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Summary of material accounting policy information
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Corporate information and statement of IFRS compliance [abstract]  
Summary of material accounting policy information Summary of material accounting policy information
Statement of compliance
These annual audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 ("financial statements") have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
They have been authorized for issue by a resolution of the board of directors of the Company on February 20, 2024 and include all subsequent events up to that date.
Basis of presentation
These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and on a historical cost basis, except for certain financial instruments classified as fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL") and which are measured at fair value to the extent required or permitted under IFRS and as set out in the relevant accounting policies. The financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand ($000), except when indicated otherwise.
Principles of consolidation
These financial statements of the Company are prepared on a consolidated basis so as to include the accounts of all limited partnerships and corporations the Company is deemed to control under IFRS. Controlled limited partnerships and corporations ("subsidiaries") are consolidated from the date the Company obtains control. All intercompany balances with subsidiaries are eliminated upon consolidation. Subsidiary financial statements are prepared for the same reporting period as the Company and are based on accounting policies consistent with that of the Company.
The Company records third-party interest in the funds which do not qualify to be equity due to redeemable or limited life features, as non-controlling interest liabilities. Such interests are initially recognized at fair value, with any changes recorded in the Other expenses line of the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Control exists if the Company has power over the entity, exposure or rights to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and the ability to use its power over the entity to affect the amount of returns the Company receives. In many, but not all instances, control will exist when the Company owns more than one half of the voting rights of a corporation, or is the sole limited and general partner of a limited partnership.
The Company currently controls the following principal subsidiaries:
Sprott Asset Management LP ("SAM");
Sprott U.S. Holdings Inc. ("SUSHI"), parent of: (1) SGRIL Holdings Inc. ("SGRIL Holdings"); (2) Sprott Global Resource Investments Ltd. ("SGRIL"); (3) Sprott Asset Management USA Inc. ("SAM US"); and (4) Resource Capital Investment Corporation ("RCIC"). Collectively, the interests of SUSHI are referred to as "US entities" in these financial statements;
Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corporation and Sprott Private Resource Streaming and Royalty (Management) Corp. ("SRSR");
Sprott Resource Lending Corp. ("SRLC"); and
Sprott Inc. 2011 Employee Profit Sharing Plan Trust (the "Trust").
During the year, the Company exited its non-core Canadian broker-dealer (Sprott Capital Partners) and non-core asset management business domiciled in Korea ("Korea"). Details of the transactions can be found in Note 5.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit with banks and with carrying brokers, which are not subject to restrictions, and short-term interest bearing notes and treasury bills with a term to maturity of less than three months from the date of purchase.
Investments
Investments include equity kickers received as consideration during private strategies, managed equities and broker-dealer activities as well as investments in private companies and are measured at FVTPL.
Co-investments
Co-investments are investments the Company makes alongside clients of the various fund strategies it manages to demonstrate the commitment and confidence the Company has in investment strategies that they promote and operate. Included in co-investments are the Company's investment in the fund products previously managed by its non-core asset management business domiciled in Korea.
Financial instruments
Classification and measurement of financial assets
Financial assets are measured on initial recognition at fair value, and are classified and subsequently measured at FVTPL, amortized cost or fair value through other comprehensive income ("FVOCI").
Financial assets are measured at amortized cost if the contractual terms of the instrument give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding and it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows.
Financial assets are measured at FVOCI if the contractual terms of the instrument give rise to cash flows that are solely for payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding and it is held within a business model whose objective is both to hold assets to collect contractual cash flow and to sell financial assets. For equity instruments that are not held for trading, the Company may also elect to irrevocably elect, on an investment by investment basis, to present changes in the fair value of an investment through other comprehensive income.
All financial assets that are not measured at amortized cost or FVOCI are measured at FVTPL. This includes all derivative financial assets the Company may hold.
Valuation of investments
Investments include public equities, share purchase warrants, fixed income securities, mutual funds, private companies (including digital gold strategies) and alternative investment strategies, while co-investments are investments held in the funds managed or previously managed by the Company. Public equities, share purchase warrants and fixed income securities are measured at fair value and are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Mutual fund and alternative investment strategy investments are valued using the net asset value per unit of the fund, which represents the underlying net assets at fair values determined using closing market prices. These investments are generally made in the process of launching a new fund and are redeemed (if open-end) or sold (if closed-end) as third party investors subscribe. The balance represents the Company's maximum exposure to loss associated with the investments. Private holdings include private company investments which are classified as FVTPL and carried at fair value based on the value of the Company's interests from financial information provided by management of the private companies, which may include operating results, subsequent rounds of financing and other appropriate information. Any change in fair value is recognized in gain (loss) on investments on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Fair value hierarchy
All financial instruments recognized at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are classified into three fair value hierarchy levels as follows:
Level 1: valuation based on quoted prices (unadjusted) observed in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: valuation techniques based on inputs that are quoted prices of similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices used in a valuation model that are observable for that instrument; and inputs that are derived from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means; and
Level 3: valuation techniques with significant unobservable market inputs.
The Company will transfer financial instruments into or out of levels in the fair value hierarchy on the reporting date to the extent the instrument no longer satisfies the criteria for inclusion in the category in question. Level 3 valuations are prepared by the Company and reviewed and approved by management at each reporting date. Valuation results, including the appropriateness of model inputs, are compared to actual market transactions to the extent readily available. Valuations of level 3 assets are also discussed with the Audit and Risk Management Committee as deemed necessary by the Company.
Offsetting of financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount reported on the consolidated balance sheets if, and only if, there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.
Impairment of financial assets
Expected credit losses are a probability-weighted estimate of future credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of the difference between the cash flows due to the Company in accordance with the contract and the cash flows the Company expects to receive.
Recognition of income and related expenses
The Company receives variable consideration in the form of management fees, which are allocated to distinct time periods in which the management services are being provided. Management fees are recognized when they are no longer susceptible to market factors and no longer subject to a significant reversal in revenue.
The Company may also earn variable consideration in the form of carried interest and performance fees. These fees are recognized when they are no longer susceptible to market factors or subject to significant reversal in revenue, which is determined subject to agreements with the underlying funds.
Commission income is recognized when the related services are rendered and no longer subject to a significant reversal in revenue.
Finance income, which includes co-investment income from private strategies LP units and interest income from brokerage client accounts, is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method. Under the effective interest method, the interest rate realized is not necessarily the same as the stated rate in the loan or debenture documents. The effective interest rate is the rate required to discount the future value of all loan or debenture cash flows to their present value and is adjusted for the receipt of cash and non-cash items in connection with the loan.
Costs related to obtaining a contract with clients ("placement fees") are amortized on a systematic basis related to the transfer of services to those clients.
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are amortized on a declining balance basis over the expected useful life which ranges from 1 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Artwork is not amortized since it does not have a determinable useful life. The residual values, useful life and methods of amortization for property and equipment are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted prospectively, if necessary. Any loss resulting from the impairment of property and equipment is expensed in the period the impairment is identified.
Intangible assets
The useful life of an intangible asset is either finite or indefinite. Intangible assets other than goodwill are recognized when they are separable or arise from contractual or other legal rights, and have fair values that can be reliably measured.
Intangible assets that are purchased are measured at the acquisition date and include the fair value of considerations transferred, and include an estimate for contingent consideration where applicable.
Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful economic life and assessed for impairment indicators at each reporting date, or more frequently if changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value is greater than its recoverable amount. Intangible assets with finite lives are only tested for impairment if indicators of impairment exist at the time of an impairment assessment. The amortization period and the amortization method for an intangible asset with a finite useful life is reviewed at each reporting date. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset is accounted for by changing the amortization period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortization expense and any impairment losses on intangible assets with finite lives are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are assessed for impairment indicators at each reporting date, or more frequently if changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value is greater than its recoverable amount. In addition to impairment indicator assessments, indefinite life intangibles must be tested annually for impairment. The indefinite life of an intangible asset is reviewed annually to determine whether the indefinite life continues to be supportable. If no longer supportable, changes in useful life from indefinite to finite are made prospectively.
Any loss resulting from the impairment of intangible assets is expensed in the period the impairment is identified. Any gain resulting from an impairment reversal of intangible assets is recognized in the period the impairment reversal is identified but cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of amortization and impairment) had no impairment loss been recognized for the intangible asset in prior periods.
Business combinations and goodwill
The purchase price of an acquisition accounted for under the acquisition method is allocated based on the fair values of the net identifiable assets acquired. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of such identifiable net assets is recorded as goodwill.
Goodwill, which is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses, is not amortized, but rather, is assessed for impairment indicators at each reporting date, or more frequently if changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. In addition to quarterly impairment indicator assessments, goodwill must be tested annually for impairment. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Company's cash generating units ("CGUs") that are expected to benefit from the acquisition. The recoverable amount of a CGU is compared to its carrying value plus any goodwill allocated to the CGU. If the recoverable amount of a CGU is less than its carrying value plus allocated goodwill, an impairment charge is recognized, first against the carrying value of the goodwill, with any remaining difference being applied against the carrying value of assets contained in the impacted CGUs. Impairment losses on goodwill are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and cannot be subsequently reversed.
Income taxes
Income tax is comprised of current and deferred tax.
Income tax is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in other comprehensive income or elsewhere in equity, in which case, the related taxes are also recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) or elsewhere in equity.
Deferred taxes are recognized using the liability method for temporary differences that exist between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and the amounts attributed to such assets and liabilities for tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the enacted or substantively enacted tax rates that are expected to apply when the differences related to the assets or liabilities reported for tax purposes are expected to reverse in the future. Deferred tax assets are recognized only when it is probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available or taxable temporary differences reversing in future periods against which deductible temporary differences may be utilized.
Deferred taxes liabilities are not recognized on the following temporary differences:
Temporary differences on the initial recognition of assets and liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss;
Taxable temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures or joint operations to the extent they are controlled by the Company and they will not reverse in the foreseeable future; and
Taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill.
The Company records a provision for uncertain tax positions if it is probable that the Company will have to make a payment to tax authorities upon their examination of a tax position. This provision is measured at the Company's best estimate of the amount expected to be paid. Provisions are reversed to income in the period in which management assesses they are no longer required or determined by statute.
The measurement of tax assets and liabilities requires an assessment of the potential tax consequences of items that can only be resolved through agreement with the tax authorities. While the ultimate outcome of such tax audits and discussions cannot be determined with certainty, management estimates the level of provisions required for both current and deferred taxes.
Share-based payments
The Company uses the fair value method to account for equity settled share-based payments with employees and directors. Compensation expense is determined using the Black‑Scholes option valuation model for stock options.
Compensation expense for the share incentive program is determined based on the fair value of the benefit conferred on the employee. Compensation expense for deferred stock units ("DSU") is determined based on the value of the Company's common shares at the time of grant. Compensation expense for earn-out shares is determined using appropriate valuation models. Compensation expense related to the Company's Employee Profit Sharing Plan is determined based on the value of the Company's common shares purchased by the Trust as of the grant date.
Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period with a corresponding increase to contributed surplus other than for the Company's DSUs where the corresponding increase is to liabilities. Stock options and common shares held by the Trust vest in installments which may require a graded vesting methodology to account for these share-based awards. On the exercise of stock options for shares, the contributed surplus previously recorded with respect to the exercised options and the consideration paid is credited to capital stock. On the issuance of the earn-out shares, the contributed surplus previously recorded with respect to the issued earn-out shares is credited to capital stock. On the vesting of common shares in the Trust, the contributed surplus previously recorded is credited to capital stock. On the exercise of DSUs, the liability previously recorded is credited to cash.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, after applying the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive impact, if any, of stock options and unvested shares purchased for the Trust. The treasury stock method determines the number of incremental common shares by assuming that the number of dilutive securities the Company has granted to employees have been issued.
Lease commitments
The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability as at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost and subsequently at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of future lease payments over the anticipated lease term, discounted using the Company's incremental borrowing rate. The right-of-use asset is presented in the property and equipment line of the consolidated balance sheets and the short and long-term portions of the lease liability are presented in the accounts payable and accrued liabilities line and other accrued liabilities line, respectively, of the consolidated balance sheets. The Company used the practical expedient when applying IFRS 16, Leases for short-term leases under 12 months and low-value assets such as IT equipment, with lease payments being expensed as they are incurred.
Reportable segments
Effective in the first quarter of this year, the brokerage segment no longer met the definition of a reportable segment under IFRS 8, Operating Segments ("IFRS 8"). Consequently, this segment was retroactively included as part of "All other segments" and all comparative balances have been restated. Please refer to Note 14 for segment information.
Contingent consideration
The acquisition of the management contracts of the North Shore Global Uranium Mining ETF ("URNM acquisition") in 2022 necessitated the recognition of contingent consideration payable for the amount payable in the future under the terms of the purchase agreement. The consideration is subject to certain financial performance conditions based on the average AUM of the fund over the two-year period from closing of the transaction. The key judgements utilized in the estimation of the contingent consideration were fund flow assumptions. The contingent consideration liability is carried at fair value and included in other accrued liabilities. The contingent consideration estimate as at the acquisition date has been included in the cost of the indefinite life intangible (see Note 7).
Foreign currency translation
Accounts in the financial statements of the Company's subsidiaries are measured using their functional currency, being the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. The Company's performance is evaluated and its liquidity is managed in Canadian dollars. Therefore, the Canadian dollar is the functional currency of the Company. The Canadian dollar is also the functional currency of all its subsidiaries, with the exception of U.S. entities, which uses the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of U.S. entities are translated into Canadian dollars using the rate in effect on the date of the consolidated balance sheets. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate over the reporting period. Foreign currency translation gains and losses arising from the Company's translation of its net investment in U.S. entities companies, including goodwill and the identified intangible assets, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss as a separate component within shareholders' equity until there has been a realized reduction in the value of the underlying investment. The Company's presentation currency is the U.S. dollar, and as such, all assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate as at the reporting date, while equity transactions are translated at the historical exchange rate at the date of the transaction. The statement of operations has been translated at the average exchange rate of the reporting period. Exchange differences arising on translation are presented in the accumulated other comprehensive loss line in shareholders' equity on the balance sheet.
Significant accounting judgments and estimates
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are described below. The Company based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when these financial statements were prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments may change due to market changes or circumstances arising beyond the control of the Company. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions and estimates as they occur.
Fair value of financial instruments
When the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets cannot be derived from active markets, they are determined using valuation techniques and models. Model inputs are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, unobservable inputs may be used. These unobservable inputs include, but are not limited to, projected cash flows, discount rates, comparable recent transactions, volatility of underlying securities in warrant valuations and extraction recovery rates of mining projects. The use of unobservable inputs can involve significant judgment and materially affect the reported fair value of financial instruments.
Investments in other entities
IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements ("IFRS 10") and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures ("IAS 28") provide for the use of judgment in determining whether an investee should be included within the consolidated financial statements of the Company and on what basis (subsidiary, joint venture or associate). Significant judgment is applied in evaluating facts and circumstances relevant to the Company and investee, including: (1) the extent of the Company's direct and indirect interests in the investee; (2) the level of compensation to be received from the investee for management and other services provided to it; (3) "kick out rights" available to other investors in the investee; and (4) other indicators of the extent of power that the Company has over the investee.
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
All indefinite life intangible assets and goodwill are assessed for impairment, however, finite life intangibles are only tested for impairment to the extent indications of impairment exist at time of a quarterly assessment. In the case of goodwill and indefinite life intangibles, an annual test for impairment augments the quarterly impairment indicator assessments. The recoverable amounts associated with goodwill and intangibles involve estimates and assumptions, including those with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates and asset lives, and are determined using the value-in-use method. These estimates require significant judgment regarding market growth rates, discount rates, fund flow assumptions, expected margins and costs which could affect the Company's future results if estimates of future performance and fair value change.
Contingent consideration
The acquisition of the Sprott Uranium Miners ETF in 2022 necessitated the recognition of contingent consideration for the amounts payable in cash under the terms of the purchase agreement. The consideration is subject to certain financial performance conditions based on the average AUM of the fund over the two-year period from closing of the transaction. The key judgments utilized in the estimation of the contingent consideration were fund flow and market value assumptions.