultation with legal counsel, and a loss contingency is recorded if the contingency is probable and reasonably estimable at the date of the financial statements.

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.

On November 8, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company approved submitting to Class A and Class C shareholders a proxy to split the shares (2-for-1), increase the number of authorized shares, eliminate the dividend and liquidity preference of Class A shareholders, and to allow Class C shareholders to convert their shares to Class A. The Board also approved paying a $.25 per share dividend (post-split) in the event the shareholders approve the proposal to amend the articles of incorporation to reflect no dividend or liquidation preference for Class A shareholders and to allow the convertibility of Class C shares to Class A shares. Refer to the proxy filed with the SEC for additional details. Two special meetings were held and subsequently adjourned in January in order to allow sufficient time for shareholders to vote. Another special meeting is scheduled for February 21, 2007.

U.S. Global Investors, Inc. 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.

The Company, with principal operations located in San Antonio, Texas, manages two business segments: (1) the Company offers a broad range of investment management products and services to meet the needs of individual and institutional investors, and (2) 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 segment, the Company holds a significant amount of its total assets in investments. The following is a brief discussion of the Company’s two business segments.

The Company generates substantially all of its operating revenues from managing and servicing USGIF, USGAF 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 funds’ asset levels, thereby affecting income and results of operations.

During the six months ended December 31, 2006, SEC-registered mutual fund assets under management averaged $4.6 billion versus $2.6 billion for the same period ended December 31, 2005. This increase was primarily due to significant increase in the natural resource and foreign equity funds under management.

The Company provides advisory services to various offshore clients, namely Meridian Global Gold and Resources Fund Ltd., Meridian Global Energy and Resources Fund Ltd., U.S. Global Investors Balanced Natural Resources Fund, Ltd., and Endeavour Mining Capital Corp. The Company generally receives a monthly advisory fee and a quarterly or annual performance fee, if any, based on an agreed-upon performance measurement. Based on information released by Endeavour Mining Capital, for the first six months of fiscal 2007, the performance fee to date accruing to U.S. Global totals approximately $340,000. The final performance fee payable to U.S. Global, if any, will be determined as of June 30, 2007, based on the financial results of Endeavour Mining Capital for the entire fiscal year. Under the accounting policies adopted by U.S. Global Investors, the performance fees are calculated and recorded only once a year at the end of the fiscal year in accordance with the terms of the advisory agreement. This and other performance fees may fluctuate significantly from year to year based on factors that may be out of the Company’s control. These fluctuations could result in the recording of no performance fees. The contracts between the Company and the offshore clients expire periodically, and management anticipates that its offshore clients will renew the contracts.

Management believes it can more effectively manage the Company’s cash position by broadening the types of investments used in cash management and continues to believe that such activities are in the best interest of the Company. Company compliance personnel review and monitor these activities, and various reports are provided to investment advisory clients.

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

This source of revenue does not remain consistent and is dependent on market fluctuations, the Company’s ability to participate in investment opportunities, and timing of transactions.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company held investments with a market value of approximately $8.5 million and a cost basis of approximately $7.2 million. The market value of these investments is approximately 27.9 percent of the Company’s total assets.

For the six months ended December 31, 2006, the Company had net realized losses on available-for-sale securities of $0 compared with $14,709 for the six months ended December 31, 2005, and net realized losses on trading securities of $4,174 for the six months ended December 31, 2006, compared with net realized gains of $88,510 for the six months ended December 31, 2005. The change in net unrealized holding gains and losses on trading securities held at December 31, 2006, and 2005, which has been included in income for the six-month period, was $90,005 and $479,451, respectively.

For available-for-sale securities with declines in value that are deemed other than temporary, the cost basis of the securities is reduced accordingly, and the resulting loss is realized in earnings. The Company recorded other than temporary declines of $0 and $28,655 for the six months ended December 31, 2006, and 2005, respectively.

Dividend and interest income for the six months ended December 31, 2006, was $452,929 compared with $99,180 for the six months ended December 31, 2005.

The Company posted net after-tax income of $4,940,536 ($0.65 income per share) for the six months ended December 31, 2006, compared with a net after-tax income $2,263,525 ($0.30 income per share) for the six months ended December 31, 2005.

Total consolidated revenues for the six-month period ended December 31, 2006, increased $9,990,634 or 69.7 percent, compared with the six-month period ended December 31, 2005. This increase was primarily attributable to the following:

Total consolidated expenses for the six-month period ended December 31, 2006, increased $5,939,337 or 54 percent, compared with the six-month period ended December 31, 2005. This was largely attributable to the following:

Much of the mutual fund asset growth across all funds has been realized through broker/dealer platforms. These broker/dealers typically charge an asset-based fee for assets held through their platforms. Accordingly, net platform distribution (omnibus) fees have increased as assets have grown through these platforms.

The Company posted net after-tax income of $2,460,829 ($0.32 income per share) for the three-month period ended December 31, 2006, compared with net after-tax income of $1,167,590 ($0.16 income per share) for the three-month period ended December 31, 2005.

Total consolidated revenues for the quarter ended December 31, 2006, increased $4,657,643 or 60 percent, compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2005. This increase was primarily attributable to the following:

Total consolidated expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2006, increased $2,603,191, or 43 percent, compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2005. This was largely attributable to the following:

At December 31, 2006, the Company had net working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) of approximately $20.7 million and a current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) of 5.2 to 1. With approximately $12.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $8.5 million in marketable securities, the Company has adequate liquidity to meet its current obligations. Total shareholders’ equity was approximately $25.4 million, with cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities comprising 69.8% of total assets.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company has no borrowings. The Company has access to a $1 million credit facility with a one-year maturity for working capital purposes. Any use of this credit facility will be secured by the Company’s eligible accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2006, this credit facility remained unutilized by the Company. The Company’s available working capital and potential cash flow are expected to be sufficient to cover current expenses.

The investment advisory and related contracts between the Company and USGIF and USGAF will expire on February 28, 2007, and May 31, 2007, respectively. Management anticipates the board of trustees of both USGIF and USGAF will renew the contracts. The contracts between the Company and the offshore clients expire periodically and management anticipates that its offshore clients will renew the contracts.

Management believes current cash reserves, financing obtained and/or available, and potential cash flow from operations will be sufficient to meet foreseeable cash needs or capital necessary for the above-mentioned activities and allow the Company to take advantage of opportunities for growth whenever available.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109 by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. If a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, then an enterprise would recognize in its financial statements the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement of the tax position. FIN 48 will be effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The provisions of FIN 48 are required to be applied to all tax positions in all open tax years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact, if any, of adoption on the Company’s financial position and results of operation.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS 157 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies only to fair value measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting SFAS 157 will have on its financial position and results of operation.

For a discussion of additional critical accounting estimates that the Company follows, please refer to the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2006.

The Company’s balance sheet includes assets whose fair value is subject to market risks. Due to the Company’s investments in equity securities, equity price fluctuations represent a market risk factor affecting the Company’s consolidated financial position. The carrying values of investments subject to equity price risks are based on quoted market prices or, if not actively traded, management’s estimate of fair value as of the balance sheet date. Market prices fluctuate, and the amount realized in the subsequent sale of an investment may differ significantly from the reported market value.

The Company’s investment activities are reviewed and monitored by Company compliance personnel, and various reports are provided to investment advisory clients. The Company has in place a code of ethics that requires pre-clearance of any trading activity by the Company. Written procedures are also in place to manage compliance with the code of ethics.

The table below summarizes the Company’s equity price risks as of December 31, 2006, and shows the effects of a hypothetical 25% increase and a 25% decrease in market prices.

The selected hypothetical change does not reflect what could be considered best-case or worst-case scenarios. Results could be significantly worse due to both the nature of equity markets and the concentration of the Company’s investment portfolio.

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2006, was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2006.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2006, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Company may repurchase stock from employees. The following table provides information regarding the Company’s repurchases of shares of its class A common stock during the six months ended December 31, 2006. There were no repurchases of class B or class C common stock during the period.

1. Exhibits

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