A-Mark Precious Metals Inc

Previous wording

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes contained elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and in the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, particularly in “Risk Factors.”

Current wording

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes contained elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, and in the audited consolidated financial statements and notes contained in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, particularly in “Risk Factors.”

Previous wording

Non-GAAP Measures. This section provides an analysis of our non-GAAP measures with a reconciliation to the most directly comparable U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) measure reported on the condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company uses the following two non-GAAP measures:

Current wording

Non-GAAP Measures. This section provides an analysis of our non-GAAP measures with a reconciliation to the most directly comparable U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) measure reported on the consolidated financial statements. The Company uses the following two non-GAAP measures:

Previous wording

Critical accounting policies and estimates. This section discusses critical accounting policies that are considered both important to our financial condition and results of operations and require management to make significant judgment and estimates. All of our significant accounting policies, including the critical accounting policies, are also summarized in Note 2 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Current wording

Critical accounting policies and estimates. This section discusses critical accounting policies that are considered both important to our financial condition and results of operations and require management to make significant judgment and estimates. All of our significant accounting policies, including the critical accounting policies, are summarized in Note 2 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Previous wording

The Company operates its Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment directly and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, A-Mark Trading AG (“AMTAG”), Transcontinental Depository Services, LLC ("TDS" or “Storage”), A-M Global Logistics, LLC (“AMGL” or "Logistics"), AM&ST Associates, LLC ("AMST" or the “Silver Towne Mint"), and AM/LPM Ventures, LLC, which we formed in February 2024 to acquire LPM Group Limited ("LPM").

Current wording

The Company operates its Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment directly and through its consolidated subsidiaries, A-Mark Trading AG (“AMTAG”), Transcontinental Depository Services, LLC ("TDS" or “Storage”), A-M Global Logistics, LLC (“AMGL” or "Logistics"), AM&ST Associates, LLC ("AMST" or the “Silver Towne Mint"), and AM/LPM Ventures, LLC, which we formed to acquire LPM Group Limited ("LPM").

Previous wording

The Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment operates as a full-service precious metals company. We offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in the form of bars, plates, powder, wafers, grain, ingots, and coins. Our Industrial unit services manufacturers and fabricators of products utilizing or incorporating precious metals. Our Coin and Bar unit deals in over 1,800 coin and bar products in a variety of weights, shapes, and sizes for distribution to dealers and other qualified purchasers. We have a marketing support office in Vienna, Austria, a numismatics showroom in Hong Kong, and a trading center in El Segundo, California. The trading center, for buying and selling precious metals, is available to receive orders 24 hours every day, even when many major world commodity markets are closed. In addition to Wholesale Sales activity, A-Mark offers its customers a variety of ancillary services, including financing, storage, consignment, logistics, and various customized financial programs. As a U.S. Mint-authorized purchaser of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins, A-Mark purchases product directly from the U.S. Mint, and it also purchases product from other sovereign mints, for sale to its customers.

Current wording

The Wholesale Sales & Ancillary Services segment operates as a full-service precious metals company. We offer gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in the form of bars, plates, powder, wafers, grain, ingots, and coins. Our Industrial unit services manufacturers and fabricators of products utilizing or incorporating precious metals. Our Coin and Bar unit deals in approximately 2,100 coin and bar products in a variety of weights, shapes, and sizes for distribution to dealers and other qualified purchasers. We have a marketing support office in Vienna, Austria, a numismatics showroom in Hong Kong, and a trading center in El Segundo, California. The trading center, for buying and selling precious metals, is available to receive orders 24 hours every day, even when many major world commodity markets are closed. In addition to Wholesale Sales activity, A-Mark offers its customers a variety of ancillary services, including financing, storage, consignment, logistics, and various customized financial programs. As a U.S. Mint-authorized purchaser of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins, A-Mark purchases product directly from the U.S. Mint, and it also purchases product from other sovereign mints, for sale to its customers.

Previous wording

Through its wholly-owned subsidiary AMTAG, the Company promotes its products and services to the international market. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary TDS, we offer a variety of managed storage options for precious metals products to financial institutions, dealers, investors, and collectors around the world.

Current wording

Through its wholly-owned subsidiary AMTAG, the Company promotes its products and services to certain international markets. Through our wholly-owned subsidiary TDS, we offer a variety of managed storage options for precious metals products to financial institutions, dealers, investors, and collectors around the world.

Previous wording

The Company operates its Direct-to-Consumer segment through its wholly-owned subsidiaries JM Bullion, Inc. (“JMB”) and Goldline, Inc. (“Goldline”). JMB currently has six wholly-owned subsidiaries: Buy Gold and Silver Corp. ("BGASC"), BX Corporation ("BullionMax"), Gold Price Group, Inc. (“GPG”), Silver.com, Inc. (“Silver.com”), Provident Metals Corp. (“PMC”), and CyberMetals Corp. ("CyberMetals"). Goldline, Inc. owns 100% of AMIP, LLC ("AMIP"), and has a 50% ownership interest in Precious Metals Purchasing Partners, LLC ("PMPP"). As the context requires, references to JMB may include BGASC, BullionMax, GPG, Silver.com, PMC, and CyberMetals, and references to Goldline may include AMIP and PMPP.

Current wording

The Company operates its Direct-to-Consumer segment through its wholly-owned subsidiaries JM Bullion, Inc. (“JMB”) and Goldline, Inc. (“Goldline”), and through its investment in Silver Gold Bull, Inc. ("SGB"). JMB currently has several wholly-owned subsidiaries, including: Buy Gold and Silver Corp. ("BGASC"), BX Corporation ("BullionMax"), Gold Price Group, Inc. (“GPG”), Silver.com, Inc. (“Silver.com”), Provident Metals Corp. (“PMC”), and CyberMetals Corp. ("CyberMetals"). Goldline owns 100% of AMIP, LLC ("AMIP"). SGB and Goldline each have a 50% ownership interest in Precious Metals Purchasing Partners, LLC ("PMPP"). As the context requires, references to JMB may include BGASC, BullionMax, GPG, Silver.com, PMC, and CyberMetals and references to Goldline may include AMIP and PMPP.

Previous wording

JMB is a leading e-commerce retailer providing access to a broad array of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium products through its websites. JMB currently operates nine separately branded, company-owned websites targeting specific niches within the precious metals retail market, including JMBullion.com, ProvidentMetals.com, Silver.com, BGASC.com, CyberMetals.com, BullionMax.com, Gold.com, GoldPrice.org, and SilverPrice.org.

Current wording

JMB is a leading e-commerce retailer providing access to a broad array of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium products through its websites. JMB owns and operates numerous websites targeting specific niches within the precious metals retail market, including JMBullion.com, ProvidentMetals.com, Silver.com, CyberMetals.com, GoldPrice.org, SilverPrice.org, BGASC.com, BullionMax.com, and Gold.com.

Previous wording

PMPP was formed in fiscal 2019 pursuant to terms of a joint venture agreement, for the purpose of purchasing precious metals from the partners' retail customers, and then reselling the acquired products back to affiliates of the partners. PMPP commenced operations in fiscal 2020.

Current wording

PMPP was formed in fiscal 2019 pursuant to terms of a joint venture agreement between Goldline and SGB, for the purpose of purchasing precious metals from the partners' retail customers, and then reselling the acquired products back to affiliates of the partners. PMPP commenced operations in fiscal 2020.

Previous wording

CFC is a California licensed finance lender that originates and acquires commercial loans secured primarily by bullion and numismatic coins. CFC's customers include coin and precious metal dealers, investors, and collectors. As of March 31, 2024, CFC had approximately $115.6 million in secured loans outstanding, of which approximately 16.1% were acquired from third parties (some of which may be customers of A-Mark) and approximately 83.9% were originated by CFC.

Current wording

CFC is a California licensed finance lender that originates and acquires commercial loans secured primarily by bullion and numismatic coins. CFC's customers include coin and precious metal dealers, investors, and collectors. As of September 30, 2024, CFC had approximately $101.9 million in secured loans outstanding, of which approximately 15.7% were acquired from third parties (some of which may be customers of A-Mark) and approximately 84.3% were originated by CFC.

Previous wording

CAI is a holding company that has an equity method interest in Collectible Card Partners, LLC (“CCP”). CCP provides capital to fund commercial loans secured by graded sports cards and sports memorabilia. CCP commenced operations in fiscal 2022.

Current wording

CAI is a holding company that has an equity method interest in Collectible Card Partners, LLC (“CCP”). CCP originates commercial loans secured by graded sports cards. CCP commenced operations in fiscal 2022.

Previous wording

AM Capital Funding, LLC (“AMCF”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, was formed for the purpose of securitizing eligible secured loans of CFC. AMCF issued and administered Secured Senior Term Notes: Series 2018-1, Class A, with an aggregate principal amount of $72.0 million and Secured Subordinated Term Notes, Series 2018-1, Class B in the aggregate principal amount of $28.0 million (collectively referred to as the "AMCF Notes"). The AMCF Notes were repaid in full in December 2023. AMCF is currently inactive. See Note 15 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Current wording

AM Capital Funding, LLC (“AMCF”), previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of CFC, was formed for the purpose of securitizing eligible secured loans of CFC. AMCF issued and administered Secured Senior Term Notes: Series 2018-1, Class A, with an aggregate principal amount of $72.0 million and Secured Subordinated Term Notes, Series 2018-1, Class B in the aggregate principal amount of $28.0 million (collectively referred to as the "AMCF Notes"). The AMCF Notes were repaid in full in December 2023. AMCF was dissolved in June 2024.

Previous wording

The Company was formed in 1965 and has grown into a significant participant in the bullion and coin markets, with $9.3 billion in revenues for fiscal year 2023. We have remained active in seeking investment opportunities to strategically enhance our business, and also continue to focus on growth in the volume of our business, our geographic presence, the scope of complementary products, services, and technological tools that we offer to our customers. In doing so, we seek to leverage off the strengths of our existing integrated operations, which span trading, distribution, logistics, minting, storage, hedging, financing, and consignment products and services, including:

Current wording

The Company was formed in 1965 and has grown into a significant participant in the bullion and coin markets, with $9.7 billion in revenues for fiscal year 2024. We have remained active in seeking investment opportunities to strategically enhance our business, and also continue to focus on growth in the volume of our business, our geographic presence, and the scope of complementary products, services, and technological tools that we offer to our customers. In doing so, we seek to leverage off the strengths of our existing integrated operations, which span trading, e-commerce, distribution, logistics, minting, storage, hedging, financing, and consignment products and services, including:

Previous wording

Our customers include financial institutions, bullion retailers, industrial manufacturers and fabricators, sovereign mints, refiners, coin and metal dealers, investors, collectors, and e-commerce and other retail customers. The Company makes a two-way market in its wholesale operations, which results in many customers also operating as our suppliers in that segment. This diverse base of wholesale customers purchases a variety of products from the Company in a multitude of grades, primarily in the form of coins and bars. Our Direct-to-Consumer segment sells to (and, through JMB and PMPP, buys from) retail customers, with JMB focusing on e-commerce operations and Goldline marketing through various traditional and e-commerce channels to the investor community. The Direct-to-Consumer segment offers these customers a variety of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium products.

Current wording

Our customers include financial institutions, bullion retailers, industrial manufacturers and fabricators, sovereign mints, refiners, coin and metal dealers, investors, collectors, and e-commerce and other retail customers. The Company makes a two-way market in its wholesale operations, which results in many customers also operating as our suppliers in that segment. This diverse base of wholesale customers purchases a variety of products from the Company in a multitude of grades, primarily in the form of coins and bars. Our Direct-to-Consumer segment sells to (and, through JMB and PMPP, buys from) retail customers, with JMB and SGB focusing on e-commerce operations and Goldline marketing through various traditional and e-commerce channels to the investor community. The Direct-to-Consumer segment offers these customers a variety of gold, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium products.

Previous wording

Set forth below are the key factors affecting the Company’s revenues, gross profit, interest income, and interest expense. These factors can result from both the Company’s ongoing business activities as well as from Company acquisitions.

Current wording

Set forth below are the key factors affecting the Company’s revenues, gross profit, interest income, and interest expense. These factors may be attributable to both the Company’s ongoing business activities as well as from Company acquisitions.

Previous wording

Interest Income. The Company enters into secured loans and secured financing structures with its customers under which it charges interest. CFC originates loans and acquires loan portfolios that are secured by precious metal bullion and numismatic material owned by the borrowers and held by the Company for the term of the loan. Additionally, AMCF acquired certain loans from CFC that were secured by precious metal bullion to meet the collateral requirements of the AMCF Notes. Also, the Company offers a number of secured financing options to its customers to finance their precious metals purchases including consignments and other structured inventory finance products whereby the Company earns a fee based on the underlying value of the precious metal ("repurchase arrangements with customers").

Current wording

Interest Income. The Company enters into secured loans and secured financing structures with its customers under which it charges interest. CFC originates loans and acquires loan portfolios that are secured by precious metal bullion and numismatic material owned by the borrowers and held by the Company for the term of the loan. Also, the Company offers a number of secured financing options to its customers to finance their precious metals purchases including consignments and other structured inventory finance products whereby the Company earns a fee based on the underlying value of the precious metal ("repurchase arrangements with customers").

Previous wording

In addition to financial statement indicators, management also utilizes key operational metrics to assess the performance of our business.

Current wording

In addition to financial statement indicators, management also utilizes key operational metrics to assess the performance of our business. SGB's performance metrics have been included in our consolidated financial results from June 21, 2024, the date we obtained a controlling ownership interest in SGB, and SGB became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company.

Previous wording

New Direct-to-Consumer Customers means the number of customers that have registered or set up a new account or made a purchase for the first time during the period.

Current wording

New Direct-to-Consumer Customers means the number of customers that have registered or set up a new account, made a purchase for the first time during the period, or acquired through investment activity.

Previous wording

Ticket Volume from New Direct-to-Consumer Customers means the number of product orders from new customers (refer to the definition of new customers above) processed by JMB, Goldline, and PMPP during the period.

Current wording

Ticket Volume from New Direct-to-Consumer Customers means the number of product orders from new customers (refer to the definition of new customers above) processed by JMB, Goldline, SGB, and PMPP during the period.

Previous wording

Ticket Volume from Pre-existing Direct-to-Consumer Customers means the number of product orders from pre-existing customers, processed by JMB, Goldline, and PMPP during the period.

Current wording

Ticket Volume from Pre-existing Direct-to-Consumer Customers means the number of product orders from pre-existing customers, processed by JMB, Goldline, SGB, and PMPP during the period.

Previous wording

Total Ticket Volume from Direct-to-Consumer Customers means the aggregate number of product orders processed by JMB, Goldline, and PMPP during the period.

Current wording

Total Ticket Volume from Direct-to-Consumer Customers means the aggregate number of product orders processed by JMB, Goldline, SGB, and PMPP during the period.

Previous wording

In addition to key operational metrics that are used to assess the performance of our business, management also uses non-GAAP financial performance and liquidity measures. We believe "adjusted net income before provision for income taxes” and "EBITDA" can provide useful information to evaluate our financial performance and liquidity position. Non-GAAP measures do not have standardized definitions and should not be a substitute for measures that are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure reported in our condensed consolidated statements of income and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and a discussion of certain limitations inherent in such measures, refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below.

Current wording

In addition to key operational metrics that are used to assess the performance of our business, management also uses non-GAAP financial performance and liquidity measures. We believe "adjusted net income before provision for income taxes” and "EBITDA" can provide useful information to evaluate our financial performance and liquidity position. Non-GAAP measures do not have standardized definitions and should not be a substitute for measures that are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure reported in our condensed consolidated statements of income and consolidated statements of cash flows and a discussion of certain limitations inherent in such measures, refer to the “Non-GAAP Measures” section below.

Previous wording

Continued macroeconomic uncertainty and the volatility in the financial markets in recent years have positively affected the Company’s trading revenues and gross profit as the volatility of the price of precious metals and numismatics typically results in an increase in the spread between bid and ask prices on these products. Although conditions may fluctuate from period to period, when volatility is high, we historically experience increased demand for products in each of our coin and bar, industrial, and retail businesses. While macroeconomic uncertainty continues to impact our business, its effects have been less pronounced in the current fiscal year. The Company cannot predict the periods during which such increased volatility will occur or the level of such increased volatility, the effect of such volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty on the Company, or whether other effects on the Company and its businesses will materialize in the short or long term.

Current wording

Macroeconomic uncertainty and the volatility in the financial markets in recent years have positively affected the Company’s trading revenues and gross profit as the volatility of the price of precious metals and numismatics typically results in an increase in the spread between bid and ask prices on these products. Although conditions may fluctuate from period to period, when volatility is high, we historically experience increased demand for products in each of our coin and bar, industrial, and retail businesses. While macroeconomic uncertainty continues to impact our business, its effects have been less pronounced in the current and prior fiscal year. The Company cannot predict the periods during which increased volatility will occur or the level of increased volatility, the effect of volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty on the Company, or whether other effects on the Company and its businesses will materialize in the short or long term.