U.S. Global Investors(GROW) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Quarterly average assets under management were $1.4 billion, operating revenues were $2.25 million, and net income was $1.5 million, representing a significant increase from the previous year [26][28][29] - Operating revenues increased by $94,000 or 4% from the same quarter last year, primarily due to increases in advisory and administrative fees for equity mutual funds [27] - Net income after taxes increased by $1.2 million compared to the same quarter last fiscal year, rising from $315,000 to $1.5 million [28][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Operating expenses increased by $50,000 or 2%, mainly due to higher employee compensation and advertising expenses related to expanded ETF marketing efforts [28] - The company has maintained a strong balance sheet with high levels of cash and investments, including approximately $24.6 million in cash and cash equivalents [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The gold market has seen significant volatility, with gold reaching an all-time high of $4,300 before undergoing a correction [18][19] - The company noted a rebound in fund assets compared to the previous year, indicating improved overall revenue [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on creating thematic products using Smart Beta 2.0 strategy, which involves rigorous backtesting and active money management [6][7] - A two-pillar strategy is in place to enhance shareholder value through dividends and stock buybacks, with a current share repurchase program purchasing 159,074 Class A shares [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, indicating that the worst impacts of the election and tariff battles are hopefully behind the company [11] - The company remains committed to thematic investing, particularly in gold and precious metals, and believes that current market conditions make resource assets attractive [20][21] Other Important Information - The company has been actively engaging with shareholders through various marketing channels, including YouTube and social media, to provide insights and updates [31][32] - The company has a strong commitment to educational resources, offering white papers on defense and AI sectors, as well as the business model of gold royalty and streaming companies [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for gold and gold equities? - Management noted that gold has outperformed the S&P 500 and emphasized the importance of having 10%-15% of a diversified portfolio in gold and gold stocks, as recommended by Ray Dalio [19][21] Question: How is the company managing its stock buyback program? - The company is buying back shares when the stock price is flat or down, using a simple algorithm to enhance shareholder value [9][10] Question: What are the company's views on the current macroeconomic environment? - Management highlighted concerns about rising global debt levels and their implications for gold as a diversifier in investment portfolios [20][21]