SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ADOPTED AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ADOPTED AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Company 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 reserve 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

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Royal Gold, Inc., its wholly‑owned subsidiaries and an entity over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights. All intercompany accounts, transactions, income and expenses, and profits or losses have been eliminated on consolidation. The Company follows the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) guidance for identification and reporting for entities over which control is achieved through means other than voting rights. The guidance defines such entities as Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”).

Peak Gold JV

Royal Gold, through its wholly‑owned subsidiary, Royal Alaska, LLC (“Royal Alaska”), and Contango ORE, Inc., through its wholly‑owned subsidiary CORE Alaska, LLC, entered into a limited liability company agreement for the Peak Gold JV, a joint venture for exploration and advancement of the Peak Gold Project located near Tok, Alaska. The Company has identified the Peak Gold JV as a VIE, with Royal Alaska as the primary beneficiary, due to the legal structure and certain related factors of the limited liability company agreement for the Peak Gold JV. The Company determined that the Peak Gold JV should be fully consolidated at fair value initially. The fair value of the Company’s non‑controlling interest is $45.7 million and is based on the underlying value of the mineral property assigned to the Peak Gold JV, which is recorded as an exploration stage property within Stream and royalty interests, net on our consolidated balance sheets.

As of June 30, 2019, and 2018, Royal Alaska held a 40% membership interest in the Peak Gold JV. Royal Alaska acts as the manager of the Peak Gold JV and will be responsible for managing, directing and controlling the overall operations unless Royal Alaska is unanimously removed or resigns that position in the manner provided in the Peak Gold JV limited liability company agreement.

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 June 30, 2019 and 2018.

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 under the ASC guidance.

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, the mineral property is depleted over its life, using proven and probable reserves. Exploration costs are expensed when incurred.

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. 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 reserves 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 reserves or mineralized material 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. Refer to Note 4 for discussion and the results of our impairment assessments for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Revenue and Metal Sales

Revenue

Revenue is recognized pursuant to current guidance in ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Under current ASC 606 guidance, 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 interests and royalty interests is generally recognized at the point in time that control of the related metal production transfers to our customers. 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 6.

Metal Sales

Gold, silver and copper received under our metal streaming 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 10 days and three months (depending on the frequency of deliveries under the respective streaming 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 or copper 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 the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Exploration Costs

Exploration costs are specific to the Peak Gold JV for the exploration and advancement of the Peak Gold Project, as discussed further above under Basis of Consolidation. Costs associated with the Peak Gold JV for the exploration and advancement of the Peak Gold Project are expensed when incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock‑Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock‑based compensation in accordance with the guidance of ASC 718. The Company recognizes all share‑based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, stock‑settled stock appreciation rights (“SSARs”), restricted stock and performance shares, in its financial statements based upon their fair values.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the guidance of ASC 740. The Company’s 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 the Company operates. 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.

The Company’s 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.

The Company’s 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. The Company recognizes potential liabilities and records tax liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the United States and other tax jurisdictions based on its estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. The Company adjusts 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. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) 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 (loss) 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 (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each fiscal year.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted

Revenue Recognition

On July 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method of transition. Under this transition approach, we applied ASC 606 to all existing contracts for which all (or substantially all) of the revenue attributable to a contract had not been recognized under legacy revenue guidance. The guidance of ASC 606 was applied to any new contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2018.

ASC 606 supersedes nearly all of the existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP and sets out a five-step revenue recognition framework to recognize revenue upon the transfer of control of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services.

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, there was no impact to our reported revenue, operating costs and expenses or net income attributable to Royal Gold common stockholders as a result of adopting ASC 606, as compared to legacy revenue guidance under U.S. GAAP. In addition, no cumulative catch-up adjustment to accumulated losses was required on July 1, 2018 as a result of adopting ASC 606. Please refer to Note 6 for additional discussion.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments

On July 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-01 – Financial Instruments, which is guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The amended guidance requires, among other things, that equity securities previously classified as available-for-sale be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income rather than other comprehensive income (loss) as required under previous guidance. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment in Accumulated losses of $1.2 million. The decrease in fair value of our equity securities was approximately $6.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 and is included in Fair value changes in equity securities on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The carrying value of the Company’s equity securities as of June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018 was $16.0 million and $19.2 million, respectively, and is included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of June 30, 2019, the Company owns 809,744 common shares of Contango Ore, Inc. (“CORE”) and 3,597,823 common shares of Rubicon Minerals Corporation.

Definition of a Business

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU guidance clarifying the definition of a business and providing additional guidance for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The Company adopted the new guidance on July 1, 2018 on a prospective basis. There was no impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

Recently Issued

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires recognition of right-of-use assets and lease payment liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for all leases with terms greater than twelve months. Classification of leases as either a finance or operating lease will determine the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses. ASU 2016-02 also requires certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures about leasing arrangements. The Company is finalizing its evaluation of the impacts of ASU 2016-02, which includes an analysis of non-cancelable leases, joint venture agreements and other existing arrangements that may contain a lease component. The Company has completed the process of identifying contracts to which the new guidance applies and has substantially completed its evaluation of those identified contracts to determine the impacts of ASC 2016-02 at adoption. The Company has further enhanced its systems to track and calculate additional information required to comply with this standard on a go-forward basis. In addition, the Company is finalizing its evaluation of policies, internal controls, and processes that will be necessary to support the additional accounting and disclosure requirements.

The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2020 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company expects to apply the following practical expedients:

an election to not apply the recognition requirements in the new standards update to short-term leases (a lease that, at commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not contain a purchase option); and

a package of practical expedients to not reassess whether a contract contains a lease, lease classification and initial direct costs.

Adoption of this guidance is anticipated to result in an insignificant increase in right-of-use assets and related liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets; however, the full impact to the Company’s financial statements and related footnote disclosures is still being finalized.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements (“ASU 2018-11”). ASU 2018-11 provides an additional transition method for adopting ASU 2016-02, as well as provides lessors with a practical expedient when applying ASU 2016-02 to certain leases. The Company anticipates making a policy election in connection with adopting ASU 2018-11, which will eliminate the need for adjusting prior period comparable financial statements prepared under current lease accounting guidance. The Company will adopt ASU 2018-11 at the same time it adopts ASU 2016-02.