XML 32 R23.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.21.2
Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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, 2020.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, 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”) through March 2, 2020.

 

Effective March 2, 2020, the Company sold its shares in Galileo back to Galileo. Through the date of sale, Galileo was consolidated with the operations of the Company. Frank Holmes, CEO, and Lisa Callicotte, CFO, served as directors of Galileo through March 2, 2020. See Note 3 below for further information. Results of operations of Galileo through the date of sale are presented in the consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations.

 

The novel coronavirus 19 (“COVID-19”) pandemic presents ongoing significant economic and societal disruption and market volatility, which have known and yet to be seen impacts to the Company’s business and operating environment driven by significant volatility in the financial markets. There are no reliable estimates of how long the pandemic will last, how many people are likely to be affected by it, or its impact on the overall economy.

 

To limit the spread of COVID-19, governments have taken various actions including the issuance of stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, causing some businesses to suspend operations, disrupting the global supply chain, and creating a reduction in demand for many products. This has negatively affected global financial markets. Assets under management (“AUM”) are the primary source of the Company’s revenues. Revenues and net income are significantly affected by investment performance and the total value and composition of AUM. These factors, in turn, are largely determined by overall investment market performance and investor activity.

 

Should the negative effect on global financial markets continue for an extended period, there could be an adverse material financial impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position resulting from reduced revenues earned on AUM and returns on corporate investments. At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the future impact, given the uncertainty over the duration and severity of the economic crisis.

 

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”). 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 4 and 5. 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 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 $7.2 million at March 31, 2021, and $7.0 million at June 30, 2020.

 

Since the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the above funds it advises, the Company evaluated if it should consolidate 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 any of the above funds it advises; therefore, the Company does not consolidate any of these funds.

 

The Company currently holds a variable interest in a fund organized as a limited partnership advised by Galileo, but this entity does not qualify as a VIE. Since it is not a VIE, the Company evaluated if it should consolidate it 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 entity and therefore, does not consolidate it. However, the Company was considered to have the ability to exercise significant influence. Thus, the investment has been accounted for under the equity method of accounting. See further information about this investment in Note 4.

 

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Certain quarterly amounts may not add to the year-to-date amount due to rounding. The results of operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2021, are not necessarily indicative of the results the Company may expect for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 (“fiscal 2021”), particularly in light of COVID-19 and its effects on the U.S. and global economies.

 

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.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and has subsequently issued several amendments (collectively, “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 will be effective for smaller reporting companies, including U.S. Global, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. 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 April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, (“ASU 2019-04”). ASU 2019-04 clarifies areas of guidance related to the recently issued standards on credit losses (Topic 326). The standard follows the effective dates of the previously issued ASUs, unless an entity has already early adopted the previous ASUs, in which case the effective date will vary according to each specific ASU adoption. The new guidance in ASU 2019-04 on recognizing and measuring financial instruments will be effective for smaller reporting companies, including U.S. Global, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. If an entity has adopted all of the amendments to ASU 2016-01, it is permitted to early adopt the new guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”). ASU 2019-12 enhances and simplifies various aspects of the income tax accounting guidance. The amendments in ASU 2019-12 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods therein. Early adoption of the standard is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.