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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ADOPTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.
We rely on mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates reported by the operators of properties on which we hold stream and royalty interests. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the potential impairments of long-lived assets and the ability to realize income tax benefits associated with deferred tax assets. These estimates and assumptions also affect the rate at which we recognize revenue or charge depreciation, depletion and amortization to earnings. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates and assumptions; however, actual amounts could differ from these estimates and assumptions. Differences between estimates and actual amounts are adjusted and recorded in the period that the actual amounts are known.
Basis of Consolidation and Non-controlling Interests
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Royal Gold, Inc. and its majority owned or controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts, transactions, income and expenses, and profits or losses have been eliminated on consolidation. The Company records non-controlling interest in its Consolidated Financial Statements for any non-wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary.
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition Accounting
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired is measured using discounted cash flows and other applicable valuation techniques. Any acquisition related costs incurred by the Company are expenses as incurred. The operating results of an acquired business are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. Refer to Note 3 for more detail on the Company's business combinations.

When an acquisition does not meet the definition of a business combination because either: (i) substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset, or group of similar identified assets, or (ii) the acquired entity does not have an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs, the Company accounts for the acquisition as an asset acquisition. In an asset acquisition, the fair value of the net assets acquired is allocated on a relative fair value basis to the identifiable net assets as of the acquisition date and any direct acquisition related costs are capitalized as part of the purchase consideration. Refer to Note 4 for more detail on the Company's asset acquisitions.
Cash and Equivalents
Cash and equivalents consist of all cash balances and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Cash and equivalents were primarily held in cash deposit accounts as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Stream and Royalty Interests in Mineral Properties and Related Depletion
Stream and royalty interests include acquired stream and royalty interests in production, development and exploration stage properties. The costs of acquired stream and royalty interests are capitalized as tangible assets as such interests do not meet the definition of a financial asset.
Production stage stream and royalty interests are depleted using the units of production method over the life of the mineral property (as stream sales occur or royalty payments are recognized), which are estimated using proven and probable reserves as provided by the operator. Development stage mineral properties, which are not yet in production, are not depleted until the property begins production. Exploration stage mineral properties, where there are no proven and probable reserves, are not depleted. At such time as the associated exploration stage mineral interests are converted to proven and probable reserves, and there is no production, the mineral property becomes a development stage mineral property. Exploration costs are expensed when incurred.
Equity Method Investments

Investments and ownership interests are accounted for under equity method accounting if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling financial interest. The Company records its interest in the net losses of its equity method investee within Interest and other expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. To the extent that there is a basis difference between the amount invested and the underlying equity in the net assets of an equity investment, the Company allocates such differences between tangible and intangible assets. The Company may elect the fair value option to account for its equity method investments if the fair value option better reflects the economics of its investment. Equity method investments accounted for under the fair value option are remeasured periodically with any changes in fair value recorded in Fair value changes in equity securities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Marketable Securities

Equity securities investments with readily determinable fair values (other than those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee) are measured at fair value and any changes in fair value are recognized in Fair value changes in equity securities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Debt securities are generally considered available-for-sale and are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes, recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company elects the fair value option when it believes that it best reflects the underlying economics of the investment. These investments may be valued using third-party pricing services at each reporting date with changes in fair value recorded as a component of Fair value changes in equity securities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Leases

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual arrangements and evaluates whether such arrangements contain a lease. The Company assesses each contract identified as a lease to determine whether it should be classified as an operating or a finance lease. As of the reporting date, the Company does not have any leases classified as finance leases. Lease liabilities are initially measured at the present value of future lease payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, as the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. Corresponding right-of-use assets are recognized at the lease commencement date. The incremental borrowing rate represents the rate of interest the Company would incur to borrow, on a collateralized basis, over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a comparable economic environment. For operating leases, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease liability is subsequently increased for interest and reduced for lease payments, while the related right-
of-use asset is amortized such that a single lease cost is recognized over the lease term. Lease components and non-lease components are accounted for separately based on their relative standalone prices.

Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate, including common area maintenance charges, property taxes, and other operating expenses, are not included in the measurement of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets and are recognized as lease expense in the period in which the obligation is incurred. Income from operating subleases, including variable sublease income, is recognized over the term of the sublease and presented as other income.
Asset Impairment
We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. When impairment indicators are identified, the recoverability of the carrying value of stream and royalty interests in production and development stage mineral properties is evaluated based upon estimated future undiscounted net cash flows from each stream and royalty interest using estimates of proven and probable mineral reserves, mineral resources and other relevant information received from the operators. We evaluate the recoverability of the carrying value of royalty interests in exploration stage mineral properties in the event of significant decreases in the price of gold, silver, copper and other metals, and whenever new information regarding the mineral properties is obtained from the operator indicating that production will not likely occur or may be reduced in the future, thus potentially affecting the future recoverability of our stream or royalty interests. Impairments in the carrying value of each property are measured and recorded to the extent that the carrying value in each property exceeds its estimated fair value, which is generally calculated using estimated future discounted cash flows.
Estimates of gold, silver, copper, and other metal prices, and operators’ estimates of proven and probable mineral reserves or mineral resources related to our stream or royalty properties are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which may affect the recoverability of our investment in these stream and royalty interests in mineral properties. It is possible that changes could occur to these estimates, which could adversely affect the net cash flows expected to be generated from these stream and royalty interests.
Revenue
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer control of a distinct good or service (or integrated package of goods and/or services) to a customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied. In accordance with this guidance, revenue attributable to our stream and royalty interests is generally recognized at the point in time that control of the related metal production transfers to our customers. For royalty interests, the transfer of control generally occurs when the mine operator of the property over which the royalty interest is held, delivers the commodity to the customer The amount of revenue we recognize further reflects the consideration to which we are entitled under the respective stream or royalty agreement. A more detailed summary of our revenue recognition policies for our stream and royalty interests is discussed in Note 11.
Metal Sales
Gold, silver and copper received under our metal stream agreements are taken into inventory, and then sold primarily using average spot rate gold, silver and copper forward contracts. The sales price for these average spot rate forward contracts is determined by the average daily gold, silver or copper spot prices during the term of the contract, typically a consecutive number of trading days between ten days and three months (typically depending on the frequency of deliveries under the respective stream agreement and our sales activity in effect at the time) commencing shortly after receipt and purchase of the metal. Revenue from gold, silver and copper sales is recognized on the date of the settlement, which is also the date that title to the metal passes to the purchaser.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales, which excludes depreciation, depletion and amortization, is specific to our stream agreements and is the result of our purchase of gold, silver and copper for a cash payment. The cash payment for gold from Mount Milligan is the lesser of $435 per ounce or the prevailing market price of gold when purchased, while the cash payment for our other streams is a set contractual percentage of the gold, silver, copper and zinc spot price near the date of metal delivery.
Production Taxes
Certain royalty payments are subject to production taxes (or mining proceeds taxes), which are recognized at the time of revenue recognition. Production taxes are not income taxes and are included within the costs and expenses section in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Stock-Based Compensation
We recognize all share-based payments to employees in our financial statements based upon their fair values.
Income Taxes
Our annual tax rate is based on income, statutory tax rates in effect, and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining the annual tax expense, current tax assets and liabilities, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and our future taxable income, both as a whole and in various tax jurisdictions, for purposes of assessing our ability to realize future benefit from our deferred tax assets. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law, significant changes in the jurisdictions in which we operate or unpredicted results from the final determination of each year’s liability by taxing authorities.
We treat global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) as a period cost and therefore do not record deferred tax impacts of GILTI in our consolidated financial statements. Our deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts measured by tax laws and regulations. In evaluating the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considers both positive and negative evidence that may exist, such as earnings history, reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies in each tax jurisdiction. A valuation allowance may be established to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is considered more likely than not to be realized through the generation of future taxable income and other tax planning strategies.
Our operations may involve dealing with uncertainties and judgments in the application of complex tax regulations in multiple jurisdictions. The final taxes paid are dependent upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions and resolution of disputes arising from federal, state, and international tax audits. We recognize potential liabilities and record tax liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the United States and other tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit; however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution could result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period which they are determined. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to Royal Gold common stockholders by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares for the period, considering the effect of participating securities. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts that may require issuance of common shares were converted. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period.
Reclassification
Certain amounts and disclosures in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2025 presentation.
New Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” to expand the disclosure
requirements for income taxes, specifically related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. ASU 2023-09 is effective for our annual periods beginning January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance retrospectively for the periods ending December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023. The changes are reflected in the tax footnote with no impacts to our financial condition or results of operations. See Note 14 for more detail.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” which expands annual and interim disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for our annual periods beginning January 1, 2024, and for interim periods beginning January 1, 2025, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance prospectively for the period ending December 31, 2025, and it only impacted our disclosures with no impacts to our financial condition or results of operations. See Note 18 for more detail.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU requires an entity to disclose the amounts of purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization included in each relevant expense caption. It also requires an entity to include certain amounts that are already required to be disclosed under current GAAP in the same disclosure. Additionally, it requires an entity to disclose a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively, and to disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses. The amendments in the ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential effect that the updated standard will have on our financial statement disclosures.