Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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.

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.

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 July 1, 2022, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses Topic 326: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASC 326"), which introduced a new credit reserving methodology known as the Current Expected Credit Loss ("CECL") model. The CECL model applies to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including accounts receivable, contract assets and held-to-maturity loan receivables. Under the CECL model, we identify allowances for credit losses based on future expected losses when accounts receivable, contract assets or held-to-maturity loan receivables are created rather than when losses are probable.

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 14 days' notice. Upon termination, the customer’s right to repurchase any remaining precious metal is forfeited, and the related precious metals are reclassified as inventory held for sale. The Company’s precious metals held under financing arrangements are marked-to-market.

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.

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 three years to twenty-five years. Depreciation and amortization commence when the related assets are placed into service. Internal-use software development costs are capitalized during the application development stage. Internal-use software costs incurred during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Land is recorded at historical cost and is not depreciated. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. We have no major planned maintenance activities related to our plant assets associated with our minting operations.

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 one year to fifteen years. We review our finite-lived intangible assets for impairment under the same policy described above for property, plant, and equipment; that is, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

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.

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 20% and 50%, although other factors are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate. Under the equity method, the carrying values of these investments are adjusted to reflect our proportionate share of the investee's net income or loss, any unrealized gain or loss resulting from the translation of foreign-denominated financial statements into U.S. dollars, and dividends received. We use the cumulative earnings approach for classifying dividends received in the statements of cash flows. Under the cumulative earnings approach, we compare the distributions received to cumulative equity method earnings since inception. Any distributions received up to the amount of cumulative equity earnings are considered a return on investment and classified in operating activities. Any excess distributions are considered a return of capital and classified in investing activities. The basis difference between the carrying value and our proportionate share of the equity method investment's book value is primarily related to consideration paid in excess of the stepped-up basis of assets and liabilities on the date of purchase.

 

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 40% interest in SGB. Also included in this acquisition was an option, which was exercisable between December 2023 and September 2024, to purchase an additional 27.6% of the outstanding equity of SGB to bring the Company's ownership interest up to 75.0%. In June 2024, the Company exercised a portion of its option and acquired an additional 8% ownership interest in SGB (see Note 1). At the same time, 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 available option to increase the Company's ownership from 75% to 70%. In accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, the resulting modified option was not determined to be separately exercisable from the remaining shares of SGB, and therefore the value is embedded within the noncontrolling interest of SGB. As of June 30, 2023, the fair value of the unexercised options was $5.3 million.

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):

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2021

 

$

1,319

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

543

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2022

 

 

1,862

 

(1)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

409

 

 

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest

 

 

(1,001

)

 

Balance as of June 30, 2023

 

 

1,270

 

(1)

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

487

 

 

Noncontrolling ownership interest contribution - AM/LPM Ventures, LLC

 

 

2,051

 

(2)

Noncontrolling ownership interests - SGB

 

 

50,652

 

(3)

Change in ownership of consolidated subsidiary

 

 

(237

)

 

Balance as of June 30, 2024

 

$

54,223

 

(4)

________________________________

(1)

Balance represents the noncontrolling interests associated with the PMPP joint venture.

(2)

In February 2024, Aquila Holding LLC purchased a 5% interest in AM/LPM Ventures, LLC for $2.1 million.

(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.”

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:

Traditional physical orders The quantity, specific product, and price are determined on the order date. Payment or sufficient credit is verified prior to delivery of the metals on the settlement date.
Consignment orders The Company delivers the items requested by the customer prior to establishing a firm order with a price. Settlement occurs and revenue is recognized once the customer confirms its order (quantity, specific product, and price) and remits full payment for the sale.
Provisional orders The quantity and type of metal is established at the order date, but the price is not set. The customer commits to purchasing the metals within a specified time period, usually within one year, at the then-current market price. The Company delivers the metal to the customer after receiving the customer’s deposit, which is typically based on 110% of the prevailing current spot price. The unpriced metal is subject to a margin call if the deposit falls below 105% of the value of the unpriced metal. The purchase price is established, and revenue is recognized at the time the customer notifies the Company that it desires to purchase the metal.
Margin orders The quantity, specific product, and price are determined at the order date; however, the customer is allowed to finance the transaction through the Company and to defer delivery by committing to remit a partial payment (approximately 20%) of the total order price. With the remittance of the partial payment, the customer locks in the purchase price for a specified time period (usually up to two years from the order date). Revenue on margin orders is recognized when the order is paid in full and delivered to the customer.
Borrowed precious metals orders for unallocated positions Customers may purchase unallocated metal positions in the Company's inventory, which includes precious metals held for CyberMetals' customers. The quantity and type of metal is established at the order date, but the specific product is not yet determined. Revenue is not recognized until the customer selects the specific precious metal product it wishes to purchase, full payment is received, and the product is delivered to the customer.

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.

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:

Secured Loans — The Company uses the effective interest method to recognize interest income on its secured loans transactions. The Company maintains a security interest in the precious metals and records interest income over the terms of the secured loan receivable. Recognition of interest income is suspended, and the loan is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future interest income is not probable. The interest income accrual is resumed, and previously suspended interest income is recognized, when the loan becomes contractually current and/or collection doubts are resolved. Cash receipts on impaired loans are recorded first against the principal and then to any unrecognized interest income. (See Note 5.)
Margin accounts The Company earns a fee (interest income) under financing arrangements related to margin orders over the period during which customers have opted to defer making full payment on the purchase of metals.
Repurchase agreements Repurchase agreements represent a form of secured financing whereby the Company sets aside specific metals for a customer and charges a fee on the outstanding value of these metals. The customer is granted the option (but not the obligation) to repurchase these metals at any time during the open reacquisition period. This fee is earned over the duration of the open reacquisition period and is classified as interest income.
Spot deferred orders Spot deferred orders are a special type of forward delivery order that enable customers to purchase or sell certain precious metals from/to the Company at an agreed upon price but, are allowed to delay remitting or taking delivery up to a maximum of two years from the date of order. Even though the contract allows for physical delivery, it rarely occurs for this type of order. As a result, revenue is not recorded from these transactions. Spot deferred orders are considered a type of financing transaction, where the Company earns a fee (interest income) under spot deferred arrangements over the period in which the order is open.

Interest Expense

The Company accounts for interest expense on the following arrangements in accordance with ASC 835:

Borrowings The Company incurs interest expense from its lines of credit, its debt obligations, and notes payable using the effective interest method. (See Note 15.) Additionally, the Company amortizes capitalized loan costs to interest expense over the period of the loan agreement.
Loan servicing fees When the Company purchases loan portfolios, the Company may have the seller service the loans that were purchased. The Company incurs a fee based on total interest charged to borrowers over the period the loans are outstanding. The servicing fee incurred by the Company is charged to interest expense.
Product financing arrangements The Company incurs financing fees (classified as interest expense) from its product financing arrangements (also referred to as reverse-repurchase arrangements) with third-party finance companies for the transfer and subsequent option to reacquire its precious metal inventory at a later date. These arrangements are accounted for as secured borrowings. During the term of this type of agreement, the third-party charges a monthly fee as a percentage of the market value of the designated inventory, which the Company intends to reacquire in the future. No revenue is generated from these arrangements. The Company enters this type of transaction for additional liquidity.
Borrowed and leased metals fees The Company may incur financing costs from its borrowed metal arrangements. The Company borrows precious metals (usually in the form of pool metals) from its suppliers and customers under short-term arrangements using other precious metals as collateral. Typically, during the term of these arrangements, the third-party charges a monthly fee as a percentage of the market value of the metals borrowed (determined at the spot price) plus certain processing and other fees.

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 $2.4 million, $2.1 million, and $2.7 million for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

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 $15.3 million, $15.9 million, and $12.2 million for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Costs associated with the marketing and promotion of the Company's products are included within selling, general, and administrative expenses. Advertising costs associated with the operation of our SilverPrice.org and GoldPrice.org websites, which provide price information on silver, gold, and cryptocurrencies, are not included within selling, general, and administrative expenses, but are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.

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 $21.9 million, $28.4 million, and $25.6 million for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

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.)

 

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):

 

 

Year Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Basic weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

 

 

23,092

 

 

 

23,400

 

 

 

22,806

 

Effect of common stock equivalents

 

 

1,029

 

 

 

1,249

 

 

 

1,524

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

 

 

24,121

 

 

 

24,649

 

 

 

24,330

 

 

The anti-dilutive shares excluded from the table above were 23,000, 29,000, and 43,000 for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Actual common shares outstanding totaled 22,953,391, 23,336,387, and 23,379,888 as of June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

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").

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.