UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

 

Annual Report Pursuant To to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscalfiscal year ended December 31, 20172018

 

or

 

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission File Number 1-31905

CKX Lands, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

Louisiana
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

  

72-0144530
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

  

  

  

1508 Hodges StreetOne Lakeside Plaza, 4th Floor

Lake Charles, LA
(Address of principal executive offices)

  

70601
(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’sRegistrant’s telephone number, including area code: (337) 493-2399

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Common Stock with no par value

  

NYSE MKTAmerican

Title of each class

  

Name of each exchange on which registered

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     

Yes ☐     No ☑

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.     

Yes ☐     No ☑

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YesYes ☑     No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☑     No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated

filer  ☐

Accelerated

filer  ☐  

Non-accelerated filer 

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

YES ☐     NO ☑

 

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2017 29, 2018 based on the closing price on that date of $11.50$10.73 was $17,518,445.$15,311,948.

 

The number of shares of the registrant’sregistrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of March 22, 2018,15, 2019, was 1,942,495.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the Registrant’sRegistrant’s definitive Proxy Statement prepared in connection with the 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

 

 

FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

PART I

Item 1.

Business

1

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

2

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

5

Item 2.

Properties

5

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

6

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosure

6

PART II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

6

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

6

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

6

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

11

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

11

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

11

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

11

Item 9B.

Other Information

11

PART III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

12

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

12

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

12

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

12

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

12

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

12

Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

14

Signatures

14


 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements include, without limitation, the information contained under the heading “Outlook for Fiscal Year 2019” in Item 7 of this report, and any statements containing forward-looking terminology including “may,” ”should,” “likely,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “intend,” “projects,” or other similar words. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors.Many risks are beyond our control and difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Unless legally required, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information may be contained in the Company’s future reports periodically filed with the SEC.

The “Company”, “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to CKX Lands, Inc.

PART I

 

ItemITEM 1.

BUSINESS

 

GeneralBusiness Description

 

CKX Lands, Inc. is, a Louisiana corporation, organizedbegan operations in 1930 asunder the name Calcasieu Real Estate & Oil Co., Inc. to receive non-producing mineral royalties spun offIt was originally organized as a spin-off by a bank operating in southwest Louisiana bank.Louisiana. The purpose of the spin-off was to form an entity to hold non-producing mineral interests which regulatory authorities required the bank to dispose of. Over the years, as some of the royalties yielded oil and gas income,mineral interests began producing, the Company used part of the proceeds to purchaseacquire land. On May 17, 2005,In 1990, the Company changedmade its name from Calcasieu Real Estate & Oil Co., Inc. to CKX Lands, Inc. The primary reason for the changelargest acquisition when it was to help clarifyone of four purchasers that the Company is not directly involvedbought a fifty percent undivided interest in oil and gas exploration or operations. As used herein, the “Company” or “CKX” refers to CKX Lands, Inc.approximately 35,575 acres in southwest Louisiana.

 

The Company’s shares are listed on the NYSE MKT (previously known as NYSE AMEX), under the symbol CKX. As of March 24, 2018, there were 1,942,495 shares outstanding. The Company had a common equity public float of less than $75 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter. Consequently, the Company is a smaller reporting company under the Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

As a reporting company, CKX is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and accordingly files its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The public may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. As an electronic filer, CKX’s public filings are maintained on the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

The Company will provide to stockholders without charge upon their written request a copy of the registrant's annual report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules, required to be filed with the SEC for the registrant's most recent fiscal year.  Requests should be sent to CKX Lands, Inc., 1508 Hodges Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Copies may also be obtained throughToday the Company’s website, www.ckxlands.com.

The Company owns land, timber, andincome is derived from mineral interests and collects income through its ownership in the form of oil and gas royalties, timber sales and surface payments from its lands. CKX receives income from royalty interests and mineral leases related to oil and gas production, timber sales, and surface rents. Although CKX is active in the management of its land and planting and harvesting its timber, CKX is passive in the production of income from oil and gas activities in that CKX does not explore for oil and gas or operate wells. These oil and gas activities are performed by unrelated third parties.

Oil and gas royalties are paid by the operators who own the wells. Timber income is paid by the highest bidder for the timber. There are several mills that compete for timber. Surface income is received for farming, right of wayways or other surface land uses. The prices paid for oil, gas and othertimber depend on national and international market conditions. Prices paid for surface leases depend on regional and local market conditions.

The source of all raw materials for the Company is the land itself. All oil and gas from our lands will eventually deplete, but we have no access to this depletion information. Timber and agriculture are renewable resources. The Company’s three reportable business segments are oil and gas, timber, and surface. Segment revenue and related business segment financial information are included in the notes to financial statements.

The Company’s oil and gas income fluctuates as new oil and gas production is discovered on Company land and then ultimately depletes or becomes commercially uneconomical to produce. The volatility in the daily commodity pricing of a barrel of oil or a thousand cubic feet (“MCF”) of gas will also cause fluctuations in the Company’s oil and gas income. Oil and gas revenues were 49% of the Company’s total revenues in 2018 and 53% in 2017.

CKX has small royalty interests in 29 different producing oil and gas fields. The size of each royalty interest is determined by the Company’s net ownership in the acreage unit for the well. CKX’s royalty interests range from 0.0045% for the smallest to 7.62% for the largest. As the Company does not own or operate the wells, it does not have access to any reserve information. 

Timber income is derived from sales of timber on Company lands. The timber income will fluctuate depending on our ability to secure stumpage agreements in the regional markets, timber stand age, and/or stumpage commodity prices. Timber is a renewable resource that the Company actively manages.


Surface income is earned from various recurring and non-recurring sources. Recurring surface income is earned from lease arrangements for farming, recreational and commercial uses. Non-recurring surface income can include such activities as pipeline right of ways, and temporary worksite rentals.

In managing its lands, the Company relies on and has established relationships with real estate, forestry, environmental and agriculture consultants as well as attorneys with legal expertise in general corporate matters, real estate, and minerals.

The Company actively manages its lands and timber, howeversearches for additional real estate for purchase in Louisiana with a focus on southwest Louisiana. When evaluating unimproved real estate for purchase, the Company iswill consider numerous characteristics including but not involved inlimited to timber fitness, agriculture fitness, future development opportunities and/or mineral potential. When evaluating improved real estate for purchase, the exploration Company will consider characteristics including but not limited to geographic location, quality of existing revenue streams, and/or productionquality of oil and gas nor does it actively farm for agricultural purpose its lands.

the improvements. CKX owns a 100% interest in 7,5177,500 acres and undivided interests ranging from 1.660% to 77.778% in 37,85543,514 acres, resulting in an ownership of approximately 14,31513,991 net acres.

 

CKX does not perform or cause to havebe performed oil and gas producing activities inasmuch as: (1) we do not search for crude oil or natural gas in their natural states; (2) we do not acquire property for the purpose of exploration or the removing of oil and gas; and (3) we are not involved in construction, drilling and/or production activities necessary to retrieve oil and gas.

 

Oil and gas royalties are paid by the operators who own the wells. Timber income is paid by the highest bidder for the timber. There are several mills that compete for timber. Surface income is received for farming, right of way or other surface land uses. The prices paid for oil, gas and timber depend on national and international market conditions. Prices paid for surface leases depend on regional and local market conditions. Oil and gas revenues were 53.22% of the Company’s total revenues in 2017 and 59.17% in 2016.

The source of all raw materials for the Company is the land itself. All oil and gas income will eventually deplete, but we have no access to this depletion information. Timber income and agriculture income are renewable resources. The Company’s three reportable business segments are oil and gas, timber, and surface. Segment revenue and related business segment financial information are included in the notes to financial statements.

The Company does not spend any money on research and development.


The Company does not need government approval of its principal products or services except that the State of Louisiana must permit the size & location of all oil and gas producing units. The operator of the oil & gas units is responsible for this permitting process.

 

Employees

 

The Company has three employees, all of whom areone employee, who is part-time. There are two officers, and one clerical person. The Company is not subject to union contracts nor does the Company have any hospitalization,medical benefit, pension, profit sharing, option or deferred compensation programs.

 

Customers

 

The Company’sCompany’s customers are those who have mineral leases on Company lands, purchase timber in competitive bids or execute surface leases for farming, hunting, right of ways or other purposes. During 2017,2018, the Company received approximately 62.93%46.41% of its total revenues from the following customers:

 

Customer

 

Revenue Type

 

% of Total Revenue

 

Bayou Bridge Pipeline, LLC

Surface15.66%

Louisiana Timber Procurement

 

Timber

  14.2821.26%

Pintail Oil & Gas, LLC

 

Oil & Gas

  11.5213.13%

Texegy Operating Company, LLC

 

Oil & Gas

  9.907.83%

Arcadia Operating, LLCUniversal Timber Services

 

Oil & GasTimber

  6.187.83%

Riceland Petroleum Company

Oil & Gas

5.39%

 

Loss of cash receipts from any of these customers or revenue streams would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Environmental and Other Governmental Regulations

The Company does not need government approval of its principal products or services except that the State of Louisiana must permit the size and location of all oil and gas producing units. The operator of the oil and gas units is responsible for this permitting process.

 

The operators of the wells are responsible for complying with environmental and other governmental regulations. However, should an operator abandon a well located on Company land without following prescribed procedures, the land owners could possibly be held responsible. The Company does not believe this would have a material effect on its financial condition.

 

Item 1A.ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

 

Significant Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the following risks, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations in future periods. The Company’srisks described below are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, andfinancial condition, or results of operations are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including:in future periods.


 

Reliance upon Oil and Gas Discoveries

The Company’s mostA significant riskportion of our revenues is its reliance upon others to perform exploration and development forderived from oil and gas activities on its land. Future incomeour lands. We rely on third parties to conduct that activity.

We rely on third parties to conduct oil and gas exploration and production activity on our lands. If we are not successful in attracting third parties to conduct that activity or if there is dependentany significant interruption in existing activity on othersour lands, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, would be adversely affected. Additionally, our ability to generate future earnings depends on third parties finding new production on the Company’sour land to replace present production as it is depleted. Oil and gas prices, as well as new technology, will affect the possibility of new discoveries.replacing present production.

 

Commodity PricesOur revenues could be negatively impacted by declines in commodity prices for oil, natural gas, and timber, among others.

The majorityWe earn a significant portion of the Company’sour operating income comes from the sale of commodities produced from itsour lands: oil and gas, and timber. Fluctuations in the prices for these commodity pricescommodities will directly impact our cash flow, net income. In 2017, average gas prices paid to the Company were 34.01% higher than the average in 2016,income and average oil prices, excluding plants, were higher in 2017 than in 2016, by 21.19%. If the average oil and gas prices in 2017 reverted to the 2016 averages, income before income tax would have decreased by approximately 16.21%.


Natural Disastersfinancial condition.

 

The Company hasAdditionally, because certain of our lands are leased to farmers, declines in the commodity prices for the crops they grow may impact their ability to make lease payments, and therefore could adversely affect our cash flow, results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations and properties could be adversely affected by hurricanes or other adverse weather events, natural disasters, or other significant disruptions.

Our properties are located principally in southwest Louisiana, where major hurricanes and flooding have occurred. Depending on where any hurricane makes landfall or flooding occurs, our properties could be significantly damaged, and income-producing activities on our properties could be disrupted. In addition, the occurrence and frequency of hurricanes and flooding in Louisiana could also negatively impact demand for the use of our real estate assets because of perceptions of hurricane and flooding risks. In addition to hurricanes, the occurrence of other natural disasters and climate conditions in Louisiana, such as tornadoes, fires, unusually heavy or prolonged rain, droughts, and heat waves, could have an adverse effect on our ability to use our properties or realize income from our properties.

We have approximately 10,61810,601 net acres of timberland (pine and hardwood) in various stages of growth or age classes. A typical pine timber stand will be harvested after 30 to 35 years of growth with some thinning occurring during this time. A hardwood stand will be harvested after 45 to 50 years of growth. A natural disaster can have a material adverse effect on timber growth, reducing its value. Natural disasters that could affect our timber lands include a hurricane, tornado, high winds, heavy rains and flooding, and/or fire causecaused by lightning.lightning or other sources.

 

If any of the events described above occurs, we may experience disruptions to our operations and damage to our properties, which could have an adverse effect on our business, our financial condition, our results of operations, and our cash flows.

Interest Rate RisksOur land holdings are concentrated in southwest Louisiana, and we therefore may suffer economic harm because of adverse conditions in that region.

Our land holdings are located principally in southwest Louisiana. Due to the concentration of our properties in this area, our performance is dependent on local economic conditions. This area has experienced periods of economic decline in the past and may do so in the future.

We rely on third party managers for day-to-day property management of certain of our properties.

We rely on local third-party managers for the day-to-day management of our timberland properties. The cash flows from our timberland properties may be adversely affected if the property manager fails to provide quality services. These third-party managers may fail to manage our properties effectively or in accordance with the terms of our agreement with them. If any of these events occur, we could incur losses or face liabilities from the loss or injury to our property or to persons at our properties. In addition, disputes may arise between us and third-party managers, and we may incur significant expenses to resolve those disputes or terminate the relevant agreement with the third parties and locate and engage competent and cost-effective alternative service providers to manage the relevant properties. Additionally, third party managers may manage and own other properties that may compete with our properties, which may result in conflicts of interest and decisions regarding the operation of our properties that are not in our best interests.


Potential environmental liabilities could result in substantial costs to us or cause our land to lose value.

Under federal, state, and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, we may be required to investigate and clean up the effects of releases of hazardous substances or petroleum products on our properties because of current or past ownership or operation of oil and gas activities on our lands. If previously unidentified environmental problems arise, we may have to make substantial payments, which could adversely affect our cash flow. As an owner of properties, we may have to pay for property damage and for investigation and cleanup costs incurred in connection with a contamination. The law typically imposes cleanup responsibility and liability regardless of whether an owner knew of or caused the contamination. Changes in environmental regulations or the discovery of environmental damage on our lands may cause the value of our lands to decline, may impact the development potential of our undeveloped land or could increase operating costs due to the cost of complying with new regulations.

Our overall business is subject to risks associated with the real estate industry.

We are subject to all risks related to investment in real estate, many of which relate to the general lack of liquidity of real estate investments, including, but not limited to:

changes in general or local economic conditions where our properties are located;

lack of availability of financing at favorable rates (or at all) that may render the purchase, sale or refinancing of a property more difficult or unattractive;

changes in real estate and zoning laws; and

increases in real estate taxes and insurance costs.

Our common stock may not have an active, liquid, and orderly trading market, and our stock price may be volatile.

Our common stock may not have an active, liquid, and orderly trading market. Active, liquid, and orderly trading markets usually result in less price volatility and more efficiency in carrying out purchase and sale orders. The trading volume in our common stock may fluctuate and cause price variations to occur.

 

The Companymarket price of our common stock could also vary significantly because of a number of other factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the following:

actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results or dividends;

changes in our results of operations or cash flows;

publication of research reports about us or the real estate industry;

changes in market valuations of similar companies;

speculation in the press or investment community;

the realization of any of the other risk factors presented in this annual report;

the extent of investor interest in our common stock;

our underlying asset value;

investor confidence in the stock and bond markets, generally;

changes in tax laws; and

general market and economic conditions.

If the per share trading price of our common stock declines significantly, stockholders may be unable to resell their shares at or above the price paid for them. We cannot assure stockholders that the per share trading price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future.

In the past, securities class action litigation has no direct exposureoften been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the price of their common stock. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to changespay dividends on, and the per share trading price of, our common stock.

Our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2018.

Our principal executive and financial officer evaluated our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, and concluded that as of that date, they were not effective due to material weaknesses. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in foreign currency exchange ratesinternal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In addition, as a result of the material weaknesses, our principal executive and minimal direct exposurefinancial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. Until our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are remediated, they could lead to interest rates. The Company haserrors in our financial results and other public filings, which could have an unsecured lineadverse effect on our business, our financial condition, our results of credit with Whitney National Bank with no outstanding balance. The Company has no current plansoperations, and our cash flows.


We may not have the personnel necessary to draw against this line.remediate our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We presently have one part-time employee, who is both our principal executive and financial officer. We cannot assure you that we will be able to develop and implement the necessary controls and procedures without hiring additional employees, incurring significant additional expense, or at all.

 

Item 1B.ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

 

ItemITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

 

The Company owns approximately 14,31513,991 net acres all located in Louisiana. The approximate gross and net acres located in each Louisiana parish are presented below.

 

Parish

 

Gross Acres

  

Net Acres

  

Gross Acres

  

Net Acres

 

Segment(s)

                 

Calcasieu

  17,549   5,087   16,145   4,839 

Oil and gas, timber and surface

Jefferson Davis

  9,737   2,326   9,737   2,326 

Oil and gas, timber and surface

Allen

  8,148   2,483   8,148   2,483 

Oil and gas, timber and surface

Beauregard

  7,357   3,588   7,357   3,588 

Oil and gas, timber and surface

Cameron

  1,702   350   1,248   274 

Oil and gas, surface

LaFourche

  240.   40   240   40 

Oil and gas

Natchitoches

  200   200   200   200 

Timber

Vermilion

  180   30   180   30 

Oil and gas, surface

Rapides

  129   129   129   129 

Timber

St. Landry

  80   32   80   32 

Timber

Sabine

  50   50   50   50 

Timber

                 

Total

  45,372   14,315   43,514   13,991  

 

Included in the 14,315net13,991 net acres presented above, are approximately 7,5177,500 acres owned 100% by the Company. The Louisiana parish location for these 100% owned lands is presented below.below:

 

Parish

 

Acres

 

Segment(s)

     

Beauregard

  2,754 

Oil and gas, timber and surface

Calcasieu

  2,4172,400 

Oil and gas, timber and surface

Allen

  1,121 

Oil and gas, timber and surface

Jefferson Davis

  684 

Timber and surface

Natchitoches

  200 

Timber and surface

Cameron

  162 

None

Rapides

  129 

Timber

Sabine

  50 

Timber

     

Total

  7,5177,500 

 

For management purposes, the Company classifies the 14,315the 13,991 net acres owned by CKX as follows: 10,61810,522 net acres are timber lands, 2,5592,380 net acres are agriculture lands, 944895 net acres are marsh lands and 194 net acres are located in metropolitan areas.

 


 

The table below shows, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s net gas produced in thousands of cubic feet (MCF), net oil produced in barrels (Bbl), and average sales prices relating to oil and gas attributable to the royalty interests of the Company as reported by the various producers.

  

Year Ended

12/31/17

  

Year Ended

12/31/16

 

Net gas produced (MCF)

  42,927   48,758 

Average gas sales price (per MCF)(1)

 $3.42  $2.55 
         

Net oil produced (Bbl)(2)

  8,169   8,412 

Average oil sales price (per Bbl)(1,2)

 $48.32  $39.87 

Notes to above schedule:

(1) Before deduction of severance taxes and other charges.

(2) Excludes plant products.

ItemITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. The Company was not involved in any legal proceedingsproceedings as of December 31, 2017.2018.

 

ItemITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

PART II

 

ItemITEM 5.

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

The Company’s Common Stock is tradedCompany’s common stock trades on the NYSE MKT (previously known as NYSE AMEX)American under the trading symbol CKX since its listing on December 8, 2003.  Prior to the listing there was no established public trading market for the CKX. 

Common Stock and there had been only limited and sporadic trading in the Common Stock, principally among the Company’s shareholders.  On

As of March 21, 2018,15, 2019, there were approximately 456 stockholders of record.1,942,495 shares outstanding. There were no sales of unregistered securities of the Company and no purchases or sales of CKX equity securities during 2017 by the Company.  The closing price for the Common Stock was $10.30 on March 21,Company during 2018. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for the Common Stock by quarter during 2017 and 2016.

 

  

 

  

First

Quarter

  

Second

Quarter

  

Third

Quarter

  

Fourth

Quarter

 
                     
Common stock price per share 2017  High   13.50   12.35   12.00   11.10 

 

  Low   10.53   11.31   10.00   9.83 

Common stock price per share 2016

  High   10.50   12.50   11.89   11.24 
   Low   9.05   10.50   10.30   10.36 

Holders

 

On March 15, 2019, we had 452 stockholders of record.

Dividend Policy

 

The Company has changed the manner in which it determines whether a dividend will be declared.  The Company will no longer have a “regular” or “extra” dividend as have been defined in prior filings.reports.  In determining whether a dividend will be declared, the Board of Directors will take into account the Company’s prior fiscal year’s cash flows from operations and the current economic conditions among other information deemed relevant.

  

First

Quarter

  

Second

Quarter

  

Third

Quarter

  

Fourth

Quarter

  

Year

Total

 
                     

Cash Dividend per Share

                    

2017

 $0.00   0.10   0.00   0.00   0.10 

2016

 $0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00   0.00 


 

Pursuant to a dividend reversion clause in the Company’sCompany’s Articles of Incorporation, dividends not claimed within one year after a dividend becomes payable will expire and revert in full ownership to the Company and the Company’s obligation to pay such dividend will cease. During 20172018 and 2016,2017, the Company received no dividend reversions.

 

Item ITEM6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Not applicableDisclosure in response to this item is not required of a smaller reporting company.

 

Item ITEM7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Report.

Overview

 

CKX Lands, Inc. began operations in 1930 under the name Calcasieu Real Estate & Oil Co., Inc. It was originally organized as a spin-offspin-off by a bank operating in southwest Louisiana. The purpose of the spin-off was to form an entity to hold non-producing minerals which regulatory authorities required the bank to charge off. Over the years, as some of the mineral interests began producing, the Company used part of the proceeds to acquire land. In 1990, the Company made its largest acquisition when it was one of four purchasers who bought a fifty percent undivided interest in approximately 35,575 acres in southwest Louisiana.

 

Today the Company’sCompany’s income is derived from mineral royalties, timber sales and surface payments from its lands. CKX receives income from royalty interest and mineral leases related to oil and gas production, timber sales, and surface rents. Although CKX is active in the management of its land and planting and harvesting its timber, CKX is passive in the production of income from oil and gas production in that CKX does not explore for oil and gas or operate wells. These oil and gas activities are performed by unrelated third parties.

 

CKX leases its property to oil and gas operators and collects income through its land ownership in the form of oil and gas royalties and lease rentals and geophysical revenues. The Company’sCompany’s oil and gas income fluctuates as new oil and gas production is discovered on Company land and then ultimately depletes or becomes commercially uneconomical to produce. The volatility in the daily commodity pricing of a barrel of oil or aan MCF of gas will also cause fluctuations in the Company’s oil and gas income.


 

CKX has small royalty interests in 3129 different producing oil and gas fields. The size of each royalty interest is determined by the Company’s net ownership in the acreage unit for the well. CKX’s royalty interests range from 0.0045% for the smallest to 7.62% for the largest. As the Company does not own or operate the wells, it does not have access to any reserve information.

Eventually, the oil and gas reserves under the Company’s current land holdings will be depleted.

 

Timber income is derived from sales of timber on Company lands. The timber income will fluctuate depending on our ability to secure stumpage agreements in the regional markets, timber stand age, and/or stumpage commodity prices. Timber is a renewable resource that the Company actively manages.

 

Surface income is earned from various recurring and non-recurring sources. Recurring surface income is earned from lease arrangements for farming, recreational and commercial uses. Non-recurring surface income can include such activities as pipeline right of ways, and temporary worksite rentals.

 

In managing its lands, the Company relies on and has established relationships with real estate, forestry,, environmental and agriculture consultants as well as attorneys with legal expertise in general corporate matters, real estate, and minerals.

 

The Company actively searches for additional real estate for purchase in Louisiana with a focus on southwest Louisiana. When evaluating unimproved real estate for purchase, the Company will consider numerous characteristics including but not limited to timber fitness, agriculture fitness, future development opportunities and/or mineral potential. When evaluating improved real estate for purchase, the Company will consider characteristics including but not limited to geographic location, quality of existing revenue streams, and/or quality of the improvements.

 


Results of Operations - for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Fiscal Year Revenue2017 Compared to Fiscal Year 2016

 

Total revenues for 20172018 were $1,144,585,$1,194,763, an increase of 32.57%approximately 4% when compared with 20162017 revenues of $863,402.$1,144,585. Total revenue consists of oil and gas, timber, and surface revenues. Components of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 2017, are as follows:

  

Year Ended

         
  

December 31,

         
  

2018

  

2017

  

Change from
Prior Year

  

Percent Change
from Prior Year

 

Revenues:

                

Oil and gas

 $581,463  $609,122  $(27,659)  (4.5)%

Timber sales

  454,177   224,111   230,066   102.7%

Surface revenue

  159,123   311,352   (152,229)  (48.9)%

Total revenues

 $1,194,763  $1,144,585  $50,178   4.4%


Oil and Gas

 

Oil and gas revenues were 53.22%49% and 59.17%53% of total revenues for 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. OilA breakdown of oil and gas revenues consist of royalty revenue and lease rental revenue. Oil and gas revenues changed betweenfor the years ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 2017 and 2016are as follows:

 

  

2017

  

2016

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Royalty

 $588,121  $488,947  $99,174   20.28%

Lease Rental

  21,001   21,909   (908)  (4.14)%

Total

 $609,122  $510,856  $98,266   19.24%

  

Year Ended

         
  

December 31,

         
  

2018

  

2017

  

Change from
Prior Year

  

Percent Change
from Prior Year

 

Oil

 $487,276  $424,036  $63,240   14.9%

Gas

  89,700   164,085   (74,385)  (45.3)%

Lease and geophysical

  4,487   21,001   (16,514)  (78.6)%

Total revenues

 $581,463  $609,122  $(27,659)  (4.5)%

 

 

During CKX received oil and/or gas revenues from 95 and 103 wells during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, reported gas production decreased by approximately 5,831 MCF, and the average gas sales price per MCF increased by approximately $0.87 to $3.42 resulting in an increase in gas revenue of $22,389. Revenue from oil production, including plants, increased by $76,785. This increase was a net result from an increase in the average barrel sales price of $8.45 to $48.32, not including plants, and a decrease in production of approximately 243 barrels, not including plants, and an increase in plants revenue of $17,478.respectively.

 

The following schedule summarizes barrels and MCF produced and average price per barrel and per MCF for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

  

Year Ended

 
  

December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Net oil produced (Bbl)(2)

  6,956   8,169 

Average oil sales price (per Bbl)(1,2)

 $68.57  $48.32 

Net gas produced (MCF)

  25,776   42,927 

Average gas sales price (per MCF)(1)

 $3.48  $3.42 

(1) Before deduction of production costs and severance taxes

(2) Excludes plant products

Oil revenues increased for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 2017, by $63,240. Gas revenues decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 2017, by $74,385. As indicated from the schedule above the changes were due to increases in the average price per barrel and the average price per MCF and decreases in barrels of oil produced and MCF of gas produced.

The following 8 fields produced 91.29% of the Company’s oil and gas revenues in 2018. The following table shows the number of barrels of oil (Bbl Oil) and MCF of gas (MCF Gas) produced from these fields.

Field

 

Bbl Oil (1)

  

MCF Gas

 

South Bear Head Creek

  2,172   2,513 

South Gordon

  220   4,290 

Cowards Gully

  720   458 

South Jennings

  429   8,102 

Gonzales County

  660   500 

South Lake Charles

  548   5,782 

Caster Creek

  705   19 

South Elton

  136   2,993 


The following 8 fields produced 91.72% of the Company’s oil and gas revenues in 2017. The following table shows the number of barrels of oil (Bbl Oil) and MCF of gas (MCF Gas) produced from these fields.

 

Field

 

Bbl Oil (1)

  

MCF Gas

 

South Bear Head Creek

  2,836   6,406 

South Gordon

  396   11,017 

Cowards Gully

  894   1,529 

South Jennings

  440   11,313 

Gonzales County

  969   433 

South Lake Charles

  513   5,321 

Caster Creek

  672   39 

Northwest Vinton

  168   1,705 

 

Note to above schedule:

(1)

Excludes plant products.

In 2016, the following 6 fields produced 90.29% of the Company’s oil and gas revenues. The following table shows the number of barrels of oil (Bbl Oil) and MCF of gas (MCF Gas) produced from these fields.

Field

 

Bbl Oil (1)

  

MCF Gas

 

South Bear Head Creek

  3,032   3,892 

Gonzales County

  708   15,944 

South Jennings

  627   16,437 

South Gordon

  1,430   1,009 

Cowards Gully

  1,026   1,688 

South Lake Charles

  652   6,502 

Note to above schedule:

(1)

Excludes plant products.


 

The Company was a lessor in the following non-producing mineral leases:

 

Activity

 

2017

  

2016

 

Bonus lease

  3   3 

Delay lease

  1   3 

Gross acres

  400   491 

Net acres

  100   154 

Activity

 

2018

  

2017

 

Bonus lease

  1   3 

Delay lease

  2   1 

Gross acres

  200   400 

Net acres

  33   100 

Lease and geophysical revenues decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 2017, by $16,514. These revenues are dependent on oil and gas producers’ activities, are not predictable and can vary significantly from year to year.

Timber

 

Timber revenuerevenues were 38% and 20% of total revenues for 2018 and 2017, respectively. Timber revenues increased $98,251 from 2016.for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, by $230,066. The Company actively marketed itsincrease in revenues is due to our continued marketing of our timber during 2017 and entered into four (4)securing stumpage agreements. Generally,agreements over the last two years and dryer weather, conditions were too wet in 2017which was favorable for harvesting activity to occur on much of the acreage under contract for harvest and thinning, however conditions improved in the latter part of the 4th quarter allowing for limited harvesting.activity.

Surface

 

Surface revenues were 13% and 27% of total revenues for 2018 and 2017, respectively. Surface revenues decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to 2017, by $152,229. This is primarily due to revenue increased by $84,666 from 2016. Surface revenue includes revenue from farm leases,related to pipeline right of way grants, hunting leasesagreements that were received in 2017 and not in 2018.  As previously noted, pipeline, utility and other surface leases.

Costs, expenseright of ways are not unusual to the Company; however, these types of revenue are not predictable and (gains) decreasedcan vary significantly from 2016 by $72,586year to $603,456 primarily due to

Expense description

 

Amount

 
     

Increase in related oil and gas expenses due to increase in revenue

  5,199 

Increase in timber expense associated with increased revenue

  7,735 

Increase in Company’s direct property management activities

  14,981 

Increase in property repair and maintenance

  7,865 

Decrease in 3rd party property management fee due to termination

  (60,998)

Decrease in officer’s compensation related to directing the Company’s land acquisitions.

 $(29,971)

Increase in consulting fees related to surface lease and land assessment activities.

  11,955 

Increase in real estate property tax

  5,295 

Gain on sale of lands

  (34,711)

Other increases and decreases were comparative to prior year expense amounts.year.

 

Costs and Expenses

Oil and gas costs increased slightly for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 2017 by $916. These changes were due to an increase in production taxes on oil and gas revenue. Production taxes consist of federal, state, and local taxes. 

Timber costs increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 2017 by $9,948. This is primarily due to the increased timber revenue occurring during the year ended December 31, 2018.


Surface costs decreased for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 2017 by $20,293. This is primarily due to lower repair and maintenance cost and no legal contract review as the Company did not enter into any new contracts in 2018.

General and administrative expenses increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to 2017 by $78,492. This is primarily due to officer bonuses for land disposition administration paid in the first quarter of 2018 and increased accounting, legal and professional services fees, offset by decreases in director fees.

Gain on Sale of Land and Equipment

Gain on sale of land and equipment was $881,654 and $34,711 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, this represented a gain on sale of land of $111,174 wholly owned, $767,147 from a 1/6th interest, and of equipment of $3,333. For the year ended December 31, 2017, this represented a gain on sale of land of $6,150 wholly owned, and $28,561 from a 1/6th interest.

Outlook for Fiscal Year 20189

 

The Company will continue to consider and evaluate commercial, agricultural and timber lands for acquisitions and evaluate its current holdings for divestiture. The Company maywill consider purchases outside of southwest Louisiana.  

The 2017 average price per BblLouisiana and MCF both increased from 2016 average prices. The Company expects oil and gas average prices to increase from 2017 levels andwill consider developing its properties for production levels to be lower resulting in flat oil and gas revenues for 2018 when compared to 2017 revenues.commercial or residential purposes.  

 

The Company will continue to actively market its timber. Although 2018 did not seetimber. The rain levels were lower in 2018 when compared with 2017, so the harvesting of timber was not as highhampered as 2017, the rains were unseasonable high and did hamper harvesting activities.2017. Stumpage prices have also been depressed when compared to recent historical prices. The companyCompany will seek to enter into additional stumpage agreement.agreements.

 

The Company began directly managing its lands in 2017, andexcept for approximately 5,030 acres of timber property in which the Company owns an undivided 1/6 interest, which is managed by Walker Louisiana Properties. The Company believes the direct land management and continuing economic activity in southwest Louisiana will be a catalyst for increased surface revenue.

 


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

 

The Company’sCompany’s current assets totaled $4,478,715$5,631,013 and totalcurrent liabilities equaled $408,176$216,815 at December 31, 2017.2018.

The Company has an unsecured revolving line of credit with Hancock Whitney Bank. The line of credit permits the Company to draw a maximum aggregate amount of $1,000,000. The line of credit matures on June 25, 2019, and borrowings under the line of credit bear interest at a rate of 4.25%. As of December 31, 2018, there was no outstanding balance under the line of credit.

 

In the opinion of management, current cash flow from operations, cash and investmentscash equivalents, and certificates of deposit are adequate for projected operations and possible land purchases.

Additional sources of liquidity include the Company’s available bank line of credit for $1,000,000. The Company has no outstanding balance nor does it plan to draw on this line of credit. The Company does not include this line of credit availability when assessing the adequacy of liquidity or capital resources for projected operations or possible land purchases.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include the following items:

Our accounts receivable consists of incomes received after year end for royalties produced prior to year-end. When there are royalties that have not been received at the time of the preparation of the financial statements for months in the prior year, we estimate the amount to be received based on the last month’s royalties that were received from that particular company. We do not maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts because other than the accrual for earned but not received royalties, we have no accounts receivable.acquisitions.

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which requiresdeclared and paid a $0.12 per common share dividend during the recognitionquarter ended March 31, 2018. During the first quarter of deferred tax assetseach future calendar year, the Company anticipates determining whether a dividend will be declared. In determining whether a dividend will be declared, the board of directors will take into account the Company’s prior fiscal year’s cash flows from operations and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities.

When land is purchased with standing timber, the cost is divided between land and timber. Reforestation costs are capitalized and added to the timber asset account. The timber asset is depleted when the timber is harvested based on the relationship between the carrying value of the timber and the total timber volume estimated to be harvested over the harvest cycle.current economic conditions among other information deemed relevant.

 

Forward Looking StatementsAnalysis of Cash Flows

Certain matters containedNet cash provided by operating activities decreased by $162,697 to $241,562 for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $404,253 for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in this report are forward-looking statements withincash provided by operating activities was attributable primarily to the meaninggain on the sale of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements include, without limitation, the information contained under the heading “Outlook for Fiscal Year 2018”land partially offset by an increase in Item 7 of this report, and any statements containing forward-looking terminology including “may”, ”should,” “likely,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “intend,” “projects,” or other similar words. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” above, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Unless legally required, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information may be obtained by reviewing the information set forth above under “Item 1A Risk Factors” and information contained in the Company’s reports periodically filed with the SEC.net income.

 


 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $199,869 and $361,213 for the year ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.  For the year ended December 31, 2018, this included purchases of certificates of deposit of $3,145,000 and purchases of fixed assets of $55,438, offset by proceeds from maturity of certificates of deposit of $2,662,890 and from the sales of fixed assets of $982,242.   For the year ended December 31, 2017, this includes purchases of certificates of deposits of $3,132,890, purchases of fixed assets of $155,285, offset by proceeds from maturity of certificates of deposits of $3,610,000 and proceeds from the sale of fixed assets of $39,388. 

Net cash used in financing activities was $233,099 and $194,250 for the year ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, and 2017 this included dividends paid.

Significant Accounting Policies

For a discussion of significant accounting policies, see Note 1 in the notes to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, financings, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, also known as “special purpose entities” (SPEs).

Item ITEM7A.

QUANTATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicableDisclosure in response to this item is not required of a smaller reporting company.

 

Item ITEM8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPORTING DATA

 

AllThe Company’s financial statements, required together with the report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon and the notes thereto, are presented beginning at page F-1. The Company’s balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended have been audited by this item are listedMaloneBailey, LLP. MaloneBailey, LLP is an independent registered public accounting firm. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the TableUnited States of ContentsAmerica and pursuant to Financial Statements appearing immediately afterRegulation S-K as promulgated by the signature page of this Form 10-KSecurities and Exchange Commission and are included herein by reference.pursuant to Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. 

 

Item ITEM9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

Item ITEM9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company maintainsPursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) and Rule 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s principal executive and financial officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Report.   Disclosure controls and procedures mean controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the Company’s Securitiesreports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms,forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’sissuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officerofficers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As  Based on its evaluation, management concluded that as of December 31, 2017, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the principal executive and financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the principal executive and financial officer, concluded that2018, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective asdue to the existence of December 31, 2017.material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, discussed more fully below.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The Company’sCompany’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) for the Company.  In assessingThe Company’s management, specifically its principal executive and financial officer, has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s ICFR, management followsinternal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s (“COSO”)Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Management shall determine ICFR ineffective if a material weakness exists in the controls.

Management and SEC guidance on conducting such assessments.  Based on this assessment, management has assessed the Company’s ICFR as effectiveconcluded that, as of December 31, 2017.2018, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is not effective due primarily to a lack of internal staffing resulting in a lack segregation of duties, and a lack of evidence of review and oversight of certain financial processes, including processes that have been outsourced to a third-party service organization.  Management is currently evaluating the steps that would be necessary to eliminate these material weaknesses. 

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding ICFR Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s reportChanges in this annual report.Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

 

During the quarter ending December 31, 2017, there have beenThere were no changes in the Company’s ICFRinternal control over financial reporting that hasoccurred during its fourth fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s ICFR.internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 


 

PART III

 

ItemITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

TheThe information required by Item 10 as to directors, nominees for directors, reports under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant’s audit committee and an audit committee financial expert iswill be included in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Executive officers of Registrant are as follows:

 

NameITEM 11.

Age

Position with Registrant

Brian R. Jones

57

President, Treasurer and Director

Lee W. Boyer

60

Secretary and Director

The occupations of such executive officers during the last five years and other principal affiliations are:

Name

Occupations

Brian R. Jones

President since April 25, 2013, Treasurer and Director since December 1, 2006; Managing member of Brian R. Jones CPA, LLC.

Lee W. Boyer

Secretary since 2017 and Director since 2016. Attorney with Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, L.L.P.; President, Second University Homesites, Inc.; Manager, Jones-Boyer, LLC; Manager, Boyer Properties, LLC; Director, Mallard Bay, Corp.

Directors, principal occupation or experience, and related business name and activity follows:

Name

Age

Experience and Qualifications

 

Director

Since

Lee W. Boyer

60

Secretary of CKX Lands, Inc.; Attorney with Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, L.L.P.; President, Second University Homesites, Inc.; Manager, Jones-Boyer, LLC; Manager, Boyer Properties, LLC; Director, Mallard Bay, Corp. Mr. Boyer’s experience in land management and oil and gas leasing activities makes him qualified to serve as a director.

 

2016

     

Max H. Hart
(1) (2)

59

Principal, Haas-Hirsch Interests. Mr. Hart’s experience in land management, oil and gas leasing activities, forestry, farming and rights of way makes him qualified to serve as a director.

  

2016

     

Brian R. Jones

57

President and Chairman of the Board of CKX Lands, Inc. since 2013 and Treasurer of CKX Lands, Inc. since 2006; Managing member of Brian R. Jones CPA, LLC. Mr. Jones’ experience in public accounting, SEC compliance and land management makes him qualified to serve as a director.

 

2007


Director Schedule (continued):

Name

Age

Experience and Qualifications

 

Director

Since

Eugene T. Minvielle, IV
(1)

44

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Marlin Energy, LLC. Mr. Minvielle’s experience in oil and gas and financial reporting makes him qualified to serve as a director.

 

2017

     

Mary Watkins Savoy

(1) (2) (3)

78

Private investments; Director of Mallard Bay Corp. Mrs. Savoy’s experience in land management and oil and gas leasing activities makes her qualified to serve as a director.

  

1998

     

Charles D. Viccellio

84

Attorney (retired), Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, L.L.P. Mr. Viccellio’s extensive legal experience in land management and oil and gas activities makes him qualified to serve as a director.

  

1996

     

Mary Leach Werner

(2) (3) 

50

Vice President and Director of North American Land Co., Inc.; Vice President and Director of Sweet Lake Land & Oil Co., Inc. Mrs. Werner’s experience in land management and oil and gas activities makes her qualified to serve as a director.

  

2004

     

Michael B. White
(3)

61

Oil and gas ventures, farmland and timberland investments, sole manager of Ottley Properties, LLC. Mr. White’s experience in oil and gas, farmland and timberland makes him qualified to serve as a director.

 

2013

Member of the (1) Audit Committee, (2) Compensation Committee, (3) Nominating Committee.

Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements & Shaddock, L.L.P. is a law firm. Second University Homesites, Inc. Jones-Boyer, LLC, and Boyer Properties, LLC are residential property management companies. Mallard Bay Corp., Haas-Hirsch Interests, North American Land Co., Inc., and Sweet Lake Land & Oil Co., Inc. are all land management companies. Marlin Energy, LLC is an upstream oil and gas company. Ottley Properties, LLC is an investment holding company. Brian R. Jones CPA, LLC is a CPA firm.

Mrs. Savoy is Mr. Boyer’s aunt. There are no other family relationships between any of our directors and executive officers, or any arrangement or understanding between any of our executive officers and any other person pursuant to which any executive officer was appointed to his office.

The Board of Directors has determined that director nominees Boyer, Hart, Savoy, Werner, and White are “independent directors” as defined under the rules of the NYSE MKT.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to officers, directors and employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics will be provided by writing the President at P.O. Box 1864, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70602 or obtained through the Company’s website, www.ckxlands.com.

Item 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information required by Item 11 iswill be included in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated herein by reference.


 

ItemITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The information required by Item 12 iswill be included in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ItemITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The information required by Item 13 iswill be included in the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ItemITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTS FEES AND SERVICES

 

The information required by Item 14 iswill be included in the Registrant’sRegistrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

PART IV

 

ItemITEM 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES

 

(a)

Documents filed as part of this report:

 

(1)

Financial Statements. The financial statements filed as part of this report are listed in the Table of Contents to Financial Statements appearing immediately after the signature page of this Form 10-K and are included herein by reference.

 

(2)

Financial Statement Schedules. Financial Statement Schedules are not required.

 

(3)

Exhibits. See (b) below

 

(b)

Exhibits:

 

3.1

Restated/3.1*

Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)-1 to Form 10 filed April 29, 1981.Registrant.

 

3.2

Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant is (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3.2)3.2 to Form 10-K (File No. 001-31905)for year ended December 31, 2003.2003 filed on March 19, 2004).

 

3.33.3*

Articles of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.

3.4

By-Laws of the Registrant are (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3.3)3.3 to Form 10-Q (File No. 001-31905)for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013.2013 filed on May 10, 2013).

 

10

Contract to Purchase and Sell approximately 3,495 acres in Cameron Parish, Louisiana effective July 3, 2007 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) to Form 10-QSB filed August 13, 2007.

 

10.1

Agreement to Purchase and Sell Real Estate of approximately 880 acres in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana effective May 11, 2016 is incorporated(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q (File No. 001-31905) for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016 filed on August 8, 2016.2016).

 


10.2

Agreement to Purchase and Sell Real Estate of commercial real estate in Sulphur, Louisiana effective July 13, 2017 is (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q (File No. 001-31905) for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017 filed August 3, 2017.2017).

 

3131*

Certification of Brian R. Jones,Lee W. Boyer, President and Treasurer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith.

 

3232**

Certification of Brian R. Jones,Lee W. Boyer, President and Treasurer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith.

 

101.INS**

XBRL Instance

101.SCH**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

101.DEF**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

101.LAB**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

101.PRE**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

**XBRL

information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.Filed herewith

 

**

Furnished herewith


ItemITEM 16.6.

FORM 10-K SUMMARY

 

Not applicable.None.


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirementrequirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 23, 2018.21, 2019.

 

CKX LANDS, INC.

By:

 

CKX LANDS, INC.

/s/ Lee Boyer

Lee Boyer

BY: /s/Brian R. Jones

President and Treasurer

Name:

Brian R. Jones

(Principal Executive and Financial Officer)

Title:

President and Treasurer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated with regard to CKX Lands, Inc. on March 23, 2018.21, 2019.

 

/s/Brian R. JonesLee W. Boyer

Brian R. JonesLee W. Boyer

President, Treasurer and Director

(Principal Executive and Financial Officer)

/s/Lee W. Boyer Mary Leach Werner

Lee W. BoyerMary Leach Werner

Secretary and Director

/s/Max H. Hart

Max H. Hart

Director

/s/Eugene T. Minvielle, IV

Eugene T. Minvielle, IV

Director

/s/Mary W. Savoy

Mary W. Savoy

Director

/s/Charles D. Viccellio

Charles D. Viccellio

Director

/s/Mary Leach Werner

Mary Leach Werner

Director

/s/Michael B. White

Michael B. White

Director

/s/Keith Duplechin

Keith Duplechin

Director

/s/Daniel J. Englander

Daniel J. Englander

Director

/s/William Gray Stream

William Gray Stream

Director

 


 

CKX LANDS, INC.

 

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

15F-2

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Balance SheetsCONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  16F-3

Statements of Income

 17

Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ EquityCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  18F-4

Statements of Cash Flows

 19

Notes to Financial StatementsCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

F-5

 20-29

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

F-6

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

F-7

 

14


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

CKX Lands, Inc.

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of CKX Lands, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20172018 and 2016,2017, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20172018 and 2016,2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP

www.malonebailey.com

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2015.

Houston, Texas

March 23, 201821, 2019

 


 

 

CKX Lands, Inc.

Balance SheetsLANDS, INC

December 31, 2017B and ALANCE SHEETS2016

 

  

2017

  

2016

 

Assets

 

Current Assets:

        

Cash

 $1,618,583  $1,081,188 

Cash-Restricted

  33,821   -- 

Certificates of deposit

  2,662,890   3,370,000 

Accounts receivable

  113,067   62,403 

Prepaid expense and other assets

  50,354   23,467 

Total current assets

  4,478,715   4,537,058 

Non-current Assets

        

Certificates of deposit

  950,000   720,000 

Property and equipment:

        

Land

  7,147,100   7,075,345 

Timber

  2,119,180   2,072,368 

Property, building and equipment less accumulated depreciation of $74,565 and $73,374, respectively

  28,742   13,553 

Total property and equipment, net

  9,295,022   9,161,266 

Total assets

 $14,723,737  $14,418,324 
         

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

Current Liabilities:

        

Trade payables and accrued expenses

 $207,166  $122,464 

Income taxes payable

  13,346   9,993 

Total current liabilities

  220,512   132,457 

Non-current Liabilities:

        

Deferred income tax payable

  187,664   298,919 

Total liabilities

  408,176   431,376 

Stockholders’ Equity:

        

Common stock, no par value: 3,000,000 shares authorized; 1,942,495 shares issued and outstanding

  59,335   59,335 

Retained earnings

  14,256,226   13,927,613 

Total stockholders’ equity

  14,315,561   13,986,948 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $14,723,737  $14,418,324 
  

December 31,

2018

  

December 31,

2017

 
         

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

        

Cash

 $1,860,736  $1,618,583 

Restricted cash

  -   33,821 

Certificates of deposit

  3,370,000   2,662,890 

Equity investment in mutual funds

  244,825   - 

Accounts receivable

  118,463   113,067 

Prepaid expense and other assets

  36,989   50,354 

Total current assets

  5,631,013   4,478,715 

Long-term certificate of deposit

  725,000   950,000 

Property and equipment, net

  9,245,988   9,295,022 

Total assets

 $15,602,001  $14,723,737 
         

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        
         

Current liabilities:

        

Trade payables and accrued expenses

 $205,161  $207,166 

Income tax payable

  11,654   13,346 

Total current liabilities

  216,815   220,512 

Deferred income tax payable

  187,664   187,664 

Total liabilities

  404,479   408,176 
         

Stockholders' equity:

        

Common stock, 3,000,000 authorized, no par value, 1,942,495 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017

  59,335   59,335 

Retained earnings

  15,138,187   14,256,226 

Total stockholders' equity

  15,197,522   14,315,561 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $15,602,001  $14,723,737 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

 

CKX Lands, Inc.LANDS, INC

Statements of Income

Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

  

2017

  

2016

 

Revenues:

        

Oil and gas

 $609,122  $510,856 

Timber

  224,111   125,860 

Surface

  273,019   189,019 

Surface - related party

  38,333   37,667 

Total revenues

  1,144,585   863,402 

Costs, Expenses and (Gains):

        

Oil and gas

  62,315   57,115 

Timber

  35,692   27,957 

Surface

  43,929   82,081 

General and administrative

  495,040   508,422 

Depreciation

  1,191   467 

Gain on sale of land

  (34,711)  -- 

Total cost, expenses and (gains)

  603,456   676,042 

Income from operations

  541,129   187,360 

Other Income:

        

Interest income

  44,958   34,951 

Other income

  44,958   34,951 

Income before income taxes

  586,087   222,311 

Federal and State Income Taxes:

        

Current

  174,479   45,485 

Deferred

  (111,255)  6,152 

Total federal and state income taxes

  63,224   51,637 

Net income

 $522,863  $170,674 
         

Per Common stock, basic and diluted

        

Net income

 $0.27  $0.09 

Dividends

 $0.10  $-- 
         

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, basic and diluted

  1,942,495   1,942,495 
  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 
         

Revenues:

        

Oil and gas

 $581,463  $609,122 

Timber sales

  454,177   224,111 

Surface revenue

  120,790   273,019 

Surface revenue - related party

  38,333   38,333 

Total revenue

  1,194,763   1,144,585 

Costs, expenses and (gains):

        

Oil and gas costs

  63,231   62,315 

Timber costs

  45,640   35,692 

Surface costs

  23,636   43,929 

General and administrative expense

  573,532   495,040 

Depreciation expense

  2,027   1,191 

Gain on sale of land and equipment

  (881,654)  (34,711)

Total costs, expenses and (gains)

  (173,588)  603,456 

Income from operations

  1,368,351   541,129 
         

Interest income

  97,502   44,958 

Income before income taxes

  1,465,853   586,087 

Federal and state income tax expense:

        

Current

  350,793   174,479 

Deferred

  -   (111,255)

Total income taxes

  350,793   63,224 

Net income

 $1,115,060  $522,863 
         

Per common stock, basic and diluted

        

Net income

 $0.57  $0.27 

Dividends

 $0.12  $0.10 
         

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted

  1,942,495   1,942,495 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

 

CKX Lands, Inc.

Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ EquityLANDS, INC

Years ended December 31, S2017TATEMENTS and 2016OF CHANGESIN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

  

Total

  

Retained
Earnings

  

Capital
Stock
Issued

 

December 31, 2015 Balance

 $13,809,767  $13,750,432  $59,335 

Net income

  170,674   170,674   -- 

Dividend reversion

  6,507   6,507   -- 

December 31, 2016 Balance

 $13,986,948  $13,927,613  $59,335 

Net income

  522,863   522,863   -- 

Dividends paid

  (194,250)  (194,250)  -- 

December 31, 2017 Balance

 $14,315,561  $14,256,226  $59,335 
  

Common Stock

  

Retained

  

Total

 
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Earnings

  

Equity

 

Balances, December 31, 2016

  1,942,495  $59,335  $13,927,613  $13,986,948 

Dividends paid

  -   -   (194,250)  (194,250)

Net income

  -   -   522,863   522,863 

Balances, December 31, 2017

  1,942,495  $59,335  $14,256,226  $14,315,561 

Dividends paid

  -   -   (233,099)  (233,099)

Net income

  -   -   1,115,060   1,115,060 

Balances, December 31, 2018

  1,942,495  $59,335  $15,138,187  $15,197,522 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

 

CKX Lands, Inc.

Statements of Cash FlowsLANDS, INC.

Years Ended December 31, 2016STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS and 2015

 

  

2017

  

2016

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

        

Net income

 $522,863  $170,674 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

        

Gain from sale of land

  (34,711)  -- 

Timber depletion

  15,661   1,751 

Depreciation

  1,191   467 

Deferred income tax expense

  (111,255)  6,152 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

        

(Increase) decrease in current assets

  (77,551)  23,708 

Increase in current liabilities

  88,055   78,055 

Net cash provided from operating activities

  404,253   280,807 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

        

Certificate of deposits:

        

Maturity proceeds

  3,610,000   3,564,000 

Purchase

  (3,132,890)  (3,130,000)

Land:

        

Proceeds

  39,388   -- 

Purchases and improvements

  (76,432)  (1,865,499)

Timber:

        

Purchases

  (62,473)  (528,031)

Property, building, and equipment:

        

Purchases

  (16,380)  (14,020)

Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities

  361,213   (1,973,550)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

        

Dividends paid

  (194,250)  -- 

Dividends reversion

  --   6,507 

Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities

  (194,250)  6,507 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  571,216   (1,686,236)

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

        

Beginning

  1,081,188   2,767,424 

Ending

 $1,652,404  $1,081,188 
         

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

        

Cash payments for:

        

Interest

 $--  $-- 

Income taxes

 $169,500  $12,420 
         

Noncash investing and financing activities:

        
  $--  $-- 
  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net income

 $1,115,060  $522,863 

Less non-cash expenses included in net income:

        

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense

  3,885   16,852 

Deferred income tax expense

  -   (111,255)

Gain on sale of land

  (881,654)  (34,711)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Increase (decrease) in current assets

  7,968   (77,551)

Increase (decrease) in current liabilities

  (3,697)  88,055 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  241,562   404,253 
         

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Purchases of certificates of deposit

  (3,145,000)  (3,132,890)

Proceeds from maturity of certificates of deposit

  2,662,890   3,610,000 

Purchases of mutual funds

  (244,825)  - 

Purchases of fixed assets

  (55,438)  (155,285)

Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets

  982,242   39,388 

Net cash provided by investing activities

  199,869   361,213 
         

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Dividends paid

  (233,099)  (194,250)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (233,099)  (194,250)
         

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH

  208,332   571,216 

Cash and restricted cash, beginning of the period

  1,652,404   1,081,188 

Cash and restricted cash, end of the period

 $1,860,736  $1,652,404 
         

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

        

Cash paid for interest

 $-  $- 

Cash paid for income taxes

 $355,387  $169,500 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 


 

CKX Lands, Inc.LANDS, INC.

Notes to Financial StatementsNOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Note 1.1:

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of business:Business

 

The Company was incorporated in the State of Louisiana on June 27, 1930. The Company’s business is the ownership and management of land. The primary activities consist of leasing its properties for minerals (oil and gas), raising and harvesting timber, and surface use (agriculture, right of ways, hunting).

 

Significant accounting policies:Accounting Policies

 

PervasivenessUse of estimates:Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains its cash balances in four financial institutions. The amount on deposit in each financial institution is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000.

Cash equivalents:Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents are highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased.

 

Certificate of deposits:Deposits

 

Certificates of deposit have maturities greater than three months when purchased, in amounts not greater than $250,000.$250,000. All certificates of deposit are held until maturity and recorded at cost which approximates fair value. Certificates of deposit mature through 2019.2020.

 

Accounts Receivable:Equity Investment

 

OurIn January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” (ASU 2016-01), which makes targeted amendments to the guidance for recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments.  The guidance under ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments, other than equity method investments, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company classified $244,831 of mutual funds as equity securities.  The Company invests in ultra-short, high quality U.S. dollar money market, foreign funds, and obligations issued by the US Government. The Company did not hold any equity investments until the fourth quarter of 2018, accordingly, there are no effects on the Company’s investments under the adoption of ASU 2016-01.”

Accounts Receivable

The Company’s accounts receivable consists of incomes received after year end for royalties produced prior to year-end.  When there are royalties that have not been received at the time of the preparation of the financial statements for months in the prior year, we estimatethe Company estimates the amount to be received based on the last month’s royalties that were received from that particular company.  We do The Company does not maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts because other than the accrual for earned but not received royalties, we have it has no accounts receivable.

Property, Building and Equipment

 

Property,, building, and equipment:

Property, building, and equipment is stated at cost. Major additions are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to income as incurred. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line and accelerated methods over the following estimated useful lives of the assets.assets:

Furniture and equipment (years)

  5-7 

Land improvements (years)

   15  

 

Timber:

Reforestation costs and other costs associated with the planting and growth of timber, such as site preparation, purchases of seedlings, planting, fertilization, and herbicide application, are capitalized. Timber carrying costs such as insect, wildlife and wildfire control and forest management services are expensed as incurred.

Costs attributable to timber harvested or depleted are charged against revenue as trees are harvested. Depletion rates are determined based on the relationship between the carrying value of the timber and the total timber volume estimated to be harvested over the harvest cycle. Upon the clear-cut harvest of a timber tract, the net timber asset value is expensed.

Revenue from timber is recognized upon either the thinning or clear-cut harvesting of our timber and is recorded at such time of such activity.  The Company does not enter into timber deed contracts.  The Company may receive a deposit at the time of entering into a stumpage agreement and this deposit is recorded in trade payables and accrued expenses until earned.  The Company held stumpage agreements deposits of $94,600 and $54,300 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Impairment of long-lived assets:Long-lived Assets

 

Long-lived assets, such as land, timber and property, building,buildings, and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If events or circumstances arise that require a long-lived asset to be tested for potential impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset to its carrying value. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value maybe determined through various valuation techniques including quoted market prices, third-partythird-party independent appraisals and discounted cash flow models. The Company recorded no impairment charges during 20172018 and 2016.2017.


Revenue Recognition

Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Under the new standard, we recognize revenues when the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of a contract with a customer exists, (ii) identifiable performance obligations under the contract exist, (iii) the transaction price is determinable for each performance obligation, (iv) the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation, and (v) when the performance obligations are satisfied. We derive a majority of our revenues from oil and gas royalties, timber sales, and surface leases. Surface leases are not within the scope of ASC 606. See Note 9 for more detailed information about the Company’s reportable segments.

 

Oil and gas:Gas

 

Oil and gas revenue is recorded whengenerated through customer contracts, where we provide the Company is notified bycustomer access to a designated tract of land upon which the well’s operator as to the Company’s sharecustomer performs exploration, extraction, production and ultimate sale of the revenue proceeds together with the withheld severance taxes or net revenue.

In addition, theoil and gas. The Company does accrue estimatedreceives royalties on all oil and gas net revenue earned but not received from these well operators as ofproduced by the balance sheet datecustomer. The performance obligation identified in oil and records this accrued amount as accounts receivable. The accounts receivable balance consists solely of these accrued net revenues.

The Company does not have the ability to know the actual production volume orgas related contracts is the oil and gas produced on the designated tract of land. The performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time, which is when the customer produces oil and gas. The transaction price paid for the production until theis comprised of fixed fees (royalties) on all oil and gas produced The Company accrues monthly royalty revenues based upon estimates and adjusts to actual payment is received from the well’s operator. In estimating the accrued net receivable and its collectability,as the Company reviewsreceives payments. Accrued royalty income was $93,594 and $84,333 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. There are no capitalized contract costs associated with oil and gas contracts. The accounting of royalty income remains largely unchanged upon implementation of ASC 606.

Timber

Timber revenue is generated through customer contracts executed as a pay-as-cut arrangement, where the prior monthscustomer acquires the right to harvest specified timber on a designated tract for a set period of activity by well, available subsequent nettime at agreed-upon unit prices. The performance obligation identified in timber related contracts is a single tree severed.

We satisfy our performance obligation when timber is severed, at which time revenue receipts by well and any other pertinent information that is availablerecognized. The transaction price for timber sales is determined using contractual rates applied to theharvest volumes. The Company to estimate the net revenuemay receive a deposit at the balance sheet date. Astime of entering into a stumpage agreement and this deposit is recorded in trade payables and accrued expenses until earned. The Company held stumpage agreement deposits of $30,600 and $94,600 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and 2016,respectively. There are no allowance for doubtful accounts was recorded. capitalized contract costs associated with timber contracts. The accounting of timber revenue remains largely unchanged upon implementation of ASC 606.

 

Surface:Surface

 

Surface revenue is earned through annual leases for agricultural and hunting activities and the Company records revenues evenly over the term of these leases.  Surface revenues from these sources are recurring on an annual basis.  Unearned surface revenues are recorded in trade payables and accrued expenses and are $45,651were $58,893 and none$45,651 at December 31, 2017 2018 and 2016,2017, respectively.

 

Surface revenue is also earned through right of way and related temporary work space leases, both of which are not unusual in occurrence and are not recurring sources of revenue. Generally, a right of way lease relates to either a utility or pipeline right of way that is a permanent servitude or exists for fixed periods of time greater than thirty years. The Company retains ownership of the surface or land and the servitude is limited to the use of the surface. Revenue is recorded at the time of the agreement’sagreement’s execution date. For income tax purposes, these types of agreements are treated as sales of business assets.

 

Other sources of surface revenue can be commercial activities leases and sales of surface mineral sales,minerals, such as dirt.

 

Basic and Diluted Earnings per share

Net earnings per share is provided in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10, "Earnings per Share". Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive income per share excludes all potential common shares if their effect is anti-dilutive. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017 there were no dilutive shares outstanding.


 

CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)Dividends

 

Net IncomeThe Company has changed the manner in which it determines whether a dividend will be declared.  The Company will no longer have a “regular” or “extra” dividend as have been defined in prior reports.  In determining whether a dividend will be declared, the Board of Directors will take into account the Company’s prior fiscal year’s cash flows from operations and the current economic conditions among other information deemed relevant. Dividends Paid per common stock:

Net income and dividends paid per common stock are based on the weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding during the period.

 

Dividends:

Pursuant to a dividend reversion clause in the Company’sCompany’s Articles of Incorporation, dividends not claimed within one year after the dividend becamebecomes payable will expire and revert in full ownership to the Company and the Company’s obligation to pay such dividend will cease. Any dividend reversions are recorded in equity upon receipt.

 

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income taxes:Taxes, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities.

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws.

 

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company has analyzed its filing positions in federal and state income tax returns for the tax returns that remain subject to examination, generally 3 years after filing. The Company believes that all filing positions are highly certain and that all income tax filing positions and deductions would be sustained upon a taxing jurisdiction’s audit. Therefore, no reserve for uncertain tax positions is required. No interest or penalties have been levied against the Company and none are anticipated.

Presentation:Other Taxes

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassifiedTaxes, other than income taxes, of $159,573 and $154,167, were charged to conform to the current year’s presentation, including oilexpense during 2018 and gas, timber, and surface, from general and administrative costs and expenses on the statements of income.2017, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, in an effort to reduce the diversity of how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments of this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, and the Company has adopted Topic 230. The impact of this new guidance does not materially impact the presentation or classifications in the statement of cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB Issued ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” and clarifies the objective of the collectability criterion, presentation of taxes collected from customers, non-cash consideration, contract modifications at transition, completed contracts at transition and how guidance in Topic 606 is retrospectively applied. The amendments do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. The effective dates are the same as those for Topic 606. The Company finalized its assessment of contracts with customers. Based on the Company’s evaluation, the new guidance does not have a material impact on its financial statements. Contracts with customers typically consist of stumpage/timber agreements which include the location, type and quantity of timber the customer can thin or harvest, the unit price for each type and payment terms. The transaction price is generally fixed at this time and revenue is recognized when the customer takes possession of the timber. The impact of the new guidance does not materially impact how timber revenue is recognized.


CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

On February 24, 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.2016-02, Leases, requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with the exception of short-term leases. For lessees, leases will continue to be classified as either operating or finance leases in the income statement. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model. Lessors will continue to classify leases as operating, direct financing or sales-type leases. The effective date of the new standard for public companies is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The Company does not believe this change will have an impact on its financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)(“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “RevenueASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic (Topic 606)”. This update, which supersedes the most of the existingcurrent revenue recognition requirements in GAAP andguidance, including industry-specific guidance. Subsequently, the FASB issued updates that provide additional implementation guidance. The new guidance requires (i) an entitycompanies to recognize revenue when it transfersto depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entityit expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or servicesservices. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 applying the modified retrospective approach. The Company has completed its review of all revenue sources in scope for the new standard, and (ii) requires expanded disclosures regardingoil, gas and mineral agreements and stumpage agreements are within this scope. In accordance with the new standard, the basis for determining revenue and expenses allocable to oil, gas and mineral agreements (royalty revenue) and stumpage agreements (timber revenue) was not modified. There was no net cumulative effect adjustment for this change as of January 1, 2018.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), which provides guidance requiring companies to report net cash provided or used by operating, investing and financing activities and the net effect of those flows on the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents during the period.  The statement of cash flows shall report that information in a manner that reconciles beginning and ending totals of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Companies shall also disclose information about the nature amount, timing,of the restrictions on restricted cash and certaintyrestricted cash equivalents.  The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of revenue2018.  In accordance with the new standard, no modification to our presentation for restricted cash was made. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition of Financial Assets and cash flows from contractsFinancial Liabilities,” (ASU 2016-01), which makes targeted amendments to the guidance for recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments.  The guidance under ASU 2016-01 requires equity investments, other than equity method investments, to be measured at fair value with customers.changes in fair value recognized in net income.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company classified $244,831 of mutual funds as equity securities.  The standard will be effectiveCompany invests in ultra-short, high quality U.S. dollar money market, foreign funds, and obligations issued by the US Government.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which amended the accounting treatment for annualleases. Lessees (for capital and interim reporting periodsoperating leases) and lessors (for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning after December 15, 2017, with early application not permitted. The standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaningof the standard is applied to all periodsearliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, orstatements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10 and ASU 2018-11. ASU 2018-10 provides certain areas for improvement in ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-11 provides an additional optional transition method by allowing entities to initially apply the new leasing standard at the adoption meaningdate and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The new leasing standard is applied onlyeffective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is reviewing its service agreements and other arrangements to evaluate whether they meet the most current period presented. Thedefinition of a lease under ASU 2016-02 and what impact, if any, that the adoption of Topic 606 is addressed above.the new leasing standard may have on its financial statements.


 

There are various other updates recently issued, most of which represented technical corrections to the accounting literature or application to specific industries and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’sCompany’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

Note 2.      Oil and Gas Leases

Results of oil and gas leasing activities for the year ending December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

  

2017

  

2016

 

Gross revenues

        

Royalty interests

 $588,121  $488,947 

Lease fees

  21,001   21,909 
   609,122   510,856 

Production costs

  62,315   47,212 

Results before income tax expense

  546,807   463,644 

Estimated income tax expense

  169,510   97,365 

Results of operations from producing activities excluding corporate overhead

 $377,297  $366,279 


CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Note 2.      Oil and Gas Leases (continued)

There were no major costs, with the exception of severance taxes, incurred in connection the Company's oil and gas leasing activities, which are located entirely within the United States, during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Reserve quantities (unaudited):

Reserve information relating to estimated quantities of the Company's interest in proved reserves of natural gas and crude including condensate and natural gas liquids is not available. Such reserves are located entirely within the United States. A schedule indicating such reserve quantities is, therefore, not presented. All oil and gas royalties come from Company owned properties that were developed and produced by producers, unrelated to Company, under oil and gas mineral lease agreements.

Company’s royalty and working interests share of oil and gas, exclusive of plant products, produced from leased properties:

  

2017

  

2016

 
         

Net gas produced (MCF)

  42,927   48,758 

Net oil produced (Bbl)

  8,169   8,412 

Note 3.      Income Taxes     2:      Restricted Cash

 

The Company files federalfollowing table provides a reconciliation of cash and state income tax returns on a calendar year basis.

The net deferred tax liabilityrestricted cash reported within the balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the accompanying balance sheets includes the following components at December 31, 2017 and 2016:statement of cash flows.

 

  

2017

  

2016

 

Deferred tax assets

 $--  $-- 

Deferred tax liabilities

  (187,664)  (298,919)
  $(187,664) $(298,919)

Reconciliations between the United States Federal statutory income tax provision, using the statutory rate of 34%, and the Company’s provision for income taxes at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

  

2017

  

2016

 

Income tax on income before extraordinary item:

        

Tax at statutory rates

 $199,270  $75,586 

Tax effect of the following:

        

Statutory depletion

  (29,994)  (24,936)

Section 179 deduction

      (5,229)

State income tax

  12,475   808 

Other

  (7,272)  (744)

Income tax on income

 $174,479  $45,485 


CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Note 3.

Income Taxes (continued)

Deferred income taxes result from timing differences in the recognition of revenue and expenses for tax and financial statement purposes. The effect of these timing differences at December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

  

2017

  

2016

 

Casualty loss

 $(77,714) $(121,239)

Deferred gain

  (109,950)  (171,528)

Section 179 deduction

  --   (6,152)
  $(187,664) $(298,919)
  

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 
         

Cash

 $1,860,736  $1,618,583 

Restricted cash

  -   33,821 

Total

 $1,860,736  $1,652,404 

 

The decrease to net deferred tax liabilitiesrestricted cash as of $111,255 is directly related to the 2017 Tax Act. On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, also known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”), was enacted. This enactment resulted in a number of significant changes to U.S. federal income tax law for U.S. corporations. Most notably for the Company, the statutory U.S. federal corporate income tax rate was changed from 35% to 21% for corporations.

Note 4.      Land Purchases and Sales

Land Purchases

During the year ended December 31, 2017 represents $33,821 held in a 1031 trust account relating to a like kind exchange. During 2018, the Company did not purchase any lands. However,properties identified for the Company did incur costs of $76,432 to clear, survey and improve drainage on certain lands. These costs increase the valuepurposes of the land and1031 Exchange were deemed not considered maintenance costs.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company purchased the following lands:

Quarter

 

+/-

Acres

 

Louisiana

Parish

 

Ownership

  

Land

  

Timber

  

Mineral
Rights %

 

1st

  40 

Beauregard

  100% $59,638  $10,000   0.00%

2nd

  129 

Beauregard

  100% $198,874  $34,200   50.00%

3rd

  880 

Calcasieu

  100% $1,532,092  $408,000   50.00%

3rd

  80 

Calcasieu

  100% $74,895  $58,000   100.00%

Land Sales

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company sold the following lands:

Quarter

  

+/-

Acres

 

Louisiana

Parish

 

Ownership

  

Land

  

Timber

  

Mineral
Rights %

 
1   1 

Calcasieu

  100% $3,390   --   0%
3   2 

Calcasieu

 

1/6

th $888   --   0%
3   44 

Calcasieu

 

1/6

% $31,196   --   50%
4   0.4 

Calcasieu

  100% $3,914   --   0%

acceptable after preliminary due diligence. The 3rd quarter sale of +/- 44 acres in Calcasieu parish1031 Exchange wasstructured as a “deferred exchange using a qualified intermediary” pursuant to Paragraph 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code (1031 Exchange) for income tax purposes. The proceeds from this transaction, $33,821 are held in restricted cash at year end.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company sold no land.


CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued) not completed.

 

 

Note 5.      Timber Activities3:      Certificates of Deposit

 

In addition to the timber activity notedThe Company has certificates of deposit for investment purposes. Certificates of deposit have maturities greater than three months when purchased, in Note 4, the Company incurred reforestationamounts not greater than $250,000. All certificates of deposit are held until maturity and recorded at cost duringwhich approximates fair value. Certificates of deposit mature through August of 2020. Certificates of deposit were $4,095,000 and $3,612,890 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Purchases of certificates of deposit were $3,145,000 and $3,132,890 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Proceeds from the maturity of certificates of deposit were $2,662,890 and 2016 of $62,473$3,610,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and $17,831,2017, respectively.

 

 

Note 6.      Company Operations4:     Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

ASC 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. It defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The Company’s operations are classified into standard describes three principal operating segments levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are all locatedobservable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active; and model-driven valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Valuations may be obtained from, or corroborated by, third-party pricing services.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs to measure fair value of assets and liabilities for which there is little, if any market activity at the United States: oilmeasurement date, using reasonable inputs and gas, surface and timber. The Company’s reportable business segments are strategic business units that offer income from different products. They are managed separately dueassumptions based upon the best information at the time, to the unique aspects of each area.

Following is a summary of segmented operations information for 2017extent that inputs are available without undue cost and 2016:

  

2017

  

2016

 

Revenues

     

Oil and Gas

 $609,122  $510,856 

Timber

  224,111   125,860 

Surface

  273,019   189,019 

Surface – related party

  38,333   37,667 

Total

  1,144,585   863,402 

Cost and Expenses

     

Oil and Gas

  62,315   57,115 

Timber

  35,692   27,957 

Surface

  43,929   82,081 

Total 

  141,936   167,153 

Income from Operations

     

Oil and Gas

  546,807   453,741 

Timber

  188,419   97,903 

Surface

  267,423   144,605 

Total

  1,002,649   696,249 

Other Income (Expense) before Income Taxes

  (416,562)  (473,938)

Income before Income Taxes

  586,087   222,311 
         

Identifiable Assets, net of accumulated depreciation and depletion

        

Oil and Gas

  --   -- 

Timber

  2,119,180   2,072,368 

Surface

  --   -- 

General Corporate Assets

  12,604,557   12,345,956 

Total

  14,723,737   14,418,324 
         

Capital Expenditures

        

Oil and Gas

  --   -- 

Timber

  62,473   528,031 

Surface

  --   -- 

General Corporate Assets

  92,157   1,879,519 
   154,630   2,407,550 


CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Note 6.     Company Operations (continued)

  

2017

  

2016

 

Depreciation and Depletion

        

Oil and Gas

  --   -- 

Timber

  15,661   1,751 

Surface

  --   -- 

General Corporate Assets

  1,191   467 

Total

 $16,852  $2,218 

There are no intersegment sales reported in the accompanying income statements. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company evaluates performance based on income or loss from operations before income taxes excluding nonrecurring gains and losses on securities held available-for-sale. Income before income tax represents net revenues less costs and expenses less other income and expenses of a general corporate nature. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used solely in the Company's operations within that segment.

Revenue from customers representing 5% or more of total revenue was:

Count

  

2017

  

2016

 
1  $179,292  $129,529 
2   163,483   117,827 
3   131,837   67,303 
4   113,280   66,178 
5   70,760   63,449 
6   61,677   63,309 
7   51,814   54,697 

Note 7.     Line of Credit

The Company has available an unsecured line of credit in the amount of $1,000,000. The balance on this line of credit was $-0- at December 31, 2017and2016. The line of credit matures on June 13, 2018 and borrowings under the line will bear interest at 2.75% plus the one-month LIBOR rate.

Note 8.     Supplementary Income Statement Information

Taxes, other than income taxes, of $154,167 and $145,245, were charged to expense during 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Note 9.     Contingencies:

There are no material contingencies known to Management. The Company does not participate in off balance sheet arrangements.

Note 10.     Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains its cash balances in two financial institutions. The amount on deposit in the financial institution is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000.effort.

 


CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Note 11.     Related Party Transactions

On April 17,2017, the Company entered into an option to lease agreement (“OTL”) with Stream Wetlands Services, LLC (“Stream”). Under the terms of the OTL, Stream paid the Company $38,333 for an exclusive right to evaluate and market certain lands owned by the Company to their client for beneficial use purposes to compensate for wetlands impact through February 28, 2018. Stream may extend the OTL for up to three (3) successive periods of twelve (12) months. If Stream is chosen to perform their client’s project, the Company has agreed to put forth its best efforts to negotiate and enter into a mutually acceptable lease form. Due to the uncertainty of the contract award and project scope, we are unable to estimate the potential financial benefit, if any, to the Company. William Gray Stream, a prior Company Director, is the president of Stream Wetlands Services, LLC.

On October 16, 2016, the Company entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with Stream Wetlands Services, LLC (“Stream”). Under the terms of the MOU, Stream paid the Company $37,667 for a non-exclusive right to evaluate and market certain lands owned by the Company to their client for beneficial use purposes to compensate for wetlands impact. This non-exclusive right terminates in 6 months. If Stream is chosen to perform their client’s project, the Company has agreed to put forth its best efforts to negotiate and enter into a mutually acceptable lease form. Due to the uncertainty of the contract award and project scope, we are unable to estimate the potential financial benefit, if any, to the Company. William Gray Stream, a prior Company Director, is the president of Stream Wetlands Services, LLC.

Office rent of $4,800, was paid to a company owned by the president in both 2017 and 2016.

During 2017 and 2016, legal expenses of $12,243 and $5,883, respectively, were incurred to the president’s spouse’s law firm.

Note 12.     Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it was practical to estimate that value:

 

Class

Methods and/or Assumptions

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

Carrying value approximates fair value due to its readily convertible characteristic.

 

Certificate of Deposit:

 

Held until maturity and recorded at amortized cost which approximates fair value.

 

The estimated fair value of the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2017 2018 and 20162017 are as follows.follows:

 

(Presented in thousands)

     

2017

  

2016

 
  

 

Level

  

Carrying
Value

  

Fair Value

  

Carrying
Value

  

Fair Value

 

Financial Assets:

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

  1  $1,619  $1,619  $1,081  $1,081 

Certificate of deposit – short term

  1   2,663   2,663   3,370   3,370 

Certificate of deposit – long term

  1   --   --   720   720 
      $5,232  $5,232  $5,171  $5,171 
      

2018

  

2017

 

Financial Assets:

 

Level

  

Carrying Value

  

Fair Value

  

Carrying Value

  

Fair Value

 
                     

Cash and cash equivalents

  1  $1,860,736  $1,860,736  $1,618,583  $1,618,583 

Certificate of deposit - short term

  1   3,370,000   3,370,000   2,662,890   2,662,890 

Certificate of deposit - long term

  1   725,000   725,000   950,000   950,000 

Total

     $5,955,736  $5,955,736  $5,231,473  $5,231,473 

 

Note 5:      Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

  

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 
         

Land

 $7,051,412  $7,147,100 

Timber

  2,162,390   2,119,180 

Building and equipment

  108,602   103,307 
   9,322,404   9,369,587 

Accumulated depreciation

  (76,416)  (74,565)

Total

 $9,245,988  $9,295,022 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was $3,885 and $16,852 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively.

Note 6:      Land Purchases and Sales

Land Purchases

The Company did not purchase any lands during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. However, in 2017 the Company did incur costs of $76,432 to clear, survey and improve drainage on certain lands. These costs increase the value of the land and were not considered maintenance costs.


 

Land Sales

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company sold the following lands:

  

+/-

 

Louisiana

             

Mineral

 

Quarter

 

Acres

 

Parish

 

Ownership

  

Land

  

Timber

  

Rights %

 

1st

  17 

Calcasieu

  100% $128,000   -   0%

1st

  20 

Calcasieu

  16.7% $147,625   -   0%

1st

  211 

Calcasieu

  16.7% $536,572   -   100%

1st

  76 

Calcasieu

  16.7% $189,167   -   0%

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company sold the following lands:

  

+/-

 

Louisiana

             

Mineral

 

Quarter

 

Acres

 

Parish

 

Ownership

  

Land

  

Timber

  

Rights %

 

1st

  1 

Calcasieu

  100% $3,390   -   0%

3rd

  2 

Calcasieu

  16.7% $888   -   0%

3rd

  44 

Calcasieu

  16.7% $31,196   -   50%

4th

  0.4 

Calcasieu

  100% $3,914   -   0%

The 3rd quarter sale of +/- 44 acres in Calcasieu parish was structured as a 1031 Exchange for income tax purposes. See Note 2 for more details. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the gains on sales of land were $881,654 and $34,711, respectively.

 

CKX Lands, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Note 13.     Subsequent Event – Dividend Declaration7:      Dividends

 

On March 22, 2018, the Company declared a dividend of twelve ($0.12)$0.12 cents per common share payable to shareholders of record date as of April 5, 2018 and payment date2018. Total dividends of $233,099 were paid on April 12, 2018. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company declared a dividend of $0.10 cents per common share. Total dividends of $194,250 were paid during 2017.

Note 8:      Oil and Gas Leases

Results of oil and gas leasing activities for the year ending December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

  

2018

  

2017

 

Gross revenues

        

Royalty interests

 $4,487  $588,121 

Lease fees

  576,976   21,001 
   581,463   609,122 

Production costs

  63,231   62,315 

Results before income tax expense

  518,232   546,807 

Estimated income tax expense

  150,287   169,510 

Results of operations from producing activities excluding corporate overhead

 $367,945  $377,297 


There were no major costs, with the exception of severance taxes, incurred in connection the Company's oil and gas leasing activities, which are located entirely within the United States, during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Reserve information relating to estimated quantities of the Company's interest in proved reserves of natural gas and crude including condensate and natural gas liquids is not available. Such reserves are located entirely within the United States. A schedule indicating such reserve quantities is, therefore, not presented. All oil and gas royalties come from Company owned properties that were developed and produced by producers, unrelated to Company, under oil and gas mineral lease agreements.

The Company’s royalty and working interests share of oil and gas, exclusive of plant products, produced from leased properties were:

  

2018

  

2017

 

Net gas produced (MCF)

  25,776   42,927 

Net oil produced (Bbl)

  6,956   8,169 

Note 9:Segment Reporting

The Company’s operations are classified into three principal operating segments that are all located in the United States: oil and gas, surface and timber. The Company’s reportable business segments are strategic business units that offer income from different products. They are managed separately due to the unique aspects of each area.

The tables below present financial information for the Company’s three operating business segments:

  

Year Ended

 
  

December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Revenues:

        

Oil and gas

 $581,463  $609,122 

Timber sales

  454,177   224,111 

Surface revenue

  159,123   311,352 

Total segment revenues

  1,194,763   1,144,585 
         

Cost and expenses:

        

Oil and gas costs

  63,231   62,315 

Timber costs

  45,640   35,692 

Surface costs

  23,636   43,929 

Total segment costs and expenses

  132,507   141,936 
         

Income from operations:

        

Oil and gas

  518,232   546,807 

Timber

  408,537   188,419 

Surface

  135,487   267,423 

Total segment income from operations

  1,062,256   1,002,649 

Other income (expense) before income taxes

  403,597   (416,562)

Income before income taxes

 $1,465,853  $586,087 


  

Year Ended

 
  

December 31,

 
  

2018

  

2017

 

Identifiable Assets, net of accumulated depreciation

        

Timber

 $2,162,390  $2,119,180 

General corporate assets

  13,439,611   12,604,557 

Total

  15,602,001   14,723,737 
         

Capital expenditures:

        

Timber

  45,067   62,473 

Surface

  4,900   - 

General corporate assets

  5,471   92,157 

Total segment costs and expenses

  55,438   154,630 
         

Depreciation and depletion

        

Oil and gas

  1,858   - 

Timber

  -   15,661 

General corporate assets

  2,027   1,191 

Total

 $3,885  $16,852 

There are no intersegment sales reported in the accompanying income statements. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company evaluates performance based on income or loss from operations before income taxes excluding nonrecurring gains and losses on equity investment. Income before income tax represents net revenues less costs and expenses less other income and expenses of a general corporate nature. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used solely in the Company's operations within that segment.

Note 10:     Concentrations

Revenue from customers representing 5% or more of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively were:

Count

  

2018

  

2017

 
1  $254,018  $179,292 
2   156,854   163,483 
3   93,575   131,837 
4   93,563   113,280 
5   -   70,760 
6   -   61,677 
7   -   51,814 


Note 11:      Income Taxes     

The Company files federal and state income tax returns on a calendar year basis. The net deferred tax liability in the accompanying balance sheets includes the following components at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

  

2018

  

2017

 

Deferred tax assets

  -   - 

Deferred tax liabilities

  (187,664)  (187,664)
  $(187,664) $(187,664)

Reconciliations between the United States Federal statutory income tax provision, using the statutory rate of 21% and 34%, respectively, and the Company’s provision for income taxes at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

  

2018

  

2017

 

Income tax on income before extraordinary item:

        

Tax at statutory rates

 $307,830  $199,270 

Tax effect of the following:

        

Statutory depletion

  (18,175)  (29,994)

Section 179 deduction

  (1,149)  - 

State income tax

  62,137   12,475 

Other

  -   (7,272)

Income tax on income

 $350,643  $174,479 

The income tax on income for 2018 is slightly different from the stated income tax expense on the statement of operations due to penalties being grouped with income tax expense.

Deferred income taxes payable results from timing differences in the recognition of revenue and expenses for tax and financial statement purposes. The effect of these timing differences at December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

  

2018

  

2017

 

Casualty loss

 $(77,714) $(77,714)

Deferred gain

  (109,950)  (109,950)
  $(187,664) $(187,664)

On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, also known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”), was enacted. This enactment resulted in a number of significant changes to U.S. federal income tax law for U.S. corporations. Most notably for the Company, the statutory U.S. federal corporate income tax rate was changed from 35% to 21% for corporations. 


The Company files income tax returns for federal and state purposes. Generally, the Company’s tax returns remain open for three years for tax examination purposes. Tax positions are recognized when they are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. The Company is subject to periodic audits by the Internal Revenue Service and other state and local taxing authorities. These audits may challenge certain of the Company’s tax positions such as timing and amount of income and deductions and the allocation of taxable income to various tax jurisdictions. The Company evaluates its tax positions and establishes liabilities if significant in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance on uncertainty in income taxes. There were no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2018.

Note 12:    Related Party Transactions

The Company and Stream Wetlands Services, LLC (“Stream Wetlands”) are parties to an option to lease agreement dated April 17, 2017 (the “OTL”). The OTL provides Stream Wetlands an option, exercisable through February 28, 2019, to lease certain lands from the Company, subject to the negotiation and execution of a mutually acceptable lease form. Stream Wetlands paid the Registrant $38,333 upon execution of the OTL, and an additional $38,333 during the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Stream Wetlands may extend the term of the OTL for up to two (2) successive periods of twelve (12) months by paying $38,333 for each twelve-month period. Mr. Stream, a director of the Company, is the president of Stream Wetlands.

The Company’s President is a partner in Stockwell, Sievert, Viccellio, Clements, LLP (“Stockwell”). Beginning in August 2018, the Company began renting office space from Stockwell. The Company pays Stockwell $750 per month as rent for office space and associated services, $2,000 per month to reimburse the firm for an administrative assistant and reimburses Stockwell for miscellaneous office supplies. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded $14,920 in total of such expense.

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company incurred rental expenses for office space of $2,800 and $4,800, respectively, payable to the prior president’s accounting firm.

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred legal expenses of $12,243 for services provided by the prior president’s spouse’s law firm.

 

29F-16