BASIS OF PRESENTATION

9 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

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, 2013.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, United Shareholder Services, Inc. (“USSI”), U.S. Global Investors (Guernsey) Limited (“USGG”) (on August 3, 2013, USGG was dissolved), U.S. Global Brokerage, Inc., U.S. Global Investors (Bermuda) Limited, U.S. Global Investors (Canada) Limited, and U.S. Global Indices, LLC.

The Company evaluates for consolidation whether entities in which it has an interest 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 power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of or right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If the VIE qualifies for the investment company deferral, 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.

The Company holds variable interests in, but is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of, the funds it advises. The Company has determined that these entities qualify for the Investment Company deferral in ASC 810-10-65-2 (aa) and thus determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of these entities by virtue of its exposure to the expected losses and expected residual returns of the entity. The Company’s interests in these entities consist of the Company’s direct ownership therein, which in each case is insignificant to the total ownership of the fund, 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 5 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 managed entities 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 of these VIEs.

Prior to March 31, 2014, the Company classified investments in private and venture capital companies as available-for-sale Level 3 securities. Since these equity investments do not have readily determinable fair values, these investments should have been classified as other investments and accounted for under the cost method of accounting rather than at fair value. The Company determined that the difference between the fair value and the value using the cost method of accounting for these securities is not material to accumulated other comprehensive income or other comprehensive income and did not affect net income or earnings per share. To correct this balance sheet misclassification, the Company has changed the classification of these investments by including these investments in ‘Other investments’ on the face of the balance sheet at cost adjusted for impairments. This reclassification was not material to accumulated other comprehensive income or other comprehensive income and did not affect net income or earnings per share.

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 nine months ended March 31, 2014, 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

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. Under this standard, an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, rather than as a liability, when the uncertain tax position would reduce the net operating loss or other carryforward under the tax law. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 was not material to the consolidated financial statements.