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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | NOTE 2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: USGB, USBERM, USCAN and U.S. Global Indices, LLC. The Company, through USCAN, owns 65 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Galileo, which represents controlling interest of Galileo. Galileo is consolidated with USCAN and the non-controlling interest in this subsidiary is included in “non-controlling interest in subsidiary” in the equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. There are two primary consolidation models in U.S. GAAP, the variable interest entity (“VIE”) and voting interest entity models. The Company’s evaluation for consolidation includes whether entities in which it has an interest or from which it receives fees are VIEs and whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of any VIEs identified in its analysis. A VIE is an entity in which either (a) the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its own activities without additional financial support or (b) the group of holders of the equity investment at risk lacks certain characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has the obligation to absorb a majority of the expected losses or the right to receive the majority of the residual returns and consolidates the VIE on the basis of having a controlling financial interest. The Company holds variable interests in, but is not deemed to be the primary beneficiary of, certain funds it advises, specifically, certain funds in USGIF and, until November 2017, one of the offshore funds. The Company’s interests in these VIEs consist of the Company’s direct ownership therein and any fees earned but uncollected. In the ordinary course of business, the Company may choose to waive certain fees or assume operating expenses of the funds it advises for competitive, regulatory or contractual reasons (see Note 4 for information regarding fee waivers). The Company has not provided financial support to any of these entities outside the ordinary course of business. The Company’s risk of loss with respect to these VIEs is limited to the carrying value of its investments in, and fees receivable from, the entities. The Company does not consolidate these VIEs because it is not the primary beneficiary. The Company’s total exposure to unconsolidated VIEs, consisting of the carrying value of investment securities and receivables for fees, was $8.8 million at June 30, 2019, and $9.6 million at June 30, 2018. Since the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the above funds it advises, the Company evaluated if it should consolidate under the voting interest entity model. Under the voting interest model, for legal entities other than partnerships, the usual condition for control is ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting shares over an entity. The Company does not have control of any of the above funds it advises; therefore, the Company does not consolidate any of these funds. The Company currently holds a variable interest in a fund organized as a limited partnership advised by Galileo, and during fiscal year 2018 and 2019 held variable interests in two other funds advised by Galileo, but these entities do not qualify as VIEs. Since they are not VIEs, the Company evaluated if it should consolidate them under the voting interest entity model. Under the voting interest model, for legal entities other than partnerships, the usual condition for control is ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than 50 percent of the outstanding voting shares over an entity. The Company does not have control of the entities and, therefore, does not consolidate them. However, the Company was considered to have the ability to exercise significant influence. Thus, the investments have been accounted for under the equity method of accounting. See further information about these investments in Note 3. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Business Combinations. Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Results of operations of an acquired business are included from the date of acquisition. Management estimates the fair value of the acquired assets, including identifiable intangible assets, assumed liabilities, and non-controlling interest in the acquiree based on their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred over fair value of the acquired net assets, if any, is recorded as “goodwill” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any excess fair value of the acquired net assets over the acquisition date fair value of the consideration transferred is recorded as a gain on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Restricted Cash. Restricted cash represents cash invested in a money market account as collateral for credit facilities that is not available for general corporate use. Investments. The Company records security transactions on trade date. Realized gains (losses) from security transactions are calculated on the first-in/first-out cost basis, unless otherwise identifiable, and are recorded in earnings on the date of sale. Investments in Equity Securities. Equity securities are generally carried at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in the fair value recorded through earnings within investment income (loss). Investments in Debt Securities. The Company classifies debt investments as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity based on the Company’s intent to sell the security or, its intent and ability to hold the debt security to maturity. Available-for-sale debt securities are reported at fair value, and changes in unrealized gains and losses are reported net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Upon the disposition of an available-for-sale security, the Company reclassifies the gain or loss on the security from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to investment income (loss). Held-to-maturity debt securities are purchased with the intent and ability to hold until maturity and are measured at amortized cost. Other Investments. Other investments consist of equity investments in entities over which the Company is unable to exercise significant influence and which do not have readily determinable fair values. For these securities, the Company generally elects to value using the measurement alternative, under which such securities will be measured at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes for identical or similar securities of the same issuer with such changes recorded in investment income (loss). Equity Method Investments. Investments classified as equity method consist of investments in companies in which the Company is able to exercise significant influence but not control. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is initially recorded at cost, then the Company’s proportional share of investee’s underlying net income or loss is recorded as a component of “other income” with a corresponding increase or decrease to the carrying value of the investment. Distributions received from the investee reduce the Company’s carrying value of the investment. These investments are evaluated for impairment if events or circumstances arise that indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. No impairment was recognized for the Company’s equity method investment during the years presented. Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The financial instruments of the Company are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at market or fair values or at carrying amounts that approximate fair values. Receivables. Receivables other than notes receivable consist primarily of advisory and other fees owed to the Company by clients. Receivables also include advisory fees owed to Galileo by the funds and clients it manages. The Company also invests in notes receivable. Notes receivable are recorded in accordance with the terms of the agreement, and accrued interest is recorded when earned. Unearned fees are shown as a deduction from the related notes receivable and are amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. The Company reviews the need for an allowance for credit losses for notes and other receivables based on various factors including payment history, historical bad debt experience, existing economic conditions, aging and specific accounts identified as high risk. Uncollectible receivables, if any, are charged against the allowance when all reasonable efforts to collect the amounts due have been exhausted. The Company had no allowance for credit losses as of June 30, 2019, or 2018. Property and Equipment. Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Except for Galileo, depreciation for fixed assets is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each asset as follows: furniture and equipment are depreciated over 3 to 10 years, and the building and related improvements are depreciated over 14 to 40 years. Galileo fixed assets, consisting of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, are depreciated over 2 to 5 years. Leases. The Company and its subsidiaries lease equipment and office space under various leasing arrangements. Leases may be classified as either capital leases or operating leases, as appropriate. Current lease agreements are classified as operating leases and most contain renewal options. Rent expense under non-cancelable operating leases with scheduled rent increases or rent incentives is accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. The Company reviews property and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the net book values of the assets may not be recoverable. Impairment is indicated when the assets’ net book value is less than fair value of the asset. If this occurs, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and net book value. Factors that indicate potential impairment include: a significant decrease in the market value of the asset or a significant change in the asset’s physical condition or use. No impairments of long-lived assets were recorded during the years included in these financial statements. Intangible Asset. Management periodically evaluates the remaining useful lives and carrying values of intangible assets to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that a change in the useful life or impairment in value may have occurred. Indicators of impairment monitored by management include a decline in the level of managed assets, changes to contractual provisions underlying the intangible assets and reductions in underlying operating cash flows. Should there be an indication of a change in the useful life or impairment in value of the finite-lived intangible asset, the Company compares the carrying value of the asset and its related useful life to the projected discounted cash flows expected to be generated from the underlying managed assets over its remaining useful life to determine whether impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds the discounted cash flows, the asset is written down to its fair value determined using discounted cash flows. Non-Controlling Interests. The Company reports “non-controlling interest in subsidiary” as equity, separate from parent’s equity, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations includes “net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest.” Treasury Stock. Treasury stock purchases are accounted for under the cost method. The subsequent issuances of these shares are accounted for based on their weighted-average cost basis. Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award, and the cost is recognized as expense ratably over the award’s vesting period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. Income Taxes. The Company and its non-Canadian subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. USCAN and Galileo file separate tax returns in Canada. Provisions for income taxes include deferred taxes for temporary differences in the bases of assets and liabilities for financial and tax purposes, resulting from the use of the liability method of accounting for income taxes. The liability method requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance in cases where it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of June 30, 2019, the Company did not have any accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years from 2015 through 2018 remain open to examination by the U.S. Federal tax jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The tax years from 2012 through 2018 remain open to examination by the non-U.S. Federal tax jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. Revenue Recognition. The Company’s operating revenue is earned from investment advisory and administrative services provided to clients. Each distinct service promised in the agreements is considered a performance obligation and is the basis for determining when revenue is recognized. The fees are allocated to each distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized when, or as, promises are satisfied. The consideration for services is generally variable and included in net revenues when it is improbable that a significant reversal could occur in the future. The timing of when clients are billed and related payment received varies in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms. For current agreements, billing occurs after the Company has recognized revenue which results in accounts receivable and accrued revenue. Investment Advisory Fees. The investment advisory agreements have a single performance obligation, since the promised services are not separately identifiable from other promises in the agreements and, therefore, are not distinct. Investment advisory fees are comprised of two components, a base fee and a performance fee, if applicable. Base investment advisory fees are recognized as the services are performed over time and are based upon agreed-upon percentages of average assets under management (“AAUM”), depending on contractual terms. These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days. Investment advisory fees are affected by changes in assets under management, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation, and net inflows or outflows. Investment advisory fees are reported net of fee waivers. Performance Fees. USGI receives investment advisory performance fees from certain funds. Performance fees for the equity funds within USGIF are a fulcrum fee that is a 0.25 percent adjustment upwards or downwards of the base investment advisory fees when there is a 5 percent difference between a fund’s performance and that of its benchmark index over the prior rolling 12 months. Performance fees are recorded when it is determined that they are no longer probable of significant reversal. These fees are received in cash or paid in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days. Performance fees are affected by changes in fund performance, benchmark index performance, and assets under management. Investment Advisory Fees - Canada. Galileo investment advisory agreements have a single performance obligation, since the promised services are not separately identifiable from other promises in the agreements and, therefore, are not distinct. Galileo investment advisory fees are recognized as the services are performed over time and are based upon agreed-upon percentages of AAUM or assets under management, depending on contractual terms. These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days. Galileo investment advisory fees are affected by changes in assets under management, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation, and net inflows or outflows. Performance Fees - Canada. Galileo receives investment advisory performance fees from certain funds. These performance fees are dependent upon exceeding contractual return thresholds, and include an annual measurement period. Performance fees are recognized when it is determined that they are no longer probable of significant reversal, typically on an annual basis. Due to changes in funds managed and new agreements in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, these fees will be recognized on a quarterly basis going forward. These fees are received in cash typically within 60 days after measurement date. Administrative Services Fees. The administrative services agreement has a single performance obligation, since the promised services are not separately identifiable from other promises in the agreement and, therefore, are not distinct. Administrative services fees are recognized as the services are performed over time and are based upon agreed-upon percentages of AAUM. These fees are received in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days. Administrative services fees are affected by changes in assets under management, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation, and net inflows or outflows. Administrative services fees are reported net of fee waivers. Fee Waivers. For certain clients, the Company has agreed to contractually limit the expenses or voluntarily waived or reduced its fees and/or agreed to pay expenses for the remaining USGIF funds. These fee waivers are deemed to be a reduction of the transaction price and are reported as a reduction of investment advisory fees and/or administrative services fees. These fees are paid in cash after the end of each monthly period within 30 days. Dividends and Interest. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date, and interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Any discount between the cost and the principal amount of debt investments is amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. Both dividends and interest income are included in investment income. Advertising Costs. The Company expenses advertising costs as they are incurred. The Company is reimbursed for certain advertising expenses related to USGIF from the distributor for USGIF. Foreign Exchange. The balance sheets of certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company and certain foreign-denominated investment products are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the accounting period and the related income or loss is translated at the average exchange rate in effect during the period. Net exchange gains and losses resulting from balance sheet translations of foreign subsidiaries are excluded from income and are recorded in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net exchange gains and losses resulting from income or loss translations are included in income and are recorded in “investment income (loss)” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Investment transactions denominated in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate on the date of the transaction and any related gain or loss is included in “investment income (loss)” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Earnings Per Share. The Company computes and presents earnings per share attributable to U.S. Global Investors, Inc. in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to U.S. Global Investors, Inc. by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of EPS that could occur if options to issue common stock were exercised. The Company has two classes of common stock with outstanding shares. Both classes share equally in dividend and liquidation preferences. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and includes any unrealized gains and losses on debt securities classified as available-for-sale, foreign currency translation adjustments, and prior to fiscal year 2019, the unrealized gains and losses on equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Developments Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Period The FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and several amendments (collectively, “ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. The Company adopted this guidance on July 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method. Under this method, entities are required to report any effect from adoption as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings at the adoption date. The adoption of the standard did not have an effect on opening retained earnings, net income or earnings per share measures as the Company determined that its policy for recognition of investment advisory fees, performance fees, administrative service fees, and fee waivers prior to our adoption is consistent with the updated revenue recognition requirements of ASU 2014-09, as amended. The Company has applied the guidance to all contracts that were not completed on the effective date of adoption and determined that the new guidance does not change how the Company recognized revenue. The impact of ASU 2014-09 on the timing of recognition of performance fee revenues may result in future performance fees being recognized earlier under ASU 2014-09, but this will depend on the terms and conditions in any future relevant agreements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 amends the guidance on the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities. It also amends certain presentation and disclosure requirements. Under the amended guidance, all equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) will generally be measured at fair value through earnings. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification (changes in fair value reported in other comprehensive income) for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10) (“ASU 2018-03”) to clarify certain aspects of the guidance in ASU 2016-01. U.S. Global adopted ASU 2018-03 at the same time as ASU 2016-01. To adopt the amendments, entities are required to make a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the guidance is effective. The Company adopted this guidance on July 1, 2018, and reclassified $3.1 million in unrealized gains and $1.0 million in related deferred tax expense from Accumulated Comprehensive Income into Retained Earnings. Effective July 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of the Company’s equity investments previously classified as available-for-sale are reported through earnings rather than through other comprehensive income. For equity investments without a readily determinable fair value that are were accounted for using the cost method, the Company has elected to measure such securities at cost, adjusted for impairments and observable price changes. The Company expects that future net income or loss will be more volatile as a result of these changes in accounting for our investments in available-for-sale and cost method equity securities. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 clarified how certain cash receipts and cash payments are classified and presented on the Statement of Cash Flows, including distributions from equity method investees. The Company adopted this guidance on July 1, 2018, retrospectively to all periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”). The new guidance eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Entities will no longer be required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but public companies will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. The new guidance is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity was permitted to early adopt either the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify requirements. The Company early adopted this guidance in entirety in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 with no significant change to disclosures. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, and has subsequently issued several amendments (collectively, “ASU 2016-02”), which replaces existing lease accounting guidance. ASU 2016-02 introduces a lessee model that brings most leases on the balance sheet by recording a lease asset and a lease liability. The new standard also requires enhanced disclosure surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing agreements. The new guidance will be effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. The Company expects to elect the transition method at the adoption date of July 1, 2019, whereby it initially applies the new standard at the adoption date, versus at the beginning of the earliest period presented. Upon adoption, the Company will elect the package of transition practical expedients which would allow the Company to carry forward prior conclusions related to: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (iii) initial direct costs for existing leases. Additionally, the Company will elect the practical expedient to not separate lease components from nonlease components for all except real estate leases. The Company will make an accounting policy election to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the Consolidated Balance Sheets and will recognize related lease payments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s current leases are primarily for equipment and for office space for the Canadian subsidiary. The Company does not expect that adoption will have a material impact on its Consolidated Statements of Operations. The adoption, however, will result in a gross up in total assets and total liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon adoption on July 1, 2019, the Company's total assets and total liabilities will increase by less than $400,000. See Note 10 for more information on the Company’s future minimum lease payments as of June 30, 2019. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and has subsequently issued several amendments (collectively, “ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model (known as the current expected credit loss model) that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public business entities that are SEC filers for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. Earlier application is permitted only for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”). ASU 2018-02 allows entities the option to reclassify tax effects resulting from recording the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Act”) enacted in December 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The guidance is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. An entity that adopts the guidance in an annual or interim period after the period of enactment will be able to choose whether to apply the amendments retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the Act is recognized or to apply the amendments in the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments (“ASU 2019-04”). ASU 2019-04 clarifies areas of guidance related to the recently issued standards on credit losses (Topic 326), derivatives and hedging (Topic 815), and recognition and measurement of financial instruments (Topic 825). The standard follows the effective dates of the previously issued ASUs, unless an entity has already early adopted the previous ASUs, in which case the effective date will vary according to each specific ASU adoption. The new guidance in ASU 2019-04 on recognizing and measuring financial instruments is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. If an entity has adopted all of the amendments to ASU 2016-01, it is permitted to early adopt the new guidance. The Company does not believe the adoption of this new amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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