UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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As of September 6, 2024, the registrant had
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled to be held on November 13, 2024, are incorporated into Part III.
2
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Year Ended June 30, 2024
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3
PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Overview
A-Mark, also referred to (together with its subsidiaries) as "we", "us" and the "Company", is a fully integrated precious metals platform that offers an array of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper bullion, numismatic coins, and related products to wholesale and retail customers via a portfolio of channels. The Company conducts its operations through three complementary segments: Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, Direct-to-Consumer, and Secured Lending. A-Mark believes it has one of the largest customer bases in each of its markets and provides one of the most comprehensive offerings of products and services in the precious metals trading industry. Our global customer base, spanning four continents, includes mints, manufacturers and fabricators, refiners, coin and bullion dealers, e-commerce retailers, banks and other financial institutions, commodity brokerage houses, industrial users of precious metals, investors, collectors, and retail customers.
Specifically, A-Mark:
A-Mark believes its businesses largely function independently of the price movement of the underlying commodities. However, factors such as global economic activity or uncertainty and inflationary trends, which affect market volatility, have the potential to impact demand, supply, volumes, and margins.
History
A-Mark was founded in 1965 and has grown into a significant participant in the bullion and coin market. Over the years, A-Mark has been steadily expanding its products and services. In 1986, A-Mark became an authorized purchaser of gold and silver bullion coins struck by the United States Mint. Similar arrangements with other sovereign mints followed, so that by the early 1990s, A-Mark had (and continues to have) relationships with all major sovereign mints offering bullion coins and bars internationally. The Company became a publicly traded company in March 2014.
In 2005, the Company launched Collateral Finance Corporation ("CFC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the purpose of making secured loans primarily collateralized by bullion and numismatic material. Since then, CFC has expanded the value of its aggregate loan portfolio and number of its customers and also makes secured loans collateralized by graded sport cards. CFC has achieved its growth through both loan origination and acquisitions of loan portfolios from wholesale customers of A-Mark.
The Company opened an overseas office in Vienna, Austria in 2009, for the purpose of marketing A-Mark's goods and services in the international markets. The office operates through A-Mark Trading AG ("AMTAG"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In 2012, the Company formed Transcontinental Depository Services, LLC. ("TDS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the purpose of providing customers with turn-key global storage solutions for their precious metal products.
In July 2015, the Company launched its Las Vegas-based logistics fulfillment center, A-M Global Logistics, LLC. ("AMGL" or "Logistics"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, for the purpose of providing our customers a platform of complementary services, including packaging, shipping, handling, receiving, processing, and inventorying of precious metals, custom coins, and graded sports cards on a secure basis.
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In August 2016, the Company formed a joint venture, AM&ST Associates, LLC. ("AMST"), with SilverTowne, L.P., an Indiana-based fabricator of silver bullion products, for the purpose of acquiring and operating SilverTowne, L.P.'s minting business unit ("Silver Towne Mint" or the "Mint"). Since the formation of AMST, the Company has invested in minting equipment and fabrication tools to expand output capabilities, increase production efficiencies and improve product quality, and has leveraged the Mint’s fabrication capabilities and coin die portfolio to expand our custom coin programs, as well as to introduce new custom products for individual customers. In April 2021, the Company purchased the 31% interest in AMST previously held by the joint venture partner and currently owns 100% of AMST.
In August 2017, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Goldline, LLC, a direct retailer of precious metals to the investor community, and now conducts those operations through its subsidiary Goldline, Inc. ("Goldline"). Goldline, LLC was formed in 1960 and became well-known to collectors and investors for its distribution of gold, silver, and platinum bullion coins and bars, in part, due to its television, radio, and internet marketing and customer service outreach. Since our acquisition, Goldline has expanded its product offerings and improved its delivery times.
In August 2019, Goldline entered into a joint venture agreement with a U.S. subsidiary of Silver Gold Bull, Inc. ("SGB") to form Precious Metals Purchasing Partners, LLC ("PMPP"), primarily for the purpose of purchasing precious metals from the partners' retail customers for resale back into the marketplace. We currently own a controlling interest in PMPP, both through Goldline's 50% ownership interest and through our majority ownership interest in SGB. PMPP commenced operations in fiscal 2020.
In September 2014, the Company made an initial equity investment in JM Bullion, Inc. (“JMB”), and in October 2016, we made an additional investment in JMB, increasing our equity interest to approximately 20.5%. In March 2021, the Company acquired the 79.5% interest in JMB that we did not previously own. JMB is a leading e-commerce retailer providing access to a broad array of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium products through its own websites. In April 2022, JMB commercially launched the CyberMetals online platform, where customers can purchase fractional ounces of digital gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in a range of denominations, with the option to convert their digital holdings to fabricated precious metals products via an integrated redemption flow with JMB. JMB owns and operates numerous websites targeting specific niches within the precious metals retail market, including JMBullion.com, ProvidentMetals.com, Silver.com, CyberMetals.com, GoldPrice.org, SilverPrice.org, BGASC.com, BullionMax.com, and Gold.com. JMB had approximately 2.4 million total customers as of June 30, 2024, and approximately 466,300 active customers for the year ended June 30, 2024.
In April 2021, CFC Alternative Investments, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, formed a joint venture with a third party known as Collectible Card Partners, LLC, which was established for the purpose of making commercial loans collateralized by graded sports cards.
In February 2024, AM/LPM Ventures, LLC, a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, acquired LPM Group Limited ("LPM"), one of Asia's largest precious metals dealers. AM/LPM Ventures, LLC serves as the Company's Asia headquarters. LPM extends A-Mark's global reach by offering its full-service precious metals products and services in Asia and internationally.
In 2014, the Company acquired its initial ownership interest in SGB. In 2018 and 2022, the Company made incremental investments to increase its ownership interest in SGB to 47.4% as of June 2022. In June 2024, the Company acquired an additional 8% ownership interest in SGB, increasing its ownership interest to 55.4%. Founded in 2009, SGB is a leading e-commerce precious metals retailer in Canada focused on providing online innovation, high-quality products, competitive pricing, and enhanced customer service. SGB had approximately 523,000 total customers as of June 30, 2024.
Through strategic relationships with its customers and suppliers and vertical integration across its markets, A-Mark seeks to grow its business volume, expand its presence in non-U.S. markets around the globe, and enlarge its offering of complementary products and services. A-Mark seeks to continue its expansion by building on its strengths and what it perceives to be its competitive advantages. These include:
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As part of our growth strategy, we are focused on:
Business Segments
The Company conducts its operations in three reportable segments: (i) Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, (ii) Direct-to-Consumer, and (iii) Secured Lending. See Note 19 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our reportable segments.
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Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
A-Mark operates through several business units that comprise the Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment, including Industrial, Coin and Bar, Trading and Finance, Storage, Logistics, and Mint.
Industrial. Our Industrial unit sells gold, silver, platinum, and palladium to industrial and commercial users. Customers include coin fabricators such as mints and industrial manufacturers, encompassing electronics and component parts companies and refiners. Depending on the intended usage, the metals are either investment or industrial grade and are generally in the form of bars or grains.
Coin and Bar. Our Coin and Bar unit deals in approximately 2,100 different products, including gold and silver coins from around the world and gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars and ingots in a variety of weights, shapes, and sizes. Our customers include coin and bullion dealers, banks and other financial institutions, commodity brokerage houses, manufacturers, investors, investment advisors, and collectors who qualify as “eligible commercial entities” and “eligible contract participants,” as those terms are defined in the Commodity Exchange Act.
We are an authorized distributor (and, in the case of the United States Mint, an authorized purchaser) of gold and silver coins for all of the major sovereign mints and various private mints. The sovereign mints include the United States Mint, the Australian (Perth) Mint, the Austrian Mint, the Royal Canadian Mint, the China Mint, Banco de Mexico, the South African Mint (Rand Refinery) and the Royal Mint (United Kingdom). We purchase and take delivery of coins from the mints for resale to coin dealers, financial institutions, and other qualified purchasers.
Our distribution and purchase agreements with the mints are non-exclusive and may be terminated by the mints at any time, although in practice our relationships with the mints are long-standing, in some cases, as with the United States Mint, extending back for over 35 years. In some cases, we have developed exclusive products with sovereign and private mints for distribution through our dealer network.
In our Industrial and Coin and Bar units, orders are taken telephonically and on an electronic trading platform that can be accessed by qualified wholesale customers at www.amark.com. Pricing is generally based on screen quotes for bullion transactions in the spot market, with two-day settlement, although special pricing and extended settlement terms are also available. Almost all customers in these units take physical delivery of the precious metal. Product is shipped upon receipt of payment, except where the purchase is financed under credit arrangements between A-Mark and the customer. We have relationships with precious metal depositories around the world to facilitate shipment of product from our inventory to the customer, in many cases for next day delivery. Product may either be shipped to the customer's location or delivered to a depository or other storage facility designated by the customer. The Company also periodically loans metals to customers on a short-term consignment basis and may charge interest fees based on the value of the metals loaned.
Trading and Finance. Our Trading and Finance units engage in commodity hedging as well as borrowing and lending transactions in support of our Industrial and Coin and Bar units.
The Trading unit hedges the commodity risk on A-Mark's inventory in order to protect A-Mark from market price fluctuations. A-Mark maintains relationships with major market-makers and multiple futures brokers in order to provide a variety of alternatives for its hedging needs. Our traders employ a combination of future and forward contracts to hedge our market exposure. Because it seeks to substantially hedge its market exposure, A-Mark believes that its business largely functions independently of the price movements of the underlying commodities. Through its hedging activities, A-Mark may also earn contango yields, in which futures price are higher than the current spot prices, or backwardation yields, in which futures prices are lower than the spot prices. A-Mark also offers precious metals price quotes in a number of foreign currencies.
Our Finance unit engages in precious metals borrowing and lending transactions and other customized financial transactions with or on behalf of our customers and other counterparties. These arrangements range from simple hedging structures to complex inventory finance arrangements and forward purchase and sale structures, tailored to the needs of our customers.
Storage. Our Transcontinental Depository Services, LLC ("TDS") subsidiary provides storage solutions for precious metals and numismatic coins for financial institutions, dealers, investors, and collectors worldwide. TDS contracts on behalf of our clients with independent secure storage facilities in the United States, Canada, Europe, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for either fully segregated or allocated storage. We assist our clients in developing appropriate storage options for their particular requirements, and we manage the operational aspects of the storage with the third-party facilities on our clients' behalf. TDS's marketing efforts are conducted both in conjunction with A-Mark's trading operations and independently, including through its dedicated website www.tdsvaults.com.
Logistics. Our A-M Global Logistics, LLC ("Logistics") subsidiary, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, supports our Wholesale Sales business by providing a significant amount of the secured storage and shipping and delivery services that had historically been outsourced to third-party depositories in their various locations. By consolidating those operations into one central location under our control, we reduced our dependence on third-party service providers while enhancing quality control and reducing operating costs. Logistics also provides turn-key logistics services to our customers engaged in the retail business. We provide these customers inventory handling, packaging, storage, and drop-shipping services.
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AMTAG. Our A-Mark Trading AG ("AMTAG") subsidiary promotes the Company's products and services to certain international markets.
Mint. Through its AMST subsidiary, the Company owns the minting operations of the Silver Towne Mint (or the "Mint"), providing greater product selection to our customers and greater pricing stability within the supply chain, as well as increased access to fabricated silver products during volatile market environments. A-Mark has leveraged Silver Towne Mint’s fabrication capabilities to introduce new custom products for individual customers.
Although the Company is the Mint’s primary customer, the Mint also markets its products at www.silvertownemint.com. In March 2023, the Mint achieved ISO 9000:2015 certification which allows all products produced by the Mint to be accepted into individual retirement accounts ("IRA").
LPM. Based in Hong Kong, LPM serves as the Company's Asia headquarters, offering the Company's full-service precious metals products and services in Asia and internationally. LPM has a large numismatics showroom in the heart of Hong Kong's Central Financial District.
Direct-to-Consumer
The Company operates its Direct-to-Consumer segment through its wholly-owned subsidiaries JM Bullion, Inc. (“JMB”) and Goldline, Inc. (“Goldline”), and through its investment in Silver Gold Bull, Inc. ("SGB"). The Company’s Direct-to-Consumer segment expands the Company’s distribution capabilities with a retail distribution channel. It diversifies the products and services offered to the Company’s retail customers by providing them access to the Company’s wider assortment of precious metal coins and bars, as well as TDS’s storage and asset protection services.
JMB
JMB is a leading internet retailer of precious metal products that it sells through its proprietary websites.
Products. JMB’s products consist primarily of coins, rounds, and bars. Coins are minted by a sovereign government, are legal currency and have a face value, although the face value is typically less than the value of their precious metal content. Rounds are coin-like objects with thematic designs minted by private mints, have no face value and are not legal currency, and their value is solely based upon their precious metal content. Bars are ingot-shaped precious metal objects that are usually produced by private mints. Like rounds, bars have no face value, are not legal currency and are valued based on their precious metal content. Coins, rounds, and bars are made from silver, gold, platinum, or palladium and in some cases copper. JMB occasionally sells jewelry products fashioned around coins or rounds as well.
JMB offers over 6,000 different products, measured by stock keeping units or SKUs, on its websites during a fiscal year. This number can vary over time, particularly when demand is high. As a service to its customers, JMB makes available for sale on its websites protective accessories for precious metal products, including acrylic coin holders and capsules, coin tubes and silver bar tubes.
JMB owns and operates numerous websites targeting specific niches within the precious metals retail market, including JMBullion.com, ProvidentMetals.com, Silver.com, CyberMetals.com, GoldPrice.org, SilverPrice.org, BGASC.com, BullionMax.com, and Gold.com. GoldPrice.org and SilverPrice.org publish data on precious metal and cryptocurrency pricing and generate leads for its other websites.
Through the CyberMetals online platform, customers can purchase and sell fractional shares of digital gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars in a range of denominations. CyberMetals’ customers have the option to convert their digital holdings to fabricated precious metals products via an integrated redemption flow with JMB. These products may be designated for storage by the Company or shipped directly to the customer.
Customers may order product on each of the JMBullion.com, BGASC.com, BullionMax.com, ProvidentMetals.com and Silver.com websites. While each of these sites appeals to a different customer clientele and may from time to time have slightly different product offerings, all orders are processed in the same manner. Customers may place their orders online, or they may use the toll-free telephone number available on the websites to order through a customer representative. The SilverPrice.org and GoldPrice.org websites provide real time price information on silver, gold, and cryptocurrencies. We also own the gold.com domain, one of the most recognizable domains in the precious metals industry. Although customers cannot order product on these websites, the websites direct visitors to JMBullion.com for placing orders.
JMB utilizes an internally developed search engine optimization strategy to drive traffic to its websites, particularly to JMBullion.com. JMB also pays for placement on the major search engines, including Google, Bing, Apple, and Yahoo!, employing internally developed strategies to reach a targeted audience and to optimize the cost effectiveness of paid for searches.
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JMB's Direct-to-Consumer Purchase Program. JMB also offers to purchase precious metal products through its websites. With this program, JMB provides collectors of precious metal products with a means to dispose of their holdings at transparent and competitive prices. Generally, JMB will indicate on its websites the products that it is interested in purchasing, and a collector seeking to sell such products may arrange the sale online. Alternatively, the collector may call a customer representative using the toll-free number on the website and arrange a sale by telephone.
The Direct-to-Consumer Purchase Program is a source of inventory for JMB, which enables JMB to acquire product for resale at a discount to dealer prices.
Logistics. The Company's main distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, together with its ancillary facility in Dallas, Texas, handle the back end logistics for the Company's Direct-to-Consumer Purchase Program and the secured storage for CyberMetals' precious metals.
Goldline
Goldline, acquired by the Company in August 2017, is a direct retailer of precious metals to the investor community. Goldline markets its precious metal products on television, radio, podcasts, and the internet, as well as through customer service outreach, particularly to Goldline’s repeat customers. Online orders are taken on an electronic trading platform that can be accessed by qualified retail customers at www.goldline.com.
Goldline customers are required to enter into an account agreement that specifies the terms and conditions of purchase and explains the availability of certain programs and services offered by Goldline to its customers.
Products. Goldline offers a variety of products from gold, silver, and platinum bullion in the form of bars and coins, as well as rare coins.
Goldline's and SGB's Direct-to-Consumer Purchase Program. Through Precious Metals Purchasing Partners, LLC ("PMPP"), a joint venture between Goldline and SGB, Goldline and SGB acquire precious metals from their retail customers in order to diversify their supply of product offerings and provide discounted pricing to their affiliates. This program provides Goldline's and SGB's customers with a means to monetize their holdings efficiently and at competitive prices.
Intellectual Property. AM IP Assets, LLC ("AMIP"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Goldline, manages certain intellectual property of Goldline, including customer lists and a sales lead data base.
SGB
The Company acquired its initial ownership interest in SGB in 2014, increasing its investment to 55.4% in June 2024. SGB is a leading e-commerce precious metals retailer in Canada. The Company's investment in SGB expands the Company's direct-to-consumer footprint in the international market.
Through its website, SilverGoldBull.com, SGB offers a variety of products from gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars, coins and rounds, as well as certified coins from mints around the world.
Secured Lending
The Company operates its Secured Lending segment through its wholly-owned subsidiary, CFC, which in turn owned AM Capital Funding, LLC (“AMCF”). CFC has been operating since fiscal year 2005; AMCF was dissolved in June 2024. CFC Alternative Investments, LLC (“CAI”), a subsidiary of CFC, is a party to a joint venture known as Collectible Card Partners, LLC (“CCP”), which was formed for the purpose of making commercial loans collateralized by graded sports cards.
CFC is a California licensed finance lender that, directly and through its subsidiaries, originates and acquires commercial loans secured by bullion, numismatic coins, and graded sports cards. CFC's customers include coin and precious metal dealers, investors, and collectors. As of June 30, 2024, the aggregate balance of CFC's secured loans was approximately $113.1 million which is comprised of approximately 15% of loans acquired from third-parties and approximately 85% of loans originated by CFC.
AMCF was a special purpose entity whose sole activity consisted of operating, owning, and financing precious metal inventory through the issuance of notes (the “AMCF Notes”). In December 2023, the AMCF Notes were repaid and AMCF was dissolved in June 2024. AMCF Notes were primarily payable from, and secured by, (i) precious metals obtained by AMCF, (ii) a portfolio of bullion loans collateralized by precious metals, which loans were originated by either CFC or acquired by CFC from third parties and conveyed by CFC to AMCF, and (iii) cash. The indenture governing the AMCF Notes required AMCF to maintain a specified level of collateral. The indenture also provided that AMCF’s assets were not to be commingled with those of CFC or A-Mark (or any affiliate) and that AMCF was to maintain separate books and records.
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General. The secured loans that CFC issues consist of on-demand loans and loans with a term of three months to 364 days, with a typical term of approximately six months. Repayment of the loans can be made at any time without penalty. Because the loans are of relatively short duration, CFC does not have significant exposure to interest rate fluctuations, even in a rising interest rate environment. Loans carried by CFC range in size up to approximately $14.0 million.
All loans are fully secured by bullion, numismatic coins, graded sports cards, or other eligible alternative investment assets. TDS, on behalf of CFC, takes physical custody of the coins or bullion collateralizing the loans. CFC requires loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios of between 50% and 85%. LTV ratio refers to the principal amount of the loan divided by the liquidation value of the collateral, as conservatively estimated by CFC for numismatic loans and based on daily spot market prices for bullion loans. The LTV ratio varies with the nature of the collateral, with CFC allowing, for example, a higher LTV ratio for bullion than for rare coins. If, because of fluctuations in the market price of the pledged collateral, the LTV ratio on a loan increases above a prescribed maximum ratio, typically 85%, CFC can make a margin call on the loan. If the borrower does not meet the margin call, either by wiring payment or supplying additional collateral, CFC is authorized to sell the collateral, which it does through its A-Mark affiliates. CFC has never experienced losses of principal on its loans.
Origination Activity. CFC's origination activities are complementary to the Company’s coin and bullion businesses and afford our customers a convenient means of financing their inventory or collections. CFC also attempts to leverage the worldwide storage capabilities of its TDS affiliate by offering clients TDS’s asset protection services in connection with the loans. CFC’s marketing efforts for its origination activity are conducted both in conjunction with A-Mark's trading operations, particularly with respect to dealers, and independently, including though its dedicated website www.cfcgoldloans.com. Interest rates on loans originated by CFC are determined based on current market conditions, borrower profile and type or mix of collateral. CFC also offers a variety of custom loan services to its origination clients, including renewal options, options to increase loan size, financing arrangements tailored to facilitate participation in numismatic auctions, and revolving loan arrangements. CFC services the loans that it originates.
Acquisition Activity. CFC also acquires portfolios of loans secured by bullion and numismatics coins from third-party originators. The loans acquired by CFC are sold subject to customary representations and warranties for loan portfolios of this type and must comply with CFC’s criteria for quality of collateral, LTV ratio, term and interest rate. Upon acquisition of a loan portfolio, CFC takes physical possession of the collateral securing the loans. In the event that a loan is non-performing, we will typically liquidate the collateral on behalf of the originator in order to retire the loan. Typically, loan portfolios acquired by CFC are serviced by the originator for a fee.
Financing Activity. CFC has historically financed its loan origination and acquisition activity primarily through A-Mark's demand line of credit with a syndicate of several financial institutions.
Liquidity
Our business depends substantially on our ability to obtain financing for our operations. Sources of cash generated from operating activities include receipts upon the sales of precious metals, and cash collected from interest payments on secured loans.
Sources of cash provided by financing activities are our uncommitted line of credit, fixed interest rate notes, and other structured financing products. The Company’s line of credit provides it with the liquidity to buy and sell billions of dollars of precious metals annually, and is used to fund a substantial portion of the operations of the Company. As of June 30, 2024, A-Mark's uncommitted line of credit provided access up to $422.5 million. The maturity date of the credit facility is September 2025.
The Company also generates funds from other finance products that include product financing arrangements with customers, whereby the Company sells its inventory with an option to repurchase, and through precious metal borrowing and leasing arrangements with its suppliers.
We periodically purchase our own common stock that is traded on public markets as part of our announced stock repurchase program. See more information regarding our share repurchase program in Part II, Item 5 of this Annual Report.
Market Making Activity
We act as a principal market maker, maintaining a two-way market for buying and selling precious metals. This means we both sell product to and purchase product from our customers.
Material Resources
We maintain a substantial inventory of bullion and coins in order to provide our customers with selection and prompt delivery. We acquire product for our inventory in the course of our trading activities with our customers, directly from government and private mints, mines, and refiners, and from commodities brokers and dealers, privately and in transactions on established commodity exchanges.
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A-Mark’s precious metals inventories are subject to market value changes created by change in the underlying commodity price, as well as supply and demand of the individual products the Company trades. Our inventory is marked-to-market daily for accounting and financial reporting purposes, except for a relatively insignificant amount of inventory that is accounted for at lower of cost or net realizable value. A-Mark’s policy is to remain substantially hedged as to its inventory position and its individual sale and purchase commitments. A-Mark seeks to minimize the effect of price changes of the underlying commodity through the use of financial derivative instruments, such as forward and futures contracts.
Sales and Marketing
We market our products and services to our wholesale customers primarily through our offices in El Segundo, California, Hong Kong, and Vienna, Austria, our websites, and our dealer network, which we believe is the largest of its kind. The dealer network consists of approximately 1,200 independent precious metal and coin companies, with whom we transact on a non-exclusive basis. The arrangements with the dealers vary, but generally the dealers acquire product from us for resale to their customers. In some instances, we deliver bullion to the dealers on a consignment basis. We also participate from time to time in trade shows and conventions, at which we promote our products and services. As a vertically integrated precious metals company, a key element of our marketing strategy is being able to cross-sell our products and services to customers within our various business units.
JMB and SGB market their products over the internet through their proprietary websites, using an internally developed search optimization strategy and paid placements with major search engines. Goldline reaches its retail customer base on television, radio, and the internet, as well as through customer service outreach.
We market our secured loan products and services to customers primarily through our proprietary websites, print advertising, and strategic partnerships.
Operational Support
The Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment maintains administrative and operational support related to its trading, hedging, and finance product operations at its global headquarters in El Segundo, California and regional headquarters in Hong Kong. We believe that our existing administrative and operational support infrastructure has the capacity to scale with our business activities. We store our inventories of bullion and numismatics at third-party depositories in major financial centers around the world and at our secured facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Direct-to-Consumer segment maintains administrative and operational support at its offices in Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, California, and Calgary, Canada for originating and processing its retail orders. The Company's Trading, Finance, and Logistics business units provide supporting services such as hedging and order fulfillment.
The Secured Lending segment maintains administrative support at its headquarters in El Segundo, California for the processing of its originated loans, including billing, managing margin calls, and tracking of precious metal collateral. For the processing and administration of loans that are acquired from a third party (which may be a customer of A-Mark), customer invoices are typically processed by the originating dealer of the loan portfolio through a fee-based servicing arrangement. Collateral custody and security is managed by our Logistics business unit.
Customer Concentrations
For the year ended June 30, 2024, we had one customer that comprised more than 10% of our revenues. See Note 18 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company's largest customers generally are engaged with us in significant forward contract sales activity (as opposed to those customers with whom we principally have physical trading activity), which are entered into in order to hedge the Company's commodity holding risks, and not for speculative purposes.
Competition
A-Mark's activities cover a broad spectrum of the precious metals industry, with a concentration on the physical market. We service public, industrial, and private sector consumers of precious metals which include industrial manufacturers, refiners, minting facilities, banks, brokerage houses, and private investors. We frequently face different competitors in each area, and it is not uncommon for a customer and/or a supplier in one market segment to be a competitor in another.
Our Direct-to-Consumer segment competes with numerous online and other retailers of direct-to-consumer precious metal products. The principal competitors of JMB include APMEX, SD Bullion, and Bullion Exchanges. Competition is based primarily on price and customer service, including the ability to offer same day shipping. To a lesser extent, competition is also based on product availability, although all major ecommerce retailers will typically stock the products that are most in demand.
Our Secured Lending segment's market is believed to have limited direct competition. We believe factors, including access to capital, secure storage facilities, bullion and numismatic expertise, and other related services and offerings, provide us a competitive advantage in that marketplace.
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Seasonality and Other Factors Influencing Demand
Our business is generally not seasonal, although demand in the retail market tends to be lower in the summer months. On the other hand, we believe our business is directly impacted by the perception of market trends and global economic activity. Historically, higher levels of demand for precious metals are brought on during periods of macroeconomic uncertainty. Typically, factors that impact such uncertainty and correlate with a higher level of demand for precious metals include volatility in the equity markets, increases in rates of inflation, and the weakening of the U.S. dollar.
Compliance with Government Regulations
We are subject to a variety of domestic and foreign laws that relate particularly to our business. Because of the nature and value of the precious metal products in which deal, we must be careful to assure compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and a variety of anti-money laundering and know-your-customer rules in response to the USA Patriot Act, and similar foreign statutory regimes.
By reason of our direct-to-consumer business in particular, we collect personal data and are subject to European General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and similar domestic and foreign statutes that address the collection, use and monitoring of such data. We continue to devote substantial resources to comply with these laws and regulations.
Our CFC financing subsidiary operates under a California Finance Lenders License issued by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. CFC is required to submit a finance lender law annual report to the state which summarizes certain loan portfolio and financial information regarding CFC, which are subject to audit.
Human Capital
The efforts and expertise of our team members are critical to our success. We are devoted to the attraction, development, and retention of our employees, which enable us to deliver a high level of service to our customers. Because we have a small number of employees, and certain of our subsidiaries are geographically dispersed as a result of various acquisitions as well as from internal growth, our focus is on maintaining a relationship-based and collaborative work environment within each of our geographical locations. For the most part, our operating businesses are authorized to establish specific policies and practices concerning the attraction and retention of person in their organizations, addressing, among other things: maintaining a safe work environment for employees, customers and other business partners, offering competitive compensation and benefits to employees, and hiring practices intended to identify qualified candidates and promote diversity and inclusion in the workforce.
At the same time, we recognize the importance of “Tone at the Top”, and we have adopted company-wide corporate governance policies and procedures which emphasize accountability, transparency, fairness, and responsibility. A-Mark’s senior management is responsible for establishing and monitoring A-Mark’s corporate governance practices, including monitoring governance efforts at each location, and participating in the resolution of governance-related issues as needed. A-Mark’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics emphasizes, among other things, the commitment to ethics and compliance with the law and provides basic standards for ethical and legal behavior of all its employees.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company had 489 employees, with 439 located in North America, 48 located in Asia, and 2 located in Europe; all except 7 of these employees were considered full-time employees. Our overall employee retention rate for the year ended June 30, 2024 was 83%; excluding the Mint and Logistics operations, which hire largely in response to fluctuating business demands, our retention rate was 93%. For the companies we have owned for more than five years, the percentage of employees who have more than five years of service was 36%. For the companies we have owned and operated for less than five years, the percentage of employees who have continued their employment since the respective acquisition dates was 73%.
A-Mark is committed to supporting our employees’ financial, mental, and physical well-being. Across our various companies, we offer competitive pay and benefits, including annual short-term incentive awards and long-term equity awards, an employee savings 401(k) plan and company matching contributions, health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, health savings and flexible spending accounts, wellness incentives, paid time off, family leave, parental leave, and employee assistance programs.
A-Mark provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected classification. Equal employment opportunity includes, but is not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, demotion, transfer, leaves of absence, and termination. The diversity of our workforce is essential, and we are committed to diversity and inclusion throughout the Company to ensure a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and skills to provide better solutions, drive innovation and creativity, and enhance decision making. As of June 30, 2024, approximately 34% of our employees identified as female, and 46% of our employees were made up of underrepresented minorities.
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Corporate Information
Our executive offices are located at 2121 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 6300, El Segundo CA 90245. Our telephone number is (310) 587-1477, and our website is www.amark.com. Through this website, we make available, free of charge, all of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including those under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"). Such reports are made available on the same day that they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. In addition, copies of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Employees, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Senior Financial and Other Officers, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors are available through our website, along with other information regarding our corporate governance policies.
Geographic Information
See Note 19 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for information about Company's geographic operations.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Summary of Risk Factors
The following summary provides an overview of the material risks we are exposed to in the normal course business. This risk factor summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to you, and you should read these together with the more detailed discussion of risks set forth following this section, as well as elsewhere in this report under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Additional risks beyond those summarized below, or discussed elsewhere in “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” may apply to our activities or operations as currently conducted or as we may conduct them in the future, or to the markets in which we currently operate or may in the future operate.
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Introductory Risks
The demand for our products and our profitability ultimately depends on preferences and perceptions regarding the desirability of owning precious metals, but those preferences and perceptions are subject to change.
While the Company operates at both the wholesale and direct-to-consumer levels, the demand for our products is dependent upon the perceptions and preferences in the global market regarding the ownership of precious metals and numismatics. These perceptions and preferences depend on a variety of factors, including world events (as discussed more fully below), business and economic conditions, inflationary and other currency related trends and alternative investment opportunities. All such factors may change over time and as a consequence the results of our operations, profitability and stock price may vary over both the short and the long term.
We regularly seek to innovate and to anticipate market changes, but there is no assurance that we will be successful in doing so.
We are alert to the special sensitivity of our business to economic, social and political trends and events, and we attempt to project their effects on our business over the long term. For example, we have placed increasing emphasis on our direct-to-consumer business, in anticipation that the economic uncertainties, market volatilities and global challenges that we face will continue to make investment in precious metals and numismatics more attractive to individual consumers. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be correct in our assessments of market trends or evolving business and consumer preferences, or that, even if our judgments are correct, our response to projected trends and preferences will be timely or effective. Moreover, because of the sensitivity of our business to macro-economic, social and political circumstances, there may be no effective strategy to insulate us from the adverse effects that these circumstances could have on our business.
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Risks Relating to our Operations
Our business is heavily dependent on our credit facility.
Our business depends substantially on our ability to obtain financing for our operations. On December 21, 2021, we entered into a committed facility provided by a syndicate of financial institutions (the “Trading Credit Facility”), with a total current revolving commitment of up to $422.5 million and with a termination date of September 20, 2025. The Trading Credit Facility provides the Company with the liquidity to buy and sell billions of dollars of precious metals annually. A-Mark routinely uses funds drawn under the Trading Credit Facility to purchase metals from its suppliers and for operating cash flow purposes. Our CFC subsidiary also uses the funds drawn under the Trading Credit Facility to finance certain of its lending activities.
The Trading Credit Facility requires us to comply with customary affirmative and negative covenants, and with a variety of financial covenants, including a minimum working capital requirement; a fixed charge coverage ratio; a ratio of total recourse debt to consolidated tangible net worth; and limitations on the amount of ownership-based financings (as defined). Owing to the cyclicality of our business, we may be required to request limited waivers of compliance with certain financial covenants under the Trading Credit Facility. There can be no assurance that such waivers will be granted. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Trading Credit Facility that was not cured or waived pursuant to the terms of the Trading Credit Facility, the lenders under the Trading Credit Facility could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the Trading Credit Facility to be due and payable immediately.
If we are unable to access funds under the Trading Credit Facility, we may be limited in the manner in which we conduct our business, and we may be unable to engage in favorable business activities or finance future operations or capital needs.
We cannot assure you that our assets or cash flow would be sufficient to fully repay borrowings under our outstanding debt instruments, including the Trading Credit Facility, upon acceleration or at maturity, or that we would be able to refinance or restructure the payments under the Trading Credit Facility. Our failure to renew or replace the Trading Credit Facility under such circumstances would reduce the financing available to us and could limit our ability to conduct our business, including certain lending activity of our CFC subsidiary. There can be no assurance that we could procure replacement financing on commercially acceptable terms on a timely basis, or at all. We have pledged a significant portion of our assets as collateral under the Trading Credit Facility, and if we were unable to repay the amounts outstanding thereunder, the administrative agent under the Trading Credit Facility could proceed against the collateral securing such indebtedness.
We are subject to fluctuations in interest rates based on the variable interest terms of the Trading Credit Facility, and we may not be able to pass along to our customers and borrowers some or any part of an increase in the interest that we are required to pay under the Trading Credit Facility.
Loans under our credit facility may bear interest based on SOFR, but experience with SOFR based loans is limited.
Revolving loans under the Trading Credit Facility are at our option either Based Rate Loans that bear interest at a base rate plus a prescribed margin, or SOFR Loans that bear interest at rates selected by us based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (SOFR) plus prescribed margins. The use of SOFR based rates replaced rates based on the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR), and reflects the cessation of the publication of LIBOR rates by regulators in the United Kingdom and the discontinuation of the use of LIBOR in the financial markets. The use of SOFR based rates may result in interest rates and/or payments that are higher or lower than the rates and payments that we experienced under our prior Trading Credit Facility, where interest rates were based on LIBOR. Also, the use of SOFR based rates is relatively new, and there could be unanticipated difficulties or disruptions with the calculation and publication of SOFR based rates. In particular, if the agent under the Trading Credit Facility determines that SOFR Rates cannot be determined or the agent or the lenders determine that SOFR based rates do not adequately reflect the cost of funding the SOFR Loans, outstanding SOFR Loans will be converted into Base Rate Loans. This could result in increased borrowing costs for the Company.
We could suffer losses with our financing operations.
We engage in a variety of financing activities with our customers:
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Our ability to minimize losses on the credit that we extend to our customers depends on a variety of factors, including:
Liquidity constraints may limit our ability to grow our business.
We will require adequate sources of liquidity to fund both our existing business and our strategy for expansion, evidenced by our acquisition of JMB and other acquisition activity. Currently, our main sources of liquidity are the cash that we generate from operations, and our borrowing availability under the Trading Credit Facility. There can be no assurance that our sources of liquidity will be adequate to support the growth that we are hoping to achieve or that additional sources of financing for this purpose, in the form of additional debt or equity financing, will be available to us, on satisfactory terms or at all. Also, the Trading Credit Facility contains, and any future debt financing is likely to contain, various financial and other restrictive covenants. The need to comply with these covenants may limit our ability to implement our growth initiatives.
We may experience supply chain disruptions in our operations.
As a result of various macro-economic factors, businesses in a variety of industries have experienced difficulty in obtaining the source materials required for their operations. We require coin and other bullion products, particularly products manufactured by government mints, for resale to our customers, and silver for the productions of bullion bars and rounds by our Silver Towne Mint. We have multiple sources for obtaining the bullion products which we resell to our customers, and our relationships with major refiners have to date provided us with an adequate source of material for our minting operations. We also maintain a supply of metal in case we experience a shortage of raw materials for our Silver Towne Mint. However, while we do not currently anticipate that our business will suffer as a consequence of problems in the national and global supply chains, we cannot assure you that this will continue to be the case. Our operations could be adversely impacted if we did not have an adequate source of supply for our Silver Towne Mint, particularly if we expand our minting operations to meet increased demand, or if supply chain disruptions significantly interfered with our sources of coin and bullion for resale. If significant supply chain constraints were to occur, we might be required to cut back on our minting operations or we might be unable to timely satisfy customer requirements for coin and bullion products. This could lead to a loss of sales and could adversely impact our reputation.
We are dependent on our key management personnel and our trading experts.
Our strategic vision and performance are dependent on Gregory Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, other members of our senior management and certain other key employees. We have an employment agreement with Mr. Roberts which expires in June 2027. We also have employment agreements with Thor Gjerdrum, our President, and Brian Aquilino, our Chief Operating Officer, which expire in June 2025, and Robert Pacelli, Chief Executive Officer and President of JMB, which expires in June 2026.
These and other employees have expertise in the trading markets, e-commerce operations and digital marketing; have industry-wide reputations; and perform critical functions for our business. We cannot offer assurance that we will be able to negotiate acceptable terms for the renewal of the employment agreements or otherwise retain our key employees. Also, there is significant competition for skilled precious metals traders and other industry professionals. The loss of our current key officers and employees, without the ability to replace them, would have a materially adverse effect on our business.
We rely extensively on computer systems to execute trades and process transactions, and we could suffer substantial damages if the operation of these systems were interrupted.
We rely on our computer and communications hardware and software systems to execute a large volume of trading transactions each year. Our dependence on computer and communications technology increased with the acquisition of JMB, whose sales are conducted exclusively through the internet. It is therefore critical that we maintain uninterrupted operation of these systems, and we have invested considerable resources to protect our systems from physical compromise and security breaches and to maintain backup and redundancy. Nevertheless, our systems are subject to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, including breaches of our transaction processing or other systems, catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes and hurricanes, and usage errors by our employees. Breaches, damage or malfunctions affecting our systems may require significant investment for repair or replacement, and could interrupt our ability to provide quotations or trading services, or to conduct our e-commerce business.
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We are also subject to ransomware attacks, in which malicious actors seek to deprive us of access to our computer systems unless we pay them a fee, which could be substantial. If personal data were compromised, we could be subject to costly litigation or government fines. See also “Risk Factors of General Applicability—If our customer data were breached, we could suffer damages and loss of reputation;” and “—New rules have recently become effective that will require the Company to provide disclosures regarding cybersecurity management and events.”
The Company has minority investments in a number of entities engaged in precious metal marketing; as a minority investor the Company is not able to exercise absolute control over these entities.
We hold minority interests in entities that are engaged in the business of precious metal and numismatic sales to consumers. Although by virtue of the Company’s investment in these entities, the Company is able to exert influence, and in some cases substantial influence, on the management of the entities, the Company does not have absolute control of these entities. As a consequence, circumstances may arise in which action may be taken by the management of these entities which we believe is not in our best interest and to which we object. The value of our investment in one or more of these entities may therefore decline. Also, because these investments are illiquid, we may not be able to dispose of our ownership interests in these entities should be choose to do so, at a price that we believe reflects its fair value or at all.
Risks Related to World Events
Our business is influenced by political conditions and world events.
The precious metals business is especially subject to global political conditions and world events. Precious metals are viewed by some as a secure financial investment in times of political upheaval or unrest, particularly in developing economies, which may drive up pricing. The volatility of the commodity prices for precious metals is also likely to increase in politically uncertain times. Conversely, during periods of relative international calm precious metal volatility is likely to decrease, along with demand, and the prices of precious metals may retreat. Because our business is dependent on the volatility and pricing of precious metals, we are likely to be influenced by world events more than businesses in other economic sectors.
Russia is continuing to engage in its military action against Ukraine. In response, the U.S. and certain other countries imposed significant sanctions and export controls, and could impose further sanctions and controls, against Russia, Belarus and certain individuals and entities connected to Russian or Belarusian political, business, and financial organizations. The conflict has also created uncertainty regarding, and potential shortages of, grain and fossil fuel supplies in Europe and elsewhere. It is not possible to predict the broader consequences of this conflict, which could materially adversely affect global trade, currency exchange rates, regional economies and the global economy, and its impact on us. We could benefit from the resulting uncertainty and instability, as it may encourage investors to seek perceived safety in the ownership of precious metals. On the other hand, we have a marketing support operation in Austria and have significant business in Germany and other parts of Europe that could be materially and adversely affected by the continuing or expanded military activity in that region. Hamas' attack on Israel and Israel's response have the potential for further disruption of economic markets, particularly as hostilities expand to include other state and non-state actors. The Company has no operations in the Middle East at the current time. However, events there could result in political turmoil in Europe, which could directly affect our operations there, and could adversely affect the business that we conduct with customers in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Also, the turmoil in the Middle East could have global economic effects that are the same as or more severe than those of the war in the Ukraine, with similar consequences for our business. In particular, a depressing effect on the global economy as a consequence of the military action in Ukraine and the Middle East could dampen our business activity and reduce the demand for our products and services.
The Company experienced outsized growth in its revenues and operating profits during periods of volatility in the financial markets over the last several years, and there can be no assurance that this level of performance will be attainable in the future.
The unprecedented growth of the business of the Company over the last several years may be attributed to a high degree of volatility in the financial markets, resulting from various geopolitical, macroeconomic, military and global uncertainties and events. In this environment, consumers may have sought perceived financial safety in precious coins and metals. Our stock price responded favorably to these unprecedented circumstances as well.
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Our profits have since retreated from their all-time highs experienced during these times, and there can be no assurance that this historically unprecedented performance of the precious metals business will be attainable in future periods. Our business in the past has been subject to cyclical fluctuations, and we are beginning to experience to a degree a return to cyclicality in our more recent operating results. Consumer perceptions with respect to precious coins and metals could shift, and these commodities may no longer be viewed as secure investments. Slower precious metals markets with lower volatility and greater supply, as we have experienced more recently, have had and could continue to have the effect of decreasing the volume of products sold and also adversely impact our product premiums, which are a key driver of our overall performance. A sustained decline in our revenues and earnings would have adverse effects on our operations and would likely cause our stock price to decline. It is not possible to predict with any accuracy future market trends, and in particular whether the extremely favorable environment for our business during these volatile financial markets will return. As a result, we cannot tell, when, if at all, our profitability will once more achieve the unprecedented levels that we experienced during these periods. Moreover, because of the nature of the current business and financial environment, particularly in regards to the precious metal industry, it is difficult to create with any acceptable measure of precision customary financial projections and forecasts for our business over the next several years. This could adversely affect our ability to engage in financial and operational planning for the future.
We derive significant revenues from business outside the United States.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from business outside the United States, including from customers in developing countries. Business operations outside the U.S. are subject to political, economic and other risks inherent in operating in foreign countries. These include risks of general applicability, such as the need to comply with multiple regulatory regimes; trade protection measures and import or export licensing requirements and tariffs; and fluctuations in equity, revenues and profits due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Currently, we do not conduct substantial business with customers in developing countries. However, if our business in these areas of the world were to increase, we would also face risks that are particular to developing countries, including the difficulty of enforcing agreements, collecting receivables, protecting inventory and other assets through foreign legal systems, limitations on the repatriation of earnings, currency devaluation and manipulation of exchange rates, and high levels of inflation.
We try to manage these risks by monitoring current and anticipated political, economic, legal and regulatory developments in the countries outside the United States in which we operate or have customers and adjusting operations as appropriate, but there can be no assurance that the measures we adopt will be successful in protecting the Company’s business interests.
The Company’s recent acquisition of LPM, a precious metals business located in Hong Kong, reflects the Company’s efforts to increase its presence in Asia, particularly the Far East. There can be no assurance that the Company’s expansion efforts in the Far East will be successful. Moreover, there are particular regulatory and other challenges to the conduct of business in the Peoples Republic of China, and as a result certain foreign businesses have recently been decreasing their presence there. The Company may encounter similar challenges, which may impede the Company’s expansion efforts in the region.
The current inflationary and high interest rate environment may adversely affect our costs and expenses and the demand for our products.
The United States and other world economies are currently experiencing high interest rates and have recently experienced high levels of inflation, although this has eased in recent months. Certain investors, including customers of our Direct-to-Consumer segment, may regard precious metal products as a hedge against inflation and high interest rates, which could positively affect demand for our goods and services. However, inflation may also increase our expenses of operations, which because of the nature of our business we cannot generally pass along to our customers. Our Trading Credit Facility bears interest at a variable rate of interest, so that higher interest rates will also increase our cost of borrowing under that facility, and higher interest rates may also increase the costs under our product financing arrangements. We may be unable to compensate for these increases through higher interest income and other fees and charges received from our counterparties. Also, inflation, together with high interest rates, may reduce discretionary spending among consumers, thereby reducing product demand in the retail sector.
Risks Related to our Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services Segment
The loss of a government purchaser/distributorship arrangement could materially adversely affect our business.
A-Mark’s business is heavily dependent on its purchaser/distributorship arrangements with various governmental mints. Our ability to offer numismatic coins and bars to our customers on a competitive basis is based on the ability to purchase products directly from a government source. The arrangements with the governmental mints may be discontinued by them at any time. The loss of an authorized purchaser/distributor relationship, including with the U.S. Mint, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
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We operate in a highly competitive industry.
The business of buying and selling precious metals is global and highly competitive. The Company competes with precious metals firms and banks throughout North America, Europe and elsewhere in the world, some of whom have greater financial and other resources, and greater name recognition, than the Company. We believe that, as a full-service firm devoted exclusively to precious metals trading, we offer pricing, product availability, execution, financing alternatives and storage options that are attractive to our customers and allow us to compete effectively. We also believe that our purchaser/distributorship arrangements with various governmental mints give us a competitive advantage in our coin distribution business. However, given the global reach of the precious metals business, the absence of intellectual property protections and the availability of numerous, evolving platforms for trading in precious metals, we cannot assure you that A-Mark will be able to continue to compete successfully or that future developments in the industry will not create additional competitive challenges.
The Company is subject to risks relating to its AMST operations.
Our AMST subsidiary, which operates our Silver Towne Mint, depends on critical pieces of equipment which may be out of service occasionally for scheduled upgrades or maintenance or as a result of unanticipated failures or business interruptions. AMST’s facilities are subject to equipment failures and the risk of catastrophic loss due to unanticipated events such as fires, earthquakes, accidents or violent weather conditions. AMST has insurance to cover certain of the risks associated with equipment damage and resulting business interruption, but there are certain events that would not be covered by insurance, and there can be no assurance that insurance will continue to be available on acceptable terms. One such casualty event recently occurred as a result of a tornado, which although covered by insurance, temporarily interrupted operations at the mint.
AMST's ability to continue to expand the scope of its services and customer base depends in part on its ability to increase the size of its skilled labor force. In the past, the demand for skilled personnel has been high and the supply limited. The inability to employ or retain skilled technical personnel could constrain AMST’s operations and its growth opportunities.
Our business is dependent on a concentrated customer base.
One of A-Mark's key assets is the customer base of its Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment. This customer base provides deep distribution of product and makes A-Mark a desirable trading partner for precious metals product manufacturers, including sovereign mints seeking to distribute precious metals coinage or large refiners seeking to sell large volumes of physical precious metals. In any given quarter, our sales in this segment may be derived from a small number of significant customers. If our relationships with these customers deteriorated, or if we were to lose these customers, our business could be materially adversely affected.
We have in the past engaged, and continue to engage, in transactions with Stack’s Bowers, an affiliate of the Company, which could be perceived as not being made at arms-length.
Stack’s-Bowers Numismatics, LLC ("Stack's Bowers"), which is primarily engaged in the business of auctions of high-value and rare coins and in coin retailing, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spectrum Group International, Inc. ("SGI"), our former parent and a related party. We have engaged in the past, and continue to engage, in transactions with Stack’s Bowers. These transactions include secured lending transactions in which Stack’s Bowers is the borrower, and other transactions involving the purchase and sale of rare coins, including with JMB. SGI and the Company have a common chief executive officer, and the chief executive officer and the general counsel of the Company are board members of SGI. In addition, a majority of the board of directors of the Company have an ownership interest in SGI that in the aggregate represents a controlling interest in SGI. Transactions between the Company and Stack’s Bowers are approved by our Audit Committee, as appropriate, and we believe that all such transactions are on terms no less favorable to the Company than would be obtained from an unaffiliated third-party. Nonetheless, these transactions could be perceived as being conflicted.
The materials held by A-Mark are subject to loss, damage, theft or restriction on access.
A-Mark has significant quantities of high-value precious metals at its Logistics facilities, at third-party depositories and in transit. There is a risk that gold and other precious metals held by A-Mark, whether on its own behalf or on behalf of its customers, could be lost, damaged or stolen. In addition, access to A-Mark’s precious metals could be restricted by natural events (such as an earthquake) or human actions (such as a terrorist attack). Although we maintain insurance on terms and conditions that we consider appropriate, we may not have adequate sources of recovery if our precious metals inventory is lost, damaged, stolen or destroyed, and recovery may be limited. Among other things, our insurance policies exclude coverage in the event of loss as a result of terrorist attacks or civil unrest.
Our Logistics depository is subject to authorization by our lenders.
Our lenders under our Trading Credit Facility have approved our Logistics facilities as an authorized depository. If that approval were to be withdrawn for any reason, we would no longer be able to keep inventory at that location, which would substantially limit our ability to conduct business from that facility.
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Risks Related to our Direct-to Consumer Segment
Our Direct-to-Consumer businesses could be subject to accusations of improper sales practices.
Through our Direct-to-Consumer segment (JMB, Goldline, and our investment in SGB), the Company sells precious metals and numismatics directly to the retail investor community. JMB and SGB market their products primarily over the internet. Goldline markets its precious metal products on television, radio, and over the internet, and through customer service outreach. Prior to its acquisition by the Company, Goldline had been accused of improper sales practices, and was the subject of a state enforcement action that was subsequently settled. Other retailers of precious metal products have similarly been the subject of accusations regarding their sales practices, including claims of misrepresentation, excessive product markups, pressured sales tactics and product switching. The Company believes that the sales practices of its Goldline subsidiary conform to applicable legal and ethical standards, and that there is no material basis for claims against Goldline in this regard. Nevertheless, given the nature of the retail precious metals business, the possibility that investors in precious metals may lose a substantial portion of their investment as a result of adverse market trends and the vulnerability of certain retail precious metal investors to economic loss, there can be no assurance that claims will not be made regarding business practices of Goldline, JMB or SGB, or that, if made, such claims will not attract the attention of governmental and private sector consumer advocates. Were this to occur, the Company could suffer adverse publicity, be subject to governmental enforcement actions or be forced to modify the sales and marketing practices of its direct-to-consumer business.
Our Direct-to-Consumer businesses operate in a highly competitive environment.
JMB, Goldline, and SGB face competition from other specialty online precious metal and coin sites, as well as from traditional precious metal retail brokers and coin stores. In addition, certain general online merchandisers such as eBay also offer collectible coins and bullion for sale, and other major online retailers, with financial and marketing resources, name recognition and a customer base that are far greater than those that are available to us, may in the future enter this market. Competition is based upon the availability of coin and bullion product, price, delivery times, convenience and customer service. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete effectively with other retail sources and channels for precious coin and bullion, especially if the demand for these products were to contract from its current record high levels.
We intend to continue to pursue selective acquisitions and investments to complement our organic growth, which may not be successful.
As part of our Direct-to-Consumer operating strategy, we have sought, and in the future may seek, to supplement our organic growth through strategic acquisitions of and investments in other e-commerce retailers of coins and precious metals. We may not be able to identify suitable acquisition or investment candidates in the future. If we are unable to successfully execute on organic growth opportunities or complete acquisitions or investments in the future, or if we incur greater than anticipated costs to execute this strategy, our growth may be limited. To the extent that we grow through acquisitions or investments, we cannot ensure that we will be able to adequately or profitably manage this growth.
JMB’s search engine optimization strategies have provided it with an important competitive advantage, but this may not continue.
We believe that the internally developed search engine optimization (SEO) strategies of JMB provide its business with a competitive advantage in driving traffic to its sites over other e-commerce precious metal retailers and have been a significant factor in the growth of JMB. The challenges of efficient SEO programming are continually evolving, and other e-commerce retailers in the precious metal space are constantly working to improve their own SEO capabilities. If JMB does not continue to maintain its competitive edge in SEO technology, it could lose customers and market share to its competitors.
JMB and SGB rely upon paid and unpaid internet search engines to rank their product offerings and drive traffic to their websites, and their website traffic may suffer if their rankings decline or their relationships with these services deteriorates.
JMB and SGB rely on paid and unpaid internet search engines to attract consumer interest in their product offerings. Search engine companies change their natural search engine algorithms periodically, and these changes may adversely affect our Direct-to-Consumer product offerings in paid and/or unpaid searches. JMB and SGB may also at times be subject to ranking penalties if the operators of search engines believe it is not in compliance with their guidelines. If our Direct-to-Consumer's search engine rankings decline, and we are unable to timely regain our prior rankings, we may have to use more expensive marketing channels to sustain and grow our Direct-to-Consumer revenues, resulting in reduced profitability.
If JMB, Goldline, and SGB do not respond effectively to technological and market changes, they will cease to be competitive with other channels that consumers may have for the purchase of precious coins and bullion.
To remain competitive, JMB, Goldline, and SGB must continue to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality and features of their online operations. The internet and the electronic commerce industry are characterized by rapid technological change, changes in user and customer requirements and preferences, frequent new product and service introductions embodying new technologies, and the emergence of new industry standards and practices.
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The evolving nature of the internet could render our Direct-to-Consumer Segment's existing technology and systems obsolete. Its continuing success will depend, in part, on its ability to:
With the growth of e-commerce, the pace of change in product offerings and consumer tastes is faster now than in years past. This accelerated pace of change increases uncertainty and places a greater burden on management to anticipate and respond to such changes. The increased pace of change also means that the window in which a technologically advanced or sophisticated product or service can achieve and maintain partner and consumer interest is shrinking and, to the extent our Direct-to-Consumer Segment fails to timely anticipate or respond to changes in their industry, the effects of such missteps may be amplified.
Future advances in technology may not be beneficial to, or compatible with, JMB’s, Goldline’s, or SGB's businesses. Furthermore, JMB, Goldline and SGB may be unsuccessful in using new technologies effectively or adapting their technology and systems to user requirements or emerging industry standards on a timely basis. Their ability to remain technologically competitive may require substantial expenditures and lead time. If JMB, Goldline or SGB is unable to adapt in a timely manner and at reasonable cost to changing market conditions or user requirements, they will cease to be competitive with other channels for the purchase of precious coins and bullion.
If JMB fails to continuously improve its websites (on all relevant platforms, including mobile), it may not attract or retain customers.
JMB owns and operates numerous websites targeting specific niches within the precious metals retail market, including JMBullion.com, ProvidentMetals.com, Silver.com, CyberMetals.com, GoldPrice.org, SilverPrice.org, BGASC.com, BullionMax.com, and Gold.com. JMB must continually update its websites (on all relevant platforms, including mobile) to improve and enhance its content, accessibility, convenience and ease of use. Failure to do so may create a perception that the websites of JMB’s competitors are easier to use and navigate or that they are better able to service customer needs for precious metal coins and bullion. If such a perception were to gain currency, traffic to JMB’s websites and its revenues would suffer.
Certain of JMB’s websites publish data concerning the precious metal and cryptocurrency markets obtained from third parties, which could be inaccurate.
JMB’s GoldPrice.org and SilverPrice.org publish data on precious metal and cryptocurrency pricing which is obtained from third parties. While we believe that the sources of the published data are reliable, the data is not independently verified by JMB or us. If the data that JMB receives and publishes were inaccurate, and were relied upon by consumers visiting these websites, JMB could be exposed to liability and may suffer damage to its reputation.
JMB, Goldline, and SGB expect to profit on precious metals acquired from their customers, but that might not be the case.
Through the Direct-to-Consumer Purchase Program, JMB and, through PMPP, Goldline and SGB, offer to purchase precious coins and bullion owned by their customers. We believe that this program encourages the purchase of coins and bullion as an investment because it assures customers that their investment in the products offered by JMB, Goldline, and SGB will be liquid and can be monetized if the customers have a need for cash. JMB, Goldline, and SGB offer to purchase coins and bullion from their customers at prices designed to reflect current market valuations, but also allows JMB, Goldline, and SGB to profit on the resale of the products. There can be no assurance, however, that JMB, Goldline, or SGB will in fact be able to resell product that they purchase at a price that will justify the cost of purchase. In a declining market for precious metal products, JMB, Goldline, and SGB could be burdened with substantial amounts of purchased inventory that they are unable to resell at an economic price, or at all. The suspension or discontinuance of the Direct-to-Consumer Purchase Program because of adverse market conditions could impair the perception among JMB's, Goldline's, and SGB's customers that precious coin and bullion is a safe and attractive investment.
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Risks Related to our Secured Lending Segment
Our lending business depends on the ability of CFC to originate or acquire loans secured principally by bullion and numismatic coins.
The performance of our Secured Lending segment depends on having a portfolio of loans of sufficient size and quality to justify the expenses and allocation of financial resources committed to the Company’s loan business. CFC both originates loans to customers of our wholesale and trading business and also acquires portfolios of loans originated by other parties. The Company typically stores the bullion and numismatics that serve as collateral for the loans. As CFC does not independently market its lending business, it is dependent on the interest of the customers of the Company’s wholesale and trading business in financing their acquisition of bullion and numismatics with loans made by CFC. The interest of the Company’s customers in obtaining loans from CFC is dependent on numerous factors, including the availability of other sources of financing, the interest rate environment, other alternatives for the storage of their bullion and numismatics, their business relationship with the Company and the level and types of businesses conducted by the Company’s Wholesale Sales & and Ancillary Services segment. The Secured Lending segment is also dependent on CFC’s ability to identify and acquire portfolios of loans secured by bullion and numismatics originated by third parties satisfying the Company’s standard for quality and risk. There can be no assurance the CFC will be successful in continuing to originate and acquire secured loans in amounts sufficient to justify the conduct of this business.
The number of loans and the size of CFC’s loan portfolio can vary significantly from period to period.
CFC’s loan portfolio can vary considerably from period to period, both as to the number of loans in the portfolio and the total size of the portfolio in terms of dollar amount. The variation of CFCs loan portfolio is attributable to a variety of factors, including the success of the Company in originating and acquiring loans discussed above, as well as the maturities of the loans in the portfolio and the decisions of borrowers to prepay or extend the terms of their loans. As a consequence, the performance of the Secured Lending segment in a particular financial reporting period may not be indicative of the how the segment will perform in any future period, either in the short or the long term.
The growth of the Secured Lending segment is likely to require significant resources.
Historically, the Company has originated loans almost exclusively to customers of its wholesale and trading business. The opportunity to finance purchases of bullion and numismatics with secured loans obtained from CFC is part of a suite of ancillary services that the Company provides to its customers. The business of the Secured Lending segment, with respect to both the origination and acquisition of loan portfolios, is constrained by the Company’s borrowing capacity under its Trading Credit Facility, on which it relies to finance the much larger business of the Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment. Any significant future growth of the Secured Lending segment will require the application of significant additional resources to this business, and there can be no assurance that such resources will be available or that the Company will not determine that such resources, even if available, should be applied to other areas of the Company’s business.
Risks Relating to Commodities
A-Mark’s business is heavily influenced by volatility in commodities prices.
A primary driver of A-Mark’s profitability is volatility in commodities prices, which leads to wider bid and ask spreads. Among the factors that can impact the price of precious metals are supply and demand of precious metals; political, economic, and global financial events; movement of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies; and the activity of large speculators such as hedge funds. If commodity prices were to stagnate, there would likely be a reduction in trading activity, resulting in less demand for the services A-Mark provides, and spreads would likely decrease, which could materially adversely affect our profitability.
The period to period changes in volatility may cause our revenues to fluctuate, as a consequence of which our results for any one period may not be indicative of the results to be expected for any future period. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Our business is exposed to the risk of changes in commodity prices, and our hedging activity to protect our inventory is subject to risks of default by our counterparties.
A-Mark’s precious metals inventory is subject to market value changes created by changes in the underlying commodity price, as well as supply and demand of the individual products the Company trades. In addition, open sale and purchase commitments are subject to changes in value between the date the purchase or sale is fixed (the trade date) and the date metal is delivered or received (the settlement date). A-Mark seeks to minimize the effect of price changes of the underlying commodity through the use of financial derivative instruments, such as forward and futures contracts. A-Mark’s policy is to remain substantially hedged as to its inventory position and its individual sale and purchase commitments. A-Mark’s management monitors its hedged exposure daily. However, there can be no assurance that these hedging activities will be adequate to protect the Company against commodity price risks associated with A-Mark’s business activities.
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Furthermore, even if we are fully hedged as to any given position, there is the risk of default by our counterparties to the financial instruments that we use to hedge our inventory. A default by a counterparty on a substantial hedge could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Increased commodity pricing could limit the inventory that we are able to carry.
We maintain a large and varied inventory of precious metal products, including bullion and coins, in order to support our trading and Direct-to-Consumer activities and provide our customers with superior service. The amount of inventory that we are able to carry is constrained by the borrowing limitations and working capital covenants under the Trading Credit Facility. If commodity prices were to rise substantially, and we were unable to modify the terms of the Trading Credit Facility to compensate for the increase, the quantity of product that we could finance, and hence maintain in our inventory, would fall. This would likely have a material adverse effect on our operations.
We rely on the efficient functioning of commodity exchanges around the world, and disruptions on these exchanges could adversely affect our business.
The Company buys and sells precious metals contracts on commodity exchanges around the world, both in support of its customer operations and to hedge its inventory and transactional exposure against fluctuations in commodity prices. The Company’s ability to engage in these activities would be compromised if the exchanges on which the Company trades or any of their clearinghouses were to discontinue operations or to experience disruptions in trading, due to computer problems, unsettled markets, sanctions against commodity exporting countries or other factors. For example, if there were to be disruptions in the supply chain for gold, silver, platinum or palladium, our ability to buy and sell these metals on the commodity exchanges would be materially and adversely affected.
The Company may also experience disruption and risk of loss if futures commission merchants or commodity brokers with whom the Company deals were to become insolvent or bankrupt.
Our business is subject to the risk of fraud and counterfeiting.
The precious metals (particularly bullion) business is exposed to the risk of loss as a result of “materials fraud” in its various forms. We seek to minimize our exposure to this type of fraud through a number of means, including third-party authentication and verification, reliance on our internal experts and the establishment of procedures designed to detect fraud. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in preventing or identifying this type of fraud, or in obtaining redress in the event such fraud is detected.
Risk Related to our Regulatory Environment
The CFTC may seek to assert jurisdiction over the Company’s activities.
The Company believes that its Direct-to-Consumer operations are generally conducted in a manner that does not implicate the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), as it does not sell products to retail customers for future delivery. The Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) and the rules and regulations of the CFTC are drafted broadly, however, and practices that the Company does not regard as futures transactions may be regarded as such by the CFTC.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company and Goldline settled an action in which the CFTC alleged, among other things, that certain financing arrangements that were made available to customers constituted off-exchange retail commodity transactions. Although this matter was settled on terms satisfactory to the Company with no material financial impact, and Goldline has discontinued these particular arrangements and practices, there can be no assurance that the CFTC will not in the future accuse us of violating the CEA or the rules and regulations of the CFTC, or otherwise (along with other federal or state agencies) seek to assert oversight over aspects of our operations which could adversely affect us.
Recent legislative and regulatory initiatives will require us to expend time and resources on environmental reporting.
Although our manufacturing activity is limited to the production of silver bullion products at our Silver Towne Mint, recent California legislation and new rules of the SEC will require us to make disclosures regarding environmental matters that could entail significant time and expense.
On October 7, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill ("SB") 261, Greenhouse Gases: Climate-Related Financial Risk, and SB 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, which significantly expand climate-related disclosure requirements for companies doing business in California. As a company with operations in California, we may fall under the jurisdiction of these new laws, which impose rigorous reporting obligations regarding our climate-related financial risks and extensive requirements for the disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions.
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SB 253 imposes its greenhouse gas reporting obligations on companies with annual revenues exceeding $1.0 billion. Given our current revenue levels, we are subject to the requirements of SB 253. SB 253 requires the reporting of Scope 1 greenhouse gas emissions (direct emissions from our operations) and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions (indirect emissions from our operations) for the prior fiscal year beginning in 2026. SB 253 requires reporting of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions (emission from third parties in our value chain) for the prior fiscal year beginning in 2027. Although we will not know the full requirements of this law until the California Air Resources Board issues implementing rules, the law will likely require us to report emissions from our operations in and outside of California, including our mint operations in Winchester, Indiana, and emissions from our suppliers and customers.
Commencing on January 1, 2026, and biennially thereafter, SB 261 mandates that we publicly disclose our climate-related financial risks, which may include risks to our own operations, the operations of our suppliers and customers and the precious metals markets generally. This includes detailing the strategies we have adopted to mitigate and adapt to these risks. Our compliance reports must be made publicly available on our company's website. Non-compliance with the requirements of SB 261 could expose us to a fine of up to $50,000 per reporting year and we may also be required to pay an annual filing fee. The California climate disclosure is the subject of ongoing litigation that could impact whether and when the Company is required to make the disclosures required by the regime. The Company will monitor that litigation as it prepares to comply with the rule.
On March 6, 2024 the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued final rules requiring public companies, such as A-Mark, to disclose both greenhouse gas emissions and climate risk. The SEC final rules overlap significantly with both the California reporting regime discussed above and the European Corporate Sustainability Directive (“CSRD”) discussed below but there are also material differences.
Like the California reporting regime, the SEC final rule would require the Company to measure and disclose both Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions from its facilities including its mint operations in Winchester, Indiana. Unlike the California reporting scheme, the final SEC rules would not require the Company to report Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. The SEC final rule would also require the Company to obtain attestation reports of its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions from an independent expert in greenhouse gas emissions measurement.
Like the California reporting regime, the SEC final rule will also require the Company to track and disclose material climate related financial risks and how we manage those risks. Unlike the California rule, the SEC final rule will require the Company to track and report material capitalized costs, expenditures expensed and charged and losses incurred as a result of severe weather events and other natural conditions and any carbon reduction goal we may have along with our use of offsets or Renewable Energy Credits to achieve that goal.
Like the California reporting regime, the SEC final rule is the subject to ongoing litigation that could impact whether and when the Company is required to make the disclosures required by the rule. The Company will monitor that litigation as it prepares to comply with the rule.
The European Union adopted new disclosure standards and rules related to environmental, social, and corporate governance ("ESG") matters in the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) which became effective in 2023 and applies to both EU and non-EU entities. Because our operations in Europe surpass the net turnover threshold in the rule and we may be deemed to have an EU branch or subsidiary, we may be subject to CSRD reporting requirements. We will know more about the specific disclosure requirements when the EU adopts implementing regulations for the non-EU groups that are covered by the rule.
These changing rules and regulations, and the stakeholder expectations related to ESG described in "Risk Factors of General Applicability – Third-party expectations relating to ESG factors may impose additional costs and expose us to new risks," have resulted in and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative expenses and increased management time and attention spent complying with or meeting such regulations and expectations.
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Compliance with new and existing data protection/privacy statutes could increase our costs and expose the Company to possible sanctions for violation.
By reason of our Direct-to-Consumer business in particular, we collect personal data or personal information, which is broadly defined to include all information that can be related to a consumer or household, including identification information, demographics, usage, transactions and inquiries, preferences, and inferences drawn to create a profile about a consumer (“Personal Information”). We are subject to numerous data privacy and protection obligations that govern our handling of Personal Information, including: various federal, state, local and foreign laws, regulations, and guidance; industry standards; external and internal privacy notices and policies; contracts; and other obligations that apply to the handling of Personal Information by us and on our behalf. These obligations may change, are subject to differing interpretations, and may be inconsistent among relevant jurisdictions in which we operate or from which we collect Personal Information. The data privacy and protection landscape continues to evolve in jurisdictions worldwide. This evolution may create uncertainty in our business; affect us or our collaborators’, service providers’, and others’ ability to operate in certain jurisdictions or to collect, store, transfer, use, share, and otherwise process Personal Information; necessitate the acceptance of more onerous obligations in our contracts; cause us to modify our business operations; result in liabilities; or otherwise impose additional compliance costs on us. Moreover, despite our efforts, we may not be successful in achieving compliance if our personnel or third parties upon whom we rely fail to comply with such obligations. For example, any failure by a service provider to comply with applicable data privacy or protection law, regulations, contractual, or other obligations could result in significant consequences against us. These consequences may include: government enforcement actions (e.g., investigations, fines, penalties, audits, inspections and similar activities); litigation (including class-related claims); additional reporting requirements and/or oversight; orders to destroy or not use Personal Information; damage to our reputation; loss of revenue and profits; loss of goodwill; and other adverse business impacts..
In 2016, the European Union ("EU") adopted a comprehensive overhaul of its data protection regime from a national legislative approach to a single European Economic Area Privacy Regulation, the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which went into effect in May 2018. The EU data protection regime expands the scope of the EU data protection law to all foreign companies processing Personal Information of EU residents, imposes a strict data protection compliance regime with severe penalties of up to the greater of 4% of worldwide turnover or €20 million, and includes new rights such as the “portability” of Personal Information. Although the GDPR applies across the EU without a need for local implementing legislation, EU member states have the ability to interpret the GDPR opening clauses, which permit region-specific data protection legislation and have the potential to create inconsistencies on a country-by-country basis. The United Kingdom passed similar legislation (the “UK GDPR”) which took effect in 2021 and provides severe penalties of up to the greater of 4% of worldwide turnover or €17.5 million. We may also be subject to many other foreign privacy laws that are modeled at least in part after the GDPR, including China’s Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and territorial Canadian privacy laws, and the Privacy Acts of Australia and New Zealand.
Our Direct-to-Consumer business currently has limited international operations which would subject it to these foreign privacy laws. Our Wholesale Sales and Ancillary Services segment maintains an office in Vienna, Austria that provides marketing support services for its international customers. We have evaluated these foreign privacy laws and their requirements, and believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects. Going forward, however, the expansion of our international operations could require us to change our business practices and may increase the costs and complexity of compliance. Also, a violation by the Company of these regulations could expose us to penalties and sanctions under the regulations.
California passed amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) that took effect on January 1, 2023. This law provides California consumers with a high level of transparency and broad rights and choices with respect to their Personal Information. For example, CCPA grants consumers privacy rights including the rights of data correction and data portability, the right to limit the Company’s use of a subset of Personal Information called “sensitive Personal Information” that requires heightened protections, and the right to appeal the Company’s response to an individual’s exercise of these new or existing privacy rights. Compliance with CCPA requires the implementation of a series of operational measures such as: preparing data maps, inventory, or other records of all Personal Information pertaining to California residents, households and devices, as well as information sources, usage, storage, and sharing; maintaining and updating detailed disclosures in privacy policies; conducting risk assessments for the use of sensitive Personal Information; establishing mechanisms (including, at a minimum, a toll-free telephone number and an online channel) to respond to consumers’ data access, deletion, portability, and opt-out requests; and providing clear and conspicuous links on the home page of the business’ website, where applicable, allowing residents to limit or opt-out of certain data processing activities. CCPA prohibits businesses from discriminating against consumers who have opted out of the sale of their Personal Information, subject to narrow exceptions. Failure to comply with CCPA can result in civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation or actual damages suffered by a consumer.
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Colorado, Virginia, Utah, and Connecticut also passed comprehensive privacy laws, modeled in part after the CCPA, that took effect in 2023. Fifteen other states have passed similar privacy laws that have taken or will take effect between 2024 and 2026, including Florida, Texas, Delaware, Oregon, Tennessee, Iowa, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Montana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Rhode Island. These U.S. privacy laws have some provisions and requirements similar to the CCPA. However, preparing to comply with the varying requirements of these laws has already subjected the Company to costs and legal fees and will subject the Company to additional costs and risks as they take effect. For example, these laws may limit the Company’s ability to use Personal Information for advertising purposes, may limit the ways in which the Company may use certain categories of personal information, may require the Company to obtain additional permissions from the consumer, and may require revision of the Company's contracts with service providers with whom the Company shares Personal Information in the course of providing its products and services. These laws may also limit the Company’s ability to process sensitive Personal Information, which includes financial data, account information, identification card numbers, social security numbers, and precise geolocation. The Company will have to update is policies, notices, procedures, and permissions in response to these new privacy laws. The Company may also have to update its advertising practices. Failure to comply with these privacy laws can result in civil penalties ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 per violation.
All fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia have enacted data breach notification laws that may require us to notify investors, employees, regulators and others in the event of a security breach (for example, unauthorized access to or disclosure of Personal Information experienced by us or our service providers). These laws may not be consistent, and compliance in the event of a widespread data breach may be difficult and costly. We may also be contractually required or otherwise obligated to notify investors and others of a security breach. Although we may have contractual protections against our service providers should they experience a security breach, any actual or perceived security breach could harm our reputation and brand, expose us to potential liability and require us to expend significant resources on data security as well as in responding to any such actual or perceived breach. Any contractual protections we may have against relevant counterparties may not be sufficient to protect adequately us from any such liabilities and losses, and we may be unable to enforce any such contractual protections.
Nevada law requires operators of websites and online services to post a notice on their websites regarding their privacy practices. The law also requires operators of internet websites or online services to establish a designated request address through which a consumer may submit a verified request directing such operators not to make any sale of covered information collected about the consumer. The “covered information” regulated by the Nevada law is defined to include an enumerated list of items of personally identifiable information (including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers and identifiers that allow a specific person to be contacted).
We have evaluated these state privacy laws and their requirements, and believe we are currently in compliance in all material respects with those that are in effect. Going forward, however, the changes introduced by state privacy laws that will soon take effect, and other similar regulations enacted by other jurisdictions, will subject the Company to additional costs and complexity of compliance, by requiring, among other things, changes to the Company’s security systems, policies, procedures and practices. In addition, a violation by the Company of the new regulations could expose us to penalties and sanctions.
We are subject to other laws and regulations.
There are various federal, state, local and foreign laws, ordinances and regulations that affect our trading business. For example, because of the nature and value of the products in which deal, we are required to comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and a variety of anti-money laundering and know-your-customer rules in response to the USA Patriot Act.
The SEC has promulgated rules mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act regarding disclosure, on an annual basis, of the use of tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, known as conflict minerals, in products manufactured by public companies. These rules require due diligence to determine whether such minerals originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC") or an adjoining country and whether such minerals helped finance the armed conflict in the DRC.
The Company has concluded that it is not currently subject to the conflict minerals rules because it is not a manufacturer of conflict minerals under the definitions set forth in the rules. Depending on developments in the Company’s business, it could become subject to the rules at some point in the future. In that event, there will be costs associated with complying with these disclosure requirements, including costs to determine the origin of gold used in our products. In addition, the implementation of these rules could adversely affect the sourcing, supply and pricing of gold used in our products. Also, we may face disqualification as a supplier for customers and reputational challenges if the due diligence procedures we implement do not enable us to verify the origins for the gold used in our products or to determine that the gold is conflict free.
CFC operates under a California Finance Lenders License issued by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. CFC is required to submit a finance lender law annual report to the state which summarizes certain loan portfolio and financial information regarding CFC. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation may audit the books and records of CFC to determine whether CFC is in compliance with the terms of its lending license.
There can be no assurance that the regulation of our trading, Direct-to-Consumer, and lending businesses will not increase or that compliance with the applicable regulations will not become more costly or require us to modify our business practices.
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For other risks related to government regulation, see below this section and see “Risk Factors of General Applicability — We are subject to other laws and regulations,” below.
One or more states or municipalities could assert that the Company is liable for sales and use, commerce, or similar type of taxes, which could adversely affect our business.
We ship product to retail customers throughout the United States. In South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. et al ("Wayfair"), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states may charge tax on purchases made from out-of-state sellers, even if the seller does not have a physical presence in the taxing state. The effect of Wayfair was to uphold economic nexus principles in determining sales and use tax nexus. As a result of the decision, most states have adopted laws that require an out-of-state retailer to register and collect sales and use or other non-income type taxes upon meeting certain economic nexus standards regardless of whether the company has physical presence in the state. Although the Company believes it is complying with these requirements, our interpretation and application of the newly enacted legislation may differ from the states, which could result in the states' attempt to impose additional tax liabilities, including potential penalties and interest. Furthermore, the requirements by state or local governments on out-of-state sellers to collect sales and use taxes could deter futures sales, which could have an adverse impact on our business.
For other risks related to taxation, see “Risk Factors of General Applicability — Changes in tax law could adversely affect our business,” below.
We use lead providers and marketing affiliates to assist us in obtaining new customers, and if lead providers or marketing affiliates do not comply with an increasing number of applicable laws and regulations, or if our ability to use such lead providers or marketing affiliates is otherwise impaired, it could adversely affect our business.
We are dependent on third parties, referred to as lead providers (or lead generators) and marketing affiliates, as a source of new customers for our Direct-to-Consumer segment. Our marketing affiliates place our advertisements on their websites that direct potential customers to our websites. Generally, lead providers operate, and also work with their own marketing affiliates who operate, separate websites to attract prospective customers and then sell those “leads” to online traders and lenders. As a result, the success of our Direct-to-Consumer business depends materially on the willingness and ability of lead providers or marketing affiliates to provide us customer leads at acceptable prices.
If regulatory oversight of lead providers or marketing affiliates is increased, through the implementation of new laws or regulations or the interpretation of existing laws or regulations, our ability to use lead providers or marketing affiliates could be restricted or eliminated. For example, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") has indicated its intention to examine compliance with federal laws and regulations by lead providers and to scrutinize the flow of non-public, private borrower information between lead providers and lead buyers, such as us. Over the past few years, several states have taken actions that have caused us to discontinue the use of lead providers in those states. While these discontinuations did not have a material adverse effect on us, other states may propose or enact similar restrictions on lead providers and potentially on marketing affiliates in the future, and if other states adopt similar restrictions, our ability to use lead providers or marketing affiliates in those states would also be interrupted.
The failure by lead providers or marketing affiliates to comply with applicable laws or regulations, or any changes in laws or regulations applicable to lead providers or marketing affiliates or changes in the interpretation or implementation of such laws or regulations, could have an adverse effect on our business and could increase negative perceptions of our business and industry. Additionally, the use of lead providers and marketing affiliates could subject us to additional regulatory cost and expense. If our ability to use lead providers or marketing affiliates were to be impaired, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Judicial decisions, CFPB rulemaking or amendments to the Federal Arbitration Act could render the arbitration agreements we use illegal or unenforceable.
We include arbitration provisions in our loan and financing agreements. These provisions are designed to allow us to resolve any customer disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court and explicitly provide that all arbitrations will be conducted on an individual and not on a class basis. Thus, our arbitration agreements, if enforced, have the effect of shielding us from class action liability. Our arbitration agreements do not generally have any impact on regulatory enforcement proceedings. We take the position that the arbitration provisions in loan and financing agreements, including class action waivers, are valid and enforceable; however, the enforceability of arbitration provisions is often challenged in court. If those challenges are successful, our arbitration and class action waiver provisions could be unenforceable, which could subject us to additional litigation, including class action litigation.
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In addition, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation that would generally limit or prohibit mandatory arbitration agreements in consumer contracts and has enacted legislation with such a prohibition with respect to certain mortgage loan agreements and also certain consumer loan agreements to members of the military on active duty and their dependents. Further, the Dodd-Frank Act directed the CFPB to study consumer arbitration and authorized the CFPB to adopt rules limiting or prohibiting consumer arbitration, consistent with the results of its study. In July 2017, the CFPB issued a new rule on arbitration, which would have prohibited class action waivers in certain consumer financial services contracts. However, in November 2017, a joint resolution passed by Congress was signed disapproving the rule under the Congressional Review Act. Because the rule was disapproved, it cannot be reissued in substantially the same form, and the CFPB cannot issue a substantially similar rule, unless the new rule is specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of the joint resolution disapproving the original rule.
Any judicial decisions, legislation or other rules or regulations that impair our ability to enter into and enforce consumer arbitration agreements and class action waivers could increase our exposure to class action litigation as well as litigation in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions, which would be costly and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our advertising and marketing materials and disclosures related to our Direct-to-Consumer and Secured Lending segments have been and continue to be subject to regulatory scrutiny.
In the jurisdictions where our Direct-to-Consumer and Secured Lending businesses operate, our advertising and marketing activities and disclosures are subject to regulation under various industry standards, borrower protection laws, and other applicable laws and regulations. As a whole, our advertising and marketing materials have come under increased scrutiny.
There can be no guarantee that we will be able to continue advertising and marketing our business units in a manner we consider effective. Any inability to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
We may not continue to pay any dividends in the future.
A-Mark’s board of directors has adopted a regular quarterly cash dividend policy of $0.20 per common share ($0.80 per share on an annual basis). The initial quarterly cash dividend under the policy was paid on October 24, 2022 to stockholders of record as of October 10, 2022. The most recent cash dividend under the policy was paid on July 31, 2024 to stockholders of record as of July 18, 2024. The declaration of regular cash dividends in the future is subject to the determination each quarter by the board of directors, based on a number of factors, including the Company’s financial performance, available cash resources, cash requirements and alternative uses of cash and applicable bank covenants.
There can be no assurance that the Company will pay dividends in the future on a regular basis or otherwise. If the board of directors were to determine not to pay dividends in the future, stockholders would not receive any further return on an investment in our capital stock in the form of dividends and may obtain an economic benefit from the common stock only after an increase in its trading price and only by selling the common stock.
The Company has paid non-recurring special cash dividends to our stockholders as a consequence in part of the Company's favorable performance during the preceding periods. There is no assurance that any such non-recurring special dividend will be paid in the future, and if made, the timing or amount of any such dividend.
See Note 20 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for more information regarding our dividends.
Your percentage ownership in the Company could be diluted in the future.
Your percentage ownership in A-Mark potentially could be diluted in the future because of additional common stock-based equity awards that we expect will be granted to our directors, officers and employees, including through our current equity incentive plan. In addition, we may issue equity in order to raise capital or in connection with future acquisitions and strategic investments, which could dilute your percentage ownership. For example, in the acquisition of JMB, our increased investments in Pinehurst Coin Exchange, Inc. and Silver Gold Bull, Inc., and our recent acquisition of LPM, we issued stock to the sellers in partial consideration for the acquired interests. We also issued stock to the public to finance, in part, the acquisition of JMB.
Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and of Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of the Company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law contain certain anti-takeover provisions that could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or of discouraging a third-party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company without negotiating with our board of directors. Such provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for the Company’s securities. Certain of such provisions allow the Company to issue preferred stock with rights senior to those of the common stock, impose various procedural and other requirements which could make it more difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporate actions and set forth rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings.
28
We believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors and by providing our board of directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. However, these provisions apply even if an acquisition offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our board of directors determines is not in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders. Accordingly, in the event that our board determines that a potential business combination transaction is not in the best interests of our Company and our stockholders, but certain stockholders believe that such a transaction would be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders, such stockholders may elect to sell their shares in the Company and the trading price of our common stock could decrease.
Our board and management beneficially own a sizable percentage of our common stock and therefore have the ability to exert substantial influence as stockholders.
Members of our board and management beneficially own approximately 22% of our outstanding common stock. Acting together in their capacity as stockholders, the board members and management could exert substantial influence over matters on which a stockholder vote is required, such as the approval of business combination transactions. Also because of the size of their beneficial ownership, the board members and management may be in a position effectively to determine the outcome of the election of directors and the vote on stockholder proposals. The concentration of beneficial ownership in the hands of our board and management may therefore limit the ability of our public stockholders to influence the affairs of the Company.
Risk Factors of General Applicability
New rules have recently become effective that will require the Company to provide disclosures regarding cybersecurity management and events.
The SEC recently changed its disclosure requirements regarding cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance and incident reporting. While the Company believes it has robust cybersecurity risk management procedures for addressing cybersecurity events, the new rules may increase the costs of cybersecurity protection and require disclosure of cybersecurity events that the Company might not otherwise deem to be material. The new rules require companies to investigate all cybersecurity incidents without unreasonable delay, determine their level of materiality, and report specific details about any material cybersecurity incidents in a separate filing within four business days. The new rules also require additional information in annual disclosures regarding the Company’s cybersecurity risk management and reporting processes, as well as the cybersecurity expertise of relevant Company personnel and third-party service providers or auditors.
The Company’s failure or inability to protect its intellectual property could harm its competitive position.
The Company relies on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws and contractual restrictions, such as confidentiality agreements and licenses, to protect its business, services, know-how and information. The Company’s patent, trademarks or service marks may be challenged or found to be unenforceable, and contractual arrangements to protect our intellectual property may be insufficient to prevent its misappropriation. If that were the case, the Company’s competitive position would suffer.
Third parties may assert violations of their intellectual property rights against the Company.
Third parties may currently have, or may be issued, patents upon which the technologies used by the Company infringe. The Company could incur significant costs to defend infringements claims, regardless of their validity, or could be required to develop non-infringing technology at considerable expense or be compelled to enter into expensive royalty or license agreements. For example, JMB was compelled to expend significant resources as a consequence of litigation in which it was accused of infringement prior to its acquisition by the Company.
We are subject to other laws and regulations.
In addition to matters discussed above, we are subject to various laws, and regulations, both domestic and foreign, as well as responsible business, social and environmental practices, which may change from time to time. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or to implement responsible business practices could subject us to damage to our reputation, lawsuits, criminal exposure, or increased cost of regulatory compliance.
Changes in tax law could adversely affect our business.
Changes to tax laws (which changes may have retroactive application) could adversely affect us or holders of our common stock. It cannot be predicted whether, when, in what form, or with what effective dates, new tax laws or regulations may be enacted under existing or new tax laws. This could result in an increase in our tax liability or require changes in our business in order to mitigate any adverse effects of changes in tax laws.
29
Third-party expectations relating to ESG factors may impose additional costs and expose us to new risks.
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus by stakeholders of public companies—including investors, employees, customers, suppliers, and governmental and non-governmental organizations—on ESG matters. A failure, whether real or perceived, to address ESG could adversely affect our business, including by heightening other risks that we face, such as those related to consumer behavior and consumer perceptions of us. We may also face pressure from stakeholders to provide disclosure and establish commitments, targets or goals, and take actions to meet them, regarding ESG. If we fail to satisfy the expectations of investors and other stakeholders or our initiatives are not executed as planned, our reputation, results of our operations and ability to grow our business may be negatively impacted. Additionally, new legislative or regulatory initiatives related to ESG could adversely affect our business.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
We recognize the importance of information security practices designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of company information and the personal information that we process. Cybersecurity risk management is an integral part of our overall enterprise risk management efforts. We manage cybersecurity risks using a framework based on applicable regulations, industry standards and recognized best practices. Through this framework, we devote significant resources to identifying, monitoring, assessing and responding to cybersecurity threats and incidents, including those associated with our use of third-party software, applications, services, and cloud infrastructure.
Our Cybersecurity Program includes multiple policies, procedures, and other components designed to identify, analyze, and respond to cybersecurity risks, including reliance on a layered system of preventative and detective technologies and controls designed to detect, mitigate, and contain cybersecurity threats. As part of our Cybersecurity Program, we maintain a Written Information Security Plan that outline internal controls and procedures designed to protect our information systems. Our Cybersecurity Program contains a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity policies that are commensurate with companies in our industry of similar size and sophistication, and these policies are also informed by the sensitivity of our data processing activities. Our Cybersecurity Program also includes policies and procedures designed to ensure adequate business continuity, disaster recovery, and incident response. We also have access through our insurer to computer forensics firms and specialized legal counsel in case of a cybersecurity incident. While we maintain cybersecurity insurance to assist in the cost of recovery from a cybersecurity incident, such coverage may not be sufficient to cover all costs resulting from such incidents.
We leverage qualified third-party consultants, advisors, counsel, and other experts to inform, audit, and update our Cybersecurity Program throughout each year. We engage security assessors to identify vulnerabilities through both internal and external penetration tests and to perform cybersecurity maturity assessments. We perform risk assessments annually, or more frequently if circumstances require, using both internal and external resources. We may also be subject to examinations by applicable regulators. We conduct annual cybersecurity training for employees to enhance awareness of how to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats, as well as periodic phishing training and testing campaigns. We also conduct table-top exercises annually to simulate a response to a cybersecurity incident.
Our designated IT team members monitor cybersecurity threats in real time for the Company at the enterprise level, with the assistance of third-party threat detection and monitoring software. Cybersecurity threats at the subsidiary level are also monitored in real time by experienced IT professionals at those subsidiaries, including our Vice President of Digital and Technology at JM Bullion. These individuals report cybersecurity incidents immediately to our Chief Information Officer (CIO), who in turn follows approved reporting protocols, as more fully described below.
Our Cybersecurity Compliance and Disclosure Committee (CCDC), which is further described below, is chaired by our CIO and includes the General Counsel of A-Mark and other representatives from the Company and our subsidiaries, including top-level management, to ensure enterprise-wide implementation and consistent application of the Company’s data security policies and procedures. The CCDC regularly enlists subject matter experts to assist where necessary.
We also maintain a formal Vendor Management Program that provides oversight of cybersecurity risks related to our vendor and supplier relationships. During vendor onboarding, we perform risk-based due diligence on these third-parties, with heightened requirements for vendors that have access to confidential or personal information or that require access to our information systems. This Vendor Management Program includes specific cybersecurity requirements for our vendors, as well as ongoing monitoring, assessment, and contract review. Members of the CCDC are involved in and review the Vendor Management Program at least annually.
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To date, we have not identified any risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected us or are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. However, the sophistication of and risks from cybersecurity threats and incidents continue to increase, and the preventative actions that we have taken and continue to take to reduce the risk of cybersecurity threats and incidents may not successfully protect against all cybersecurity threats and incidents. For more information on the risks that we face from cybersecurity threats, see “Risk Factors – Risk Factors of General Applicability—New rules have recently become effective that will require the Company to provide disclosures regarding cybersecurity management and events.” in Part 1, Item 1A of this report.
Cybersecurity Governance
The Board has overall responsibility for risk oversight and has delegated oversight of our Cybersecurity Program, including enterprise-wide risk assessment and management, to the CCDC. The CCDC’s charter requires it to monitor Company efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate, and remediate cybersecurity incidents, and to comply with cybersecurity laws and regulations. The CCDC oversees and approves all Company policies and procedures related to cybersecurity. The CCDC also ensures that significant cybersecurity issues or concerns are reported to the Board and A-Mark’s CEO, and disclosed to the public, individuals, or regulators where required by law.
The CCDC directly oversees information technology and information security risks through regular meetings, reports from management on information technology, cybersecurity, and related risk assessments, and incidents disclosed by third-party service providers as applicable. If a cybersecurity threat is identified, our Vice President of IT or other reporting individuals will immediately inform our IT service desk and notify our CIO. Once the threat has been analyzed, our CIO will inform our General Counsel of any security incidents. The General Counsel will report on the incident, as appropriate, to the CCDC, our CEO, President and CFO, and to the Board, either at the next scheduled meeting or on a current basis, depending on the severity of the incident.
The CCDC reports at least quarterly to the Board and A-Mark’s CEO on the following topics, among possible others: our current risk posture and threat landscape; new material cybersecurity threats and high-risk exposures; risk mitigations and controls; incident response readiness; and updates to cybersecurity policies and procedures. The CCDC is also authorized and directed to report to the Board and A-Mark’s CEO promptly in the event of a significant cybersecurity incident, as appropriate.
A-Mark’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) chairs the CCDC. Our CIO brings over 14 years of IT experience to A-Mark. Since joining A-Mark in 2019, he has been pivotal in enhancing our data privacy compliance program, significantly strengthening our data protection and privacy measures, particularly ensuring protection of sensitive data. The co-vice chairs of the CCDC are A-Mark’s Vice President of IT and JM Bullion’s Vice President of Digital and Technology. Our Vice President of IT has over 25 years of experience in IT working in various industries including ecommerce, health care, and financial industries focusing on IT operations, cybersecurity and compliance. Since joining the company in 2014, he has been instrumental in the creation and growth of our cybersecurity program. Our Vice President of Digital and Technology at JM Bullion has comprehensive experience in the cybersecurity field. He successfully established a 24/7 security operation center (SOC) to continuously detect and respond to security incidents, as well as implemented various advanced services to proactively detect vulnerabilities on potential attack surfaces with high accuracy spanning across assets, applications, data, endpoints and network. He also centralized the workforce identity and access management (IAM) of the various systems for improved administration and control at the subsidiary level. He joined JM Bullion in 2015 and has served in his current role as Vice President of Digital and Technology since 2021.
Other members of the CCDC include top executives and management from the Company and its subsidiaries, including A-Mark’s General Counsel, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Director of Financial Reporting, Director of Internal Audit, and Director of Enterprise Development and Administration, as well as JM Bullion’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer. Finally, the CCDC is assisted by an external compliance consultant with over twenty years of IT experience, and A-Mark’s outside legal counsel for privacy and data security.
31
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of June 30, 2024, the Company owned or leased properties as described below:
Location |
|
General Use of Facility |
|
Square |
|
Ownership |
|
Lease-term Expiration |
Wholesale Sales and Ancillary Services Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
El Segundo, California (1) |
|
Corporate headquarters, trading desk, secured lending, marketing, and back-office operations |
|
9,000 |
|
Leased |
|
March-2026 |
Las Vegas, Nevada |
|
Storage and fulfillment logistics operations |
|
24,743 |
|
Leased |
|
April-2030 |
Winchester, Indiana |
|
Minting operations |
|
17,000 |
|
Owned |
|
not applicable |
Winchester, Indiana |
|
Minting operations |
|
5,000 |
|
Owned |
|
not applicable |
Winchester, Indiana |
|
Fabrication facility |
|
17,000 |
|
Leased |
|
May-2025 |
Carson City, Nevada |
|
Die-cutting and engraving facility |
|
2,000 |
|
Leased |
|
June-2025 |
Vienna, Austria |
|
International marketing support operations |
|
248 |
|
Leased |
|
every three months |
Hong Kong |
|
Regional headquarters and back-office operations |
|
4,599 |
|
Leased |
|
June-2026 |
Hong Kong |
|
Numismatics showroom |
|
3,500 |
|
Leased |
|
January-2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct-to-Consumer Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles, California |
|
Corporate office and support center |
|
11,468 |
|
Leased |
|
January-2028 |
Dallas, Texas |
|
Corporate office and support center |
|
3,093 |
|
Leased |
|
December-2024 |
Dallas, Texas |
|
Corporate office and support center |
|
10,586 |
|
Leased |
|
November-2028 |
Irving, Texas |
|
Distribution hub |
|
24,640 |
|
Leased |
|
April-2031 |
Calgary, Canada |
|
Corporate office and support center |
|
22,650 |
|
Leased |
|
August-2028 |
Calgary, Canada |
|
Corporate office and support center |
|
4,176 |
|
Leased |
|
August-2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) The Secured Lending segment shares office space at this facility. |
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are from time to time involved in legal proceedings, claims, or investigations that are incidental to the conduct of our business.
Although the ultimate outcome of any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current information, including our assessment of the merits of the particular claim, we do not expect that these legal proceedings or claims will have any material adverse impact on our future consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
A-Mark's shares of common stock are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "AMRK". As of September 6, 2024, there were 104 registered stockholders of record of our common stock.
Stock Performance Graph
Set forth below is a graph comparing the cumulative total stockholder return on shares of A-Mark common stock against the cumulative total return of (i) the Nasdaq Composite Index and (ii) a group of companies that are in lines of business reasonably comparable to A-Mark's businesses ("peer companies") for the five-year period from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2024. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on June 30, 2019 in our common stock, in the Nasdaq Composite Index companies and in the peer group companies (on a market-capitalization-weighted basis), and that all dividends were reinvested in the same class of stock.
32
Below are the companies which comprise the peer group in the graph above, in the indicated lines of business:
Alternative Brokerage Firms |
Alternative Financial Services |
E-Commerce |
BGC Group, Inc. (BGC) |
Enova International, Inc. (ENVA) |
Carvana Co. (CVNA) |
IG Group Holdings plc (IGG.L) |
EZCORP, Inc. (EZPW) |
Stitch Fix, Inc. (SFIX) |
StoneX Group Inc. (SNEX) |
FirstCash Holdings, Inc. (FCFS) |
The Lovesac Company (LOVE) |
Swissquote Group Holding Ltd (SQN.SW) |
Regional Management Corp. (RM) |
Liquidity Services, Inc. (LQDT) |
B. Riley Financial, Inc. (RILY) |
World Acceptance Corporation (WRLD) |
Beyond, Inc. (BYON) |
Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. (OPY) |
GreenDot Corporation (GDOT) |
PC Connection, Inc. (CNXN) |
Dividend Policy
The Company's board of directors has adopted a regular quarterly cash dividend policy of $0.20 per common share ($0.80 per share on an annual basis). While we currently intend to continue paying quarterly dividends, any future determination regarding the payment of dividends will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent on a number of factors, including the Company’s financial performance, available cash resources, cash requirements and alternative uses of cash and applicable bank covenants.
In fiscal 2023, the Company paid the following dividends.
In fiscal 2024, the Company paid the following dividends:
33
See Note 20 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for more information regarding our dividends.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of June 30, 2024 with respect to the shares of our common stock that may be issued under existing equity compensation plans:
Plan category |
|
(a) |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
|
(c) |
|||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
|
|
1,261,794 |
|
|
$ |
6.52 |
|
(1) |
|
|
1,692,891 |
|
(2) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
1,261,794 |
|
|
$ |
6.52 |
|
(1) |
|
|
1,692,891 |
|
(2) |
Share Repurchase Program
In April 2018, the Company's board of directors approved a share repurchase program which authorized the Company to purchase up to 1.0 million shares (as adjusted for the two-for-one split of A-Mark’s common stock in the form of a stock dividend in fiscal 2022) of its common stock. Prior to fiscal 2023, no shares were repurchased under our share repurchase program. In fiscal 2023, we repurchased a total of 335,735 shares under the program for $9.8 million. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the board revised the repurchase program to authorize the purchase of up to 1.0 million shares of our common stock, in addition to the shares previously repurchased, and extended the expiration date from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2028. In November 2023, the Company's board of directors further amended the share repurchase program to authorize an additional 1.2 million shares to be repurchased under the program, resulting in a total of 2.0 million shares authorized for repurchase, after taking into account the shares previously purchased at that date. As of June 30, 2024, 1,151,491 shares had been repurchased and 848,509 shares remain authorized for repurchase under the program.
Under the share repurchase program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices, depending on market conditions, through open market or privately negotiated transactions. Subject to applicable corporate securities laws, repurchases may be made at such times and in amounts as management deems appropriate. We are not obligated to repurchase any shares under the program, and repurchases under the program may be discontinued if management determines that additional repurchases are not warranted.
We did not repurchase any shares during the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities
We did not sell any unregistered equity securities during the period covered by this report.
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
34
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") contains statements that are considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Company's current expectations and forecasts of future events. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact contained in this Annual Report, including statements regarding the Company's future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans, and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company's current plans, estimates and beliefs, and the Company's actual future activities and results of operations may be materially different from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. Any or all of the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report may turn out to be inaccurate. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. The forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date hereof. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this Form 10-K.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report, particularly in “Risk Factors.”
INTRODUCTION
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes to aid in the understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. We have omitted discussion of our fiscal year 2022 results where it would be redundant to the discussion previously included in Item 7 of our fiscal year 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our discussion is organized as follows:
35
comparing results for the periods presented.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Our Business
The Company conducts its operations in three reportable segments: (i) Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, (ii) Direct-to-Consumer, and (iii) Secured Lending.
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services Segment
The Company operates its Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment directly and through its consolidated subsidiaries, A-Mark Trading AG (“AMTAG”), Transcontinental Depository Services, LLC ("TDS" or “Storage”), A-M Global Logistics, LLC (“AMGL” or "Logistics"), AM&ST Associates, LLC ("AMST" or the “Silver Towne Mint"), and AM/LPM Ventures, LLC, which we formed in February 2024 to acquire LPM Group Limited ("LPM").
The Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment operates as a full-service precious metals company. We offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in the form of bars, plates, powder, wafers, grain, ingots, and coins. Our Industrial unit services manufacturers and fabricators of products utilizing or incorporating precious metals. Our Coin and Bar unit deals in approximately 2,100 coin and bar products in a variety of weights, shapes, and sizes for distribution to dealers and other qualified purchasers. We have a marketing support office in Vienna, Austria, a numismatics showroom in Hong Kong, and a trading center in El Segundo, California. The trading center, for buying and selling precious metals, is available to receive orders 24 hours every day, even when many major world commodity markets are closed. In addition to Wholesale Sales activity, A-Mark offers its customers a variety of ancillary services, including financing, storage, consignment, logistics, and various customized financial programs. As a U.S. Mint-authorized purchaser of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins, A-Mark purchases product directly from the U.S. Mint, and it also purchases product from other sovereign mints, for sale to its customers.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary AMTAG, the Company promotes its products and services to certain international markets. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary TDS, we offer a variety of managed storage options for precious metals products to financial institutions, dealers, investors, and collectors around the world.
The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary AMGL is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and provides our customers an array of complementary services, including receiving, handling, inventorying, processing, packing, and shipping of precious metals and custom coins on a secure basis.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary AMST, the Company designs and produces minted silver products. Our Silver Towne Mint operations allow us to provide greater product selection to our customers and greater pricing stability within the supply chain, as well as to gain increased access to fabricated silver products during volatile market environments, which have historically created higher demand for precious metals products.
36
In February 2024, the Company acquired LPM, one of Asia's largest precious metals dealers. Headquartered in Hong Kong, LPM extends A-Mark's global reach by offering its full-service precious metals products and services in Asia and internationally.
Direct-to-Consumer
The Company operates its Direct-to-Consumer segment through its wholly-owned subsidiaries JM Bullion, Inc. (“JMB”) and Goldline, Inc. (“Goldline”), and through its investment in Silver Gold Bull, Inc. ("SGB"). JMB currently has six wholly-owned subsidiaries: Buy Gold and Silver Corp. ("BGASC"), BX Corporation ("BullionMax"), Gold Price Group, Inc. (“GPG”), Silver.com, Inc. (“Silver.com”), Provident Metals Corp. (“PMC”), and CyberMetals Corp. ("CyberMetals"). Goldline owns 100% of AMIP, LLC ("AMIP"). SGB and Goldline each have a 50% ownership interest in Precious Metals Purchasing Partners, LLC ("PMPP"). As the context requires, references to JMB may include BGASC, BullionMax, GPG, Silver.com, PMC, and CyberMetals and references to Goldline may include AMIP and PMPP.
JMB is a leading e-commerce retailer providing access to a broad array of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium products through its websites. JMB owns and operates numerous websites targeting specific niches within the precious metals retail market, including JMBullion.com, ProvidentMetals.com, Silver.com, CyberMetals.com, GoldPrice.org, SilverPrice.org, BGASC.com, BullionMax.com, and Gold.com.
In April 2022, JMB commercially launched the CyberMetals online platform, where customers can purchase and sell fractional shares of digital gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars in a range of denominations. CyberMetals’ customers have the option to convert their digital holdings to fabricated precious metals products via an integrated redemption flow with JMB. These products may be designated for storage by the Company or shipped directly to the customer.
The Company acquired Goldline in August 2017 through an asset purchase transaction with Goldline, LLC, which had been in operation since 1960. Goldline is a direct retailer of precious metals to the investor community, and markets its precious metal products on television, radio, and the internet, as well as through customer service outreach. AMIP manages Goldline’s intellectual property.
PMPP was formed in fiscal 2019 pursuant to terms of a joint venture agreement between Goldline and SGB, for the purpose of purchasing precious metals from the partners' retail customers, and then reselling the acquired products back to affiliates of the partners. PMPP commenced operations in fiscal 2020.
In 2014, the Company acquired its initial ownership interest in SGB, a leading e-commerce precious metals retailer in Canada, increasing its ownership to 55.4% in June 2024. Our investment in SGB expands our direct-to-consumer footprint in the international market. SGB's financial results and performance metrics have been included in our consolidated financial results from June 21, 2024, the date we obtained a controlling ownership interest in SGB, and SGB became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. Through its website, SilverGoldBull.com, SGB offers a variety of products from gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars, coins and rounds, as well as certified coins from mints around the world.
Secured Lending
The Company operates its Secured Lending segment through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Collateral Finance Corporation, LLC, including its wholly-owned subsidiary, CFC Alternative Investments (“CAI”) (collectively “CFC”).
CFC is a California licensed finance lender that originates and acquires commercial loans secured primarily by bullion and numismatic coins. CFC's customers include coin and precious metal dealers, investors, and collectors. As of June 30, 2024, CFC had approximately $113.1 million in secured loans outstanding, of which approximately 14.6% were acquired from third parties (some of which may be customers of A-Mark) and approximately 85.4% were originated by CFC.
CAI is a holding company that has an equity method interest in Collectible Card Partners, LLC (“CCP”). CCP originates commercial loans secured by graded sports cards. CCP commenced operations in fiscal 2022.
AM Capital Funding, LLC (“AMCF”), previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, was formed for the purpose of securitizing eligible secured loans of CFC. AMCF issued and administered Secured Senior Term Notes: Series 2018-1, Class A, with an aggregate principal amount of $72.0 million and Secured Subordinated Term Notes, Series 2018-1, Class B in the aggregate principal amount of $28.0 million (collectively referred to as the "AMCF Notes"). The AMCF Notes were repaid in full in December 2023. AMCF was dissolved in June 2024. See Note 15 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for additional information.
37
Our Strategy
The Company was formed in 1965 and has grown into a significant participant in the bullion and coin markets, with $9.7 billion in revenues for fiscal year 2024. We have remained active in seeking investment opportunities to strategically enhance our business, and also continue to focus on growth in the volume of our business, our geographic presence, and the scope of complementary products, services, and technological tools that we offer to our customers. In doing so, we seek to leverage off the strengths of our existing integrated operations, which span trading, distribution, logistics, minting, storage, hedging, financing, and consignment products and services, including:
Our Customers
Our customers include financial institutions, bullion retailers, industrial manufacturers and fabricators, sovereign mints, refiners, coin and metal dealers, investors, collectors, and e-commerce and other retail customers. The Company makes a two-way market in its wholesale operations, which results in many customers also operating as our suppliers in that segment. This diverse base of wholesale customers purchases a variety of products from the Company in a multitude of grades, primarily in the form of coins and bars. Our Direct-to-Consumer segment sells to (and, through JMB and PMPP, buys from) retail customers, with JMB and SGB focusing on e-commerce operations and Goldline marketing through various traditional and e-commerce channels to the investor community. The Direct-to-Consumer segment offers these customers a variety of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium products.
Factors Affecting Revenues, Gross Profit, Interest Income, and Interest Expense
Set forth below are the key factors affecting the Company’s revenues, gross profit, interest income, and interest expense. These factors may be attributable to both the Company’s ongoing business activities as well as from Company acquisitions.
Revenues. The Company enters into transactions to sell and deliver gold, silver, platinum, and palladium to industrial and commercial users, coin and bullion dealers, mints, and financial institutions. The metals are investment or industrial grade and are sold in a variety of shapes and sizes.
The Company also sells and delivers gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and copper products directly to customers and the investor community through its Direct-to Consumer segment. Customers may place orders online at one of the Company's websites or over the phone.
The Company sells precious metals on forward contracts at a fixed price based on current prevailing precious metal spot prices with a certain delivery date in the future (up to six months from inception date of the forward contract). The Company also uses other derivative products (primarily futures contracts) or combinations thereof to hedge commodity risks. We enter into these forward and futures contracts as part of our hedging strategy to mitigate our price risk of holding inventory; they are not entered into for speculative purposes.
Forward sales contracts by their nature are required to be included in revenues, unlike futures contracts which do not impact the Company’s revenue. The decision to use a forward contract versus another derivative type of product (e.g., a futures contract) for hedging purposes is based on the economics of the transaction. Since the volume of hedging can be significant, the movement in and out of forwards can substantially impact revenues, either positively or negatively, from period to period. For this reason, the Company believes ounces sold (excluding ounces sold on forward sales contracts) is a meaningful metric to assess our top line performance.
38
In addition, the Company earns revenue by providing storage solutions for precious metals and numismatic coins for financial institutions, dealers, investors, and collectors worldwide and by providing storage and order-fulfillment services to our retail customers. The Company also earns revenue from advertisements placed on our Direct-to-Consumer websites. These revenue streams represent less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated revenues.
The Company operates in a high volume/low margin industry. Revenues are impacted by three primary factors: product volume, market prices, and market volatility. A material change in any one or more of these factors may result in a significant change in the Company’s revenues. A significant increase or decrease in revenues can occur simply based on changes in the underlying commodity prices and may not be reflective of an increase or decrease in the volume of products sold.
Gross Profit. Gross profit is the difference between our revenues and the cost of our products sold. Since we quote prices based on the current commodity market prices for precious metals, we enter into a combination of forward and futures contracts to effect a hedge position equal to the underlying precious metal commodity value, which substantially represents inventory subject to price risk. We enter into these derivative transactions solely for the purpose of hedging our inventory, and not for speculative purposes. Our gross profit includes the gains and losses resulting from these derivative instruments. However, the gains and losses on the derivative instruments are substantially offset by the gains and losses on the corresponding changes in the market value of our precious metals inventory. As a result, our results of operations generally are not materially impacted by changes in commodity prices.
Interest Income. The Company enters into secured loans and secured financing structures with its customers under which it charges interest. CFC originates loans and acquires loan portfolios that are secured by precious metal bullion and numismatic material owned by the borrowers and held by the Company for the term of the loan. Also, the Company offers a number of secured financing options to its customers to finance their precious metals purchases including consignments and other structured inventory finance products whereby the Company earns a fee based on the underlying value of the precious metal ("repurchase arrangements with customers").
Interest Expense. The Company incurs interest expense associated with its lines of credit, notes payable, product financing agreements for the transfer and subsequent re-acquisition of gold, silver, and platinum at a fixed price with a third-party finance company ("product financing arrangements"), and short-term precious metal borrowing arrangements with our suppliers ("liabilities on borrowed metals").
Performance Metrics
In addition to financial statement indicators, management also utilizes key operational metrics to assess the performance of our business. SGB's performance metrics have been included in our consolidated financial results from June 21, 2024, the date we obtained a controlling ownership interest in SGB, and SGB became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company.
Gold and Silver Ounces Sold and Delivered to Customers. A key performance metric we utilize is the number of ounces of gold and silver sold and delivered to our customers (excluding ounces recorded on forward contracts). These metrics reflect our business volume without regard to changes in commodity pricing, which also impacts revenue, but can mask actual business trends.
The primary purpose of entering into forward sales transactions is to hedge commodity price risk. Although the revenues realized from these forward sales transactions are often significant, they generally have negligible impact on gross margins. As a result, the Company excludes the ounces recorded on forward contracts from its performance metrics, as the Company does not enter into forward sales transactions for speculative purposes.
Wholesale Sales Ticket Volume. Another measure of our business that is unaffected by changes in commodity pricing is ticket volume (or number of orders processed). Ticket volume for the Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment measures the total number of wholesale orders processed during the period. In periods of higher volatility, there is generally increased trading in the commodity markets, causing increased demand for our products, resulting in higher business volume. During periods of heightened demand, order size per ticket may increase.
Direct-to-Consumer Customers. We are focused on attracting new customers and retaining existing customers to drive revenue growth. We use the following three metrics as revenue growth indicators when assessing our customer base:
Direct-to-Consumer Ticket Volume. Ticket volume for the Direct-to-Consumer segment measures the number of product orders processed during the period. In periods of higher volatility, there is generally increased consumer demand for our products, resulting in higher business volume. We use the following three metrics indicators when assessing our ticket volume:
39
Average Order Value. Average order value for the Direct-to-Consumer segment and JMB measures the average dollar value of product orders (excluding accumulation program orders) delivered to the customer during the period.
Inventory Turnover. Inventory turnover is another performance measure on which we are focused and is calculated as the cost of sales divided by the average inventory during the relevant period. Inventory turnover is a measure of how quickly inventory has moved during the period. A higher inventory turnover ratio, which we typically experience during periods of higher volatility when trading is more robust, typically reflects a more efficient use of our capital.
The period of time that inventory is held by the Company varies depending upon the nature of our inventory commitments with customers and suppliers. See Note 6 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for a description of our classifications of inventory by type. When management analyzes inventory turnover on a period over period basis, consideration is given to each inventory type and its corresponding impact on the inventory turnover calculation. For example:
Additionally, our inventory turnover ratio can be affected by hedging activity, as the period over period change of the inventory turnover ratio may be significantly impacted by a period over period change in hedging volume. For example, if trading activity were to remain constant over two periods, but there were significantly higher forward sales in the current period compared to a prior period, the calculated inventory turnover ratio would increase notwithstanding the constancy of the trading volume.
Number of Secured Loans. Finally, as a measure of the size of our Secured Lending segment, we utilize the number of outstanding secured loans to customers that are primarily collateralized by precious metals at the end of each quarter.
The Company calculates a loan-to-value ("LTV") ratio for each loan as the principal amount of the loan divided by the liquidation value of the collateral, which is based on daily spot market prices of precious metal bullion. When the market price of the pledged collateral decreases and thereby increases the LTV ratio of a loan above a prescribed maximum ratio, usually 85%, the Company has the option to make a margin call on the loan. As a result, a decline of precious metal market prices may cause a decrease in the number of loans outstanding in a period.
Non-GAAP Measures
In addition to key operational metrics that are used to assess the performance of our business, management also uses non-GAAP financial performance and liquidity measures. We believe "adjusted net income before provision for income taxes” and "EBITDA" can provide useful information to evaluate our financial performance and liquidity position. Non-GAAP measures do not have standardized definitions and should not be a substitute for measures that are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure reported in our consolidated statements of income and consolidated statements of cash flows and a discussion of certain limitations inherent in such measures, refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year end is June 30 each year.
40
Macroeconomic Volatility
Continued macroeconomic uncertainty and the volatility in the financial markets in recent years have positively affected the Company’s trading revenues and gross profit as the volatility of the price of precious metals and numismatics typically results in an increase in the spread between bid and ask prices on these products. Although conditions may fluctuate from period to period, when volatility is high, we historically experience increased demand for products in each of our coin and bar, industrial, and retail businesses. While macroeconomic uncertainty continues to impact our business, its effects have been less pronounced in the current fiscal year. The Company cannot predict the periods during which such increased volatility will occur or the level of such increased volatility, the effect of such volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty on the Company, or whether other effects on the Company and its businesses will materialize in the short or long term.
41
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview of Results of Operations
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Years Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
The operating results of our business were as follows (in thousands, except per share and performance metrics data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
9,699,039 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
9,286,561 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
412,478 |
|
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
Gross profit |
|
|
173,255 |
|
|
|
|
1.786 |
% |
|
|
|
294,669 |
|
|
|
|
3.173 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(121,414 |
) |
|
|
|
(41.2 |
%) |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
|
(89,800 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.926 |
%) |
|
|
|
(85,282 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.918 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
4,518 |
|
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
(11,397 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.118 |
%) |
|
|
|
(12,525 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.135 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(1,128 |
) |
|
|
|
(9.0 |
%) |
Interest income |
|
|
27,168 |
|
|
|
|
0.280 |
% |
|
|
|
22,231 |
|
|
|
|
0.239 |
% |
|
|
$ |
4,937 |
|
|
|
|
22.2 |
% |
Interest expense |
|
|
(39,531 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.408 |
%) |
|
|
|
(31,528 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.340 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
8,003 |
|
|
|
|
25.4 |
% |
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
4,044 |
|
|
|
|
0.042 |
% |
|
|
|
12,576 |
|
|
|
|
0.135 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(8,532 |
) |
|
|
|
(67.8 |
%) |
Other income, net |
|
|
2,071 |
|
|
|
|
0.021 |
% |
|
|
|
2,663 |
|
|
|
|
0.029 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(592 |
) |
|
|
|
(22.2 |
%) |
Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
|
|
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
0.172 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
$ |
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
Unrealized gains on foreign exchange |
|
|
299 |
|
|
|
|
0.003 |
% |
|
|
|
366 |
|
|
|
|
0.004 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(67 |
) |
|
|
|
(18.3 |
%) |
Net income before provision for income taxes |
|
|
82,778 |
|
|
|
|
0.853 |
% |
|
|
|
203,170 |
|
|
|
|
2.188 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(120,392 |
) |
|
|
|
(59.3 |
%) |
Income tax expense |
|
|
(13,745 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.142 |
%) |
|
|
|
(46,401 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.500 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(32,656 |
) |
|
|
|
(70.4 |
%) |
Net income |
|
|
69,033 |
|
|
|
|
0.712 |
% |
|
|
|
156,769 |
|
|
|
|
1.688 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(87,736 |
) |
|
|
|
(56.0 |
%) |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
487 |
|
|
|
|
0.005 |
% |
|
|
|
409 |
|
|
|
|
0.004 |
% |
|
|
$ |
78 |
|
|
|
|
19.1 |
% |
Net income attributable to the Company |
|
$ |
68,546 |
|
|
|
|
0.707 |
% |
|
|
$ |
156,360 |
|
|
|
|
1.684 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(87,814 |
) |
|
|
|
(56.2 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Basic and diluted net income per share attributable to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Per Share Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Basic |
|
$ |
2.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(3.71 |
) |
|
|
|
(55.5 |
%) |
||
Diluted |
|
$ |
2.84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(3.50 |
) |
|
|
|
(55.2 |
%) |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Performance Metrics:(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Gold ounces sold(2) |
|
|
1,839,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,667,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(828,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(31.0 |
%) |
||
Silver ounces sold(3) |
|
|
108,096,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
156,233,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(48,137,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(30.8 |
%) |
||
Inventory turnover ratio(4) |
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.3 |
) |
|
|
|
(12.4 |
%) |
||
Number of secured loans at period end(5) |
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(294 |
) |
|
|
|
(33.3 |
%) |
42
Revenues
in thousands, except performance metrics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
9,699,039 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
9,286,561 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
412,478 |
|
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
Performance Metrics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Gold ounces sold |
|
|
1,839,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,667,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(828,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(31.0 |
%) |
||
Silver ounces sold |
|
|
108,096,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
156,233,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(48,137,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(30.8 |
%) |
Revenues for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $412.5 million, or 4.4%, to $9.699 billion from $9.287 billion in 2023. Excluding an increase of $1.561 billion of forward sales, our revenues decreased $1.148 billion, or 16.7%, which was due to a decrease in gold and silver ounces sold, partially offset by higher average selling prices of gold and silver.
Gold ounces sold for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased 828,000 ounces, or 31.0%, to 1,839,000 ounces from 2,667,000 ounces in 2023. Silver ounces sold for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased 48,137,000 ounces, or 30.8%, to 108,096,000 ounces from 156,233,000 ounces in 2023. On average, the selling prices for gold increased by 11.4% and selling prices for silver increased by 11.0% during the year ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the prior year.
JMB's revenue represented 13.6% and 19.4% of the Company's consolidated revenue for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Gross Profit
in thousands, except performance metric |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Gross profit |
|
$ |
173,255 |
|
|
|
|
1.786 |
% |
|
|
$ |
294,669 |
|
|
|
|
3.173 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(121,414 |
) |
|
|
|
(41.2 |
%) |
Performance Metric |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Inventory turnover ratio |
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.3 |
) |
|
|
|
(12.4 |
%) |
Gross profit for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $121.4 million, or 41.2%, to $173.3 million from $294.7 million in 2023. The overall gross profit decrease was due to lower gross profits earned from both the Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services and Direct-to-Consumer segments.
The Company’s overall gross margin percentage for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased by 138.7 basis points to 1.786% from 3.173% in 2023. Excluding an increase of $1.561 billion of forward sales that had a negligible impact to the amount of gross profit, our gross margin percentage for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased by 126.2 basis points to 3.029% from 4.291%, which was primarily due to lower premium spreads, partially offset by higher trading profits. JMB’s retail market activity represented 40.6% and 48.5%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated gross profit for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.
Our inventory turnover ratio for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased by 12.4% to 9.2 from 10.5 in 2023. The decrease in our inventory turnover ratio was primarily due to higher average inventory balances held under product financing arrangements, partially offset by higher forward sales.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expense
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
(89,800 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.926 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(85,282 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.918 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
4,518 |
|
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $4.5 million, or 5.3%, to $89.8 million from $85.3 million in 2023. The change was primarily due to: (i) an increase in consulting and professional fees of $5.3 million and (ii) an increase in information technology costs of $1.0 million, partially offset by (iii) a decrease in insurance costs of $0.9 million, (iv) a decrease in compensation expense (including performance-based accruals) of $0.7 million, and (v) a decrease in advertising costs of $0.7 million.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
$ |
(11,397 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.118 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(12,525 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.135 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(1,128 |
) |
|
|
|
(9.0 |
%) |
Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $1.1 million, or 9.0%, to $11.4 million from $12.5 million in 2023 primarily due to (i) a $2.2 million decrease in JMB’s intangible asset amortization expense, partially offset by (ii) a $0.6 million increase in depreciation expense related to our property, plant and equipment and (iii) $0.5 million of amortization expense relating to intangible assets acquired through our acquisition of LPM and acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB.
43
Interest Income
in thousands, except performance metric |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Interest income |
|
$ |
27,168 |
|
|
|
|
0.280 |
% |
|
|
$ |
22,231 |
|
|
|
|
0.239 |
% |
|
|
$ |
4,937 |
|
|
|
|
22.2 |
% |
Performance Metric |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Number of secured loans at period-end |
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(294 |
) |
|
|
|
(33.3 |
%) |
Interest income for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $4.9 million, or 22.2%, to $27.2 million from $22.2 million in 2023. The aggregate increase in interest income was primarily due to an increase in other finance product income of $3.2 million and an increase in interest income earned by our Secured Lending segment of $1.7 million.
The interest income from our Secured Lending segment increased by $1.7 million, or 17.8%, compared with the prior year period. The increase in interest income earned from the segment’s secured loan portfolio was primarily due to an increase in interest rates and higher average monthly loan balances, partially offset by fewer loans outstanding. The number of secured loans outstanding decreased by 33.3% to 588 as of June 30, 2024, from 882 as of June 30, 2023.
Interest Expense
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Interest expense |
|
$ |
(39,531 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.408 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(31,528 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.340 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
8,003 |
|
|
|
|
25.4 |
% |
Interest expense for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $8.0 million, or 25.4%, to $39.5 million from $31.5 million in 2023. The increase in interest expense was primarily driven by each of the following components: (i) an increase of $8.4 million associated with our Trading Credit Facility due to an increase in interest rates as well as increased borrowings and (ii) an increase of $3.0 million related to product financing arrangements, partially offset by (iii) a decrease of $3.2 million related to the AMCF Notes (including amortization of debt issuance costs) due to the repayment in December 2023 and (iv) a $0.5 million decrease in loan servicing fees.
Earnings from Equity Method Investments
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
$ |
4,044 |
|
|
|
|
0.042 |
% |
|
|
$ |
12,576 |
|
|
|
|
0.135 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(8,532 |
) |
|
|
|
(67.8 |
%) |
Earnings from equity method investments for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $8.5 million, or 67.8%, to $4.0 million from $12.6 million in 2023 due to decreased earnings of our equity method investees.
Other Income, Net
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Other income, net |
|
$ |
2,071 |
|
|
|
|
0.021 |
% |
|
|
$ |
2,663 |
|
|
|
|
0.029 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(592 |
) |
|
|
|
(22.2 |
%) |
Other income, net for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $0.6 million, or 22.2%, to $2.1 million from $2.7 million in 2023. The decrease in other income, net was not significant.
Remeasurement Gain on Pre-Existing Equity Interest
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
|
$ |
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
0.172 |
% |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
$ |
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
The remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest was recognized in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB in June 2024. The Company’s estimated fair value of its 47.4% pre-existing equity interest in SGB was determined to be approximately $56.8 million at the acquisition date. Based on the total consideration paid of $128.8 million, as well as adjustments to our option to acquire additional equity interest in SGB and the derecognition of our cumulative translation balances related to SGB, the remeasurement resulted in a gain of $16.7 million. For additional information about our most recent acquisition see Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
44
Income Tax Expense
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Income tax expense |
|
$ |
(13,745 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.142 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(46,401 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.500 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(32,656 |
) |
|
|
|
(70.4 |
%) |
Our income tax expense was $13.7 million and $46.4 million for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our effective tax rate was approximately 16.6% and 22.8% for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the year ended June 30, 2024, our effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to a one-time adjustment related to the SGB step acquisition, the excess tax benefit from share-based compensation, foreign derived intangible income special deduction and partially offset by state taxes (net of federal tax benefit), Section 162(m) executive compensation disallowance, and other normal course non-deductible expenditures. For the year ended June 30, 2023, our effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the excess tax benefit from share-based compensation, foreign derived intangible income special deduction, offset by state taxes (net of federal tax benefit), Section 162(m) executive compensation disallowance, and other normal course non-deductible expenditures.
45
SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company conducts its operations in three reportable segments: (i) Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, (ii) Direct-to-Consumer, and (iii) Secured Lending.
Results of Operations — Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services Segment
The Company operates its Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment directly and through its consolidated subsidiaries, A-Mark Trading AG (“AMTAG”), Transcontinental Depository Services ("TDS"), A-M Global Logistics, LLC ("Logistics"), AM&ST Associates, LLC ("AMST" or "Silver Towne" or the "Mint"), and AM/LPM Ventures, LLC, which we formed in February 2024 to acquire LPM Group Limited ("LPM"). The Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment includes the consolidating eliminations of inter-segment transactions and unallocated segment adjustments.
Overview of Results of Operations for the Years Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
— Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services Segment
The operating results of our Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment were as follows (in thousands, except performance metrics data):
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
8,247,370 |
|
(a) |
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
7,289,139 |
|
(b) |
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
958,231 |
|
|
|
|
13.1 |
% |
Gross profit |
|
|
90,209 |
|
|
|
|
1.094 |
% |
(c) |
|
|
125,678 |
|
|
|
|
1.724 |
% |
(d) |
|
$ |
(35,469 |
) |
|
|
|
(28.2 |
%) |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
|
(45,968 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.557 |
%) |
|
|
|
(40,181 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.551 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
5,787 |
|
|
|
|
14.4 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
(1,860 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.023 |
%) |
|
|
|
(970 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.013 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
890 |
|
|
|
|
91.8 |
% |
Interest income |
|
|
15,730 |
|
|
|
|
0.191 |
% |
|
|
|
12,523 |
|
|
|
|
0.172 |
% |
|
|
$ |
3,207 |
|
|
|
|
25.6 |
% |
Interest expense |
|
|
(28,252 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.343 |
%) |
|
|
|
(19,660 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.270 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
8,592 |
|
|
|
|
43.7 |
% |
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
3,998 |
|
|
|
|
0.048 |
% |
|
|
|
12,575 |
|
|
|
|
0.173 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(8,577 |
) |
|
|
|
(68.2 |
%) |
Other income, net |
|
|
1,064 |
|
|
|
|
0.013 |
% |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
|
0.002 |
% |
|
|
$ |
903 |
|
|
|
|
560.9 |
% |
Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
|
|
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
0.202 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
$ |
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
Unrealized gains on foreign exchange |
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
|
0.003 |
% |
|
|
|
366 |
|
|
|
|
0.005 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(105 |
) |
|
|
|
(28.7 |
%) |
Net income before provision for income taxes |
|
$ |
51,851 |
|
|
|
|
0.629 |
% |
|
|
$ |
90,492 |
|
|
|
|
1.241 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(38,641 |
) |
|
|
|
(42.7 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Performance Metrics: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Gold ounces sold(1) |
|
|
1,385,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,038,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(653,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(32.0 |
%) |
||
Silver ounces sold(2) |
|
|
94,877,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132,582,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(37,705,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(28.4 |
%) |
||
Wholesale Sales ticket volume(3) |
|
|
104,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101,488 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,345 |
|
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
Revenues — Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
in thousands, except performance metrics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
8,247,370 |
|
(a) |
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
7,289,139 |
|
(b) |
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
958,231 |
|
|
|
|
13.1 |
% |
Performance Metrics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Gold ounces sold |
|
|
1,385,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,038,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(653,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(32.0 |
%) |
||
Silver ounces sold |
|
|
94,877,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132,582,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(37,705,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(28.4 |
%) |
||
Wholesale Sales ticket volume |
|
|
104,833 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101,488 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,345 |
|
|
|
|
3.3 |
% |
46
Revenues for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $958.2 million, or 13.1%, to $8.247 billion from $7.289 billion in 2023. Excluding an increase in forward sales of $1.561 billion, our revenues decreased $602.6 million, which was due to a decrease in gold and silver ounces sold, partially offset by higher average selling prices of gold and silver.
Gold ounces sold for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased 653,000 ounces, or 32.0%, to 1,385,000 ounces from 2,038,000 ounces in 2023. Silver ounces sold for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased 37,705,000 ounces, or 28.4%, to 94,877,000 ounces from 132,582,000 ounces in 2023. On average, the selling prices for gold increased by 11.6% and selling prices for silver increased by 11.6% during the year ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the prior year.
The Wholesale Sales ticket volume for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased by 3,345 tickets, or 3.3% to 104,833 tickets from 101,488 tickets in 2023.
Gross Profit — Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Gross profit |
|
$ |
90,209 |
|
|
|
|
1.094 |
% |
(c) |
|
$ |
125,678 |
|
|
|
|
1.724 |
% |
(d) |
|
$ |
(35,469 |
) |
|
|
|
(28.2 |
%) |
Gross profit for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $35.5 million, or 28.2%, to $90.2 million from $125.7 million in 2023. The gross profit decrease was primarily due to lower premium spreads, partially offset by higher trading profits.
This segment’s profit margin percentage decreased by 63.0 basis points to 1.094% from 1.724% in 2023. The decrease in gross margin percentage was mainly attributable to the impact of increased forward sales and lower premium spreads, partially offset by higher trading profits.
Excluding an increase of $1.561 billion of forward sales that had a negligible impact to the amount of gross profit, this segment's gross margin percentage for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased by 46.7 basis points to 2.114% from 2.581% in the prior year. Forward sales increase revenues but are associated with negligible gross profit. The Company enters into forward contracts to hedge its precious metals price risk exposure and not for speculative purposes.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses — Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
(45,968 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.557 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(40,181 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.551 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
5,787 |
|
|
|
|
14.4 |
% |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $5.8 million, or 14.4%, to $46.0 million from $40.2 million in 2023. The change was primarily due to: (i) an increase in consulting and professional fees of $5.7 million, (ii) an increase in advertising costs of $0.8 million, and (iii) an increase in information technology costs of $0.4 million, partially offset by (iv) a decrease in insurance costs of $1.0 million.
Interest Income — Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Interest income |
|
$ |
15,730 |
|
|
|
|
0.191 |
% |
|
|
$ |
12,523 |
|
|
|
|
0.172 |
% |
|
|
$ |
3,207 |
|
|
|
|
25.6 |
% |
Interest income for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $3.2 million, or 25.6%, to $15.7 million from $12.5 million in 2023. The overall increase was primarily due to (i) an increase in interest earned from repurchase arrangements with customers of $2.3 million, (ii) a $0.4 million increase in interest income earned from spot deferred trade orders, and (iii) a $0.4 million increase in interest and fees earned related to margin orders.
47
Interest Expense — Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Interest expense |
|
$ |
(28,252 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.343 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(19,660 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.270 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
8,592 |
|
|
|
|
43.7 |
% |
Interest expense for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $8.6 million, or 43.7%, to $28.3 million from $19.7 million in 2023. The overall increase was primarily due to (i) an increase of $5.0 million in connection with our Trading Credit Facility due to an increase in interest rates as well as increased borrowings, (ii) higher interest and fees from product financing arrangements of $3.0 million, and (iii) an increase in inter-segment eliminations related to JMB’s product financing activity with A-Mark of $1.3 million, partially offset by (iv) a decrease of $0.8 million related to the AMCF Notes (including amortization of debt issuance costs) due to the repayment in December 2023.
Earnings from Equity Method Investments — Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
$ |
3,998 |
|
|
|
|
0.048 |
% |
|
|
$ |
12,575 |
|
|
|
|
0.173 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(8,577 |
) |
|
|
|
(68.2 |
%) |
Earnings from equity method investments for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $8.6 million, or 68.2%, to $4.0 million from $12.6 million in 2023 due to decreased earnings of our equity method investees.
Other Income, Net — Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Other income, net |
|
$ |
1,064 |
|
|
|
|
0.013 |
% |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
|
|
|
0.002 |
% |
|
|
$ |
903 |
|
|
|
|
560.9 |
% |
Other income, net for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased by $0.9 million primarily due to an increase in gains on other investments of $0.6 million as well as an increase in gains related to fair value adjustments to our acquisition-related contingent consideration liability of $0.4 million.
Remeasurement Gain on Pre-Existing Equity Interest - Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
|
$ |
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
0.202 |
% |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
$ |
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
The remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest was recognized in connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB in June 2024. The Company’s estimated fair value of its 47.4% pre-existing equity interest in SGB was determined to be approximately $56.8 million at the acquisition date. Based on the total consideration paid of $128.8 million, as well as adjustments to our option to acquire additional equity interest in SGB and the derecognition of our cumulative translation balances related to SGB, the remeasurement resulted in a gain of $16.7 million. For additional information about our most recent acquisition see Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
48
Results of Operations — Direct-to-Consumer Segment
The Company operates its Direct-to-Consumer segment through our wholly-owned subsidiaries: JM Bullion, Inc. (“JMB”), Goldline, Inc. (“Goldline”), through our investment in Silver Gold Bull, Inc. ("SGB"), and through our subsidiary Precious Metals Purchasing Partners, LLC ("PMPP").
Overview of Results of Operations for the Years Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
— Direct-to-Consumer Segment
The operating results of our Direct-to-Consumer ("DTC") segment were as follows (in thousands, except performance metrics data):
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
1,451,669 |
|
(a) |
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
1,997,422 |
|
(b) |
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(545,753 |
) |
|
|
|
(27.3 |
%) |
Gross profit |
|
|
83,046 |
|
|
|
|
5.721 |
% |
(c) |
|
|
168,991 |
|
|
|
|
8.460 |
% |
(d) |
|
$ |
(85,945 |
) |
|
|
|
(50.9 |
%) |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
|
(42,456 |
) |
|
|
|
(2.925 |
%) |
|
|
|
(42,976 |
) |
|
|
|
(2.152 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(520 |
) |
|
|
|
(1.2 |
%) |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
(9,273 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.639 |
%) |
|
|
|
(11,204 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.561 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(1,931 |
) |
|
|
|
(17.2 |
%) |
Interest income |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
0.000 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
Interest expense |
|
|
(2,838 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.195 |
%) |
|
|
|
(4,098 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.205 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(1,260 |
) |
|
|
|
(30.7 |
%) |
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
0.001 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
Other income, net |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
0.000 |
% |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
|
0.007 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(137 |
) |
|
|
|
(96.5 |
%) |
Unrealized gains on foreign exchange |
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
|
0.003 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
$ |
38 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
Net income before provision for income taxes |
|
$ |
28,539 |
|
|
|
|
1.966 |
% |
|
|
$ |
110,855 |
|
|
|
|
5.550 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(82,316 |
) |
|
|
|
(74.3 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Performance Metrics: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Gold ounces sold(1) |
|
|
454,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
629,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(175,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(27.8 |
%) |
||
Silver ounces sold(2) |
|
|
13,219,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,651,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,432,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(44.1 |
%) |
||
Number of new customers(3) |
|
|
718,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
335,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
383,200 |
|
|
|
|
114.3 |
% |
||
Number of active customers(4) |
|
|
483,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
476,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,100 |
|
|
|
|
1.5 |
% |
||
Number of total customers(5) |
|
|
3,066,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,348,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
718,500 |
|
|
|
|
30.6 |
% |
||
DTC ticket volume from new customers(6) |
|
|
134,021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
152,592 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,571 |
) |
|
|
|
(12.2 |
%) |
||
DTC ticket volume from pre-existing customers(7) |
|
|
479,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
626,248 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(146,530 |
) |
|
|
|
(23.4 |
%) |
||
DTC total ticket volume(8) |
|
|
613,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
778,840 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(165,101 |
) |
|
|
|
(21.2 |
%) |
||
DTC average order value(9) |
|
$ |
2,407 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(199 |
) |
|
|
|
(7.6 |
%) |
||
JMB average order value(9) |
|
$ |
2,223 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(167 |
) |
|
|
|
(7.0 |
%) |
49
Revenues — Direct-to-Consumer
in thousands, except performance metrics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
1,451,669 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
1,997,422 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(545,753 |
) |
|
|
|
(27.3 |
%) |
Performance Metrics: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Gold ounces sold |
|
|
454,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
629,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(175,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(27.8 |
%) |
||
Silver ounces sold |
|
|
13,219,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,651,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,432,000 |
) |
|
|
|
(44.1 |
%) |
||
Number of new customers |
|
|
718,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
335,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
383,200 |
|
|
|
|
114.3 |
% |
||
Number of active customers |
|
|
483,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
476,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,100 |
|
|
|
|
1.5 |
% |
||
Number of total customers |
|
|
3,066,800 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,348,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
718,500 |
|
|
|
|
30.6 |
% |
||
DTC ticket volume from new customers |
|
|
134,021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
152,592 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,571 |
) |
|
|
|
(12.2 |
%) |
||
DTC ticket volume from pre-existing customers |
|
|
479,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
626,248 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(146,530 |
) |
|
|
|
(23.4 |
%) |
||
DTC total ticket volume |
|
|
613,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
778,840 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(165,101 |
) |
|
|
|
(21.2 |
%) |
||
DTC average order value |
|
$ |
2,407 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(199 |
) |
|
|
|
(7.6 |
%) |
||
JMB average order value |
|
$ |
2,223 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,390 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(167 |
) |
|
|
|
(7.0 |
%) |
Revenues for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $545.8 million, or 27.3%, to $1.452 billion from $1.997 billion in 2023. The decrease in revenue was due to a decrease in gold and silver ounces sold, partially offset by higher average selling prices of gold and silver. For the year ended June 30, 2024, JMB's revenue decreased $487.1 million and revenue of Goldline, SGB and PMPP, in the aggregate, decreased by $58.7 million as compared to the prior year.
Gold ounces sold for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased 175,000 ounces, or 27.8%, to 454,000 ounces from 629,000 ounces in 2023. Silver ounces sold for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased 10,432,000 ounces, or 44.1%, to 13,219,000 ounces from 23,651,000 ounces in 2023.
Gold ounces sold by JMB decreased 159,000 ounces for the year ended June 30, 2024 compared to 2023. Gold ounces sold by Goldline, SGB and PMPP, in the aggregate, decreased 16,000 ounces compared to 2023. Silver ounces sold by JMB decreased 9,586,000 ounces for the year ended June 30, 2024 compared to 2023. Silver ounces sold by Goldline, SGB and PMPP, in the aggregate, decreased 846,000 ounces compared to 2023.
On average, selling prices for gold increased by 9.9% and selling prices for silver increased by 10.5% during the year ended June 30, 2024 as compared to the prior year.
The number of new customers for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 383,200, or 114.3%, to 718,500 from 335,300 in 2023. The number of active customers for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased 7,100, or 1.5% to 483,400 from 476,300 in 2023. The number of total customers as of June 30, 2024 increased 718,500, or 30.6% to 3,066,800 from 2,348,300 as of June 30, 2023. These changes in customer-based metrics were primarily due the acquisition of SGB's 523,000 total customers as of June 30, 2024, as well as JMB's activity.
As of June 30, 2024, the number of total CyberMetals customers was 29,600, and CyberMetals customer assets under management were $7.3 million.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, the Direct-to-Consumer ticket volume related to new customers decreased by 18,571 tickets, or 12.2%, to 134,021 tickets from 152,592 tickets in 2023. For the year ended June 30, 2024, Direct-to-Consumer ticket volume related to pre-existing customers decreased by 146,530 tickets, or 23.4%, to 479,718 tickets from 626,248 tickets in 2023. For the year ended June 30, 2024, the Direct-to-Consumer total ticket volume decreased by 165,101 tickets, or 21.2%, to 613,739 tickets from 778,840 tickets in 2023.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, the Direct-to-Consumer average order value decreased by $199, or 7.6%, to $2,407 from $2,606 in 2023.
Gross Profit — Direct-to-Consumer
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Gross profit |
|
$ |
83,046 |
|
|
|
|
5.721 |
% |
|
|
$ |
168,991 |
|
|
|
|
8.460 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(85,945 |
) |
|
|
|
(50.9 |
%) |
Gross profit for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased by $85.9 million, or 50.9%, to $83.0 million from $169.0 million in 2023. The decrease in gross profit was mainly due to a decreased gross profit margin percentage as well as a lower ticket volume during the period.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, the Direct-to-Consumer segment's profit margin percentage decreased by 273.9 basis points to 5.721% from 8.460% in 2023. The decrease in the gross profit margin percentage was primarily due to the lower gross profit percentages of JMB, but also to lower gross profit percentages of Goldline and PMPP.
50
Selling, General, and Administrative Expense — Direct-to-Consumer
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
(42,456 |
) |
|
|
|
(2.925 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(42,976 |
) |
|
|
|
(2.152 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(520 |
) |
|
|
|
(1.2 |
%) |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $0.5 million, or 1.2%, to $42.5 million from $43.0 million in 2023. The change in selling, general, and administrative expense was not significant.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense — Direct-to-Consumer
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
$ |
(9,273 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.639 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(11,204 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.561 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(1,931 |
) |
|
|
|
(17.2 |
%) |
Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended June 30, 2024, decreased $1.9 million, or 17.2%, to $9.3 million from $11.2 million in 2023 primarily due to a $2.2 million decrease in JMB’s intangible asset amortization expense.
Interest expense — Direct-to-Consumer
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of revenue |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Interest expense |
|
$ |
(2,838 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.195 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(4,098 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.205 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(1,260 |
) |
|
|
|
(30.7 |
%) |
Interest expense for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $1.3 million to $2.8 million from $4.1 million in 2023. The decrease is related to JMB’s reduced product financing activity with A-Mark.
Results of Operations — Secured Lending Segment
The Company operates its Secured Lending segment through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Collateral Finance Corporation, LLC ("CFC") and CFC Alternative Investments (“CAI”). AM Capital Funding, LLC (“AMCF”), previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, was formed for the issuance of certain notes, which were repaid in December 2023. AMCF was dissolved in June 2024.
Overview of Results of Operations for the Years Ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
— Secured Lending Segment
The operating results of our Secured Lending segment were as follows (in thousands, except performance metrics data):
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Interest income |
|
$ |
11,435 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
9,708 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
1,727 |
|
|
|
|
17.8 |
% |
Interest expense |
|
|
(8,441 |
) |
|
|
|
(73.817 |
%) |
|
|
|
(7,770 |
) |
|
|
|
(80.037 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
671 |
|
|
|
|
8.6 |
% |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
|
(1,376 |
) |
|
|
|
(12.033 |
%) |
|
|
|
(2,125 |
) |
|
|
|
(21.889 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(749 |
) |
|
|
|
(35.2 |
%) |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
(264 |
) |
|
|
|
(2.309 |
%) |
|
|
|
(351 |
) |
|
|
|
(3.616 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(87 |
) |
|
|
|
(24.8 |
%) |
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
0.280 |
% |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
0.010 |
% |
|
|
$ |
31 |
|
|
|
|
3,100.0 |
% |
Other income, net |
|
|
1,002 |
|
|
|
|
8.763 |
% |
|
|
|
2,360 |
|
|
|
|
24.310 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(1,358 |
) |
|
|
|
(57.5 |
%) |
Net income before provision for income taxes |
|
$ |
2,388 |
|
|
|
|
20.883 |
% |
|
|
$ |
1,823 |
|
|
|
|
18.778 |
% |
|
|
$ |
565 |
|
|
|
|
31.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Performance Metric: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Number of secured loans at period end(1) |
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(294 |
) |
|
|
|
(33.3 |
%) |
Interest Income — Secured Lending
in thousands, except performance metric |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Interest income |
|
$ |
11,435 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
9,708 |
|
|
|
|
100.000 |
% |
|
|
$ |
1,727 |
|
|
|
|
17.8 |
% |
Performance Metric |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Number of secured loans at period-end |
|
|
588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(294 |
) |
|
|
|
(33.3 |
%) |
51
Interest income for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $1.7 million, or 17.8%, to $11.4 million from $9.7 million in 2023. The increase in interest income earned from the segment’s secured loan portfolio was primarily due to an increase in interest rates and higher average monthly loan balances, partially offset by fewer loans outstanding. The number of secured loans outstanding decreased by 294, or 33.3% to 588 from 882 as of June 30, 2023.
Interest Expense — Secured Lending
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Interest expense |
|
$ |
(8,441 |
) |
|
|
|
(73.817 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(7,770 |
) |
|
|
|
(80.037 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
671 |
|
|
|
|
8.6 |
% |
Interest expense for the year ended June 30, 2024 increased $0.7 million, or 8.6%, to $8.4 million from $7.8 million in 2023. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to (i) an increase of $3.4 million associated with our Trading Credit Facility due to an increase in interest rates as well as increased borrowings, partially offset by (ii) a decrease of $2.3 million related to the AMCF Notes (including amortization of debt issuance costs) due to the repayment in December 2023 and (iii) a $0.5 million decrease in loan servicing fees.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses — Secured Lending
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
(1,376 |
) |
|
|
|
(12.033 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(2,125 |
) |
|
|
|
(21.889 |
%) |
|
|
$ |
(749 |
) |
|
|
|
(35.2 |
%) |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $0.7 million, or 35.2%, to $1.4 million from $2.1 million in 2023. The change was primarily due to a decrease in consulting and professional fees of $0.3 million and a decrease in compensation expense (including performance-based accruals) of $0.2 million.
Other Income, Net — Secured Lending
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% of interest |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Other income, net |
|
$ |
1,002 |
|
|
|
|
8.763 |
% |
|
|
$ |
2,360 |
|
|
|
|
24.310 |
% |
|
|
$ |
(1,358 |
) |
|
|
|
(57.5 |
%) |
Other income, net for the year ended June 30, 2024 decreased $1.4 million, or 57.5%, to $1.0 million from $2.4 million in 2023 primarily due to lower royalties earned.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
Adjusted net income before provision for income taxes
Overview
In addition to our results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we believe the non-GAAP measure of “adjusted net income before provision for income taxes” is useful in evaluating our operating performance. We use this financial measure to present our pre-tax earnings from core business operations. This measure does not have standardized definitions and is not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The items excluded from this financial measure may have a material impact on our financial results. Certain of those items are non-recurring, while others are non-cash in nature. Accordingly, this non-GAAP financial performance measure should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, the comparable measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Reconciliation
We calculate this non-GAAP financial performance measure by eliminating from net income before provision for income taxes the impact of items we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance. We eliminate the impact of the following items: (i) remeasurement gains or losses related to pre-existing equity interests, (ii) contingent consideration fair value adjustments, (iii) acquisition costs, (iv) amortization expenses related to intangible assets acquired, and (v) depreciation expense.
52
See below for the reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial performance measure to its most closely comparable U.S. GAAP measure on our financial statements (in thousands):
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||
Net income before provision for income taxes |
|
$ |
82,778 |
|
|
$ |
203,170 |
|
|
$ |
(120,392 |
) |
|
|
|
(59.3 |
%) |
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
|
|
(16,669 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
Contingent consideration fair value adjustment |
|
|
(370 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
370 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
Acquisition costs |
|
|
3,126 |
|
|
|
285 |
|
|
$ |
2,841 |
|
|
|
|
996.8 |
% |
Amortization of acquired intangibles |
|
|
8,594 |
|
|
|
10,343 |
|
|
$ |
(1,749 |
) |
|
|
|
(16.9 |
%) |
Depreciation expense |
|
|
2,803 |
|
|
|
2,182 |
|
|
$ |
621 |
|
|
|
|
28.5 |
% |
Adjusted net income before provision for income taxes (non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
80,262 |
|
|
$ |
215,980 |
|
|
$ |
(135,718 |
) |
|
|
|
(62.8 |
%) |
Adjustments
Remeasurement gains or losses. When we acquired a controlling interest in SGB in June 2024, we had previously owned a noncontrolling equity interest. We are required to estimate the fair value of our pre-existing equity investment as well as our option to acquire additional equity interests in SGB and record the change in the value as a remeasurement gain or loss in our consolidated statements of income. We exclude these remeasurement gains and losses when we evaluate our on-going operational performance and to facilitate comparison of period-to-period operational performance. For additional information, see Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Contingent consideration fair value adjustments. Upon our acquisition of LPM, we recognized a contingent consideration liability representing the amount we expect to pay in connection with the achievement of certain EBITDA targets. We remeasure this liability each reporting period, with the resulting changes recorded as other income and expense in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income. We exclude these fair value adjustments when we evaluate our core operating performance and to facilitate comparison of period-to-period operating performance. See Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for additional information about our acquisition of LPM.
Acquisition costs. We incur expenses for professional services rendered in connection with business combinations, which are included as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Acquisition expenses are recorded in the periods in which the costs are incurred, and the services are received. We exclude acquisition expenses when we evaluate our core operating performance and to facilitate comparison of period-to-period operating performance.
Amortization of purchased intangibles. Amortization expense of purchased intangibles varies in amount and frequency and is significantly impacted by the timing and size of our acquisitions. Due to amortization expense being non-cash in nature, management finds it useful to exclude these charges from our operating expenses to assist in the review of a measure that more closely corresponds to cash operating income generated from our business. Amortization of purchased intangible assets will recur in future periods. For additional information about the amortization of our purchased intangibles. See Note 9 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Depreciation expense. Depreciation expense is calculated using a straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets, ranging from three years to twenty-five years. Due to depreciation expense being non-cash in nature, management finds it useful to exclude these charges from our operating expenses to assist in the review of a measure that more closely corresponds to cash operating income generated from our business. See Note 8 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization
Overview
In addition to the non-GAAP financial performance measure discussed in the section above, we use the non-GAAP liquidity measure “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization” or "EBITDA" to evaluate our business operations before investing activities, interest, and income taxes. Management and external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as industry analysts and investors, may use EBITDA to compare business operations with other publicly traded companies.
Reconciliation
We calculate EBITDA by eliminating from net income the following five items: (i) interest income, (ii) interest expense, (iii) amortization expenses related to intangible assets acquired, (iv) depreciation expense, and (v) income tax expense.
53
Management believes the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is “net cash provided by or used in operating activities” presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Below is the reconciliation of net cash provided by or used in operating activities to EBITDA (in thousands):
Year Ended June 30, |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||
Net income |
|
$ |
69,033 |
|
|
$ |
156,769 |
|
|
$ |
(87,736 |
) |
|
|
|
(56.0 |
%) |
Adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Interest income |
|
|
(27,168 |
) |
|
|
(22,231 |
) |
|
$ |
4,937 |
|
|
|
|
22.2 |
% |
Interest expense |
|
|
39,531 |
|
|
|
31,528 |
|
|
$ |
8,003 |
|
|
|
|
25.4 |
% |
Amortization of acquired intangibles |
|
|
8,594 |
|
|
|
10,343 |
|
|
$ |
(1,749 |
) |
|
|
|
(16.9 |
%) |
Depreciation expense |
|
|
2,803 |
|
|
|
2,182 |
|
|
$ |
621 |
|
|
|
|
28.5 |
% |
Income tax expense |
|
|
13,745 |
|
|
|
46,401 |
|
|
$ |
(32,656 |
) |
|
|
|
(70.4 |
%) |
|
|
|
37,505 |
|
|
|
68,223 |
|
|
$ |
(30,718 |
) |
|
|
|
(45.0 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
106,538 |
|
|
$ |
224,992 |
|
|
$ |
(118,454 |
) |
|
|
|
(52.6 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Reconciliation of Operating Cash Flows to EBITDA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
$ |
60,934 |
|
|
$ |
(30,323 |
) |
|
$ |
91,257 |
|
|
|
|
300.9 |
% |
Changes in operating working capital |
|
|
939 |
|
|
|
193,738 |
|
|
$ |
(192,799 |
) |
|
|
|
(99.5 |
%) |
Interest expense |
|
|
39,531 |
|
|
|
31,528 |
|
|
$ |
8,003 |
|
|
|
|
25.4 |
% |
Interest income |
|
|
(27,168 |
) |
|
|
(22,231 |
) |
|
$ |
4,937 |
|
|
|
|
22.2 |
% |
Income tax expense |
|
|
13,745 |
|
|
|
46,401 |
|
|
$ |
(32,656 |
) |
|
|
|
(70.4 |
%) |
Dividends and distributions received from equity method investees |
|
|
(642 |
) |
|
|
(978 |
) |
|
$ |
(336 |
) |
|
|
|
(34.4 |
%) |
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
4,044 |
|
|
|
12,576 |
|
|
$ |
(8,532 |
) |
|
|
|
(67.8 |
%) |
Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
|
|
16,669 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
16,669 |
|
|
|
|
— |
% |
Share-based compensation |
|
|
(1,923 |
) |
|
|
(2,176 |
) |
|
$ |
(253 |
) |
|
|
|
(11.6 |
%) |
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
2,690 |
|
|
|
(1,585 |
) |
|
$ |
4,275 |
|
|
|
|
269.7 |
% |
Amortization of loan cost |
|
|
(2,447 |
) |
|
|
(2,113 |
) |
|
$ |
334 |
|
|
|
|
15.8 |
% |
Other |
|
|
166 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
|
|
7.1 |
% |
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
106,538 |
|
|
$ |
224,992 |
|
|
$ |
(118,454 |
) |
|
|
|
(52.6 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash Flow Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
$ |
60,934 |
|
|
$ |
(30,323 |
) |
|
$ |
91,257 |
|
|
|
|
300.9 |
% |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
|
$ |
(63,597 |
) |
|
$ |
6,839 |
|
|
$ |
(70,436 |
) |
|
|
|
(1,029.9 |
%) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
$ |
11,981 |
|
|
$ |
25,019 |
|
|
$ |
(13,038 |
) |
|
|
|
(52.1 |
%) |
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Primary Sources and Uses of Cash
Overview
Liquidity refers to the availability to the Company of amounts of cash to meet all of our cash needs. Our sources of liquidity principally include cash from operations, Trading Credit Facility (see “Lines of Credit” below), and product financing arrangements.
A substantial portion of our assets are liquid. As of June 30, 2024, approximately 78.4% of our assets consisted of cash, receivables, derivative assets, secured loans receivables, precious metals held under financing arrangements, and inventories, measured at fair value. Cash generated from the sales or financing of our precious metals products is our primary source of operating liquidity. Among other things, these include our product financing arrangements and liabilities on borrowed metals. Typically, the Company acquires its inventory by: (i) purchasing inventory from its suppliers by utilizing our own capital and lines of credit; (ii) borrowing precious metals from its suppliers under short-term arrangements which may bear interest at a designated rate, and (iii) repurchasing inventory at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price on the specified repurchase date.
In addition to selling inventory, the Company generates cash from earning interest income. The Company enters into secured loans and secured financing structures with its customers under which it charges interest. The loans are secured by precious metals and numismatic material, and graded sports cards owned by the borrowers and held by the Company as security for the term of the loan. The Company also offers a number of secured financing options to its customers to finance their precious metals purchases including consignments and other structured inventory finance products. Furthermore, our customers may enter into agreements whereby the customer agrees to repurchase our precious metals at the prevailing spot price for delivery of the product at a specific point in time in the future; interest income is earned from the contract date until the material is delivered and paid for in full.
We may also raise funds through the public or private offering of equity or debt securities, although there is no assurance that we will be able to do so at the times and in the amounts required.
54
We continually review our overall credit and capital needs to ensure that our capital base, both stockholders’ equity and available credit facilities, can appropriately support our anticipated financing needs. The Company also continually monitors its current and forecasted cash requirements and draws upon and pays down its lines of credit so as to minimize interest expense. See Note 15 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Lines of Credit
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Lines of credit - short term |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
235,000 |
|
|
$ |
(235,000 |
) |
Lines of credit - long-term |
|
|
245,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
245,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
245,000 |
|
|
$ |
235,000 |
|
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Effective December 21, 2021, A-Mark entered into a committed borrowing facility (the "Trading Credit Facility") with CIBC Bank USA, as agent and joint lead arranger, and a syndicate of banks. As of June 30, 2024, the Trading Credit Facility provided the Company with access up to $422.5 million and has a maturity date of September 20, 2025. The Trading Credit Facility was reclassified to long-term during the three months ended September 30, 2023 due to the elimination of provisions whereby lenders under certain conditions could require repayment of all obligations outstanding under the Trading Credit Facility within 10 days on demand. (See Note 15.)
A-Mark routinely uses funds drawn under the Trading Credit Facility to purchase metals from its suppliers and for other operating cash flow purposes. Our CFC subsidiary also uses the funds drawn under the Trading Credit Facility to finance certain of its lending activities.
Notes Payable
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Notes payable — short-term |
|
$ |
8,367 |
|
|
$ |
95,308 |
|
|
$ |
(86,941 |
) |
Notes payable — long-term |
|
|
3,994 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,994 |
|
|
|
$ |
12,361 |
|
|
$ |
95,308 |
|
|
$ |
(82,947 |
) |
In September 2018, AMCF, previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, completed an issuance of Secured Senior Term Notes, Series 2018-1, Class A in the aggregate principal amount of $72.0 million and Secured Subordinated Term Notes, Series 2018-1, Class B in the aggregate principal amount of $28.0 million (collectively, the "AMCF Notes".) The AMCF Notes were repaid in full in December 2023 and AMCF was dissolved in June 2024.
In April 2021, CCP entered into a loan agreement ("CCP Note") with CFC, which provides CFC with up to $4.0 million to fund commercial loans secured by graded sports cards to its borrowers. All loans to be funded using the proceeds from the CCP Note are subject to CCP’s prior written approval. In March 2024, the expiration date for the CCP Note was amended to expire on April 1, 2026 and may be extended by mutual agreement. As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 the outstanding principal balance of the CCP Note was $4.0 million and $0.5 million. See Note 14 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2024, SGB declared a $15.9 million dividend to existing shareholders based on certain levels of working capital. The dividend was paid on September 9, 2024. The dividend paid to the Company from SGB was $7.5 million which was recorded as a dividend receivable to A-Mark from SGB as of June 30, 2024 and has been eliminated upon consolidation. The remaining $8.4 million due to the other shareholders was recorded as a note payable by SGB as of June 30, 2024.
Liabilities on Borrowed Metals
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Liabilities on borrowed metals |
|
$ |
31,993 |
|
|
$ |
21,642 |
|
|
$ |
10,351 |
|
We borrow precious metals from our suppliers and customers under short-term arrangements using other precious metal from our inventory or precious metals held under financing arrangements as collateral. Amounts under these arrangements require repayment either in the form of precious metals or cash. Liabilities also arise from unallocated metal positions held by customers in our inventory. Typically, these positions are due on demand, in a specified physical form, based on the total ounces of metal held in the position.
55
Product Financing Arrangements
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Product financing arrangements |
|
$ |
517,744 |
|
|
$ |
335,831 |
|
|
$ |
181,913 |
|
The Company has agreements with financial institutions and other third parties that allow the Company to transfer its gold and silver inventory to the third-party at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price, which provides alternative sources of liquidity. During the term of the agreement both parties intend for inventory to be returned at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price on the repurchase date. The third parties charge monthly interest as a percentage of the market value of the outstanding obligation; such monthly charges are classified as interest expense. These transactions do not qualify as sales and therefore are accounted for as financing arrangements and reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as product financing arrangements. The obligation is stated at the amount required to repurchase the outstanding inventory. Both the product financing arrangements and the underlying inventory (which is entirely restricted) are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value included as a component of cost of sales.
Secured Loans Receivable
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Secured loans receivable |
|
$ |
113,067 |
|
|
$ |
100,620 |
|
|
$ |
12,447 |
|
CFC is a California licensed finance lender that makes and acquires commercial loans secured by bullion and numismatic coins, and graded sports cards that affords our customers a convenient means of financing their inventory or collections. See Note 5 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Prior to the repayment of the AMCF Notes, AMCF also purchased and held secured loans from CFC to meet its collateral requirements related to the AMCF Notes. See Note 15 to Company’s consolidated financial statements. Most of the Company's secured loans are short-term in nature. The renewal of these secured loans is at the discretion of the Company and, as such, provides us with some flexibility in regard to our capital deployment strategies.
Dividends
The Company’s board of directors has adopted a regular quarterly cash dividend policy of $0.20 per common share ($0.80 per share on an annual basis). The declaration of regular cash dividends in the future is subject to the determination each quarter by the board of directors. Below is a summary of dividends paid to stockholders in the year ended June 30, 2024.
See Note 20 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for more information regarding our dividends.
Cash Flows
The majority of the Company’s trading activities involve two-day value trades under which payment is received in advance of delivery or product is received in advance of payment. The combination of sales volume, inventory turnover, and precious metals price volatility can cause material changes in the sources of cash used in or provided by operating activities on a daily basis. The Company manages these variances through its liquidity forecasts and counterparty limits by maintaining a liquidity reserve to meet the Company’s cash needs. The Company uses various short-term financial instruments to manage the cycle of our trading activities from customer purchase order to cash collections and product delivery, which can cause material changes in the amount of cash used in or provided by financing activities on a daily basis.
56
The following summarizes components of our consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):
Year Ended |
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
$ |
60,934 |
|
|
$ |
(30,323 |
) |
|
$ |
91,257 |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
|
$ |
(63,597 |
) |
|
$ |
6,839 |
|
|
$ |
(70,436 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
$ |
11,981 |
|
|
$ |
25,019 |
|
|
$ |
(13,038 |
) |
For the periods presented, our principal capital requirements have been to fund (i) working capital and (ii) financing activity. Our working capital requirements fluctuated with market conditions, the availability of precious metals, and the volatility of precious metals commodity pricing.
Net Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Operating activities provided $60.9 million and used $30.3 million in cash for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing a $91.3 million change compared to the year ended June 30, 2023. The period over period change was primarily due to net changes in working capital, which includes inventories, derivative liabilities, deferred revenue and other advances, liabilities on borrowed metals, accounts payable and other payables, precious metals held under financing arrangements, and receivables, net, as well as a decrease in net income adjusted for noncash items, which includes a remeasurement gain of $16.7 million related to our acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB in June 2024.
Net Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Investing activities used $63.6 million and provided $6.8 million in cash for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing a $70.4 million change compared to the year ended June 30, 2023. This period over period change was primarily due to (i) higher outflows of $37.1 million associated with the net originations of secured loans in the current period and (ii) $32.2 million of net cash paid to acquire LPM in February 2024 and SGB in June 2024, (iii) an increase in purchases of intangible assets of $3.5 million, and (iv) a $2.5 million increase in capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment, partially offset by (v) a decrease in purchases of long-term investments of $5.8 million.
Net Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Financing activities provided $12.0 million and provided $25.0 million in cash for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing a $13.0 million change compared to the year ended June 30, 2023. This period over period change was primarily due to (i) the $95.0 million repayment of our AMCF Notes in December 2023, (ii) an increase of $12.5 million cash used to repurchase of our common stock under our share repurchase program, (iii) a decrease in cash provided from our net borrowings and repayments of $10.0 million under our Trading Credit Facility, (iv) an increase in cash paid for dividends of $4.4 million, and (v) an increase in debt issuance costs paid in the current year of $2.8 million primarily related to our Trading Credit Facility. These were partially offset by (i) an increase in cash provided of $104.4 million related to our product financing arrangements, (ii) an increase of $2.9 million on net borrowings on related party notes, (iii) an increase in cash provided of $1.4 million related to the exercise and taxes related to share-based awards, and (iv) a $1.0 million decrease in distributions paid to PMPP's noncontrolling interest holder.
Capital Resources
We believe that our current cash availability under the Trading Credit Facility, product financing arrangements, financing derived from borrowed metals and the cash we anticipate generating from operating activities will provide us with sufficient liquidity to satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, investment requirements, and commitments through at least the next twelve months.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS
Counterparty Risk
We face counterparty risks in our Wholesale Sales and Ancillary Services segment. We manage these risks by setting credit and position risk limits with our trading counterparties, including gross position limits for counterparties engaged in sales and purchase transactions and inventory consignment transactions with us, as well as collateral limits for different types of sale and purchase transactions that counterparties may engage in from time to time.
Commodities Risk and Derivatives
We use a variety of strategies to manage our risk including fluctuations in commodity prices for precious metals. Our inventory consists of, and our trading activities involve, precious metals and precious metal products, for which prices are linked to the corresponding precious metal commodity prices. The Company's precious metals inventory is subject to fluctuations in market value, resulting from changes in the underlying commodity prices. Inventory purchased or borrowed by us is subject to price changes. Inventory borrowed is a natural hedge, since changes in value of the metal held are offset by the obligation to return the metal to the supplier or deliver metals to the customer.
57
Open sale and purchase commitments in our trading activities are subject to changes in value between the date the purchase or sale price is fixed (the trade date) and the date the metal is received or delivered (the settlement date). We seek to minimize the effect of price changes of the underlying commodity through the use of forward and futures contracts. Our open sale and purchase commitments generally settle within 2 business days, and for those commitments that do not have stated settlement dates, we have the right to settle the positions upon demand.
Our policy is to substantially hedge our inventory position, net of open sale and purchase commitments that are subject to price risk. We regularly enter into precious metals commodity forward and futures contracts with financial institutions to hedge against this risk. We use futures contracts, which typically settle within 30 days, for our shorter-term hedge positions, and forward contracts, which may remain open for up to six months, for our longer-term hedge positions. We have access to all of the precious metals markets, allowing us to place hedges. We also maintain relationships with major market makers in every major precious metals dealing center.
The Company enters into these derivative transactions solely for the purpose of hedging our inventory holding risk, and not for speculative market purposes. Due to the nature of our hedging strategy, we are not using hedge accounting as defined under Derivatives and Hedging Topic 815 of the ASC ("ASC 815"). Unrealized gains or losses resulting from our forward and futures contracts are reported as cost of sales with the related amounts due from or to counterparties reflected as derivative assets or liabilities. The Company adjusts the derivatives to fair value on a daily basis until the transactions are settled. When these contracts are net settled, the unrealized gains and losses are reversed and the realized gains and losses for forward contracts are recorded in revenue and cost of sales and the net realized gains and losses for futures are recorded in cost of sales.
The Company’s net gains and losses on derivative instruments totaled gains of $1.7 million and gains of $97.1 million for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These were substantially offset by the changes in fair market value of the underlying precious metals inventory and open sale and purchase commitments, which is also recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.
The purpose of the Company's hedging policy is to substantially match the change in the value of the derivative financial instrument to the change in the value of the underlying hedged item. The following table summarizes the results of our hedging activities, showing the precious metal commodity inventory position, net of open sale and purchase commitments, which is subject to price risk, compared to change in the value of the derivative instruments (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Inventories |
|
$ |
1,097,144 |
|
|
$ |
981,643 |
|
Precious metals held under financing arrangements |
|
|
22,066 |
|
|
|
25,530 |
|
|
|
|
1,119,210 |
|
|
|
1,007,173 |
|
Less unhedgeable inventories: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Commemorative coin inventory, held at lower of cost or net realizable value |
|
|
(3,236 |
) |
|
|
(948 |
) |
Premium on metals position |
|
|
(34,175 |
) |
|
|
(29,358 |
) |
Precious metal value not hedged |
|
|
(37,411 |
) |
|
|
(30,306 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Commitments at market: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Open inventory purchase commitments |
|
|
817,900 |
|
|
|
921,108 |
|
Open inventory sales commitments |
|
|
(388,184 |
) |
|
|
(587,392 |
) |
Margin sale commitments |
|
|
(22,316 |
) |
|
|
(17,682 |
) |
In-transit inventory no longer subject to market risk |
|
|
(21,715 |
) |
|
|
(5,505 |
) |
Unhedgeable premiums on open commitment positions |
|
|
10,986 |
|
|
|
11,224 |
|
Borrowed precious metals |
|
|
(31,993 |
) |
|
|
(21,642 |
) |
Product financing arrangements |
|
|
(517,744 |
) |
|
|
(335,831 |
) |
Advances on industrial metals |
|
|
394 |
|
|
|
698 |
|
|
|
|
(152,672 |
) |
|
|
(35,022 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Precious metal subject to price risk |
|
|
929,127 |
|
|
|
941,845 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Precious metal subject to derivative financial instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Precious metals forward contracts at market values |
|
|
843,439 |
|
|
|
767,767 |
|
Precious metals futures contracts at market values |
|
|
83,214 |
|
|
|
170,466 |
|
Total market value of derivative financial instruments |
|
|
926,653 |
|
|
|
938,233 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net precious metals subject to commodity price risk |
|
$ |
2,474 |
|
|
$ |
3,612 |
|
We are exposed to the risk of default of the counterparties to our derivative contracts. Significant judgment is applied by us when evaluating the fair value implications. We regularly review the creditworthiness of our major counterparties and monitor our exposure to concentrations. As of June 30, 2024, we believe our risk of counterparty default is mitigated based on our evaluation of the creditworthiness of our major counterparties, the strong financial condition of our counterparties, and the short-term duration of these arrangements.
58
We had the following outstanding sale and purchase commitments and open forward and futures contracts, which are normal and recurring, in nature (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Purchase commitments |
|
$ |
817,900 |
|
|
$ |
921,108 |
|
Sales commitments |
|
$ |
(388,184 |
) |
|
$ |
(587,392 |
) |
Margin sales commitments |
|
$ |
(22,316 |
) |
|
$ |
(17,682 |
) |
Open forward contracts |
|
$ |
843,439 |
|
|
$ |
767,767 |
|
Open futures contracts |
|
$ |
83,214 |
|
|
$ |
170,466 |
|
Foreign exchange forward contracts |
|
$ |
4,793 |
|
|
$ |
7,101 |
|
The notional amounts of the commodity forward and futures contracts and the open sales and purchase orders, as shown in the table above, are not reflected at the notional amounts in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company records commodity forward and futures contracts at the fair value, which is the difference between the market price of the underlying metal or contract measured on the reporting date and the trade amount measured on the date the contract was transacted. The fair value of the open derivative contracts is shown as a component of derivative assets or derivative liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Company enters into the derivative forward and future transactions solely for the purpose of hedging its inventory holding risk, and not for speculative market purposes. The Company’s gains and losses on derivative instruments are substantially offset by the changes in fair market value of the underlying precious metals inventory position, including our open sale and purchase commitments. The Company records the derivatives at the trade date, and any corresponding unrealized gains or losses are shown as a component of cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income. We adjust the carrying value of the derivatives to fair value on a daily basis until the transactions are physically settled. See Note 12 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Commitments and Contingencies
Refer to Note 16 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for information relating Company's commitments and contingencies.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that we believe to be relevant at the time the Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, we review our accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that the Company’s consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could materially differ from our estimates.
Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. We believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We have reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of our board of directors.
Revenue Recognition
The Company accounts for its metals and sales contracts using settlement date accounting. Pursuant to such accounting, the Company recognizes the sale or purchase of the metals at settlement date. During the period between the trade and settlement dates, the Company enters into forward contracts that meet the definition of a derivative in accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging Topic 815 of the ASC (“ASC 815”). The Company records the derivative at the trade date with any corresponding unrealized gain (loss), shown as component of cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income. The Company adjusts the derivatives to fair value on a daily basis until the transactions are settled. When these contracts are settled, the unrealized gains and losses are reversed, and revenue is recognized for contracts that are physically settled. For contracts that are net settled, the realized gains and losses are recorded in cost of sales, with the exception of forward contracts, where their associated realized gains and losses are recorded in revenue and cost of sales, respectively.
Also, the Company recognizes its storage, logistics, licensing, advertising revenue, and other services revenues in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which follows five basic steps to determine whether revenue can be recognized: (i) identify the contract with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
59
Inventories
The Company's inventory, which primarily consists of bullion and bullion coins, is acquired and initially recorded at cost and then marked to fair market value. The fair market value of the bullion and bullion coins comprises two components: (i) published market values attributable to the cost of the raw precious metal, and (ii) the market value of the premium, which is attributable to the incremental value of the product in its finished goods form. The market value attributable solely to such premium is readily determinable by reference to multiple sources. The precious metal component of the inventory may be hedged through the use of precious metal commodity positions, while the premium component of our inventory is not a commodity that may be hedged.
The Company’s inventory, except for certain lower of cost or net realizable value basis products (as described below), is subsequently recorded at their fair market values. The daily changes in the fair market value of our inventory are offset by daily changes in the fair market value of hedging derivatives that are taken with respect to our inventory positions; both the change in the fair market value of the inventory and the change in the fair market value of these derivative instruments are recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.
While the premium component included in inventory is marked-to-market, our commemorative coin inventory, including its premium component, is held at the lower of cost or net realizable value, because the value of commemorative coins is influenced more by supply and demand determinants than on the underlying spot price of the precious metal content of the commemorative coins. Unlike our bullion coins, the value of commemorative coins is not subject to the same level of volatility as bullion coins because our commemorative coins typically carry a substantially higher premium over the spot metal price than bullion coins. Additionally, neither the commemorative coin inventory nor the premium component of our inventory is hedged.
Inventory includes amounts borrowed from suppliers and customers arising from various arrangements including unallocated metal positions held by customers in the Company’s inventory, amounts due to suppliers for the use of consigned inventory, metals held by suppliers as collateral on advanced pool metals, as well as shortages in unallocated metal positions held by the Company in the supplier’s inventory. Unallocated or pool metal represents an unsegregated inventory position that is due on demand, in a specified physical form, based on the total ounces of metal held in the position. Amounts under these arrangements require delivery either in the form of precious metals or cash. The Company mitigates market risk of its physical inventory and open commitments through commodity hedge transactions. See Note 12 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company enters into product financing agreements for the transfer and subsequent option or obligation to reacquire its gold and silver inventory at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price with a third-party finance company. This inventory is restricted and is held at a custodial storage facility in exchange for a financing fee, charged by the third-party finance company. During the term of the financing agreement, the third-party company holds the inventory as collateral, and both parties intend for the inventory to be returned to the Company at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price on the repurchase date. The third-party charges a monthly fee as a percentage of the market value of the outstanding obligation; such monthly charge is classified as interest expense. These transactions do not qualify as sales and have been accounted for as financing arrangements in accordance with ASC 470-40 Product Financing Arrangements, and are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as product financing arrangements. The obligation is stated at the amount required to repurchase the outstanding inventory. Both the product financing and the underlying inventory (which is restricted) are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value included in cost of sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
The Company periodically loans metals to customers on a short-term consignment basis. Such inventory is removed at the time the customer elects to price and purchase the metals, and the Company records a corresponding sale and receivable.
The Company enters into financing arrangements with certain customers under which A-Mark purchases precious metals products that are subject to repurchase by the customer at the fair value of the product on the repurchase date. The Company or the counterparty may typically terminate any such arrangement with 14 days' notice. Upon termination the customer’s rights to repurchase any remaining inventory is forfeited.
Business Combinations
The accounting for a business combination requires tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed to be recorded at estimated fair value. We value intangible assets at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date based upon assumptions related to the future cash flows and discount rates utilizing the then currently available information, and in some cases, valuation results from independent valuation specialists. The use of a discounted cash flow analysis requires significant judgment to estimate the future cash flows derived from the asset and the expected period of time over which those cash flows will occur and to determine an appropriate discount rate.
60
We make certain judgments and estimates when determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Those judgments and estimates also include determining the lives assigned to acquired intangibles, the resulting amortization period, what indicators will trigger an impairment, whether those indicators are other than temporary, what economic or competitive factors affect valuation, valuation methodology, and key assumptions including discount rates and cash flow estimates. In circumstances where an acquisition involves a contingent consideration arrangement, we recognize a liability equal to the fair value of the expected contingent payments as of the acquisition date. We remeasure this liability each reporting period, with the resulting changes recorded in earnings. The assumptions used in estimating fair value of contingent consideration liabilities require significant judgment; the use of different assumptions and judgments could result in a materially different estimate of fair value which may have a material impact on our results from operations and financial position.
Goodwill and Other Purchased Intangible Assets
We evaluate goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year (or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist) in accordance with the Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Topic 350 of the ASC (“ASC 350”). Other finite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. We may first qualitatively assess whether relevant events and circumstances make it more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is less than its carrying value. If, based on this qualitative assessment, we determine that goodwill is more likely than not to be impaired, a quantitative impairment test is performed. This step requires us to determine the fair value of the business and compare the calculated fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If through this quantitative analysis the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired. If the Company concludes that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a goodwill impairment will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value.
The Company also performs impairment reviews on its indefinite-lived intangible assets (i.e., trade names, trademarks and domain names). In assessing its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether events or circumstances exist that lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company is not required to perform any additional tests in assessing the asset for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative analysis to determine if the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. If through a quantitative analysis the Company determines the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying amount, the indefinite-lived intangible asset is considered not to be impaired. If the Company concludes that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value.
Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its provision for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it conducts business, in accordance with Income Taxes Topic 740 of the ASC ("ASC 740"). The Company computes its annual tax rate based on the statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to it in the various jurisdictions in which it earns income. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company's annual tax rate and in evaluating uncertainty in its tax positions. The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC 740-10, which clarifies the accounting for uncertain tax positions. ASC 740-10 requires that the Company recognizes the impact of a tax position in the financial statements if the position is not more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to certain uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense and the accrued interest and penalties are included in deferred and income taxes payable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 13 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for more information on the Company’s accounting for income taxes.
Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization include the Company's forecast of the reversal of temporary differences, future taxable income, and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. Failure to achieve forecasted taxable income in applicable tax jurisdictions could affect the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets and could result in an increase in the Company's effective tax rate on future earnings. Based on our assessment, it appears more likely than not that all of the net deferred tax assets will be realized through future taxable income.
61
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For a description of accounting changes and recent accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on our financial position or results of operations, see Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market conditions may adversely impact the value of assets or liabilities, or otherwise negatively impact earnings. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in commodity prices.
The Company's precious metals inventory is subject to fluctuations in market value, resulting from changes in the underlying commodity prices. Inventory purchased or borrowed by the Company is subject to price changes. Open sale and purchase commitments are subject to changes in value between the date the purchase or sale price is fixed (the trade date) and the date the metal is received or delivered (the settlement date).
To manage the volatility related to this exposure, the Company enters into precious metals commodity forward and futures contracts. Our policy is to substantially hedge our inventory position, net of open sale and purchase commitments that are subject to price risk. We similarly seek to minimize the effect of price changes on our open sale and purchase commitments through hedging activity. Inventory borrowed is considered a natural hedge, since changes in value of the metal held are offset by the obligation to return the metal to the supplier.
We generally use futures contracts for our shorter-term hedge positions, and forward contracts, which may remain open for up to six months, for our longer-term hedge positions. We have access to all of the precious metals markets, allowing us to place hedges. We also maintain relationships with major market makers in every major precious metals dealing center. We enter into these derivative contracts for the purpose of hedging substantially all of our market exposure to precious metals prices, and not for speculative purposes. As a result of these hedging strategies, we do not believe we have a material exposure to market risk.
The Company is exposed to the risk of failure of the counterparties to its derivative contracts. The Company regularly reviews the creditworthiness of its major counterparties and monitors its exposure to concentrations. The Company believes its risk of counterparty default is mitigated as a result of such evaluation and the short-term duration of these arrangements.
See Note 12 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Transactions”.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Foreign exchange risk represents exposures to changes in the values of current holdings and future cash flows denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The types of instruments exposed to this risk include foreign currency denominated receivables and payables and future cash flows in foreign currencies arising from foreign exchange transactions.
The functional currencies of our recent acquisitions LPM and SGB are U.S. dollars and therefore, we do not believe our exposure to foreign exchange risk related to these entities is material.
To manage the effect of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on its sale and purchase transactions, the Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts with maturities of generally less than one week. Because of these hedging policies, we do not believe our exposure to foreign exchange risk is material.
See Note 12 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Transactions—Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Management.”
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our product financing arrangements and Trading Credit Facility. We are subject to fluctuations in interest rates based on the variable interest terms of these arrangements, and we do not utilize derivative contracts to hedge the interest rate fluctuation. See Note 15 to the Company's consolidated financial statements, "Financing Agreements".
We manage the interest rate risks related to our interest income generating activities by increasing our secured loan interest rates and finance product pricing in response to rising interest rates. While our weighted-average effective interest rates on these products increased during the year, the rate increases only partially mitigated the effect of higher interest rates related to our product financing arrangements and Trading Credit Facility. We do not believe our exposure to interest rate risk is material.
62
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Index to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereof
63
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated September 13, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical audit matters
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.
/s/
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.
September 13, 2024
64
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.
Opinion on internal control over financial reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2024, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended June 30, 2024, and our report dated September 13, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (“Management’s Report”). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Our audit of, and opinion on, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting does not include the internal control over financial reporting of LPM Group Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary, and Silver Gold Bull, Inc., a majority-owned consolidated subsidiary. LPM Group Limited comprised approximately 3% of total assets and less than 1% of total revenues of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended June 30, 2024. Silver Gold Bull, Inc. comprised approximately 10% of total assets and less than 1% of total revenue of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended June 30, 2024. As indicated in Management’s Report, LPM Group Limited and Silver Gold Bull, Inc. were both acquired during 2024. Management’s assertion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting excluded internal control over financial reporting of LPM Group Limited and Silver Gold Bull, Inc.
Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Newport Beach, California
September 13, 2024
65
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except for share data)
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June 30, 2024 |
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June 30, 2023 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets |
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Cash(1) |
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$ |
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$ |
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||
Receivables, net |
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Derivative assets |
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Secured loans receivable(1) |
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Precious metals held under financing arrangements(1) |
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Inventories: |
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Inventories(1) |
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Restricted inventories |
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Income tax receivable |
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Prepaid expenses and other assets(1) |
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Total current assets |
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Operating lease right of use assets |
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Property, plant, and equipment, net |
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Goodwill |
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Intangibles, net |
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Long-term investments |
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Other long-term assets |
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Total assets |
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$ |
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$ |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Lines of credit |
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$ |
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$ |
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||
Liabilities on borrowed metals |
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Product financing arrangements |
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Accounts payable and other payables |
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Deferred revenue and other advances |
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Derivative liabilities |
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Accrued liabilities(1) |
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Income tax payable |
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Notes payable (1) |
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Total current liabilities |
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Lines of credit |
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Notes payable |
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Deferred tax liabilities |
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Other liabilities |
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Total liabilities |
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Stockholders’ equity |
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Preferred stock, $ |
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Common stock, par value $ |
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Treasury stock, |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Additional paid-in capital |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
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( |
) |
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Retained earnings |
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Total A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. stockholders’ equity |
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Noncontrolling interests |
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Total stockholders’ equity |
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|
|
|
||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
66
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
In September 2018, AM Capital Funding, LLC (“AMCF”), previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of Collateral Finance Corporation ("CFC”), completed an issuance of Secured Senior Term Notes, Series 2018-1, Class A in the aggregate principal amount of $
The Company consolidates a variable interest entity ("VIE") if the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary. Prior to dissolution, AMCF was a VIE because its initial equity investment may have been insufficient to maintain its ongoing collateral requirements without additional financial support from the Company. The Company was the primary beneficiary of this VIE because the Company had the right to determine the type of collateral (i.e., cash, secured loans, or precious metals), had the right to receive (and has received) the proceeds from the securitization transaction, earn ongoing interest income from the secured loans (subject to collateral requirements), and had the obligation to absorb losses should AMCF's interest expense and other costs have exceeded its interest income.
The following table presents the assets and liabilities of this VIE, which are included in the consolidated balance sheets above. Due to the repayment of the AMCF Notes in December 2023, the VIE did not have assets or liabilities as of June 30, 2024. When outstanding, the holders of the AMCF Notes had a first priority security interest in the assets as shown in the table below, which were in excess of the AMCF Notes' aggregate principal amount. Additionally, the liabilities of the VIE included intercompany balances, which were eliminated in consolidation. (See Note 15.)
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June 30, 2024 |
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June 30, 2023 |
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ASSETS OF THE CONSOLIDATED VIE |
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Cash |
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$ |
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$ |
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Secured loans receivable |
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Precious metals held under financing arrangements |
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Inventories |
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Prepaid expenses and other assets |
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Total assets of the consolidated variable interest entity |
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$ |
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$ |
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LIABILITIES OF THE CONSOLIDATED VIE |
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||
Deferred payment obligations(1) |
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$ |
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$ |
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Accrued liabilities |
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Notes payable(2) |
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Total liabilities of the consolidated variable interest entity |
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$ |
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$ |
|
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
67
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except for share and per share data)
|
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Year Ended June 30, |
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2024 |
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2023 |
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2022 |
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Revenues |
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$ |
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$ |
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$ |
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|||
Cost of sales |
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Gross profit |
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Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
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( |
) |
Interest income |
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|
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Interest expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
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( |
) |
|
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( |
) |
Earnings from equity method investments |
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Other income, net |
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Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
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Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign exchange |
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( |
) |
||
Net income before provision for income taxes |
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|
|||
Income tax expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net income |
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|
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|
|||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|||
Net income attributable to the Company |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Basic and diluted net income per share attributable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Basic |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Diluted |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|||
Weighted-average shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|||
Basic |
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|
|
|
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|
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|
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Diluted |
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|
|
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
68
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in thousands, except for share data)
|
Common Stock |
|
|
Additional Paid-in |
|
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Retained |
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive |
|
|
Treasury Stock |
|
|
Total A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. Stockholders' |
|
|
Non-controlling |
|
|
Total Stockholders’ |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Shares |
|
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Amount |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
income (loss) |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
Interest |
|
|
Equity |
|
||||||||||
Balance, June 30, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net income |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Share-based compensation |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
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|
|||
Exercise of share-based awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net settlement of share-based awards |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Common stock issued for increase in long-term investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||||
Dividends declared |
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Balance, June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Share-based compensation |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||
Earnings distribution paid to noncontrolling interest |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Common stock issued as employee compensation |
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||
Exercise of share-based awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net settlement of share-based awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Repurchases of common stock |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Dividends declared |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Balance, June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Share-based compensation |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||
Common stock issued for acquisition |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||
Noncontrolling ownership contributions and adjustments |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cumulative translation adjustment, net of tax |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||
Exercise of share-based awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net settlement of share-based awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Repurchases of common stock |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Dividends declared |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Balance, June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
69
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net income |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Amortization of loan cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Share-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Dividends and distributions received from equity method investees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Other |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Receivables, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Secured loans receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Secured loans made to affiliates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Derivative assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Precious metals held under financing arrangements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Inventories |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accounts payable and other payables |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred revenue and other advances |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Derivative liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
Liabilities on borrowed metals |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Income tax payable |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Purchase of long-term investments |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Purchase of an option to acquire long-term investments |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Purchase of intangible assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Secured loans receivable, net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Other |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Product financing arrangements, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Dividends paid |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Noncontrolling interest contributions (distributions) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
Net borrowings and repayments under lines of credit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Repayment of notes |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Proceeds from notes payable to related party |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Repayments on notes payable to related party |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||
Repurchases of common stock |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Debt funding issuance costs |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Proceeds from the exercise of share-based awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Payments for tax withholding related to net settlement of share-based awards |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net increase (decrease) in cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Cash, beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cash, end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Interest paid |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Income taxes paid |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Income taxes refunded |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Declared distributions and unpaid dividends |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Property, plant, and equipment acquired on account |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Interest added to principal of secured loans |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Common stock issued for acquisitions |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Loss on reissuance of treasury stock |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Fair value of shares exchanged for increase in long-term investment |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Addition of right of use assets under lease obligations |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
70
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements comprise those of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. ("A-Mark", also referred to as "we", "us", and the "Company"), its consolidated subsidiaries, and its joint venture in which the Company has a controlling interest.
Business Segments
The Company conducts its operations in
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services
The Company operates its Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment directly and through its consolidated subsidiaries, A-Mark Trading AG (“AMTAG”), Transcontinental Depository Services, LLC ("TDS" or “Storage”), A-M Global Logistics, LLC (“AMGL” or "Logistics"), AM&ST Associates, LLC ("AMST" or the "Silver Towne Mint"), and AM/LPM Ventures, LLC, which we formed in February 2024 to acquire LPM Group Limited ("LPM").
The Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment operates as a full-service precious metals company. We offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in the form of bars, plates, powder, wafers, grain, ingots, and coins. Our Industrial unit services manufacturers and fabricators of products utilizing or incorporating precious metals. Our Coin and Bar unit deals in approximately
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary AMTAG, the Company promotes its products and services to certain international markets. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary TDS, we offer a variety of managed storage options for precious metals products to financial institutions, dealers, investors, and collectors around the world.
The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary AMGL is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and provides our customers an array of complementary services, including receiving, handling, inventorying, processing, packing, and shipping of precious metals and custom coins on a secure basis.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary AMST, the Company designs and produces minted silver products. Our Silver Towne Mint operations allow us to provide greater product selection to our customers as well as to gain increased access to silver during volatile market environments, which have historically created higher demand for precious metals products.
LPM
On February 26, 2024 (the "Acquisition Date"), through our subsidiary AM/LPM Ventures, LLC, we acquired
Effective as of the Acquisition Date, Aquila Holding LLC, a company affiliated with Cerberus Limited, purchased a
We incurred $
71
We may be required to pay contingent consideration up to $
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded based on valuations derived from estimated fair value assessment and assumptions used by us. While we believe that our estimates and assumptions underlying the valuations are reasonable, different estimates or assumptions could result in different valuations assigned to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the resulting amount of goodwill.
Cash |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Contingent consideration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Settlement of pre-existing payables due to A-Mark |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Receivables, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant, and equipment, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade names |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Existing customer relationships |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total identifiable assets acquired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and other payables |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Deferred revenue and other advances |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Net identifiable assets acquired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Based on the guidance provided in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805, Business Combinations, we accounted for the acquisition of LPM as a business combination and determined that (i) LPM was a business which combines inputs and processes to create outputs, and (ii) substantially all of the fair value of gross assets acquired was not concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets.
During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024, we recorded adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquisition of LPM that resulted in a change in working capital balances and an increase in goodwill by $
We measured the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values separately from goodwill. Through the acquisition of LPM, we acquired intangible assets representing existing customer relationships and trade names. The existing customer relationships acquired were determined to have a weighted-average useful life of
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The acquisition of LPM resulted in the recognition of $
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 assumes that the acquisition of LPM occurred as of July 1, 2022 (in thousands):
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Revenues |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Net income |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
72
The above pro forma supplemental information does not purport to be indicative of what the Company's operations would have been had these transactions occurred on July 1, 2022, and should not be considered indicative of future operating results. The Company believes the assumptions used provide a reasonable basis for reflecting the significant pro forma effects directly attributable to the acquisition of LPM. The unaudited pro forma information accounts for: (i) the elimination of transactions between the Company and LPM, and (ii) adjustments to the amortization expense resulting from the estimated fair value of the acquired finite-lived intangible assets, acquisition costs, consulting fees, share-based compensation expense, and the resulting impact to the income tax provision.
Direct-to-Consumer
The Company operates its Direct-to-Consumer segment through its wholly-owned subsidiaries JM Bullion, Inc. (“JMB”) and Goldline, Inc. (“Goldline”), and through its investment in Silver Gold Bull, Inc. ("SGB"). As of June 30, 2024, JMB had six wholly-owned subsidiaries: Buy Gold and Silver Corp. ("BGASC"), BX Corporation ("BullionMax"), Gold Price Group, Inc. (“GPG”), Silver.com, Inc. (“Silver.com”), Provident Metals Corp. (“PMC”), and CyberMetals Corp. ("CyberMetals"). Goldline, Inc. owns 100% of AMIP, LLC ("AMIP"). SGB and Goldline each have a
JM Bullion, Inc.
JMB is a leading e-commerce retailer providing access to a broad array of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium products through its websites. JMB owns and operates numerous websites targeting specific niches within the precious metals retail market, including JMBullion.com, ProvidentMetals.com, Silver.com, CyberMetals.com, GoldPrice.org, SilverPrice.org, BGASC.com, BullionMax.com, and Gold.com. Typically, JMB offers approximately
In April 2022, JMB commercially launched the CyberMetals online platform, where customers can purchase and sell fractional shares of digital gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars in a range of denominations. CyberMetals’ customers have the option to convert their digital holdings to fabricated precious metals products via an integrated redemption flow with JMB. These products may be designated by the customer for storage by the Company or shipped directly to the customer.
Goldline, Inc.
The Company acquired Goldline in August 2017 through an asset purchase transaction with Goldline, LLC, which had been in operation since 1960. Goldline is a direct retailer of precious metals to the investor community, and markets its precious metal products on television, radio, and the internet, as well as through customer service outreach. Goldline’s subsidiary AMIP manages its intellectual property. PMPP was formed in fiscal 2019 pursuant to terms of a joint venture agreement with SGB, for the purpose of purchasing precious metals from the partners' retail customers, and then reselling the acquired products back to affiliates of the partners. PMPP commenced its operations in fiscal 2020.
Silver Gold Bull, Inc.
In 2014, the Company acquired its initial ownership interest in SGB, a leading e-commerce precious metals retailer in Canada. Through its website, SilverGoldBull.com, SGB offers a variety of products from gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars, coins and rounds, as well as certified coins from mints around the world. In 2018 and 2022, the Company made incremental investments to increase its ownership interest in SGB to
In connection with the exercise of its option in June 2024, the Company modified certain terms and conditions of its option to acquire additional ownership interest in SGB, including extending the term of the remaining unexercised option to September 2025 as well as reducing the option to increase its ownership from
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In June 2024, SGB declared a $
We also entered into employment agreements with and granted equity awards to key SGB management.
The acquisition of the controlling interest in SGB was accounted for as a business combination achieved in stages. As a result of the change in control, the Company was required to remeasure its pre-existing equity investment in SGB at fair value prior to consolidation. We estimated the fair value of our
The value of the pre-existing equity and noncontrolling interests as of the acquisition date were based on valuations derived from estimated fair value assessments and assumptions made by us. These fair value assessments were determined using a market approach.
We incurred $
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded based on valuations derived from estimated fair value assessments and assumptions used by us. While we believe that our estimates and assumptions underlying the valuations are reasonable, different estimates or assumptions could result in different valuations assigned to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the resulting amount of goodwill.
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Option to acquire additional equity interest |
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Noncontrolling interests |
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Settlement of pre-existing payables due to A-Mark |
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Total purchase price |
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Other current assets |
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Property, plant, and equipment, net |
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Trade names |
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Existing customer relationships |
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Developed technology |
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Other long-term assets |
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Total identifiable assets acquired |
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Product financing arrangements |
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Accounts payable and other payables |
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Notes payable |
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Deferred tax liability |
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Other liabilities |
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Net identifiable assets acquired |
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Goodwill |
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Total purchase price |
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Based on the guidance provided in ASC 805, Business Combinations, we accounted for the acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB as a business combination achieved in stages and determined that (i) SGB was a business which combines inputs and processes to create outputs, and (ii) substantially all of the fair value of gross assets acquired was not concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets.
Our purchase price allocation is preliminary and subject to revision as additional information about fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available, primarily related to information pertaining to working capital and tax balances. Additional information that existed as of the acquisition date but at the time was unknown to us may become known to us during the remainder of the remeasurement period, a period not to exceed 12 months from the acquisition date.
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We measured the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values separately from goodwill. Through the acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB, we acquired intangible assets representing existing customer relationships, developed technology, and trade names. The existing customer relationships and developed technology acquired were determined to have a useful life of
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB resulted in the recognition of $
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 assumes that the acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB occurred as of July 1, 2022 (in thousands):
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The above pro forma supplemental information does not purport to be indicative of what the Company's operations would have been had the transaction occurred on July 1, 2022, and should not be considered indicative of future operating results. The Company believes the assumptions used provide a reasonable basis for reflecting the significant pro forma effects directly attributable to the acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB. The unaudited pro forma information accounts for: (i) the elimination of transactions between the Company and SGB and (ii) adjustments to the amortization expense resulting from the estimated fair value of the acquired finite-lived intangible assets, acquisition costs, cash and share-based compensation expense, remeasurement gains, and the resulting impact to the income tax provision.
Secured Lending
The Company operates its Secured Lending segment through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Collateral Finance Corporation, LLC, including its wholly-owned subsidiary, CFC Alternative Investments (“CAI”) (collectively “CFC”).
CFC is a California licensed finance lender that originates and acquires commercial loans secured primarily by bullion and numismatic coins. CFC's customers include coin and precious metal dealers, investors, and collectors.
CAI is a holding company that has a
AM Capital Funding, LLC (“AMCF”), previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, was formed for the purpose of securitizing eligible secured loans of CFC. AMCF issued and administered the AMCF Notes; the AMCF Notes were repaid in full in December 2023. AMCF was dissolved in June 2024. (See Note 15.)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements reflect the financial condition, results of operations, statements of stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company, and were prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company consolidates its subsidiaries that are wholly-owned, and majority owned, and entities that are variable interest entities where the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. In addition to A-Mark, our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of: AMTAG, TDS, AMGL, AMST, AM/LPM Ventures, JMB, Goldline, SGB, and CFC. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
Comprehensive Income
Our other comprehensive income and losses are comprised of unrealized gains and losses associated with the translation of foreign-based equity method investments which are shown in our consolidated statements of stockholders' equity.
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Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. These estimates include, among others, determination of fair value (primarily, with respect to precious metal inventory, derivatives, assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, certain financial instruments, and certain investments); impairment assessments of property, plant and equipment, long-term investments, and intangible assets; valuation allowance determination on deferred tax assets; determining the incremental borrowing rate for calculating right of use assets and lease liabilities; and revenue recognition judgments. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.
Stock Split in the Form of a Dividend
On April 28, 2022, the Company’s board of directors declared a two-for-one split of A-Mark’s common stock in the form of a stock dividend. Each stockholder of record at the close of business on May 23, 2022 received a dividend of one additional share of common stock for every share held on the record date, which was distributed on June 6, 2022. All share and per share amounts (except par value) have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split in the form of a stock dividend for all periods presented.
Dividends are recorded if and when they are declared by the board of directors. (See Note 17.)
Fair Value Measurement
The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic 820 of the ASC ("ASC 820") creates a single definition of fair value for financial reporting. The rules associated with ASC 820 state that valuation techniques consistent with the market approach, income approach, and/or cost approach should be used to estimate fair value. Selection of a valuation technique, or multiple valuation techniques, depends on the nature of the asset or liability being valued, as well as the availability of data. (See Note 3.)
Concentration of Credit Risk
Cash is maintained at financial institutions, and, at times, balances exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances.
Assets that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of receivables, loans of inventory to customers, and inventory hedging transactions. Based on an assessment of credit risk, the Company typically grants collateralized credit to its customers. Credit risk with respect to loans of inventory to customers is minimal. The Company enters into inventory hedging transactions, principally utilizing metals commodity futures contracts traded on national futures exchanges or forward contracts with credit worthy financial institutions. All of our commodity derivative contracts are under master netting arrangements and include both asset and liability positions. Substantially all of these transactions are secured by the underlying metals positions.
Foreign Currency
The functional currency of the Company is the United States dollar ("USD"). All transactions in foreign currencies are recorded in USD at the then-current exchange rate(s). Upon settlement of the underlying transaction, all amounts are remeasured to USD at the current exchange rate on date of settlement. All unsettled foreign currency transactions that remain in accounts receivable and trade account payables are remeasured to USD at the period end exchange rates. All foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses are recorded in the current period net income.
The Company has three foreign subsidiaries that generate foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses: AMTAG, LPM and SGB. Because these entities have a functional currency of USD, foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses from these foreign subsidiaries are recorded in net income.
For the Company’s foreign-based equity method investments, the proportionate share of the investee’s income is translated into USD at the average exchange rate for the period and the investment is translated using the exchange rate as of the end of the reporting period. The unrealized gains and losses associated with the translation of the investment are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
To manage the effect of foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts. These derivatives generate gains and losses when settled and/or marked-to-market.
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Business Combinations
The Company accounts for business combinations by applying the acquisition method in accordance with Business Combinations Topic 805 of the ASC (“ASC 805”). The Company evaluates each purchase transaction to determine whether the acquired assets meet the definition of a business. Transaction costs related to the acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred and excluded from the fair value of consideration transferred. The identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests, if any, in an acquired entity are recognized and measured at their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the fair values of identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests, if any, in an acquired entity is recorded as goodwill. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets and liabilities. Net cash paid to acquire a business is classified as investing activities on the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.
In circumstances where an acquisition involves a contingent consideration arrangement that meets the definition of a liability under ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, we recognize a liability equal to the fair value of the expected contingent payments as of the acquisition date. We remeasure this liability each reporting period, with the resulting changes recorded as selling, general, and administrative expenses. The assumptions used in estimating fair value of contingent consideration liabilities require significant judgment; the use of different assumptions and judgments could result in a materially different estimate of fair value which may have a material impact on our results from operations and financial position.
Variable Interest Entity
A variable interest entity ("VIE") is a legal entity that has either (i) a total equity investment that is insufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or (ii) whose equity investors as a group lack the ability to control the entity’s activities or lack the ability to receive expected benefits or absorb obligations in a manner that is consistent with their investment in the entity.
A VIE is consolidated for accounting purposes by its primary beneficiary, which is the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company consolidates VIEs when it is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Management regularly reviews and re-evaluates its previous determinations regarding whether it holds a variable interest in potential VIEs, the status of an entity as a VIE, and whether the Company is required to consolidate such VIEs in its consolidated financial statements.
AMCF, previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, was a special purpose entity ("SPE") formed as part of a securitization transaction in order to isolate certain assets and distribute the cash flows from those assets to investors. AMCF was structured to insulate investors from claims on AMCF’s assets by creditors of other entities. Prior to the repayment of the AMCF Notes in December 2023, the Company had various forms of involvement with AMCF, which included (i) holding senior or subordinated interests in AMCF; (ii) acting as loan servicer for a portfolio of loans held by AMCF; and (iii) providing administrative services to AMCF. AMCF was required to maintain separate books and records. The assets and liabilities of this VIE as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 are indicated on the table that follows the consolidated balance sheets. AMCF was dissolved in June 2024.
AMCF was a VIE because its initial equity investment may have been insufficient to maintain its ongoing collateral requirements without additional financial support from the Company. The Company was the primary beneficiary of this VIE because the Company had the right to determine the type of collateral (i.e., cash, secured loans, or precious metals), had the right to receive (and has received) the proceeds from the securitization transaction, earn ongoing interest income from the secured loans (subject to collateral requirements), and had the obligation to absorb losses should AMCF's interest expense and other costs exceed its interest income. (See Note 15.)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023.
Allowance for Credit Losses
On
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The Company sets credit and position risk limits based on management's judgments of the customer's creditworthiness and regularly monitors its credit arrangements. These limits include gross position limits for counterparties engaged in sales and purchase transactions with the Company. They also include collateral limits for different types of sale and purchase transactions that counterparties may engage in from time to time.
ASC 326 provides a practical expedient for assets secured by collateral when repayment is expected to be provided substantially through the sale of the collateral in the event of the borrower's financial difficulty. In these arrangements, a reporting entity may estimate the expected credit losses by comparing the fair value of the collateral as of the balance sheet date to the asset’s amortized cost basis. In situations when the fair value of the collateral is equal to or greater than the amortized cost, a reporting entity may determine that there are no expected credit losses. The Company applies the practical expedient based on collateral maintenance provisions in estimating an allowance for credit losses for its secured loan receivables activity. The Company has not historically experienced credit losses related to its lending activity, and since it does not expect any future losses, no allowance has been recorded for this asset class. We expect trends and business practices to continue in a manner consistent with historical activity.
The Company has not historically experienced credit losses related to its other receivables activity; including (i) customer trade receivables, (ii) wholesale trade advances, and (iii) due from brokers, and, accordingly, no allowance has been recorded for these asset classes.
Precious Metals Held Under Financing Arrangements
The Company enters into arrangements with certain customers under which it purchases precious metals from the customers which are subject to repurchase by the customer at the spot value of the product on the repurchase date. The precious metals purchased under these arrangements consist of rare and unique items, and therefore the Company accounts for these transactions as precious metals held under financing arrangements, which generate financing income rather than revenue earned from precious metals inventory sales. In these repurchase arrangements, the Company holds legal title to the metals and earns financing income for the duration of the agreement.
These arrangements are typically terminable by either party upon
Inventories
The Company's inventory, which consists primarily of bullion and bullion coins, is acquired and initially recorded at cost and then marked to fair market value. The fair market value of the bullion and bullion coins comprises two components: (i) published market values attributable to the cost of the raw precious metal, and (ii) the market value of the premium, which is attributable to the incremental value of the product in its finished goods form. The market value attributable solely to such premium is readily determinable by reference to multiple sources.
The Company’s inventory, except for certain lower of cost or net realizable value basis products (as discussed below), are subsequently recorded at their fair market values, that is, "marked-to-market." The daily changes in the fair market value of our inventory are offset by daily changes in the fair market value of hedging derivatives that are taken with respect to our inventory positions; both the change in the fair market value of the inventory and the change in the fair market value of these derivative instruments are recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.
While the premium component of our bullion coins included in inventory is marked-to-market, our commemorative coin inventory, including its premium component, is held at the lower of cost or net realizable value, because the value of commemorative coins is influenced more by supply and demand determinants than on the underlying spot price of the precious metal content of the commemorative coins. Unlike our bullion coins, the value of commemorative coins is not subject to the same level of volatility as bullion coins because our commemorative coins typically carry a substantially higher premium over the spot metal price than bullion coins. Neither the commemorative coin inventory nor the premium component of our inventory is hedged. (See Note 6.)
Leased Right of Use Assets
We lease warehouse space, office facilities, and equipment. Our operating leases with terms longer than twelve months are recorded at the sum of the present value of the lease's fixed minimum payments as operating lease right of use assets ("ROU assets") in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Lease terms include all periods covered by renewal and termination options where the Company is reasonably certain to exercise the renewal options or not to exercise the termination options. Our lease agreements do not contain any significant residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Our finance leases are another type of ROU asset, but are classified in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as a component of property, plant, and equipment at the present value of the lease payments. Finance leases were not material during any period presented.
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The ROU asset amounts include any initial direct costs incurred and lease payments made at or before the commencement date and are reduced by lease incentives. We use our incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate to determine the present value of the lease payments for leases, as our leases do not have readily determinable implicit discount rates. Our incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that we would incur to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term and amount in a similar economic environment.
Operating lease cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The depreciable life of ROU assets is limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. (See Note 7.)
For a lease modification, an evaluation is performed to determine if it should be treated as either a separate lease or a change in the accounting of an existing lease. Any amounts related to a modified lease are reflected as an operating lease ROU asset or related operating lease liability in our consolidated balance sheet.
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using a straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets, ranging from
The Company reviews the carrying value of these assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. In evaluating for impairment, the carrying value of each asset or group of assets is compared to the undiscounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. An impairment loss is recognized for the difference when the carrying value exceeds the discounted estimated future cash flows. The factors considered by the Company in performing this assessment include current and projected operating results, trends and prospects, the manner in which these assets are used, and the effects of obsolescence, demand and competition, as well as other economic factors.
Finite-lived Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationships, developed technology, and non-compete agreements. Certain existing customer relationships intangible assets are amortized in a non-linear manner which best reflects our estimate of the pattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are consumed. All other intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives, which are estimated to be
Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price paid for an acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles (such as trade names, trademarks, and domain names) are not subject to amortization, but are evaluated for impairment at least annually. For tax purposes, goodwill acquired in connection with a taxable asset acquisition is generally deductible.
The Company evaluates its goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year (or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist) in accordance with ASC 350. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at a reporting unit level, which for the Company, corresponds to the Company’s operating segments.
Evaluation of goodwill for impairment
The Company has the option to first qualitatively assess whether relevant events and circumstances make it more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is less than its carrying value. A qualitative assessment includes analyzing current economic indicators associated with a particular reporting unit such as changes in economic, market and industry conditions, business strategy, cost factors, and financial performance, among others, to determine if there would be a significant decline to the fair value of a particular reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment indicates it is not more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, no further testing is required.
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If, based on this qualitative assessment, management concludes that goodwill is more likely than not to be impaired, or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative analysis to determine the fair value of the business, and compare the calculated fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If through this quantitative analysis the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not to be impaired. If the Company concludes that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, a goodwill impairment loss will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. (See Note 9.)
Evaluation of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment
The Company evaluates its indefinite-lived intangible assets (i.e., trade names, trademarks, and domain names) for impairment. In assessing its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company has the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether events or circumstances exist that lead to a determination that it is unlikely that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is unlikely that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company is not required to perform any additional tests in assessing the asset for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative analysis to determine if the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. If through this quantitative analysis the Company determines the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying amount, the indefinite-lived intangible asset is considered not to be impaired. If the Company concludes that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value.
The methods used to estimate the fair value measurements of the Company’s reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets include those based on the income approach (including the discounted cash flow and relief-from-royalty methods) and those based on the market approach (primarily the guideline transaction and guideline public company methods). (See Note 9.)
Long-Term Investments
Investments in privately-held entities are accounted for using the equity method when the Company has significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if the Company’s ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee ranges between
Investments in privately-held entities for which the Company has little or no influence over the investee are initially recorded at cost. Because the investments do not have a readily determinable fair value, the Company has elected to measure the investments at cost minus impairments, if any, with changes recognized in net income. If the Company identifies observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or a similar investment, the Company’s investment will be measured at fair value as of the date the observable transaction occurs.
We evaluate our long-term investments for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a decline in the fair value of these assets is determined to be other-than-temporary. Additionally, the Company performs an ongoing evaluation of the investments with which the Company has variable interests to determine if any of these entities are VIEs that are required to be consolidated. None of the Company’s long-term investments were VIEs as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023.
Other Long-Term Assets
On June 27, 2022, the Company acquired an additional
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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
For the Company’s foreign-based equity method investments, the proportionate share of the investee’s income is translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the period and the investment is translated using the exchange rate as of the end of the reporting period. Foreign currency translation gains and losses associated with this activity are deferred and included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Treasury Stock
The Company periodically purchases its own common stock that is traded on public markets as part of announced stock repurchase programs. The repurchased common stock is classified as treasury stock on the consolidated balance sheets and held at cost. The direct costs incurred to acquire treasury stock are treated like stock issue costs and added to the cost of the treasury stock, which includes applicable fees and taxes. Other than the shares issued to acquire LPM in February 2024 (see Note 1), there have been no reissuances of treasury stock.
Noncontrolling Interests
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Noncontrolling interest is the portion of equity (net assets) in an entity in which the Company has a controlling financial interest that is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Company. Such noncontrolling interest is reported on the consolidated balance sheets within equity, separately from the Company’s equity. On the consolidated statements of income, revenues, expenses and net income or loss from the less-than-wholly owned subsidiary are reported at their consolidated amounts, including both the amounts attributable to the Company and the noncontrolling interest. Income or loss is allocated to the noncontrolling interest based on its weighted-average ownership percentage for the applicable period. The consolidated statements of equity include beginning balances, activity for the period and ending balances for each component of stockholders’ equity, noncontrolling interest and total equity.
The table below presents the reconciliation of changes in noncontrolling interests (in thousands):
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Balance as of June 30, 2021 |
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Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
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Balance as of June 30, 2022 |
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Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
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Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest |
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Balance as of June 30, 2023 |
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Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
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Noncontrolling ownership interest contribution - AM/LPM Ventures, LLC |
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Noncontrolling ownership interests - SGB |
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Change in ownership of consolidated subsidiary |
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Balance as of June 30, 2024 |
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(4) |
________________________________
(1) |
Balance represents the noncontrolling interests associated with the PMPP joint venture. |
(2) |
In February 2024, Aquila Holding LLC purchased a |
(3) |
In June 2024, the Company obtained a controlling interest in SGB (see Note 1). |
(4) |
Balance represents the noncontrolling interests of PMPP, AM/LPM Ventures, LLC, and SGB. |
Revenue Recognition
Settlement Date Accounting
Substantially all of the Company’s sales of precious metals are conducted using sales contracts that meet the definition of derivative instruments in accordance with Derivatives and Hedging Topic 815 of the ASC ("ASC 815"). The contract underlying the Company's commitment to deliver precious metals is referred to as a “fixed-price forward commodity contract” because the price of the commodity is fixed at the time the order is placed. Revenue is recognized on the settlement date, which is defined as the date on which: (i) the quantity, price, and specific items being purchased have been established, (ii) metals have been delivered to the customer, and (iii) payment has been received or is covered by the customer’s established credit limit with the Company.
All derivative instruments are marked-to-market during the interval between the order date and the settlement date, with the changes in the fair value charged to cost of sales. The Company’s hedging strategy to mitigate the market risk associated with its sales commitments is described separately below under the caption “Hedging Activities.”
81
Types of Orders that are Physically Delivered
The Company’s contracts to sell precious metals to customers are usually settled with the physical delivery of metals to the customer, although net settlement (i.e., settlement at an amount equal to the difference between the contract value and the market price of the metal on the settlement date) is permitted. Below is a summary of the Company’s major order types and the key factors that determine when settlement occurs and when revenue is recognized for each type:
In general, unshipped orders for which a customer advance has been received by the Company are classified as advances from customers. Orders that have been paid for and shipped, but not yet delivered to the customer are classified as deferred revenue. Both customer advances and deferred revenue are shown, in the aggregate, as deferred revenue and other advances in the consolidated financial statements. (See Note 11.)
Hedging Activities
The value of our inventory and our purchase and sale commitments are linked to the prevailing price of the underlying precious metal commodity. The Company seeks to minimize the effect of price changes of the underlying commodity and enters into inventory hedging transactions, principally utilizing metals commodity forward contracts with credit worthy financial institutions or futures contracts traded on national futures exchanges. The Company hedges by each commodity type (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium). All of our commodity derivative contracts are under master netting arrangements and include both asset and liability positions.
Commodity forward and futures contracts entered into for hedging purposes are recorded at fair value on the trade date and are marked-to-market each period. The difference between the original contract values and the market values of these contracts are reflected as derivative assets or derivative liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, with the corresponding unrealized gains or losses included as a component of cost of sales. When these contracts are net settled, the unrealized gains and losses are reversed and the realized gains and losses for forward contracts are recorded in revenue and cost of sales, and the net realized gains and losses for futures are recorded in cost of sales.
The Company enters into forward and futures contracts solely for the purpose of hedging our inventory holding risk, and not for speculative market purposes. The Company’s gains and losses on derivative instruments are substantially offset by the changes in the fair market value of the underlying precious metals inventory, which is also recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income. (See Note 12.)
Other Sources of Revenue
The Company recognizes its storage, logistics, licensing, and other services revenues in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which follows five basic steps to determine whether revenue can be recognized: (i) identify the contract with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
82
The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) it satisfies its obligation by transferring control of the good or service to the customer. This is either satisfied over time or at a point in time. A performance obligation is satisfied over time if one of the following criteria are met: (i) the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Company performs, (ii) the Company's performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced, or (iii) the Company's performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the Company, and the Company has an enforceable right for payment of performance completed-to-date. When none of those is met, a performance obligation is satisfied at a point-in-time.
The Company recognizes storage revenue as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the storage services (e.g., fixed storage fees based on the passage of time). The Company recognizes logistics (i.e., fulfillment) revenue when the customer receives the benefit of the services. The Company recognizes advertising and consulting revenues when the service is performed, and the benefit of the service is received by the customer. In aggregate, these types of service revenues account for less than 1% of the Company's consolidated revenues.
Interest Income
In accordance with Interest Topic 835 of the ASC ("ASC 835"), the following are interest income generating activities of the Company:
Interest Expense
The Company accounts for interest expense on the following arrangements in accordance with ASC 835:
83
Leased metal transactions are a similar type of transaction, except the Company is not required to pledge other precious metal as collateral for the precious metal received. The fees charged by the third-party are based on the spot value of the pool metal received.
Both borrowed and leased metal transactions provide an additional source of liquidity, as the Company usually monetizes the metals received under such arrangements. Repayment is usually in the same form as the metals advanced, but may be settled in cash.
Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the issuance of the AMCF Notes have been included as a component of the carrying amount of the debt, and Trading Credit Facility debt issuance costs are included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the debt. Debt issuance costs of the Trading Credit Facility are amortized on a straight-line basis, while all other debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method. Amortization of debt issuance costs included in interest expense was $
Earnings from Equity Method Investments
The Company's proportional interest in the reported earnings from equity method investments is shown on the consolidated statements of income as earnings from equity method investments.
Other Income, Net
The Company's other income, net is comprised of royalty and consulting income, which is recognized when earned, gains on other investments, and fair value adjustments to our acquisition-related contingent consideration liability.
Advertising
Advertising and marketing costs consist primarily of internet advertising, online marketing, direct mail, print media, and television commercials and are expensed when incurred. Advertising costs totaled $
Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and handling costs represent costs associated with shipping product to customers and receiving product from vendors and are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income. Shipping and handling costs totaled $
Share-Based Compensation
Equity-based awards
The Company accounts for equity awards under the provisions of Compensation - Stock Compensation Topic 718 of the ASC ("ASC 718"), which establishes fair value-based accounting requirements for share-based compensation to employees. ASC 718 requires the Company to recognize the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees as expense over the service period in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The expense is adjusted (excluding awards settleable in cash) for actual forfeitures of unvested awards as they occur. For equity awards that contain a performance condition other than market condition, when the outcome of the performance condition is determined to be not probable, no compensation expense is recognized, and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed. (See Note 17.)
84
Liability-based awards
The Company has granted a cash-incentive award based on the total shareholder return of the Company's common stock determined at the end of the award's performance period. Because the award will be settled in cash, the Company accounts for it as a liability-based award and, as such, expense relating to this award is required to be measured at fair value at each reporting date until the date of settlement. (See Note 17.)
Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing its consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its provision for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it conducts business, in accordance with Income Taxes Topic 740 of the ASC ("ASC 740"). The Company computes its annual tax rate based on the statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to it in the various jurisdictions in which it earns income. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company's annual tax rate and in evaluating uncertainty in its tax positions. The Company has adopted the provisions of ASC 740-10, which clarifies the accounting for uncertain tax positions. ASC 740-10 requires that the Company recognizes the impact of a tax position in the financial statements if the position is not more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to certain uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense and the accrued interest and penalties are included in deferred and income taxes payable in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 13 for more information on the Company’s accounting for income taxes.
Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization include the Company's forecast of the reversal of temporary differences, future taxable income, and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets. Failure to achieve forecasted taxable income in applicable tax jurisdictions could affect the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets and could result in an increase in the Company's effective tax rate on future earnings. Based on our assessment, it appears more likely than not that all of the net deferred tax assets will be realized through future taxable income.
Earnings per Share ("EPS")
The Company calculates basic EPS by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year, adjusted for the potentially dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs"), and deferred stock units (“DSUs") using the treasury stock method.
The Company considers participating securities in its calculation of EPS. Under the two-class method of calculating EPS, earnings are allocated to both common shares and participating securities. The Company’s participating securities include vested RSU and DSU awards. Unvested RSU and DSU awards are not considered participating securities as they are forfeitable until the vesting date.
A reconciliation of shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share is presented below (in thousands):
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Year Ended June 30, |
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|||||||||
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2024 |
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2023 |
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2022 |
|
|||
Basic weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding |
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|
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|
|
|
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|
|||
Effect of common stock equivalents |
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|
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|
|
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|
|||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
The anti-dilutive shares excluded from the table above were
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") or other standards setting bodies issue new accounting pronouncements. Updates to the FASB ASC are communicated through issuance of an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU").
85
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which updates the guidance on segment disclosures to require entities to disclose significant segment expenses and other segment items, as well as the title and position of its chief operating decision maker. This update will be applied retrospectively and is effective for the Company for its fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2024; early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which updates the guidance on income tax disclosures to require entities to disclose specific categories within the rate reconciliation, provide additional information for reconciling items that meet certain quantitative thresholds, and provide additional information about income taxes paid. This update is effective for the Company for its fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2025; early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncement if currently adopted would have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
3. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, AT FAIR VALUE
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
A financial instrument is defined as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity, or a contract that creates a contractual obligation or right to deliver or receive cash or another financial instrument from a second entity. The fair value of financial instruments represents amounts that would be received upon the sale of those assets or that would be paid to transfer those liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at that date. Those fair value measurements maximize the use of observable inputs. However, in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date, the fair value measurement reflects the Company’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Those judgments are developed by the Company based on the best information available in the circumstances, including expected cash flows and appropriately risk adjusted discount rates, and available observable and unobservable inputs.
For most of the Company's financial instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value. The carrying amounts of cash, receivables, secured loans receivable, accounts payable and other current liabilities, accrued liabilities, and income taxes payable approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amounts of derivative assets and derivative liabilities, liabilities on borrowed metals and product financing arrangements are marked-to-market on a daily basis to fair value. The carrying amounts of lines of credit approximate fair value based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities.
Valuation Hierarchy
In determining the fair value of its financial instruments, the Company employs a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs for the valuation techniques used to measure fair value. ASC 820 established a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The significant assumptions used to determine the carrying value and the related fair value of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are described below:
Inventories. The Company's inventory, which consists primarily of bullion and bullion coins, is acquired and initially recorded at cost and then marked to fair market value. The fair market value of the bullion and bullion coins comprises two components: (i) published market values attributable to the cost of the raw precious metal, and (ii) the market value of the premium, which is attributable to the incremental value of the product in its finished goods form. The market value attributable solely to such premium is readily determinable by reference to multiple sources. Except for commemorative coin inventory, which are included in inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, the Company’s inventory is subsequently recorded at their fair market values on a daily basis. The fair value for commodities inventory (i.e., inventory excluding commemorative coins) is determined using pricing data derived from the markets on which the underlying commodities are traded. Precious metals commodities inventory is classified in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
86
Precious Metals Held Under Financing Arrangements. The Company enters into arrangements with certain customers under which A-Mark purchases precious metals from the customers which are subject to repurchase by the customer at the spot value of the product on the repurchase date. The precious metals purchased under these arrangements consist of rare and unique items, and therefore the Company accounts for these transactions as precious metals held under financing arrangements, which generate financing income rather than revenue earned from precious metals inventory sales. In these repurchase arrangements, the Company holds legal title to the metals and earns financing income for the duration of the agreement. The fair value for precious metals held under financing arrangements (a commodity, like inventory above) is determined using pricing data derived from the markets on which the underlying commodities are traded. Precious metals held under financing arrangements are classified in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
Derivatives. Futures contracts, forward contracts, and open sale and purchase commitments are valued at their fair values, based on the difference between the quoted market price and the contractual price (i.e., intrinsic value) and are included within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
Margin and Borrowed Metals Liabilities. Margin and borrowed metals liabilities consist of the Company's commodity obligations to margin customers and suppliers, respectively. Margin liabilities and borrowed metals liabilities are carried at fair value, which is determined using quoted market pricing and data derived from the markets on which the underlying commodities are traded. Margin and borrowed metals liabilities are classified in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
Product Financing Arrangements. Product financing arrangements consist of financing agreements for the transfer and subsequent re-acquisition of the sale of gold and silver at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price with a third-party. Such transactions allow the Company to repurchase this inventory upon demand. The third-party charges monthly interest as a percentage of the market value of the outstanding obligation, which is carried at fair value. The obligation is stated at the amount required to repurchase the outstanding inventory. Fair value is determined using quoted market pricing and data derived from the markets on which the underlying commodities are traded. Product financing arrangements are classified in Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.
Option to Purchase Interests in a Long-term Investment. The fair value of the option to purchase additional ownership interest in SGB was determined by an independent third-party valuation firm and was recorded as a component of other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
The value of the option as of June 30, 2023 was determined using a Monte Carlo Simulation model ("MCS model"). The MCS model includes inputs based on significant assumptions related to management’s forecasts of the investee’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") and corresponding future total equity simulations, where an early exercise multiple is calibrated to maximize the fair value of the option during the exercise period. For each simulation path, option payoffs are calculated based on the contractual terms, and then discounted at the term-matched risk-free rate, where the value of the option is calculated as the average present value over all simulated paths. We used the historical volatility of comparable companies to make certain assumptions in the MCS model, which resulted in an expected EBITDA volatility of
Acquisition-related Contingent Consideration. The contingent consideration liability related to our acquisition of LPM is measured at fair value at each reporting period using a MCS model with Level 3 unobservable inputs including estimated future cash flows generated by LPM, discount rates, and earnings volatility. Key assumptions used in the MCS model as of June 30, 2024 were an EBITDA risk premium of
87
The following tables present information about the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, aggregated by each fair value hierarchy level (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Instruments |
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|
Significant Other Observable Inputs |
|
|
Significant Unobservable Inputs |
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|
Total |
|
||||
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Inventories(1) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Precious metals held under financing arrangements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative assets — open sale and purchase commitments, net |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative assets — futures contracts |
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|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
||||
Derivative assets — forward contracts |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total assets, valued at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Liabilities: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Liabilities on borrowed metals |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Product financing arrangements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative liabilities — open sale and purchase commitments, net |
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
||||
Derivative liabilities — margin accounts |
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|
||||
Derivative liabilities — futures contracts |
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|
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|
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|
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|
||||
Derivative liabilities — forward contracts |
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|
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|
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|
||||
Acquisition-related contingent consideration |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total liabilities, valued at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Instruments |
|
|
Significant Other Observable Inputs |
|
|
Significant Unobservable Inputs |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
Assets: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Inventories(1) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Precious metals held under financing arrangements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative assets — open sale and purchase commitments, net |
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|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
||||
Derivative assets — futures contracts |
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|
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|
||||
Derivative assets — forward contracts |
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|
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|
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|
||||
Option to purchase interest in a long-term investment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total assets, valued at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Liabilities on borrowed metals |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Product financing arrangements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative liabilities — open sale and purchase commitments, net |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
||||
Derivative liabilities — margin accounts |
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|
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Derivative liabilities — futures contracts |
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|
||||
Derivative liabilities — forward contracts |
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|
|
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|
||||
Total liabilities, valued at fair value |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
There were no transfers in or out of Level 2 or 3 from other levels within the fair value hierarchy during the reported periods.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments only under certain circumstances. These include (i) investments in private companies when there are identifiable events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse impact on the fair value of these assets, (ii) equity method investments that are remeasured to the acquisition-date fair value upon the Company obtaining a controlling interest in the investee during a step acquisition, (iii) property, plant, and equipment and definite-lived intangibles, (iv) goodwill, and (v) indefinite-lived intangibles, all of which are written down to fair value when they are held for sale or determined to be impaired.
88
Our non-recurring valuations use significant unobservable inputs and significant judgments and therefore fall under Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The valuation inputs include assumptions on the appropriate discount rates, long-term growth rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples, and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in the analyses are based on the Company’s estimated outlook and various growth rates. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective equity method investment, asset group, or reporting unit. In assessing the reasonableness of its determined fair values, the Company evaluates its results against other value indicators, such as comparable transactions and comparable public company trading values.
4. RECEIVABLES, NET
Receivables, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
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|
June 30, 2024 |
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|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Customer trade receivables |
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$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Wholesale trade advances |
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|
|
|
|
|
||
Due from brokers and other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Customer Trade Receivables. Customer trade receivables represent short-term, non-interest bearing amounts due from precious metal sales, advances related to financing products, and other secured interests in assets of the customer.
Wholesale Trade Advances. Wholesale trade advances represent advances of various bullion products and cash advances for purchase commitments of precious metal inventory. Typically, these advances are unsecured, short-term, and non-interest bearing, and are made to wholesale metals dealers and government mints.
Due from Brokers and Other. Due from brokers and other consists of the margin requirements held at brokers related to open futures contracts (see Note 12) and other receivables.
5. SECURED LOANS RECEIVABLE
Below is a summary of the carrying value of our secured loans (in thousands):
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|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Secured loans originated |
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$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Secured loans originated - with a related party |
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|
|
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||
|
|
|
|
|
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Secured loans acquired |
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|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Secured Loans - Originated: Secured loans include short-term loans, which include a combination of on-demand lines and short-term facilities. These loans are fully secured by the customer's assets, which predominantly include bullion, numismatic, and semi-numismatic material, and are typically held in safekeeping by the Company. See Note 14 for further information regarding our secured loans made to related parties.
Secured Loans - Acquired: Secured loans also include short-term loans, which include a combination of on-demand lines and short-term facilities that are purchased from our customers. The Company acquires a portfolio of their loan receivables at a price that approximates the outstanding balance of each loan in the portfolio, as determined on the effective transaction date. Each loan in the portfolio is fully secured by the borrower's assets, which could include bullion, numismatic or semi-numismatic material, and are typically held in safekeeping by the Company. The seller of the loan portfolio generally retains the responsibility for the servicing and administration of the loans.
As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, our secured loans carried weighted-average effective interest rates of
The secured loans that the Company generates with its active customers are reflected as an operating activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The secured loans that the Company generates with borrowers that are not active customers are reflected as an investing activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows as secured loans receivables, net. For the secured loans that (i) are reflected as an investing activity and have terms that allow the borrowers to increase their loan balance (at the discretion of the Company) based on the excess value of their collateral compared to their aggregate principal balance of loan, and (ii) are repayable on demand or in the short-term, the borrowings and repayments are netted on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
89
Credit Quality of Secured Loans Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses
General
The Company's secured loan receivables portfolio comprises loans with similar credit risk profiles, which enables the Company to apply a standard methodology to determine the credit quality for each loan and the allowance for credit losses, if any.
The credit quality of each loan is generally determined by the collateral value assessment, loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratio (that is, the principal amount of the loan divided by the estimated value of the collateral) and the type (or class) of secured material. All loans are fully secured by precious metal bullion, numismatic and semi-numismatic collateral, or graded sports cards, which remains in the physical custody of the Company for the duration of the loan. The term of the loans is generally
When an account is in default or if a margin call has not been met on a timely basis, the loan is considered non-performing and the Company has the right to liquidate the borrower's collateral in order to satisfy the unpaid balance of the outstanding loans, including accrued and unpaid interest.
Class and Credit Quality of Loans
The three classes of secured loan receivables are defined by collateral type: (i) bullion, (ii) numismatic and semi-numismatic and (iii) graded sports cards. The Company required LTV ratios vary with the class of loans. Typically, the Company requires an LTV ratio of approximately
The Company's secured loans by portfolio class, which align with internal management reporting, were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||||||||||
Bullion |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
||||
Numismatic and semi-numismatic |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
Graded sports cards |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
Due to the nature of market fluctuations of precious metal commodity prices, the Company monitors the bullion collateral value of each loan on a daily basis, based on spot price of precious metals. Numismatic and graded sports cards collateral values are updated by numismatic and graded sports cards specialists typically within every
Generally, we initiate the margin call process when the outstanding loan balance is in excess of
Loans with LTV ratios of less than 75% are generally considered to be higher quality loans.
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||||||||||
Loan-to-value of less than 75% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
||||
Loan-to-value of 75% or more |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
The Company had
Non-Performing Loans/Impaired Loans
Historically, the Company has not established an allowance for any credit losses because the Company maintains sufficient collateral to satisfy amounts due.
90
Non-performing loans have the highest probability for credit loss. If needed, an allowance for secured loan credit losses attributable to non-performing loans is recorded based on the most probable source of repayment, which is normally the liquidation of collateral. Due to the accelerated liquidation terms of the Company's loan portfolio, past due loans are generally liquidated within 90 days of default. In the event a loan were to become non-performing and the collateral is not sufficient to satisfy amounts due, the Company would determine a reserve to reduce the carrying balance to its estimated net realizable value. As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, the Company had
A loan is considered impaired if it is probable, based on current information and events, that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan. Customer loans are reviewed for impairment and include loans that are non-performing, or if the customer is in bankruptcy. In the event of an impairment, recognition of interest income would be suspended, and the loan would be placed on non-accrual status at the time. Accrual would be resumed, and previously suspended interest income would be recognized, when the loan becomes contractually current and/or collection doubts are removed. Cash receipts on impaired loans are recorded first against the principal and then to any unrecognized interest income. For the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, the Company incurred
6. INVENTORIES
Our inventory consists of the precious metals that the Company has physically received, and inventory held by third-parties, which, at the Company's option, it may or may not receive.
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Inventory held for sale |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Repurchase arrangements with customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Consignment arrangements with customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Commemorative coins, held at lower of cost or net realizable value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Borrowed precious metals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Product financing arrangements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Inventory Held for Sale. Inventory held for sale represents precious metals, excluding commemorative coin inventory, that have been received by the Company and are not subject to repurchase by or consignment arrangements with third parties, borrowed precious metals, or product financing arrangements. As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, inventory held for sale totaled $
Repurchase Arrangements with Customers. The Company enters into arrangements with certain customers under which A-Mark sells and then purchases precious metals from the customer which are subject to repurchase by the customer at the fair value of the product on the repurchase date. These initial transactions with the customer do not qualify as sales and are excluded from revenue. Under these arrangements, the Company, which holds legal title to the metals, earns financing income until the time the arrangement is terminated, or the material is repurchased by the customer. In the event of a repurchase by the customer, the Company records a sale.
These arrangements are typically terminable by either party upon 14 days' notice. Upon termination, the customer’s rights to repurchase any remaining inventory is forfeited. As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, included within inventories is $
Consignment Arrangements with Customers. The Company periodically loans metals to customers on a short-term consignment basis. Inventory loaned under consignment arrangements to customers as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 totaled $
Commemorative Coins. Our commemorative coin inventory, including its premium component, is held at the lower of cost or net realizable value, because the value of commemorative coins is influenced more by supply and demand determinants than on the underlying spot price of the precious metal content of the commemorative coins. The value of commemorative coins is not subject to the same level of volatility as bullion coins because our commemorative coins typically carry a substantially higher premium over the spot metal price than bullion coins. Our commemorative coins are not hedged and totaled $
91
Borrowed Precious Metals. Borrowed precious metals inventory include: (i) metals held by suppliers as collateral on advanced pool metals, (ii) metals due to suppliers for the use of their consigned inventory, (iii) unallocated metal positions held by customers in the Company’s inventory, and (iv) shortages in unallocated metal positions held by the Company in the supplier’s inventory. Unallocated or pool metal represents an unsegregated inventory position that is due on demand, in a specified physical form, based on the total ounces of metal held in the position. Amounts due under these arrangements require delivery either in the form of precious metals or cash. The Company's inventory included borrowed precious metals with market values totaling $
Product Financing Arrangements. This inventory represents amounts held as security by lenders for obligations under product financing arrangements. The Company enters into a product financing agreement for the transfer and subsequent re-acquisition of gold and silver at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price with a third-party finance company. This inventory is restricted and is held at a custodial storage facility in exchange for a financing fee, paid to the third-party finance company. During the term of the financing, the third-party finance company holds the inventory as collateral, and both parties intend for the inventory to be returned to the Company at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price on the finance arrangement repurchase date. These transactions do not qualify as sales and have been accounted for as financing arrangements in accordance with ASC 470-40 Product Financing Arrangements. The obligation is stated at the amount required to repurchase the outstanding inventory. Both the product financing arrangements and the underlying inventory are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income. Such obligations totaled $
The Company mitigates market risk of its physical inventory and open commitments through commodity hedge transactions. (See Note 12.) As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, the unrealized gains or losses resulting from the difference between market value and cost of physical inventory were gains of $
Premium Component of Inventory
The premium component, at market value, included in the inventory as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 totaled $
7. LEASES
Components of operating lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Operating lease costs |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Variable lease costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Short term lease costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Finance lease costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
For the year ended June 30, 2024, we made cash payments of $
92
The future undiscounted cash flows for each of the next five years and thereafter and reconciliation to the lease liabilities as of June 30, 2024 for our operating leases were as follows (in thousands):
Year ending June 30, |
|
Operating Leases |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
$ |
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
2027 |
|
|
|
|
|
2028 |
|
|
|
|
|
2029 |
|
|
|
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
Total lease payments |
|
|
|
|
|
Imputed interest |
|
|
( |
) |
|
Total operating lease liability |
|
$ |
|
(1) |
|
- current |
|
$ |
|
(2) |
|
- long-term |
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
$ |
|
(1) |
For information regarding the Company's related party leases, refer to Note 14.
8. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Computer software |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Plant equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Office furniture, and fixtures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Computer equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Building and other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total depreciable assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Property and equipment not placed in service |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Land |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Property, plant, and equipment, net |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Property, plant and equipment depreciation and amortization expense was $
9. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill is an intangible asset that arises when a company acquires an existing business or assets (net of assumed liabilities) which comprise a business. In general, the amount of goodwill recorded in an acquisition is calculated as the purchase price of the business minus the fair market value of the tangible assets and the identifiable intangible assets, net of the assumed liabilities. Goodwill and intangibles can also be established by push-down accounting. Below is a summary of the significant transactions that generated our goodwill and intangible assets:
93
Carrying Value
The carrying value of goodwill and other purchased intangibles are described below (dollar amounts in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Estimated Useful Lives |
|
Remaining Weighted-Average Amortization Period |
|
Gross Carrying Amount |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Net Book Value |
|
|
Gross Carrying Amount |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Net Book Value |
|
||||||||
Identifiable intangible assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Existing customer relationships |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
|
||||||
Developed technology |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Non-compete and other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||||
Employment agreement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
||||
Intangibles subject to amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Trade names and trademarks |
|
Indefinite |
|
Indefinite |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||||
Domain name |
|
Indefinite |
|
Indefinite |
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
||
Identifiable intangible assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Goodwill |
|
Indefinite |
|
Indefinite |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
The Company's intangible assets are subject to amortization except for trade names, trademarks, and domain names, which have indefinite lives. Amortization expense related to the Company's intangible assets was $
The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in thousands):
Balance as of June 30, 2023 |
|
$ |
|
|
Goodwill acquired - LPM |
|
|
|
|
Goodwill acquired - SGB |
|
|
|
|
Balance as of June 30, 2024 |
|
$ |
|
Impairment
We recorded a non-recurring impairment charge of $
Estimated Amortization
Estimated annual amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets for the succeeding five years is as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year Ending June 30, |
|
Amount |
|
|
2025 |
|
|
|
|
2026 |
|
|
|
|
2027 |
|
|
|
|
2028 |
|
|
|
|
2029 |
|
|
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
94
10. LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS
The following table shows the carrying value and ownership percentage of the Company's investment in each privately-held entity accounted for either under the equity or cost method (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||||||||||
Investee |
|
Carrying Value |
|
|
Ownership Percentage |
|
|
Carrying Value |
|
|
Ownership Percentage |
|
||||
Silver Gold Bull, Inc. |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
(1) |
$ |
|
|
|
% |
||||
Pinehurst Coin Exchange, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
Sunshine Minting, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
Company A |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
Company B |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
Texas Precious Metals, LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
Atkinsons Bullion & Coins |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
APS Investment, LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
% |
||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
We consider all of our equity method investees to be related parties. See Note 14 for a summary of the Company's aggregate balances and activity with these related party entities. All of the Company's investees are accounted for using the equity method, with the exception of Company A, which is accounted for using the cost method and is not considered a related party.
For equity method investments with greater than
11. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Trade payables to customers |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Other accounts payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts payable and other payables |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred revenue |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Advances from customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred revenue and other advances |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, advances from customers included $
12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
The Company is exposed to market risk, such as changes in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates. To manage the volatility related to these exposures, the Company enters into various derivative products, such as forward and futures contracts. By policy, the Company historically has entered into derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging substantially all of Company's market exposure to precious metals prices, and not for speculative purposes. The Company’s gains (losses) on derivative instruments are substantially offset by the changes in the fair market value of the underlying precious metals inventory, both of which are recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.
Commodity Price Management
The Company manages the value of certain assets and liabilities of its trading business, including trading inventory, by employing a variety of hedging strategies. These strategies include the management of exposure to changes in the market values of the Company's trading inventory through the purchase and sale of a variety of derivative instruments, such as forward and futures contracts.
95
The Company enters into derivative transactions solely for the purpose of hedging its inventory subject to price risk, and not for speculative market purposes. Due to the nature of the Company's global hedging strategy, the Company is not using hedge accounting as defined under ASC 815, whereby the gains or losses would be deferred and included as a component of other comprehensive income. Instead, gains or losses resulting from the Company's forward and futures contracts and open sale and purchase commitments are reported in the consolidated statements of income as unrealized gains or losses on commodity contracts (a component of cost of sales), with the related unrealized amounts due from or to counterparties reflected as derivative assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company's trading inventory and purchase and sale transactions consist primarily of precious metal products. The value of these assets and liabilities are marked-to-market daily to the prevailing closing price of the underlying precious metals. The Company's precious metals inventory is subject to fluctuations in market value, resulting from changes in the underlying commodity prices. Inventory purchased or borrowed by the Company is subject to price changes. Inventory borrowed is considered a natural hedge, since changes in value of the metal held are offset by the obligation to return the metal to the supplier.
Open sale and purchase commitments are subject to changes in value between the date the purchase or sale price is fixed (the trade date) and the date the metal is received or delivered (the settlement date). The Company seeks to minimize the effect of price changes of the underlying commodity through the use of forward and futures contracts. The Company’s open sale and purchase commitments typically settle within
The Company's policy is to substantially hedge its inventory position, net of open sale and purchase commitments that are subject to price risk, and regularly enters into precious metals commodity forward and futures contracts with financial institutions to hedge against this risk. The Company uses futures contracts, which typically settle within
The Company’s management sets credit and position risk limits. These limits include gross position limits for counterparties engaged in sales and purchase transactions with the Company. They also include collateral limits for different types of sale and purchase transactions that counterparties may engage in from time to time.
Derivative Assets and Liabilities
The Company's derivative assets and liabilities represent the net fair value of the difference (or intrinsic value) between market values and trade values at the trade date for open precious metals sale and purchase contracts, as adjusted on a daily basis for changes in market values of the underlying metals, until settled. The Company's derivative assets and liabilities also include the net fair value of open precious metals forward and futures contracts. The precious metals forward and futures contracts are settled at the contract settlement date.
All of our commodity derivative contracts are under master netting arrangements and include both asset and liability positions (i.e., offsetting derivative instruments). As such, for the Company's derivative contracts with the same counterparty, the receivables and payables have been netted on the consolidated balance sheets. Such derivative contracts include open sale and purchase commitments, futures, forward and margin accounts.
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Amounts |
|
|
Cash |
|
|
Net |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
Amounts |
|
|
Cash |
|
|
Net |
|
||||||||
Nettable derivative assets: |
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Open sale and purchase commitments |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||||
Futures contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Forward contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||||
Nettable derivative liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Open sale and purchase commitments |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||||
Margin accounts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
||||||
Futures contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Forward contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
96
Gains or Losses on Derivative Instruments
The Company records the derivative at the trade date with corresponding unrealized gains or losses shown as a component of cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income. The Company adjusts the derivatives to fair value on a daily basis until the transactions are settled. When these contracts are net settled, the unrealized gains and losses are reversed, and the realized gains and losses for forward contracts are recorded in revenue and cost of sales, and the net realized gains and losses for futures contracts are recorded in cost of sales.
Below is a summary of the net gains (losses) on derivative instruments (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Gains (losses) on derivative instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Unrealized gains (losses) on open futures commodity and forward contracts and open sale and purchase commitments, net |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
||
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
The Company’s net gains (losses) on derivative instruments, as shown in the table above, were substantially offset by the changes in the fair market value of the underlying precious metals inventory, which were also recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.
Summary of Hedging Positions
In a hedging relationship, the change in the value of the derivative financial instrument is offset to a great extent by the change in the value of the underlying hedged item.
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Inventories |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Precious metals held under financing arrangements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Less unhedgeable inventories: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Commemorative coin inventory, held at lower of cost or net realizable value |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Premium on metals position |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Precious metal value not hedged |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Commitments at market: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Open inventory purchase commitments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Open inventory sales commitments |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Margin sale commitments |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
In-transit inventory no longer subject to market risk |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Unhedgeable premiums on open commitment positions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Borrowed precious metals |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Product financing arrangements |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Advances on industrial metals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Precious metal subject to price risk |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Precious metal subject to derivative financial instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Precious metals forward contracts at market values |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Precious metals futures contracts at market values |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total market value of derivative financial instruments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net precious metals subject to commodity price risk |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
97
Notional Balances of Derivatives
The notional balances of the Company's derivative instruments, consisting of contractual metal quantities, are expressed at current spot prices of the underlying precious metal commodity.
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Purchase commitments |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Sales commitments |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Margin sales commitments |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Open forward contracts |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Open futures contracts |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
The contract amounts (i.e., notional balances) of the Company's forward and futures contracts and the open sales and purchase commitments are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company records the difference between the market price of the underlying metal or contract and the trade amount at fair value.
The Company is exposed to the risk of failure of the counterparties to its derivative contracts. Significant judgment is applied by the Company when evaluating the fair value implications. The Company regularly reviews the creditworthiness of its major counterparties and monitors its exposure to concentrations. As of June 30, 2024, the Company believes its risk of counterparty default is mitigated as a result of such evaluation and the short-term duration of these arrangements.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Management
The Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to manage the effect of foreign currency exchange fluctuations on its sale and purchase transactions. These contracts generally have maturities of less than one week.
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Foreign exchange forward contracts |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Open sale and purchase commitment transactions, net |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
13. INCOME TAXES
Net income from operations before provision for income taxes is shown below (in thousands):
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
U.S. |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Foreign |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return based on a June 30 tax year end. The provision for income tax expense by jurisdiction and the effective tax rate are shown below (in thousands):
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Federal |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
State and local |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Foreign |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Deferred: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Federal |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
State and local |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Foreign |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Income tax expense |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Effective income tax rate |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
98
Our provision for income taxes varied from the tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rates for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022 primarily due to the excess tax benefit from share-based compensation and the foreign derived intangible income special deduction, partially offset by state taxes (net of federal tax benefit), Section 162(m) executive compensation disallowance, and other normal course non-deductible expenditures. In addition, for the year ended June 30, 2024, our effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate due to a one-time adjustment related to our acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB.
A reconciliation of the income tax provision to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before tax are set forth below (in thousands):
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Federal income tax provision at statutory rate |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
State and local tax, net of federal benefit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Adjustment related to acquisition of a controlling interest in SGB |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Foreign derived intangible income |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
State rate change |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Permanent adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Foreign rate differential |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Foreign withholding taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Income Taxes Receivable and Payable
As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, we had an income tax receivable of $
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized by evaluating both positive and negative evidence. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, management concluded that it was more likely than not that the Company would be able to realize the benefit of the U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets. We based this conclusion on historical and projected operating performance, as well as our expectation that our operations will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to realize the tax benefits associated with the deferred tax assets. A tax valuation allowance was considered unnecessary, as management concluded that it was more likely than not that the Company would be able to realize the benefit of the U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets.
As of June 30, 2024, the consolidated balance sheet reflects the deferred tax items for each tax-paying component (i.e., federal, state and foreign), resulting in a federal deferred tax liability of $
As a result of the acquisition of LPM and a controlling interest in SGB in fiscal year 2024, the Company recorded $
99
The schedule of deferred taxes presented below summarizes the components of deferred taxes that have been classified as deferred tax assets and liabilities related to taxable and deductible temporary differences (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
||
Accrued compensation |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Lease liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
State tax accrual |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net operating loss carryforwards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intangible assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Fixed assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Earnings from equity method investment |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Investment in partnership |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Right of use assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Other |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net deferred tax liability |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The Company has taken or expects to take certain tax benefits on its income tax return filings that it has not recognized as a tax benefit (i.e., an unrecognized tax benefit) on its consolidated statements of income. The Company's measurement of its uncertain tax positions is based on management's assessment of all relevant information, including, but not limited to prior audit experience, audit settlement, or lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Beginning balance |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Decreases in tax positions for prior year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Additions as a result of acquired tax positions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
In addition to the $
Tax Examinations
The Company files income tax returns in the United States, and various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is currently subject to a
Related parties include entities which the Company controls or has the ability to significantly influence, and entities which are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include persons who are affiliated with related entities or the Company who are in a position to influence corporate decisions (such as owners, executives, board members and their families). In the normal course of business, we enter into transactions with our related parties. Below is a list of related parties with whom we have had significant transactions during the presented periods:
100
Our related party transactions primarily include (i) sales and purchases of precious metals, (ii) financing activities, (iii) repurchase arrangements, (iv) hedging transactions, and (v) related party lease arrangements. Below is a summary of our related party transactions. The amounts presented for each period reflect each entity’s related party status for that period.
Balances with Related Parties
Receivables and Payables, Net
Our related party net receivables and payables balances were as shown below (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
June 30, 2023 |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Receivables |
|
Payables |
|
Receivables |
|
Payables |
||||||||||||
Stack's Bowers Galleries |
|
$ |
|
(1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
(2) |
|
$ |
|
|
||||
Equity method investees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
|
(3) |
||||
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Secured Loans Receivable
On March 1, 2018, CFC entered into a loan agreement with Stack's Bowers Galleries providing a secured line of credit on the wholesale value (i.e., the excess over the spot value of the metal), of numismatic products bearing interest at a competitive rate per annum, with a maximum borrowing line (subject to temporary increases) of $
On March 4, 2022, CFC entered into a loan agreement with Stack's Bowers Galleries providing a secured line of credit based on the collateral value of Stack's Bowers Galleries' secured customers' notes. The loan bears interest at a competitive rate per annum, with a maximum borrowing line of $
Operating Lease Right of Use Assets
As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, we recorded related party right of use assets of $
Long-term Investments
As of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, the aggregate carrying balance of the equity method investments was $
Other Long-term Assets
In June 2022, in conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of an additional
Notes Payable
On April 1, 2021, CCP entered into a loan agreement ("CCP Note") with CFC, which provides CFC with up to $
In June 2024, SGB declared a $
101
Activity with Related Parties
Sales and Purchases
Our sales and purchases with companies deemed to be related parties were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Purchases |
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Purchases |
|
|
Sales |
|
|
Purchases |
||||||||
Stack's Bowers Galleries |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
||||||
Equity method investees(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Interest Income
We earned interest income from related parties as set forth below (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Interest income from secured loans receivables |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Interest income from finance products and repurchase arrangements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
Selling, General, and Administrative
The Company incurred selling, general, and administrative expense related to its leasing agreements with Solid Crossing and Stack's Bowers Galleries and consulting agreement with Cerberus Limited of $
Interest Expense
The Company incurred interest expense related to its note with CCP of $
Equity Method Investments — Earnings, Dividends and Distributions Received
The Company's proportional share of our equity method investee's earnings was $
The Company received dividend and distribution payments from our equity method investees that totaled, in the aggregate, $
Other Income
The Company earned royalty and consulting services income from related parties that totaled $
Foreign Currency Exchange Transactions with Related Person
Jeffrey D. Benjamin, A-Mark's Chairman of the Board, engaged in foreign currency transactions through A-Mark for an aggregate dollar value of $
15. FINANCING AGREEMENTS
Lines of Credit - Trading Credit Facility
On December 21, 2021, the Company entered into a three-year committed facility provided by a syndicate of financial institutions (the “Trading Credit Facility”), with a total revolving commitment of up to $
102
The Trading Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets on a first priority basis and is guaranteed by all of the Company's subsidiaries. The Trading Credit Facility currently bears interest at the daily SOFR rate plus an applicable margin of
The Trading Credit Facility provides the Company with the liquidity to buy and sell billions of dollars of precious metals annually. We routinely use funds drawn under the Trading Credit Facility to purchase metals from our suppliers and for operating cash flow purposes. Our CFC subsidiary also uses the funds drawn under the Trading Credit Facility to finance certain of its lending activities.
Borrowings totaled $
The Trading Credit Facility contains various covenants, all of which the Company was in compliance with as of June 30, 2024.
Interest expense related to the Company’s Trading Credit Facility totaled $
Notes Payable - AMCF Notes
In September 2018, AM Capital Funding, LLC (“AMCF”), previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, completed an issuance of Secured Senior Term Notes (collectively, the "AMCF Notes"): Series 2018-1, Class A (the “Class A Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $
For the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, interest expense related to the AMCF Notes (including loan amortization costs) totaled $
Notes Payable — Related Party
See Note 14.
Liabilities on Borrowed Metals
The Company recorded liabilities on borrowed metals with market values totaling $
For the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, the interest expense related to liabilities on borrowed metals totaled $
Advanced Pool Metals
The Company borrows precious metals from its suppliers and customers under short-term agreements using other precious metals from its inventory as collateral. The Company has the ability to sell the metals advanced. These arrangements can be settled by repayment in similar metals or in cash. Once the obligation is settled, the metals held as collateral are released back to the Company.
Liabilities on Borrowed Metals — Other
Liabilities may also arise from: (i) unallocated metal positions held by customers in the Company’s inventory, (ii) amounts due to suppliers for the use of their consigned inventory, and (iii) shortages in unallocated metal positions held by the Company in the supplier’s inventory. Unallocated or pool metal represents an unsegregated inventory position that is due on demand, in a specified physical form, based on the total ounces of metal held in the position. Amounts due under these arrangements require delivery either in the form of precious metals or in cash.
103
Product Financing Arrangements
The Company has agreements with third-party financial institutions which allow the Company to transfer its gold and silver inventory at an agreed-upon price, which is based on the spot price. Such agreements allow the Company to repurchase this inventory upon demand at an agreed-upon price based on the spot price on the repurchase date. The third-party charges a monthly fee as a percentage of the market value of the outstanding obligation; such monthly charges are classified in interest expense. These transactions do not qualify as sales, and therefore have been accounted for as financing arrangements and are reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as product financing arrangements. The obligation is stated at the amount required to repurchase the outstanding inventory. Both the product financing obligation and the underlying inventory (which is entirely restricted) are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded as a component of cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income. Such obligations totaled $
For the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, the interest expense related to product financing arrangements totaled $
16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Matters
The Company is from time-to-time party to various lawsuits, claims and other proceedings, that arise in the ordinary course of its business.
Although the ultimate outcome of any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, based on current information, including our assessment of the merits of the particular claim, we do not expect that these legal proceedings or claims will have any material adverse impact on our future consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we review the need to accrue for any loss contingency and establish a liability when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that a matter would result in a liability and the amount of loss, if any, can be reasonably estimated. We do not believe that the resolution of any currently pending lawsuits, claims and proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on financial position, results of operations or liquidity. However, the outcomes of any currently pending lawsuits, claims and proceedings cannot be predicted, and therefore, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
Additionally, we record receivables for insurance recoveries relating to litigation-related losses and expenses if and when such amounts are covered by insurance and recovery of such losses or expenses are due.
Employment and Non-Compete Agreements
As of June 30, 2024, the Company was a party to various employment agreements and non-compete and/or non-solicitation agreements with its employees, including employment agreements with (a) Greg Roberts, our Chief Executive Officer, which expires in June 2027, and (b) Thor Gjerdrum, our President, and (c) Brian Aquilino, our Chief Operating Officer, which expire in June 2025. The Company's employment agreement with Michael Wittmeyer, formerly Chief Executive Officer of JMB, was terminated as of June 30, 2023, at which time the Company and Mr. Wittmeyer entered into a consulting agreement, which expires in June 2025. The employment agreements provide for minimum salary levels, incentive compensation and severance benefits, among other items, and the employment agreements and the consulting agreement contain various non-compete and non-solicitation provisions.
Employee Benefit Plan
The Company maintains an employee retirement savings plan for United States employees under the Internal Revenue Code section 401(k). There is an automatic default contribution for newly eligible employees in which
104
17. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Dividends
On
On
On
On
On
Share Repurchase Program
In April 2018, the Company's board of directors approved a share repurchase program which authorized the Company to purchase up to
During the year ended June 30, 2024, we repurchased
Under the share repurchase program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices, depending on market conditions, through open market or privately negotiated transactions. Subject to applicable corporate securities laws, repurchases may be made at such times and prices and in amounts as management deems appropriate. We are not obligated to repurchase any shares under the program, and repurchases under the program may be discontinued if management determines that additional repurchases are not warranted.
2014 Stock Award and Incentive Plan
The Company's amended and restated 2014 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan") was approved most recently on October 27, 2022 by the Company's stockholders. As of June 30, 2024,
Under the 2014 Plan, the Company may grant options and other equity awards as a means of attracting and retaining officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants, to provide incentives to such persons, and to align the interests of such persons with the interests of stockholders by providing compensation based on the value of the Company's stock. Awards under the 2014 Plan may be granted in the form of incentive or non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock, RSUs, dividend equivalent rights, other stock-based awards (which may include outright grants of shares) and cash incentive awards. The 2014 Plan also authorizes grants of awards with performance-based conditions and market-based conditions. The 2014 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors, which, in its discretion, may select officers and other employees, directors (including non-employee directors) and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries to receive grants of awards. The board of directors itself may perform any of the functions of the Compensation Committee under the 2014 Plan.
105
Under the 2014 Plan, the exercise price of options and base price of SARs, as set by the Compensation Committee, generally may not be less than the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant, and the maximum term of stock options and SARs is
Stock Options
The Company measures the compensation cost of stock options using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which uses various inputs such as the market price per share of common stock and estimates that include the risk-free interest rate, volatility, expected life and dividend yield.
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
Average volatility |
|
n/a (1) |
|
|
|
n/a (1) |
|
Risk-free interest rate |
|
n/a (1) |
|
|
|
n/a (1) |
|
Weighted-average expected life in years |
|
n/a (1) |
|
|
|
n/a (1) |
|
Dividend yield rate annual |
|
n/a (1) |
|
|
|
n/a (1) |
(1) Not applicable; no employee stock options were issued.
The Company incurred compensation expense related to stock options of $
The following table summarizes stock option activity:
|
|
Options |
|
|
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award |
|
||||
Fiscal 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Outstanding at June 30, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Exercises |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Outstanding at June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Exercisable at June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Fiscal 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Outstanding at June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Granted |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
(1) |
$ |
|
||||
Exercised |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Outstanding at June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Exercisable at June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Fiscal 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Outstanding at June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Exercises |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Outstanding at June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Exercisable at June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
(1) The Company issued the options with an exercise price per share not less than the closing market price of common stock on the grant date.
The following table summarizes information about stock options as of June 30, 2024:
Exercise Price Ranges |
|
|
Options Outstanding |
|
|
Options Exercisable |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
From |
|
|
To |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life |
|
|
Weighted-Average Exercise Price |
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life |
|
|
Weighted-Average Exercise Price |
|
||||||||
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||||||
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||||||
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||||||
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||||||
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
106
The following table summarizes nonvested stock option activity:
|
|
Options |
|
|
|
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Award |
|
||
Nonvested outstanding at June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
Vested |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Nonvested outstanding at June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
Restricted Stock Units
RSUs granted by the Company are not transferable and automatically convert to shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis as the awards vest or at a specified date after vesting. RSUs granted to a non-US citizen are referred to as "deferred stock units" or "DSUs". The Company measures the compensation cost of RSUs based on the closing price of the underlying shares at the grant date.
The Company incurred compensation expense related to RSUs of $
The following table summarizes RSU activity:
|
|
Awards |
|
|
|
Weighted-Average Fair Value per Unit at Grant Date |
|
|
||
Fiscal 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Nonvested outstanding at June 30, 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Vested & delivered |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Vested & deferred (1) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Nonvested outstanding at June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Vested but subject to deferred settlement at June 30, 2022 (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Outstanding at June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Fiscal 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Nonvested outstanding at June 30, 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Granted (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Vested & delivered |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Vested & deferred (1) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Nonvested outstanding at June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Vested but subject to deferred settlement at June 30, 2023 (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Outstanding at June 30, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Fiscal 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Nonvested outstanding at June 30, 2023 (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Vested & delivered |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Vested & deferred (1) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Nonvested outstanding at June 30, 2024 (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Vested but subject to deferred settlement at June 30, 2024 (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
||
Outstanding at June 30, 2024 (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
(1)
(2)
107
Cash Incentive Bonus Award
Effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, a cash incentive bonus is payable at the end of the fiscal 2024-2027 employment term of our chief executive officer ("CEO") (subject to acceleration in the event of certain terminations of employment or a change in control) equal to
The fair value of this liability award is estimated with a Black-Scholes valuation model that uses certain assumptions, such as expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, life of the award, dividend rate and strike price. The Company also estimates the most probable aggregate total of the performance bonus to be paid over the performance period in determining the strike price of the award. The grant date fair value of this liability award was $
Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the performance period, with the amount recognized fluctuating due to remeasurement of fair value at the end of each reporting period because the award is classified as a liability. During the year ended June 30, 2024, the Company recognized $
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions
The Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain certain anti-takeover provisions that could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or of discouraging a third-party from attempting to acquire, control of the Company without negotiating with its board of directors. Such provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for the Company’s securities. Certain of such provisions allow the Company to issue preferred stock with rights senior to those of the common stock or impose various procedural and other requirements which could make it more difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporate actions.
18. CUSTOMER AND SUPPLIER CONCENTRATIONS
Customer Concentrations
The following customer provided 10 percent or more of the Company's revenues (in thousands):
|
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
||||||
Total revenue |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
||||||
Customer concentrations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
HSBC Bank (1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
(1) Sales with this trading partner include sales on forward contracts that are entered into for hedging purposes rather than sales characterized with the physical delivery of precious metal product. This sales activity has been reported within the Wholesale Sales and Ancillary Services segment.
No single customer provided 10 percent or more of the Company's accounts receivable balances as of June 30, 2024.
The following customers accounted for 10 percent or more of the Company's secured loans receivable (in thousands):
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Percent |
|
|
Amount |
|
|
Percent |
|
||||
Total secured loans |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
||||
Customer concentrations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Customer A |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
||||
Customer B |
|
$ |
|
|
|
% |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
% |
Supplier Concentrations
The Company buys precious metals from a variety of sources, including through brokers and dealers, from sovereign and private mints, from refiners and directly from customers. The Company believes that no one supplier or small group of suppliers is critical to its business, since other sources of supply are available that provide similar products on comparable terms.
108
19. SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The Company evaluates segment reporting in accordance with Segment Reporting Topic 280 of the ASC (“ASC 280”), each reporting period, including evaluating the organizational structure and the reporting package that is reviewed by the chief operating decision makers. The Company's operations are organized under
Revenue
in thousands |
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
|||
Revenue by segment (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|||
Eliminations of inter-segment sales |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, net of eliminations (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
|
(a) |
|
|
|
(b) |
|
|
|
(c) |
|||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
in thousands |
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Revenue by geographic region |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
United States |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
North America, excluding United States |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Asia Pacific |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Africa |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Australia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
Gross Profit and Gross Margin Percentage
in thousands |
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Gross profit by segment(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Eliminations and adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, net of eliminations and adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Direct-to-Consumer, net of eliminations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Gross margin percentage by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, net of eliminations and adjustments |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|||
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|||
Consolidated gross margin percentage |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
% |
109
Operating Income and (Expenses)
in thousands |
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Operating income (expenses) by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Eliminations |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, net of eliminations |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, net of eliminations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Other income, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Remeasurement gain on pre-existing equity interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign exchange |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Other income (expense), net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Unrealized gains on foreign exchange |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Secured Lending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Selling, general, and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Interest income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Earnings from equity method investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Other income, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
Net Income Before Provision for Income Taxes
in thousands |
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Net income before provision for income taxes by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Secured Lending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
Advertising Expense
in thousands |
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Advertising expense by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Secured Lending |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Capital Expenditures for Long-Lived Assets
in thousands |
|
Year Ended June 30, |
|
|||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|||
Capital expenditures for long-lived assets by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
110
Precious Metals Held Under Financing Arrangements
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Precious metals held under financing arrangements by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
Secured Lending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
Inventories
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Inventories by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Secured Lending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Inventories by geographic region |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
United States |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
North America, excluding United States |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Asia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Australia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
Total Assets
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Total assets by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services (1) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
Eliminations |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
( |
) |
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services, net of eliminations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Secured Lending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Total assets by geographic region |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
United States |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
North America, excluding United States |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Asia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Australia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
Long-term Assets
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Long-term assets by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
Direct-to-Consumer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Secured Lending |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
111
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Long-term assets by geographic region |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
United States |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
North America, excluding United States |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Asia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
Goodwill
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Goodwill by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
Direct-to-Consumer(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
Intangible assets
in thousands |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
June 30, 2024 |
|
|
|
June 30, 2023 |
|
||
Intangible assets by segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
||
Direct-to-Consumer(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On
On August 20, 2024, our board of directors declared a regular dividend of $
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (our "Certifying Officers"), we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based on the foregoing, our Certifying Officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Certifying Officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The financial statements were prepared by management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.
112
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
|
i. |
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect |
|
ii. |
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and |
|
iii. |
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any internal control, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurances with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal controls may vary over time.
Management assessed the design and effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework ("2013 framework"). Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2024 based on criteria in Internal Control –Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.
Management's evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024 did not include internal controls over financial reporting for LPM that we acquired in February 2024 or SGB for which we acquired a controlling interest in June 2024. LPM comprised approximately 3% of our total assets as of June 30, 2024 and less than 1% of our total revenues for the year ended June 30, 2024. SGB comprised approximately 10% of our total assets as of June 30, 2024 and less than 1% of our total revenues for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued its report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024, which appears elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During our most recent fiscal quarter, there has not been any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
None.
113
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days following June 30, 2024.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days following June 30, 2024.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days following June 30, 2024.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days following June 30, 2024.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days following June 30, 2024.
114
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) |
The following documents are filed as part of this report: |
1. |
Financial Statements
|
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
Page |
|
64 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
68 |
|
|
69 |
|
|
70 |
|
|
71 |
2. |
Financial Statements Schedules: |
|
None. |
3. |
Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
|
Exhibit Index |
Exhibit No. |
|
Description of Exhibit |
3.1** |
|
|
|
|
|
3.2** |
|
|
|
|
|
4.1** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.04** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.05** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.06** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.07** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.09*^ |
|
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, as amended and restated on November 15, 2023.
|
10.10* |
|
Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors, effective April 29, 2021, as amended on August 20, 2024. |
|
|
|
10.11** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.12** |
|
115
|
|
|
10.13** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.14** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.15** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.16** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.17**^ |
|
|
|
|
|
10.18** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.19**^ |
|
|
|
|
|
10.20**^ |
|
|
|
|
|
10.21** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.22** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.23** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.24** |
|
|
|
|
|
10.25* |
|
|
|
|
|
10.26* |
|
|
|
|
|
10.27* |
|
|
|
|
|
10.28* |
|
|
|
|
|
10.29* |
|
|
|
|
|
14.1** |
|
|
|
|
|
19* |
|
A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. Insider Trading Policy, as amended May 10, 2024. |
|
|
|
21* |
|
|
|
|
|
23.1* |
|
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. |
|
|
|
116
31.1* |
|
Certification Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
31.2* |
|
Certification Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.1* |
|
Certification Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.2* |
|
Certification Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
97**^ |
|
|
|
|
|
101.INS* |
|
Inline XBRL Instance Document. |
|
|
|
101.SCH* |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbase Documents. |
|
|
|
104* |
|
Cover Page interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
|
|
|
* Filed herewith
** Previously filed
^ Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
117
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
September 13, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Gregory N. Roberts |
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory N. Roberts |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
September 13, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Kathleen Simpson-Taylor |
|
|
|
|
|
Kathleen Simpson-Taylor |
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signatures |
|
Title(s) |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jeffrey D. Benjamin |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Jeffrey D. Benjamin |
|
(Chairman of the board of directors) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Gregory N. Roberts |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Gregory N. Roberts |
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Kathleen Simpson-Taylor |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Kathleen Simpson-Taylor |
|
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Ellis Landau |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Ellis Landau |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Beverley Lepine |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Beverley Lepine |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Carol Meltzer |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Carol Meltzer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John U. Moorhead |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
John U. Moorhead |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jess M. Ravich |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Jess M. Ravich |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Monique Sanchez |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Monique Sanchez |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Kendall Saville |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Kendall Saville |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael R. Wittmeyer |
|
Director |
|
September 13, 2024 |
Michael R. Wittmeyer |
|
|
|
|
118
Exhibit 10.9
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC.
2014 Stock Award And Incentive Plan
As Amended and Restated October 27, 2022
1. Purpose of the Plan.
The purpose of this 2014 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to aid A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in attracting, retaining, motivating and rewarding employees, non-employee directors and other persons who provide substantial services to the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, to provide for equitable and competitive compensation opportunities, to authorize incentive awards that appropriately reward achievement of Company and business-unit goals and recognize individual contributions without promoting excessive risk, and to promote the creation of long-term value for stockholders by closely aligning the interests of Participants with those of stockholders. The Plan authorizes stock-based and cash-based incentives for Participants.
2. Definitions.
In addition to the terms defined in Section 1 above and elsewhere in the Plan, the following capitalized terms used in the Plan have the respective meanings set forth in this Section:
(a) “Annual Incentive Award” means a Performance Award granted under Section 7(c).
(b) "Annual Limit" has the meaning as defined in Section 5(b).
(c) "Award" means any Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, Deferred Stock, Stock granted as a bonus or in lieu of another award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, or Performance Award, together with any related right or interest, granted to a Participant under the Plan.
(d) "Beneficiary" shall mean any person or trust which has been designated by a Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Committee to receive the benefits specified under this Plan upon such Participant's death or, if there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then any person or trust entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits in the event of a Participant’s death.
(e) "Board" means the Company’s Board of Directors.
(f) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. References to any provision of the Code or regulation (including a proposed regulation) thereunder shall include any successor provisions and regulations.
(g) "Committee" means the Compensation Committee of the Board, the composition and governance of which is established in the Committee's Charter as approved from time to time by the Board and other corporate governance documents of the Company. No action of the Committee shall be void or deemed to be without authority due to the failure of any member, at the time the action was
taken, to meet any qualification standard set forth in the Committee Charter or this Plan. The full Board may perform any function of the Committee hereunder, in which case the term "Committee" shall refer to the Board.
(h) [Reserved]
(i) "Deferred Stock" means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(e), to receive Stock or other Awards or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period. Deferred Stock may be denominated as "stock units," "restricted stock units," "phantom shares," "performance shares," or other appellations.
(j) "Dividend Equivalent" means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(g), to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to all or a specified portion of the dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock.
(k) "Effective Date" means the effective date specified in Section 10(p).
(l) "Eligible Person" has the meaning specified in Section 5.
(m) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. References to any provision of the Exchange Act or rule (including a proposed rule) thereunder shall include any successor provisions and rules.
(n) "Fair Market Value" means the fair market value of Stock, Awards or other property as determined in good faith by the Committee or under the following procedure or a substitute procedure as may be approved from time to time by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Stock as of any given date means the closing sale price of a share reported on the principal trading market for Stock (or, if shares are then principally traded on a national securities exchange, in the reported “composite transactions” for such exchange) for such date, or, if no shares were traded on that date, on the next preceding day on which there was such a trade. Fair Market Value relating to the exercise price of any Non-409A Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall conform to requirements under Code Section 409A.
(o) "409A Award" means an Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder. "Non-409A Award" means an Award other than a 409A Award (including an Award exempt under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(b)(4) and any successor regulation). Although the Committee retains authority under the Plan to grant Options and Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock on terms that will qualify those Awards as 409A Awards, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock are intended to be Non-409A Awards (referred to herein as "Non-409A Options" and "Non-409A Stock Appreciation Rights") unless otherwise expressly specified by the Committee.
(p) "Incentive Stock Option" or "ISO" means any Option designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422 or any successor provision thereto and qualifying thereunder.
(q) "Option" means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(b), to purchase Stock or other Awards at a specified price during specified time periods.
(r) "Other Stock-Based Awards" means Awards granted to a Participant under Section 6(h).
(s) "Participant" means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan which remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.
2
(t) "Performance Award" means a conditional right, granted to a Participant under Sections 6(i) and 7, to receive cash, Stock or other Awards or payments, as determined by the Committee, based upon performance criteria specified by the Committee.
(u) "Qualified Member" means a member of the Committee who is a "Non-Employee Director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3), is "independent" within the meaning of applicable rules of any stock exchange or other trading market on which Stock is then listed or quoted and applicable corporate governance documents of the Company and, when taking any action relating to an Option granted on or before November 2, 2017, is an "outside director" within the meaning of Regulation § 1.162-27 under Code Section 162(m).
(v) "Restricted Stock" means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6(d) which is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
(w) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and applicable to Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(x) "Stock" means the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and any other equity securities of the Company that may be substituted or resubstituted for Stock pursuant to Section 10(c).
(y) "Stock Appreciation Rights" or "SAR" means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c).
3. Administration.
(a) Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to select Eligible Persons to become Participants; to grant Awards; to determine the type and number of Awards, the dates on which Awards may be granted or exercised and on which the risk of forfeiture or deferral period relating to Awards shall lapse or terminate, the acceleration of any such dates, the expiration date of any Award, whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid, in cash, Stock (including Stock deliverable in connection with the Award), other Awards, or other property, and other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards (including authority to specify terms of Awards applicable in the event of a change in control); to prescribe documents evidencing or setting terms of Awards (such Award documents need not be identical for each Participant), amendments thereto, and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan and amendments thereto; to construe and interpret the Plan and Award documents and correct defects, supply omissions or reconcile inconsistencies therein; and to make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. Decisions of the Committee with respect to the administration and interpretation of the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all persons interested in the Plan, including Participants, Beneficiaries, transferees under Section 10(b) and other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant, and stockholders.
(b) Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority. At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Option intended by the Committee to qualify as "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder or intended to be covered by an exemption under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act may be taken by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee or the Board, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members or may be taken by the Committee but with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action, provided that, upon such abstention or recusal, the Committee remains composed of two or more Qualified Members. The Committee otherwise may act through a subcommittee or with members of the Committee abstaining or recusing themselves to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements or to promote
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effective governance as determined by the Committee. Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of any Member(s), shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. To the fullest extent authorized under applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Committee may delegate to officers or managers of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions, including administrative functions, as the Committee may determine, to the extent that such delegation (i) will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company, (ii) will not cause Awards intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) to fail to so qualify, (iii) will not result in a related-person transaction with an executive officer required to be disclosed under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K (in accordance with Instruction 5.a.ii thereunder) under the Exchange Act, and (iv) is permitted under applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and other applicable laws and regulations.
(c) Limitation of Liability. The Committee and each member thereof, and any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Committee, shall be entitled, in good faith, to rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any officer or other employee of the Company or any subsidiary, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant, legal counsel, or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee, any person acting pursuant to authority delegated by the Committee, and any officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee or a delegee shall not be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and any such person shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company with respect to any such action, determination, or interpretation.
4. Stock Subject to Plan and Related Limitations.
(a) Overall Number of Shares Available for Delivery. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c), the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall be 4,200,000 for all types of Awards (the “General Reserve”) plus 120,000 available only for “inducement awards” granted to a newly hired employee in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) (the “Inducement Reserve”). Any shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares.
(b) Share Counting Rules. The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards) and make adjustments in accordance with this Section 4(b). Shares shall be counted against those reserved to the extent such shares have been delivered and are no longer subject to a risk of forfeiture. Accordingly, to the extent that an Award under the Plan, in whole or in part, is canceled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash, or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares to the Participant, the shares retained by or returned to the Company will not be deemed to have been delivered under the Plan and will be deemed to remain or to become available under this Plan. However, from and after November 2, 2017, shares that are withheld from an Award or separately surrendered by the Participant in payment of the exercise price or taxes relating to such an Award, and the full number of shares as to which a stock appreciation right is exercised, shall be deemed to constitute shares delivered and will not be deemed to remain or to become available again under the Plan. Any shares recaptured under this Section 4(b) that were General Reserve shares will be deemed to be available as General Reserve shares, and recaptured shares that were Inducement Reserve shares will be deemed to be available as Inducement Reserve shares. The Committee may determine that Awards may be outstanding that relate to more shares than the aggregate remaining available under the Plan so long as Awards will not in fact result in delivery and vesting of shares in excess of the number then available under the Plan. In addition, in the case of any Award granted in assumption of or substitution for an award of a company or business acquired by the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate, shares delivered or deliverable in
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connection with such assumed or substitute Award shall not be counted against the number of shares reserved under the Plan (such assumed or substitute Awards may be administered under the Plan, however). This Section 4(b) shall apply to the share limit imposed to conform to the Treasury regulations governing ISOs only to the extent consistent with applicable regulations relating to ISOs under the Code.
5. Eligibility and Certain Award Limitations.
(a) Eligibility. Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons. For purposes of the Plan, an "Eligible Person" means an employee of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, including any executive officer, non-employee director of the Company, or consultant or other person who provides substantial services to the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate, and any person who has been offered employment by the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate, provided that such prospective employee may not receive any payment or exercise any right relating to an Award until such person has commenced employment with the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate. An employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan. For purposes of the Plan, a joint venture in which the Company or a subsidiary has a substantial direct or indirect equity investment shall be deemed an affiliate, if so determined by the Committee. Holders of awards granted by a company or business acquired by the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate (including a business combination) are eligible for Awards granted in assumption of or in substitution for such outstanding awards.
(b) Per-Person Award Limitations. In each fiscal year during any part of which the Plan is in effect, an Eligible Person may be granted Awards in the aggregate relating to up to his or her Annual Limit. A Participant's Annual Limit, in any fiscal year during any part of which the Participant is then eligible under the Plan, shall equal 500,000 shares plus the amount of the Participant's unused Annual Limit relating to Stock-denominated Awards as of the close of the previous fiscal year, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10(c). For this purpose, (i) a Participant's Annual Limit is used to the extent a number of shares may be potentially earned or paid under an Award, regardless of whether such shares or amount in fact are earned or paid, and (ii) the Annual Limit applies to Dividend Equivalents under Section 6(g) only if such Dividend Equivalents are granted separately from and not as a feature of another Award. In the case of a non-employee director of the Company, additional limits shall apply such that the maximum grant-date fair value of Stock-denominated Awards granted in any fiscal year during any part of which the director is then eligible under the Plan shall be $300,000, except that such limit for a non-employee Chairman of the Board shall be $600,000.
6. Specific Terms of Awards.
(a) General. Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10(e)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of employment or service by the Participant and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award. The Committee shall retain full power and discretion with respect to any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under the Plan. The Committee may require payment of consideration for an Award except as limited by the Plan.
(b) Options. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Stock purchasable under an Option (including both ISOs and non-qualified Options) shall be determined by the Committee, provided that such exercise price shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such Option, subject to Sections 6(f), 6(h) and 8(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Award resulting from an assumption or granted in substitution for an outstanding
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award granted by a company or business acquired by the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate (including a business combination) shall satisfy this Section 6(b)(i) if the assumption or substitution preserves without enlarging the in-the-money value of the original award at the date of the acquisition. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date on which the stock is issued, except as provided in Section 10(c) of the Plan.
(ii) Option Term; Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the term of each Option, provided that in no event shall the term of any Option exceed a period of ten years from the date of grant. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid and the form of such payment (subject to Section 10(k)), including, without limitation, cash, Stock (including through withholding of Stock deliverable upon exercise, except that any such withholding transaction that will result in additional accounting expense to the Company must be expressly authorized by the Committee), other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, or other property (including through "cashless exercise" arrangements, to the extent permitted by applicable law), and the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered in satisfaction of Options to Participants.
(iii) ISOs. The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Code Section 422, including but not limited to the requirement that no ISO shall be granted more than ten years after the Effective Date.
(c) Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i) Right to Payment. A SAR shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee, which grant price shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such SAR.
(ii) Other Terms. The Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, whether or not a SAR shall be free-standing or in tandem or combination with any other Award, and the maximum term of an SAR, which in no event shall exceed a period of ten years from the date of grant.
(d) Restricted Stock. The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(i) Grant and Restrictions. Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise and under such other circumstances as the Committee may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the Plan and any Award document relating to the Restricted Stock, a Participant granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to Section 6(d)(iv) below).
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(ii) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock that is at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award document, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock will lapse in whole or in part, including in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes.
(iii) Certificates for Stock. Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Company retain physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock.
(iv) Dividends and Splits. As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock shall be either (A) paid with respect to such Restricted Stock at the dividend payment date in cash, in kind, or in a number of shares of unrestricted Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, or (B) automatically reinvested in additional Restricted Stock or held in kind, which shall be subject to the same terms (including any restrictions and risk of forfeiture) as applied to the original Restricted Stock to which it relates, or (C) deferred as to payment, either as a cash deferral or with the amount or value thereof automatically deemed reinvested in shares of Deferred Stock, other Awards or other investment vehicles, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine or permit a Participant to elect; provided, however, that dividends on Restricted Stock subject to a risk of forfeiture based on performance conditions shall be subject to the same risk of forfeiture based on performance conditions. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed.
(e) Deferred Stock (Including Restricted Stock Units). The Committee is authorized to grant Deferred Stock to Participants, which are rights to receive Stock, other Awards, or a combination thereof at the end of a specified period of time, subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) Award and Restrictions. Issuance of Stock will occur upon expiration of the period of time specified for an Award of Deferred Stock by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Participant). In addition, Deferred Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at earlier specified times (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, and under such other circumstances as the Committee may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Forfeitable Deferred Stock may be designated as “Restricted Stock Units” or otherwise designated by the Committee. Deferred Stock may be settled by delivery of Stock, other Awards, or a combination thereof (subject to Section 10(k)), as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.
(ii) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable period or portion thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply (as provided in the Award document evidencing the Deferred Stock), all Deferred Stock that is at that time subject to such forfeiture conditions shall be forfeited; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award document, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Deferred
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Stock will lapse in whole or in part, including in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes.
(iii) Dividend Equivalents. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Dividend Equivalents on the specified number of shares of Stock covered by an Award of Deferred Stock shall be either (A) paid with respect to such Deferred Stock at the dividend payment date in cash or in shares of unrestricted Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, or (B) deferred with respect to such Deferred Stock, either as a cash deferral or with the amount or value thereof automatically deemed reinvested in additional Deferred Stock, other Awards or other investment vehicles having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, as the Committee shall determine or permit a Participant to elect. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be subject to Section 6(g), including restrictions applicable in the case of performance-based awards.
(f) Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Obligations. The Committee is authorized to grant Stock as a bonus, or to grant Stock or other Awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as shall be determined by the Committee.
(g) Dividend Equivalents. The Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to a Participant, entitling the Participant to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equivalent to all or a portion of the dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock. Dividend Equivalents may be awarded on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award. The Committee may provide that Dividend Equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles, and subject to restrictions on transferability, risks of forfeiture and such other terms as the Committee may specify; provided, however, that dividend equivalents relating to a performance-based award shall be earnable only upon the achievement of the specified performance goals applicable to the performance-based award.
(h) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock or factors that may influence the value of Stock, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or business units thereof or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries or affiliates or other business units. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Stock delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 6(h).
(i) Performance Awards. Performance Awards, denominated in cash or in Stock or other Awards, may be granted by the Committee in accordance with Section 7.
7. Performance Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards on the terms and conditions specified in this Section 7. Performance Awards may be denominated as a cash amount, number of shares of Stock, or specified number of other Awards (or a combination) which may be earned upon achievement or satisfaction of performance conditions specified by the Committee. In addition, the Committee may specify that any other Award shall constitute a Performance Award by conditioning the right of a Participant to exercise the Award or have it settled, and/or the timing thereof, upon achievement or satisfaction of such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem
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appropriate in establishing any performance conditions, and may reserve the right to exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions; provided, however, that, in the case of any Performance Award denominated in shares at the grant date (i.e., an Award which constitutes share-based equity under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”)), no discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable (except as provided under Section 10(c)) shall be reserved unless such reservation of discretion is expressly stated by the Committee at the time it acts to authorize or approve the grant of such Performance Award.
8. Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards.
(a) Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards. Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Company, any subsidiary or affiliate, or any business entity to be acquired by the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards may be granted either as of the same time as or a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards. Subject to Sections 10(e) and 10(k), the Committee may determine that, in granting a new Award, the in-the-money value or fair value of any surrendered Award or award may be applied to reduce the exercise price of any Option, grant price of any SAR, or purchase price of any other Award, and, subject to Sections 10(e) and 10(k), that the fair value of any surrendered Award or award may be used to reduce the fair-value purchase price of any other Award.
(b) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee, subject to the express limitations set forth in Section 6(b)(ii) and 6(c)(ii) (ten-year limit on Option and SAR terms, which limit will apply to any other Award in the nature of a stock right that provides the Participant with a right to exercise over a period of more than one year).
(c) Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals. Subject to the terms of the Plan (including Section 10(k) and Appendix A)) and any applicable Award document, payments to be made by the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate upon the exercise of an Option or other Award or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or other property and may be made in it single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis. The settlement of any Award may be accelerated, and cash paid in lieu of Stock in connection with such settlement, in the discretion of the Committee or upon occurrence of one or more specified events (subject to Section 10(k) and Appendix A)). Installment or deferred payments may be required by the Committee (subject to Section 10(e) and Appendix A) or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee. Payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock. In the case of any 409A Award that is vested and no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture (within the meaning of Code Section 409A), such Award will be distributed to the Participant, upon application of the Participant, if the Participant has had an unforeseeable emergency within the meaning of Code Sections 409A(a)(2)(A)(vi) and 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii), in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii) and subject to Appendix A.
(d) No Personal Loans or Reloads. No term of an Award shall provide for a personal loan to a Participant, including for payment of the exercise price of an Option or withholding taxes relating to any Award. No term of an Award shall provide for automatic “reload” grants of additional Awards upon exercise of an Option or SAR or otherwise as a term of an Award.
(e) Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability. With respect to a Participant who is then subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company, the Committee shall implement transactions under the Plan and administer the Plan in a manner that will ensure that each transaction with respect to such a Participant is exempt from liability under Rule 16b-3
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or otherwise not subject to liability under Section 16(b)), except that this provision shall not apply to sales by such a Participant, and such a Participant may engage in other non-exempt transactions under the Plan. The Committee may authorize the Company to repurchase any Award or shares of Stock deliverable or delivered in connection with any Award (subject to Sections 10(k) and 10(l)) in order that a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act will avoid incurring liability under Section 16(b). Unless otherwise specified by the Participant, equity securities or derivative securities acquired under the Plan which are disposed of by a Participant shall be deemed to be disposed of in the order acquired by the Participant.
(f) Change in Control. The Committee may specify that an Award will become automatically earned, vested and/or payable, in whole or part, upon a Change in Control, in its discretion, by so specifying in an Award Agreement or other governing document (in the absence of such a specification, the Plan does not confer the right to such acceleration). For purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise specified by the Committee in an Award Agreement or other governing document, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the grant date of an Award, there shall have occurred any of the following:
(i) Any "person," as such term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), acquires voting securities of the Company and immediately thereafter is the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d‑3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then‑outstanding voting securities;
(ii) Individuals who on the grant date of the Award constitute the Board of Directors, and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Grant Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;
(iii) There is consummated a merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or reorganization of the Company, or a reverse stock split of any class of voting securities of the Company, if, immediately following consummation of any of the foregoing, either (A) individuals who, immediately prior to such consummation, constitute the Board do not constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Company or the surviving or parent entity, as the case may be, or (B) the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such event do not represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of a surviving or parent entity) at least 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company or such surviving or parent entity; or
(iv) The stockholders of the Company have approved a plan of complete liquidation of the Company and there occurs a distribution or other substantive step pursuant to such plan of complete liquidation, or there is consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (or any transaction have a similar effect), and in each case all material contingencies to the completion of the transaction have been satisfied or waived.
9. Additional Award Forfeiture Provisions.
The Committee may condition a Participant's right to receive a grant of an Award, to exercise the Award, to retain cash, Stock, other Awards or other property acquired in connection with
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an Award, or to retain the profit or gain realized by a Participant in connection with an Award, including cash or other proceeds received upon sale of Stock acquired in connection with an Award, upon (i) compliance by the Participant with specified conditions relating to adherence to standards of conduct in the preparation of financial statements and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, non-competition, confidentiality of information relating to or possessed by the Company, non-solicitation of customers, suppliers, and employees of the Company, cooperation in litigation, non-disparagement of the Company and its officers, directors and affiliates, and other restrictions upon or covenants of the Participant, including during specified periods following termination of employment or service to the Company; and (ii), in the case of performance-based compensation, the absence of material inaccuracies in the financial or other information upon which achievement of performance goals was assessed.
10. General Provisions.
(a) Compliance with Legal and Other Requirements. The Company may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee and subject to Appendix A, postpone the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits under any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such Stock or other required action under any federal or state law, rule or regulation, listing or other required action with respect to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Stock or other securities of the Company are listed or quoted, or compliance with any other obligation of the Company, as the Committee may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations, furnish such information and comply with or be subject to such other conditions as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing requirements, or other obligations.
(b) Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries. No Award or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any party (other than the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof), or assigned or transferred by such Participant, and such Awards or rights that may be exercisable shall be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative, except that (i) Awards and related rights shall be transferred to a Participant's Beneficiary or Beneficiaries upon the death of the Participant, and (ii), subject to Section 1(a)(viii) of Appendix A, Awards and other rights (other than ISOs and SARs in tandem therewith) may be transferred to one or more transferees during the lifetime of the Participant, and may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of such Award, but only if and to the extent such transfers are permitted by the Committee and the Committee has determined that there will be no transfer of the Award to a third party for value, and subject to any terms and conditions which the Committee may impose thereon (including limitations the Committee may deem appropriate in order that offers and sales under the Plan will meet applicable requirements of registration forms under the Securities Act of 1933 specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission). A Beneficiary, transferee, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award document applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.
(c) Adjustments. In the event that any large, special and non-recurring dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash or property other than Stock), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, Stock dividend, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination. repurchase, share exchange, liquidation. dissolution or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate under the Plan, then the Committee may, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares of Stock which may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter, including the aggregate share limitation and full-value share limitation then applicable under the Plan, (ii) the number and kind of shares of Stock by which annual per-person Award limitations are measured under Section
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5(b), (iii) the number and kind of shares of Stock subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards and (iv) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, the Committee may make provision for a payment of cash or property to the holder of an outstanding Award in settlement of such Award (subject to Section 10(k)). The Committee shall provide for such equitable adjustments of outstanding awards in order to preserve the positive intrinsic value of such awards, unless in the circumstances the Participant would be able to realize such intrinsic value in the absence of an adjustment. In furtherance of the foregoing, a Participant shall have a legal right to an adjustment to an outstanding Award which constitutes a “share-based payment arrangement” in the event of an “equity restructuring,” as such terms are defined under FASB ASC Topic 718, which adjustment shall preserve without enlarging the value of the Award to the Participant. In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards (including Performance Awards and performance goals and any hypothetical funding pool relating thereto) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence, as well as acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets) affecting the Company, any subsidiary or affiliate or other business unit, or the financial statements of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, or in response to changes in applicable laws. regulations, accounting principles, tax rates and regulations or business conditions or in view of the Committee’s assessment of the business strategy of the Company, any subsidiary or affiliate or business unit thereof, performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, personal performance of a Participant, and any other circumstances deemed relevant; provided that no such adjustment shall be authorized or made if and to the extent that the existence of such authority or the making of a particular adjustment would cause Options, SARs, or Performance Awards granted under Section 8 intended to qualify as "performance-based compensation" under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder to otherwise fail to so qualify.
(d) Tax Provisions.
(i) Withholding. The Company and any subsidiary or affiliate is authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of a Participant’s withholding obligations, either on a mandatory or elective basis in the discretion of the Committee. Other provisions of the Plan notwithstanding, only the minimum amount of Stock deliverable in connection with an Award necessary to satisfy statutory withholding requirements will be withheld, except a greater amount of Stock may be withheld provided that any such withholding transaction that will result in additional accounting expense to the Company must be expressly authorized by the Committee.
(ii) Required Consent to and Notification of Code Section 83(b) Election. No election under Section 83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Code Section 83(b)) or under a similar provision of the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the Award document or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the effectiveness of such election. In any case in which a Participant is permitted to make such an election in connection with an Award, the Participant shall notify the Company of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 83(b) or other applicable provision.
(iii) Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Code Section 421(b). If any Participant shall make any disposition of shares of Stock delivered pursuant to the exercise of ISOs under the circumstances described in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain
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disqualifying dispositions), such Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten days thereof.
(e) Changes to the Plan and Awards. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of stockholders or Participants; provided, however, that any amendment to the Plan shall be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval not later than the earliest annual meeting for which the record date is after the date of such Board action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or trading system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other amendments to the Plan to stockholders for approval. The Committee is authorized to amend the Plan if its actions are within the scope of the Committee’s authority under its charter, and subject to all other requirements that would apply if the amendment were approved by the Board. The Committee is authorized to amend outstanding Awards, except as limited by the Plan. The Board and Committee may not, however, amend outstanding Awards (including by means of an amendment to the Plan), without the consent of an affected Participant, if such amendment would materially and adversely affect the legal rights of such Participant under any outstanding Award (for this purpose, actions that alter the timing of federal income taxation of a Participant will not be deemed material unless such action results in an income tax penalty materially adverse to the Participant, and any discretion reserved by the Board or Committee with respect to an Award is not limited by this provision). Without the approval of stockholders, the Committee will not amend or replace previously granted Options or SARs in a transaction that constitutes a "repricing." For this purpose, a “repricing” means: (1) amending the terms of an Option or SAR after it is granted to lower its exercise price or base price; (2) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles; and (3) canceling an Option or SAR at a time when its strike price is equal to or greater than the fair market value of the underlying Stock, in exchange or substitution for another Option, SAR, Restricted Stock, other equity, or cash or other property, unless the cancellation and exchange or substitution occurs in connection with a merger, acquisition, spin-off or other similar corporate transaction. A cancellation and exchange or substitution described in clause (3) of the preceding sentence will be considered a repricing regardless of whether the Option, Restricted Stock or other equity is delivered simultaneously with the cancellation, regardless of whether it is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, and regardless of whether it is voluntary on the part of the Participant. Adjustments to awards under Section 10(c) will not be deemed "repricings," however. The Committee shall have no authority to waive or modify any Award term after the Award has been granted to the extent that the waived or modified term would be then mandatory for a new Award of the same type under the Plan.
(f) Right of Setoff. The Company or any subsidiary or affiliate may, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to Appendix A, deduct from and set off against any amounts the Company or it subsidiary or affiliate may owe to the Participant from time to time, including amounts payable in connection with any Award, owed as wages, fringe benefits, or other compensation owed to the Participant, such amounts as may be owed by the Participant to the Company, although the Participant shall remain liable for any part of the Participant’s payment obligation not satisfied through such deduction and setoff. By accepting any Award granted hereunder, the Participant agrees to any deduction or setoff under this Section 10(f).
(g) Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts. The Plan is intended to constitute an "unfunded" plan for incentive and deferred compensation (excluding awards of Restricted Stock). With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Stock pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company; provided that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations under the Plan. Such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the "unfunded" status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant.
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(h) Nonexclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements, apart from the Plan, as it may deem desirable, and such other arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
(i) Payments in the Event of Forfeitures; Fractional Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a forfeiture of an Award with respect to which a Participant paid cash consideration, the Participant shall be repaid the amount of such cash consideration. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether and when cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares, or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
(j) Compliance with Code Section 162(m). It is the intent of the Company that Options granted on or before November 2, 2017 shall constitute qualified "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, the terms used herein shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. If any provision of the Plan or any Award document relating to such an Option does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) or regulations thereunder, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements, and no provision shall be deemed to confer upon the Committee or any other person discretion to increase the amount of compensation otherwise payable in connection with any such Award.
(k) Certain Limitations Relating to Accounting Treatment of Awards. Other provisions of the Plan notwithstanding, the Committee's authority under the Plan (including under Sections 8, 10(c) and 10(e)) is limited to the extent necessary to ensure that any Award of a type that the Committee has intended to be "share-based equity" (and not a "share-based liability") subject to fixed accounting with a measurement date at the date of grant under FASB ASC Topic 718 shall not be deemed a share-based liability (subject to "variable" accounting) solely due to the existence of such authority, unless the Committee specifically determines that the Award shall remain outstanding as a share-based liability (i.e., subject to such "variable" accounting).
(l) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan, and any agreement under the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, to the extent applicable, other laws (including those governing contracts) of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable federal law.
(m) Awards to Participants Outside the United States. The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan made to or held by a Participant who is then resident or primarily employed outside of the United States or is subject to taxation by a non-U.S. jurisdiction in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that such Award shall conform to laws, regulations, sound business practices and customs of the country in which the Participant is then resident or primarily employed, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by foreign tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participant’s residence or employment abroad shall be comparable to the value of such an Award to a Participant who is resident or primarily employed in the United States. An Award may be modified under this Section 10(m) in a manner that is inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan, so long as such modifications will not contravene any applicable law or regulation or result in actual liability under Section 16(b) for the Participant whose Award is modified.
(n) Limitation on Rights Conferred under Plan. No Participant shall have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company under the Plan, including as a result of the grant of an Award or the creation of any trust and deposit of shares therein, except at such time as an Option or SAR may have been duly exercised or shares may be actually delivered in settlement of an Award; provided,
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however, that a Participant granted Restricted Stock shall have rights of a stockholder except to the extent that those rights are limited by the terms of the Plan and the agreement relating to the Restricted Stock. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate or in any particular office or position, (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s employment or service at any time, or (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and employees. Except as expressly provided in the Plan and an Award document, neither the Plan nor any Award document shall confer on any person other than the Company and the Participant any rights or remedies thereunder. An Award shall not be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate and shall not affect any benefits under any other benefit plan at any time in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation (unless required by such other plan or arrangement with specific reference to Awards under this Plan, provided that cash Annual Incentive Awards will generally be deemed to be annual bonuses or annual incentives under such other plans or arrangements).
(o) Severability. If any of the provisions of this Plan or any Award document is finally held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable (whether in whole or in part), such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent, but only to the extent, of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, and the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby; provided, that, if any of such provisions is finally held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable because it exceeds the maximum scope determined to be acceptable to permit such provision to be enforceable, such provision shall be deemed to be modified to the minimum extent necessary to modify such scope in order to make such provision enforceable hereunder.
(p) Plan Effective Date and Termination. The Plan shall became effective on March 14, 2014, at the time that Spectrum Group International, Inc. (“SGI”) completed the distribution of all of the outstanding Stock to SGI’s stockholders. Unless earlier terminated by action of the Board of Directors, the authority to make new grants under this Plan shall terminate on October 27, 2032 or, if later, the date that is ten years after the latest date upon which stockholders of the Company have approved the Plan (after the SGI distribution), with the Plan otherwise to remain in effect until such time as no Stock remains available for delivery under the Plan and the Company has no further rights or obligations under the Plan with respect to outstanding Awards under the Plan.
Appendix A – Compliance Rules Under Code Section 409A
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Appendix A
Compliance Rules Under Code Section 409A
1. General Rules for Section 409A Compliance.
The following rules will apply to the 2014 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Capitalized terms used herein have the definitions as set forth in the Plan.
(a) 409A Awards and Deferrals. Other provisions of the Plan notwithstanding, the terms of any 409A Award, including any authority of the Company and rights of the Participant with respect to the 409A Award, shall be limited to those terms permitted under Section 409A, and any terms not permitted under Section 409A shall be automatically modified and limited to the extent necessary to conform with Section 409A but only to the extent that such modification or limitation is permitted under Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance issued thereunder. The following rules will apply to 409A Awards:
(i) Elections. If a Participant is permitted to elect to defer compensation and in lieu thereof receive an Award, or is permitted to elect to defer any payment under an Award, such election will be permitted only at times and otherwise in compliance with Section 409A. Such election shall be made in accordance with Exhibit A to the 2004 Stock Award and Incentive Plan;
(ii) Changes in Distribution Terms. The Committee may, in its discretion, require or permit on an elective basis a change in the distribution terms applicable to 409A Awards (and Non-409A Awards that qualify for the short-term deferral exemption under Section 409A) in accordance with, and to the fullest extent permitted by, applicable guidance of the Internal Revenue Service under Code Section 409A.
(iii) Exercise and Distribution. Except as provided in Section 1(a)(iv) hereof, no 409A Award shall be exercisable (if the exercise would result in a distribution) or otherwise distributable to a Participant (or his or her beneficiary) except upon the occurrence of one of the following (or a date related to the occurrence of one of the following), which must be specified in a written document governing such 409A Award and otherwise meet the requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3:
(A) Specified Time. A specified time or a fixed schedule;
(B) Separation from Service. The Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h) and other applicable rules under Code Section 409A); provided, however, that if the Participant is a “specified employee” under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(i), settlement under this Section 1(a)(iii)(B) shall instead occur at the expiration of the six-month period following separation from service under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i). During such six-month delay period, no acceleration of settlement may occur, except (1) acceleration shall occur in the event of death of the Participant, (2), if the distribution date was specified as the earlier of separation from service or a fixed date and the fixed date falls within the delay period, the distribution shall be triggered by the fixed date, and (3) acceleration may be permitted otherwise if and to the extent permitted under Section 409A. In the case of installments, this delay shall not affect the timing of any installment otherwise payable after the six-month delay period. With respect to any 409A Award, a reference in any agreement or other governing document to a "termination of employment" which triggers a distribution shall be deemed to mean a "separation from service" within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h);
(C) Death. The death of the Participant. Unless a specific time otherwise is stated for payment of a 409A Award upon death, such payment shall occur in the calendar year in which falls the 30th day after death;
(D) Disability. The date the Participant has experienced a 409A Disability (as defined below); and
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(E) 409A Change in Control. The occurrence of a 409A Change in Control (as defined below).
(iv) No Acceleration. The exercise or distribution of a 409A Award may not be accelerated prior to the time specified in accordance with Section 1(a)(iii) hereof, except in the case of one of the following events:
(A) Unforeseeable Emergency. The occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency, as defined below, but only if the net amount payable upon such settlement does not exceed the amounts necessary to relieve such emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the settlement, after taking into account the extent to which the emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation from insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant’s other assets (to the extent such liquidation would not itself cause severe financial hardship), or by cessation of deferrals under the Plan. Upon a finding that an Unforeseeable Emergency has occurred with respect to a Participant, any election of the Participant to defer compensation that will be earned in whole or part by services in the year in which the emergency occurred or is found to continue will be immediately cancelled.
(B) Domestic Relations Order. The 409A Award may permit the acceleration of the exercise or distribution time or schedule to an individual other than the Participant as may be necessary to comply with the terms of a domestic relations order (as defined in Section 414(p)(1)(B) of the Code).
(C) Conflicts of Interest. Such 409A Award may permit the acceleration of the settlement time or schedule as may be necessary to comply with an ethics agreement with the Federal government or to comply with a Federal, state, local or foreign ethics law or conflict of interest law in compliance with Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(j)(4)(iii).
(D) Change. The Committee may exercise the discretionary right to accelerate the lapse of the substantial risk of forfeiture of any unvested compensation deemed to be a 409A Award upon a 409A Change in Control or to terminate the Plan upon or within 12 months after a 409A Change in Control, or otherwise to the extent permitted under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix), or accelerate settlement of such 409A Award in any other circumstance permitted under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(j)(4).
(v) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 1, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(A) “409A Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if, in connection with any event defined as a change in control relating to a 409A Award under any applicable Company document, there occurs a change in the ownership of the Company, a change in effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as defined in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(5).
(B) “409A Disability” means an event which results in the Participant being (i) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii), by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company or its subsidiaries.
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(C) “Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, or a dependent (as defined in Code Section 152, without regard to Code Sections 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B)) of the Participant, loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty, or similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant, and otherwise meeting the definition set forth in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(3).
(vi) Time of Distribution. In the case of any distribution of a 409A Award, if the timing of such distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award agreement or other governing document, the distribution shall be made within 60 days after the date at which the settlement of the Award is specified to occur. In the case of any distribution of a 409A Award during a specified period following a settlement date, the maximum period shall be 90 days, and the Participant shall have no influence (other than permitted deferral elections) on any determination as to the tax year in which the distribution will be made during any period in which a distribution may be made;
(vii) Determination of “Specified Employee.” For purposes of a distributions under Section 1(a)(iii)(B), status of a Participant as a “specified employee” shall be determined annually under the Company’s administrative procedure for such determination for purposes of all plans subject to Code Section 409A.
(viii) Non-Transferability. The provisions of the Plan notwithstanding, no 409A Award or right relating thereto shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participant's Beneficiary.
(ix) Limitation on Setoffs. If the Company has a right of setoff that could apply to a 409A Award, such right may only be exercised at the time the 409A Award would have been distributed to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary, and may be exercised only as a setoff against an obligation that arose not more than 30 days before and within the same year as the distribution date if application of such setoff right against an earlier obligation would not be permitted under Code Section 409A.
(x) 409A Rules Do Not Constitute Waiver of Other Restrictions. The rules applicable to 409A Awards under this Section 1(a) constitute further restrictions on terms of Awards set forth elsewhere in this Plan.
(b) Separate Payments. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award agreement, each vesting tranche of an Award shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A, and any portion of a vesting tranche that would vest on a pro rata basis in the event of a separation from service on December 31 of a given year and the portion that would or would not vest pro rata for the period from the beginning of a calendar year to the end of the Company's fiscal year, and the remaining portion of such vesting tranche that would not so vest, each shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.
(c) Distributions Upon Vesting. In the case of any Non-409A Award providing for a distribution upon the lapse of a substantial risk of forfeiture, if the timing of such distribution is not otherwise specified in the Plan or an Award agreement or other governing document, the distribution shall be made not later than the 15th day of the third month after the end of the fiscal year in which the substantial risk of forfeiture lapsed, and if a determination is to be made promptly following the end of a performance year (as in the case of performance shares) then the determination of the level of achievement of performance and the distribution shall be made between the start of the subsequent fiscal year and the 15th day of the third month of such subsequent fiscal year. In all cases, the Participant shall have no influence (aside from any permitted deferral election) on any determination as to the tax year in which the distribution will be made.
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(d) Limitation on Adjustments. Any adjustment under the Plan shall be implemented in a way that complies with applicable requirements under Section 409A so that Non-409A Option/SARs do not, due to the adjustment, become 409A Awards, and otherwise so that no adverse consequences under Section 409A result to Participants.
(e) Release or Other Termination Agreement. If the Company requires a Participant to execute a release, non-competition, or other agreement as a condition to receipt of a payment upon or following a termination of employment, the Company will supply to the Participant a form of such release or other document not later than the date of the Participant's termination of employment, which must be returned within the minimum time period required by law (or 21 days if no minimum period is so prescribed) and must not be revoked by the Participant within the applicable time period for revocation (if any) in order for the Participant to satisfy any such condition. If any amount constituting a deferral of compensation under Section 409A payable during a fixed period following termination of employment is subject to such a requirement and the fixed period would begin in one Participant tax year and end in the next tax year, the Company, in determining the time of payment of any such amount, will not be influenced by the timing of any action of the Participant including execution of such a release or other document and expiration of any revocation period. In such cases, the Company will pay any such amount in the subsequent tax year within the fixed period.
(f) Special Disability Provision. Unless otherwise provided in an applicable Award agreement or other governing document, in case of a disability of a Participant, (i) for any Award or portion thereof that constitutes a short-term deferral for purposes of Section 409A, the Company shall determine whether the Participant's circumstances are such that the Participant will not return to service, in which case such disability will be treated as a termination of employment for purposes of determining the time of payment of such Award or portion thereof then subject only to service-based vesting, and (ii) for any Award or portion thereof that constitutes a 409A Award, the Company shall determine whether there has occurred a "separation from service" as defined under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h) based on Participant's circumstances, in which case such disability will be treated as a separation from service for purposes of determining the time of payment of such Award or portion thereof then subject only to service-based vesting. In each case, the Participant shall be accorded the benefit of vesting that would result in the case of disability in the absence of this provision, so that the operation of this provision, intended to comply with Section 409A, will not disadvantage the Participant. The Company's determinations hereunder will be made within 30 days after the disability arises or there occurs a material change in the Participant's condition that constitutes the disability. In the case of any short-term deferral, if (i) circumstances arise constituting a disability but not constituting a termination of employment, (ii) the Award would provide for vesting upon a termination due to disability, and (iii) the Award would not qualify as a short-term deferral if the Participant were then permitted to elect the time at which to terminate employment due to the disability, then only the Company will be entitled to act to terminate Participant's employment due to disability.
(g) Limit on Authority to Amend. The authority to adopt amendments under Section 10(e) does not include authority to take action by amendment that would have the effect of causing Awards to fail to meet applicable requirements of Section 409A.
(h) Scope and Application of this Provision. For purposes of this Section 1, references to a term or event (including any authority or right of the Company or a Participant) being “permitted” under Section 409A mean that the term or event will not cause the Participant to be deemed to be in constructive receipt of compensation relating to the 409A Award prior to the distribution of cash, shares or other property or to be liable for payment of interest or a tax penalty under Section 409A.
2. Deferral Election Rules.
If a participant in the Plan or any other plan, program or other compensatory arrangement (a “plan”) of the Company” is permitted to elect to defer awards or other compensation, any such election relating to compensation deferred under the applicable plan must be received by the Company prior to
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the date specified by or at the direction of the administrator of such plan (the “Administrator,” which in most instances will be the head of Human Resources for the Company). For purposes of compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), any such election to defer shall be subject to the rules set forth below, subject to any additional restrictions as may be specified by the Administrator. Under no circumstances may a participant elect to defer compensation to which he or she has attained, at the time of deferral, a legally enforceable right to current receipt of such compensation.
(a) Initial Deferral Elections. Any initial election to defer compensation (including the election as to the type and amount of compensation to be deferred and the time and manner of settlement of the deferral) must be made (and shall be irrevocable) no later than December 31 of the year before the participant’s services are performed which will result in the earning of the compensation, except as follows:
(b) Further Deferral Elections. The foregoing notwithstanding, for any election to further defer an amount that is deemed to be a deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A (to the extent permitted under Company plans, programs and arrangements), any further deferral election made under the Plan shall be subject to the following, provided that deferral elections in 2007 and 2008 may be made under applicable transition rules under Section 409A:
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Exhibit 10.10
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC.
Stock Ownership Guidelines For Directors
The Board of Directors of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. believes that Directors more effectively carry out their duties on behalf of A-Mark’s stockholders if the Directors are themselves stockholders. Accordingly, effective April 29, 2021, the Board adopted these Stock Ownership Guidelines For Directors, setting forth recommended minimums for stock ownership by each Director.
Directors are directed to own A-Mark Common Stock with a value not less than $300,000.
The following guidelines will apply:
Valuation of Shares Owned
Phase-In Period
Other Provisions
Adopted by the Board of Directors on April 29, 2021; amended August 20, 2024.
Exhibit 10.25
SECOND AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE (the "Second Amendment") is entered into as of the ___ day of _________, 2015, by and between MCP CARGO, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Landlord") and A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Tenant").
R E C I T A L S
B. Landlord and Tenant entered into that certain First Amendment to Real Estate Lease dated August 28, 2015 ( the “First Amendment” and together with the Original Lease, the “Lease”) pursuant to which the rentable square feet and useable square feet of the Premises were adjusted as provided in the First Amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, Landlord and Tenant mutually agree as follows:
1. COMMENCMENT DATE/EXPANSION SPACE/NEW PREMISES: Commencement Date for the Expansion Space/New Premises shall commence on January 1, 2016.
2. Miscellaneous: Except as modified herein, the Lease shall remain in full force and effect. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as defined in the Lease. This Second Amendment may be executed in counterparts. Each of said counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original and, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Second Amendment may be executed by a facsimile of the signature of any party, with the facsimile signature having the same force and effect as if this consent had been executed by the actual signature of any party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Second Amendment has been executed on the day and year above written.
LANDLORD: TENANT:
MCP Cargo, LLC A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICs, LLC, a
a Nevada limited liability company Delaware limited liability company
By: _____/s/ Gregory K Wells_____ By: _/s/ Brian Aquilino_______________
Print Name: _Gregory K. Wells_____ Print Name: __Brian Aquilino_________
Print Title: ____Manager___________ Print Title: __COO _______________
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Exhibit 10.26
THIRD AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE
THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE (the "Third Amendment") is entered into as of the ___ day of _________, 2018, by and between MCP CARGO, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Landlord") and A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Tenant").
R E C I T A L S
B. The current Lease Term expires on April 30, 2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, Landlord and Tenant mutually agree as follows:
1. Extension of Lease Term: The Lease Term is hereby extended for an additional period of, sixty (60) months commencing May 1, 2020, (the "New Commencement Date") and expiring on April 30, 2025, ("Extended Lease Term").
2. BASE RENT: The Base Rent shall be as follows for the Extended Leaser Term:
EXTENDED LEASE TERM: May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2025
Term |
Mo. |
Rate/RSF/Month |
May 1, 2020 – April 30, 2021 |
12 |
$1.70 |
May 1, 2021 – April 30, 2022 |
12 |
$1.75 |
May 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023 |
12 |
$1.80 |
May 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024 |
12 |
$1.86 |
May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025 |
14 |
$1.91 |
3. OPTIONS TO EXTEND: Article 2.2 of the Lease is hereby amended in this Third Amendment as follows:
Tenant may, at its option, extend the Term for two (2) renewal periods of five (5) years each (the "Extension Options") to extend the then current Lease Term for the period of years set forth above
1
(the "Option Term"). Tenant shall only be able to exercise an Extension Option as to all of the Premises. The Extension Options shall, at Landlord's election, become null and void and of no further force and effect if (1) Tenant is in default under this Lease beyond the applicable cure period at the time Tenant attempts to exercise one of the Extension Options or following such exercise, prior to the commencement of the applicable Option Term; or (2) Tenant has assigned the Lease or sublet greater than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Premises.. Tenant shall only be entitled to exercise the second (2nd) and any subsequent Extension Options if Tenant has properly and timely exercised the first (1st) and any following Extension Options. Provided that Tenant has properly and timely exercised one of the Extension Options, the then current Lease Term shall be extended for the Option Term, and all terms, covenants, and conditions of this Lease shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect, except that (i) the Tenant Work Letter Agreement shall not apply to the Extension Options, (ii) in no event shall Tenant be entitled to extend the Lease Term beyond the period of time provided in this Section 2.2, (iii) the Base Rent during any Option Term shall be the then going rate for comparable space at Marnell Air Cargo , , subject to annual Base Rent increases during the applicable Option Term in accordance with Section 3.2 of this Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Base Rent during any Option Term be less than the Base Rent payable during the last month of the preceding Lease Term. Landlord shall notify Tenant of Landlord's determination of the prevailing rate, which shall be binding on Tenant, no later than one (1) month after Tenant's exercise of the Extension Option. No later than one (1) month after Landlord notifies Tenant of the prevailing rate, Tenant shall notify Landlord whether Tenant accepts Landlord's determination. In the event Tenant does not accept Landlord's determination, Tenant hereby acknowledges and agrees that its rights to any and all of the Extension Options shall immediately terminate. Tenant shall provide written notice to Landlord of its decision whether to exercise an applicable Option Term not later than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the then current Lease Term. Unless Tenant provides written notice of its affirmative decision to not exercise an Option Term on or before one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the initial Lease Term, or applicable Option Term, the then current Lease Term shall automatically be extended for the applicable Option Term, and all terms, covenants, and conditions of this Lease shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect. Upon the exercise (or deemed exercise) of an applicable Option Term this Lease shall be extended without the necessity of the execution of any further instrument or document; provided, however, that each party agrees to execute and deliver such further instruments or documents as the other party may reasonably request to memorialize or acknowledge the exercise of the Extension Option.
4. Miscellaneous: Except as modified herein, the Lease shall remain in full force and effect. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as defined in the Lease. This Third Amendment may be executed in counterparts. Each of said counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original and, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Third Amendment may be executed by a facsimile of the signature of any party, with the facsimile signature having the same force and effect as if this consent had been executed by the actual signature of any party.
2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Third Amendment has been executed on the day and year above written.
LANDLORD: TENANT:
MCP Cargo, LLC A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICs, LLC, a
a Nevada limited liability company Delaware limited liability company
By: _____/s/ Gregory K Wells_____ By: _/s/ Brian Aquilino_______________
Print Name: _Gregory K. Wells_____ Print Name: __Brian Aquilino_________
Print Title: ____Manager___________ Print Title: __COO _______________
3
Exhibit 10.27
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE
THIS FOURTH AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE (the "Fourth Amendment") is entered into as of the 17th day of November 2023, by and between MCP CARGO, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Landlord") and A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Tenant").
R E C I T A L S
B. Landlord and Tenant desire to further amend the Lease, on the terms and conditions contained herein, to, among other things, expand the Premises to include Suite 108 consisting of approximately Seven Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Six (7,176) square feet of floor area (“Expansion Space”).
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, Landlord and Tenant mutually agree as follows:
1. EXPANSION SPACE: Landlord and Tenant desire to expand the Premises to include the Expansion Space which Tenant shall accept in its current “As-Is” condition attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and incorporated herein by this reference. The estimated delivery date shall be when the current Tenant vacates Suite 108, June 1, 2024 (“Delivery Date”).
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in the Lease or this Fourth Amendment, Section 6 of the Summary of Basic Lease Information for the Lease is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:
“6. Premises (Article 1). The Premises shall consist of (a) that certain space in the Building identified as Suite 105 and consisting of Twenty Four Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Three (24,743) square feet of floor area, and as depicted on Exhibit "A-2" attached hereto (the "Depiction of Premises).”
1
2. COMMENCMENT DATE/EXPANSION SPACE: Commencement Date for the Expansion Space, shall commence on the date the Expansion Space is made available to Tenant (the "New Commencement Date").
3. LEASE TERM: The current Lease Term is hereby amended so that maturity for the newly defined Premises is extended by a period of sixty (60) months upon Commencement of the Expansion Space for which the exact dates will be memorialized prior to Tenant occupancy.
4. BASE RENT: Upon Commencement of the Expansion Space, the Base Rent shall be equal to Two and 10/100 Dollars ($2.10 ) for each square foot of floor area in the Premises. The Base Rent shall increase by 3% on each anniversary day of the Commencement Date of the Extended Lease Term.
5. TENANT CONSTRUCTION COSTS PROVIDED: Tenant has agreed to pay for all the relocation and construction costs for the relocation of Peak Supply Chain Solutions to vacate suite 108, and occupy Suite 105 located in ACC 3. Landlord has provided Tenant with a rough estimate of cost in the range of $750,000 to $1,000,000 and guarantees Tenant portion of the total cost will not exceed One Million and 00/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00).
6. Miscellaneous: Except as modified herein, the Lease shall remain in full force and effect. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the same meaning as defined in the Lease. This Fourth Amendment may be executed in counterparts. Each of said counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original and, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Fourth Amendment may be executed by a facsimile of the signature of any party, with the facsimile signature having the same force and effect as if this consent had been executed by the actual signature of any party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Fourth Amendment has been executed on the day and year above written.
LANDLORD: TENANT:
MCP Cargo, LLC A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICs, LLC, a
a Nevada limited liability company Delaware limited liability company
By: _____/s/ Gregory K Wells_____ By: _/s/ Brian Aquilino_______________
Print Name: _Gregory K. Wells_____ Print Name: __Brian Aquilino_________
Print Title: ____Manager___________ Print Title: __COO _______________
2
Exhibit 10.28
FIFTH AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE
THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE (the "Fifth
Amendment") is entered into as of the 3rd day of March 2024, by and between MCP CARGO, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Landlord") and A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Tenant").
R E C I T A L S
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, Landlord and Tenant mutually agree as follows:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Fifth Amendment has been executed on the day and year above written.
LANDLORD:
MCP CARGO, LLC
a Nevada limited liability company
By: /s/ Gregory K Wells
Title: Manager
TENANT:
A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICs, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By: /s/ Brian Aquilino
Title: COO
Exhibit 10.29
SIXTH AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE
THIS SIXTH AMENDMENT TO AIR CARGO CENTER LEASE (the "Sixth
Amendment") is entered into as of the 20th day of June 2024, by and between MCP CARGO, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Landlord") and A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Tenant").
R E C I T A L S
NOW, THEREFORE, based upon the covenants and promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, Landlord and Tenant mutually agree as follows:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Sixth Amendment has been executed on the day and year above written.
LANDLORD:
MCP CARGO, LLC
a Nevada limited liability company
By: /s/ Gregory K Wells
Title: Manager
TENANT:
A-M GLOBAL LOGISTICs, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By: /s/ Brian Aquilino
Title: COO
Exhibit 19
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC INSIDER TRADING POLICY
(As amended May 10, 2024)
The Federal securities laws prohibit "insider trading." Specifically, Rule 10b-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, applies to directors, officers, employees, consultants and significant stockholders of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. (the “Company”) who have access to material, non-public information concerning the Company or its prospects ("Inside Information"). Such persons (“Insiders”) may not buy or sell securities of the Company when they have Inside Information or otherwise use Inside Information to take actions to their own advantage or pass it on directly or indirectly to others who engage in such transactions. The Company itself also must comply with Rule 10b-5, including when it purchases its own securities in open market or privately negotiated transactions (accordingly, there term "Insiders" shall be deemed to include the Company, except where the context requires otherwise).
Buying or selling the Company's securities while in possession of Inside Information, regardless of whether the transaction would have taken place even if the Insider did not possess the Inside Information, may give rise to a variety of individual or derivative civil claims, as well as criminal and civil actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or other governmental authorities. An Insider, when in possession of Inside Information, therefore must abstain from initiating trades. An Insider is also prohibited from giving tips, i.e., revealing the Inside Information to others who may trade on it or making investment recommendations to others based upon such information (even if the information is not disclosed).
An Insider who trades while in possession of material non-public information or tips others may also be breaching his or her fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders, and may be breaching obligations to maintain confidentiality and act in an ethical manner, which obligations arise from the Insider’s employment or other relationship to the Company and its subsidiaries.
The focus of this Policy is on trades in the Company's securities, particularly its Common Stock listed and traded in the Nasdaq Global Select Market. However, the laws against insider trading apply also where employees, directors, officers and consultants, in the course of their duties for the Company and its subsidiaries, come into possession of material non-public information regarding other companies and trade in the securities of those companies (or tip that information to others who trade). Except for Section V (regarding pre-clearance) and other sections where the context so requires, this Policy will be deemed to apply to Insiders who have acquired material non-public information regarding other companies in the course of their duties for the Company and its subsidiaries, such that the prohibitions explained in this Policy regarding trading in the Company's securities will apply as well to trading in (and other prohibited activities relating to) the securities of such other companies.
In order to prevent the violations and the potential liability described above, the Company has adopted this amended Insider Trading Policy (the "Policy"), effective May 10, 2024. The Policy is subject to change from time to time.
1
This Policy applies to all directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries, and to significant stockholders if they are provided specific access to Company information, as well as to their immediate family members and entities controlled by the foregoing (as discussed below). All such persons should be considered “Insiders” for purposes of this Policy. The Policy applies to such persons located in and out of the United States. The Policy applies also to the Company in regards to transactions in its own securities (particularly repurchases), including persons with oversight responsibility over those Company transactions.
Insiders may not trade on the basis of Inside Information or tip Inside Information to others for trading, and this includes after their status as an Insider has terminated. It also applies to others who enter into a relationship with the Company that gives them the opportunity to obtain Inside Information about the Company. Generally speaking, you should assume that anyone who has material, nonpublic information has a duty not to trade on it or tip it to others for trading. Keep in mind that "tipping" includes not only directly communicating information, but also making recommendations to others based on it (even if the Insider Information is not directly disclosed). Additionally, the law provides that certain people in management and supervisory positions have a responsibility to implement appropriate measures to prevent others from "tipping" or trading on Inside Information.
This Policy applies to family members who reside with an Insider (including a spouse, a child, a child away at college), anyone else who lives in your household, and any family members who do not live in your household but whose transactions in Company securities are directed by the Insider or are subject to the Insider’s influence or control, such as parents or children who consult with the Insider before they trade in Company securities (collectively referred to as “Family Members”). The Insider is responsible for the transactions of these other persons and therefore should make them aware of the need to confer with the Insider before they trade in Company securities; the Insider should treat all such transactions for the purposes of this Policy and applicable securities laws as if the transactions were for the Insider’s own account. This Policy does not, however, apply to personal securities transactions of Family Members where the purchase or sale decision is made by a third party not controlled by, influenced by or related to the Insider or the Family Member.
This Policy applies to any entities that the Insider influences or controls, including any corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships or trusts (collectively referred to as “Controlled Entities”), and transactions by these Controlled Entities should be treated for the purposes of this Policy and applicable securities laws as if they were for the Insider’s own account.
Certain Insiders with regular access to Inside Information are subject to heightened requirements under this Policy, as set forth in Section V.
Directors, officers, employees and consultants subject to the Policy will receive a copy of it or notice and access through our website and, from time to time, be required to sign an acknowledgment that they have reviewed the Policy, understand it and agree to abide by it.
2
Types of information that may be material include, but are not limited to: (1) earnings or revenue information; (2) mergers, acquisitions, tender offers, joint ventures or changes in assets, and offers that may lead to such transactions; (3) new products or discoveries, or developments regarding customers or suppliers, such as an acquisition or loss of a contract; (4) changes in control or in management; (5) change in auditors or auditor notification that the issuer may no longer rely on an auditor's report; (6) events regarding the issuer's securities, such as defaults on senior securities, calls of securities for redemption, repurchase plans, stock splits, special dividends, changes in dividends, spin-offs, changes to the rights of security holders, and public or private sales of additional securities; (7) events or allegations of misconduct by the Company, a subsidiary or members of management, internal or external investigations or information regarding criminal or civil litigation or actions or rulings by regulatory authorities affecting the Company; (8) cybersecurity breaches or incidents; and (9) bankruptcies or receiverships. The foregoing list is not exhaustive; other types of information may be material at any particular time, depending upon all the circumstances. Chances are, if you learn something that leads you to want to buy or sell Company securities, that information will be considered material. It is important to keep in mind that material information need not be definitive or certain information: Information that an event is likely to happen, or even just that it may happen, can be considered material.
3
This Policy applies even to transactions for which the Insider has obtained pre- clearance under Section V(A) (i.e., preclearance does not guarantee that a transaction is not in fact prohibited Insider trading).
You should consult with the Compliance Officers in any case in which disclosure may be made but such disclosure is not clearly authorized under this Section IV.B.
4
To comply with the Company's insider trading policy, a 10b5-1 plan must be approved by the General Counsel and meet the requirements of Rule 10b5-1. In general, a 10b5-1 plan must meet the following principal requirements:
5
In adopting or modifying a Rule 10b5-1 plan, a director or officer must to include a statement certifying that:
The Company reserves the right to disclose publicly the terms of a 10b5-1 trading plan, including in public filings as required by SEC rules (see Item 408 of Regulation S-K) or otherwise in the discretion of the Company. The General Counsel may impose additional restrictions on the terms and procedures for an Insider to adopt a 10b5-1 trading plan.
D. Other Guidance Regarding Trading. To promote compliance with the applicable laws and this Policy, you should view all of your transactions in the Company's securities as involving investment decisions - not speculation. "In-and-out" trading of the Company's securities is strongly discouraged. This Policy applies irrespective of: (1) whether the Inside Information was acquired from an Insider; (2) whether the Inside Information was acquired during the course of a person's activities on behalf of the Company; (3) whether the trading at issue is personal in nature or for the benefit of a third party; and, (4) whether the conduct at issue violates the statutory and legal prohibitions against insider trading or tipping. The Policy should not, however, be construed to create criminal or civil legal duties that would not otherwise exist; the Policy does, however, impose obligations that are conditions of employment, service as a director or continued relationship with the Company. In planning for Company repurchases and purchases by Insiders that may take place in the same period, compliance with laws and regulations forbidding market manipulation, including possible compliance with Rule 10b-18, should be considered in consultation with the General Counsel.
6
The Company requires that all directors, all executive officers, other employees serving on the Company’s Disclosure Committee, and, if designated by the General Counsel, other specified employees and consultants (together, “Designated Insiders”) comply with additional procedures and restrictions applicable to transactions in Company securities. Persons designated as Designated Insiders by action of the General Counsel will be notified of the designation. To further the purposes of this Policy, the General Counsel and the President have been designated as Compliance Officers for the Company.
The Company strongly encourages the ownership of Company stock by its directors and senior employees in amounts appropriate to their individual financial circumstances.
Any trading (which, again, includes purchases and sales) or other transactions in the Company securities must, however, be done in a manner consistent with this Policy. In addition, in order to guard against any inadvertent improper trading in Company securities, and to reduce the likelihood of even the appearance of any impropriety, this Policy requires that Designated Insiders, whose duties make it possible that at times they will be in possession of Inside Information, comply with the additional procedures and restrictions set forth below (the “Trading Procedures”).
The Trading Procedures applicable to a Designated Insider are as follows:
7
Note: Trades within a Window Period still require
pre-clearance under Section V.A.
notice must be provided as promptly as possible (normally on the same day as the transaction) and include relevant details regarding the completed transaction (this includes specific purchase/sale prices of shares rather than averages of prices from multiple transactions).
8
In addition to the above, directors and certain members of senior management are also subject to other requirements, including restrictions that can impose forfeitures of short-swing profits under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Trading Procedures apply to Designated Insiders while they are serving as directors, officers, employees or consultants of or to the Company. Upon termination of service, a Designated Insider is no longer subject to the Trading Procedures, although the Company recommends that voluntary compliance continue for six months after termination. In such circumstances, the General Counsel will remain available to assist you in meeting your legal obligations, including any applicable Form 144 or Form 4 filing obligations.
In appropriate circumstances, the General Counsel may make exceptions to the requirements relating to pre-clearance, trading in window periods or post-transaction notice (but not the Trading Procedures set forth in Section V(D) and (E)), where the General Counsel determines that such exception would not result in a violation of applicable law.
The penalties for unlawful trading of the Company's securities while in possession of Inside Information or communicating Inside Information to others are likely to be severe, both for the individuals involved in such conduct, their employers and "controlling persons" (i.e., persons who have the right to exercise control over the activities of others). Persons found to
9
have traded on Inside Information or to have passed such Inside Information on to others have been subjected to investigation, civil sanctions and criminal prosecution. First- time penalties include:
$2,500,000 or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided; and
The SEC and other regulatory agencies aggressively investigate possible Insider Trading violations. Such agencies have sophisticated means to identify Insider Trading activity and also to identify relationships between persons who have traded before the announcement of material information and the Insiders who may have “tipped” them.
The Company will not tolerate any illegal conduct by Insiders. Moreover, if you violate this Policy, you may be subject to internal disciplinary action, up to and including, for example, censure, fine, suspension, restriction on activities, forfeiture of bonus and immediate termination of your employment or service.
The Compliance Officers shall investigate all questionable, anomalous or suspicious trades whether discovered through scheduled reviews or otherwise. The scope and extent of any particular inquiry shall be determined by the nature of the particular trade in question. At a minimum, a Compliance Officer will contact the employee or other involved person for an explanation as to the trades in question.
The Compliance Officers will keep a record of all inquiries. The record will contain, at a minimum, the following:
In the event that one of the Compliance Officers commences an investigation or inquiry into potential insider trading or tipping, each Insider is required to provide full access to the Compliance Officer to any and all account records and documents that the Compliance Officer deems to be relevant to the investigation or inquiry and cooperate fully in all other respects with the Compliance Officer.
Promptly upon learning of an actual or potential violation of the Policy, the Compliance Officers will prepare and maintain in the Company's records a written report providing full details of the situation and any remedial action taken.
10
All of the points and procedures described in this memorandum are quite common for a public company. The Board of Directors has approved the Policy in order to ensure that both the Company and its Insiders are protected, to the maximum extent, against potential claims that Insiders are in possession of Inside Information when trading in Company securities.
While most of the situations intended to be covered by this Policy will be self-evident, there may be instances of doubt, and in such cases you should discuss the matter directly with our Compliance Officers. Needless to say, the circulation of this memorandum is simply a precautionary matter and does not indicate any awareness by management of any anticipated violation of the Policy. If you have any questions regarding the content of this memorandum, please contact either of the Compliance Officers.
Commencing in 2024, the Company will provide disclosure regarding this Policy as required by Item 408 and Item 601(b)(19) of Regulation S-K.
11
A-MARK PRECIOUS METALS, INC. RECEIPT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
To the General Counsel of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. (the “Company”):
I, , have read the Company’s Insider Trading Policy (the “Policy”), and I understand and acknowledge the principles and standards of conduct set forth in the Policy. I will adhere to and comply with the Policy.
I understand that the Company can, at its sole discretion, change, update, eliminate or deviate from the guidelines in the Policy.
I understand that this statement and agreement does not constitute or give rise to any contract of employment or a guarantee or promise from the Company or any subsidiary of any kind.
Signature
Date
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS FORM TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL
12
Exhibit 21
Active Direct and Indirect Subsidiaries of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.
(100% owned except where indicated)
|
|
|
Name of Subsidiary |
|
Jurisdiction of Incorporation |
Collateral Finance Corporation |
|
Delaware |
A-Mark Trading AG |
|
Austria |
Transcontinental Depository Services, LLC |
|
Delaware |
A-M Global Logistics, LLC |
|
Delaware |
AM&ST Associates, LLC |
|
Delaware |
Goldline, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
AM IP Assets, LLC |
|
Delaware |
AM Services, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
Precious Metals Purchasing Partners, LLC |
|
Delaware (77.7% owned) |
JM Bullion, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
Gold Price Group, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
Silver.com, Inc. |
|
Delaware |
Provident Metals Corp. |
|
Delaware |
CFC Alternative Investments, LLC |
|
Delaware |
Collectible Card Partners, LLC |
|
Delaware (50% owned) |
Marksmen Holdings, LLC |
|
Delaware |
Cybermetals, Corp |
|
Delaware |
Buy Gold and Silver Corp |
|
Delaware |
BX Corporation |
|
Delaware |
AM/LPM Ventures |
|
Delaware (95% owned) |
LPM Group, LTD |
|
Hong Kong |
LPM (Shenzhen) Trading |
|
People's Republic of China |
AM LPM Singapore PTE, LTD. |
|
Singapore |
Silver Gold Bull, Inc. |
|
Canada (55.4% owned) |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We have issued our reports dated September 13, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting included in the Annual Report of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024. We consent to the incorporation by reference of said reports in the Registration Statements of A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc. on Form S-3 (File No. 333-263935, effective April 11, 2022), and on Forms S-8 (File No. 333-268226, effective November 7, 2022, and File No. 333-238111, effective May 8, 2020).
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Newport Beach, California
September 13, 2024
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Gregory N. Roberts, certify that:
Date: |
September 13, 2024 |
/s/ Gregory N. Roberts |
|
|
|
Gregory N. Roberts |
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Kathleen Simpson-Taylor, certify that:
Date: |
September 13, 2024 |
/s/ Kathleen Simpson-Taylor |
|
|
|
Kathleen Simpson-Taylor |
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer) |
|
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.'s (the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
Date: |
September 13, 2024 |
/s/ Gregory N. Roberts |
|
|
|
Gregory N. Roberts |
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with A-Mark Precious Metals, Inc.'s (the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended June 30, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
Date: |
September 13, 2024 |
/s/ Kathleen Simpson-Taylor |
|
|
|
Kathleen Simpson-Taylor |
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer) |
|
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.