UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number 1-31905
CKX Lands, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana | 72-0144530 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
2417 Shell Beach Drive | ||
Lake Charles, LA | 70601 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
(337) 493-2399 | ||
(Registrant’s telephone number) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock with no par value | CKX | NYSE American |
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. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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 Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 2,027,032 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding as of May 6, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
ITEM 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | |
BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MARCH 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023 (UNAUDITED) | ||
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023 (UNAUDITED) | ||
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023 (UNAUDITED) | ||
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023 (UNAUDITED) | ||
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF MARCH 31, 2024 (UNAUDITED) | 1 | |
ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 6 |
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 9 |
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 9 |
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION | |
ITEM 1 | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | 10 |
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS | 10 |
ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS | 11 |
ITEM 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES | 11 |
ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES | 11 |
ITEM 5. | OTHER INFORMATION | 11 |
ITEM 6. | EXHIBITS | 11 |
SIGNATURES | 12 | |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CKX LANDS, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 7,243,336 | $ | 7,546,689 | ||||
Certificates of deposit | 1,507,455 | 1,525,173 | ||||||
Accrued accounts receivable | 95,085 | 104,741 | ||||||
Prepaid expense and other assets | 136,255 | 212,279 | ||||||
Total current assets | 8,982,131 | 9,388,882 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 9,094,317 | 9,095,403 | ||||||
Deferred tax asset | 314,180 | 329,121 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 18,390,628 | $ | 18,813,406 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Trade payables and accrued expenses | $ | 63,744 | $ | 159,159 | ||||
Income tax payable | 151,404 | 151,404 | ||||||
Unearned revenue | 153,246 | 184,785 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 368,394 | 495,348 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 368,394 | 495,348 | ||||||
Stockholders' equity: | ||||||||
| Common stock, 3,000,000 shares authorized, no par value, 2,014,283 and 1,991,337 shares issued and outstanding, respectively, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | 59,335 | 59,335 | ||||||
Additional paid in capital | 3,255,881 | 3,150,376 | ||||||
Treasury stock, 22,496 shares, at cost, as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 | (263,748 | ) | (263,748 | ) | ||||
Retained earnings | 14,970,766 | 15,372,095 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 18,022,234 | 18,318,058 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 18,390,628 | $ | 18,813,406 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
CKX LANDS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||
Oil and gas | $ | 82,500 | $ | 49,195 | ||||
Timber sales | 2,275 | 1,901 | ||||||
Surface revenue | 57,074 | 114,666 | ||||||
Total revenue | 141,849 | 165,762 | ||||||
Costs, expenses and (gains): | ||||||||
Oil and gas costs | 10,366 | 8,938 | ||||||
Timber costs | 3,983 | 1,257 | ||||||
General and administrative expense | 563,040 | 647,303 | ||||||
Depreciation expense | 1,066 | 1,065 | ||||||
Gain on sale of land | - | (149,992 | ) | |||||
Total costs, expenses and (gains) | 578,455 | 508,571 | ||||||
Loss from operations | (436,606 | ) | (342,809 | ) | ||||
Interest income | 50,218 | 25,958 | ||||||
Loss before income taxes | (386,388 | ) | (316,851 | ) | ||||
Federal and state income tax expense (benefit): | ||||||||
Current | - | - | ||||||
Deferred | 14,941 | (79,212 | ) | |||||
Total income taxes | 14,941 | (79,212 | ) | |||||
Net loss | $ | (401,329 | ) | $ | (237,639 | ) | ||
Net loss per share: | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | $ | (0.20 | ) | $ | (0.12 | ) | ||
Weighted-average shares used in per share calculation: | ||||||||
Basic and diluted | 1,991,337 | 1,974,427 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
CKX LANDS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024 AND 2023
(Unaudited)
Common Stock | Additional Paid-In | Retained | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Treasury Stock | Capital | Earnings | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
Balances, December 31, 2023 | 2,014,283 | $ | 59,335 | $ | (263,748 | ) | $ | 3,150,376 | $ | 15,372,095 | $ | 18,318,058 | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | - | - | - | 105,505 | - | 105,505 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | (401,329 | ) | (401,329 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Balances, March 31, 2024 | 2,014,283 | $ | 59,335 | $ | (263,748 | ) | $ | 3,255,881 | $ | 14,970,766 | $ | 18,022,234 | ||||||||||||
Common Stock | Additional Paid-In | Retained | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Treasury Stock | Capital | Earnings | Equity | |||||||||||||||||||
Balances, December 31, 2022 | 1,988,701 | $ | 59,335 | $ | (176,592 | ) | $ | 2,308,537 | $ | 15,229,134 | $ | 17,420,414 | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | - | - | - | 526,470 | - | 526,470 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | - | - | - | - | (237,639 | ) | (237,639 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Balances, March 31, 2023 | 1,988,701 | $ | 59,335 | $ | (176,592 | ) | $ | 2,835,007 | $ | 14,991,495 | $ | 17,709,245 | ||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
CKX LANDS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (401,329 | ) | $ | (237,639 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation expense | 1,066 | 1,065 | ||||||
Depletion expense | 20 | - | ||||||
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | 14,941 | (79,212 | ) | |||||
Gain on sale of land | - | (149,992 | ) | |||||
Share-based compensation | 105,505 | 526,470 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Decrease (increase) in current assets | 68,913 | (63,544 | ) | |||||
Decrease in current liabilities | (126,954 | ) | (87,539 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (337,838 | ) | (90,391 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Purchases of certificates of deposit | (1,500,000 | ) | - | |||||
Maturity of certificates of deposit | 1,534,485 | - | ||||||
Costs of reforesting timber | - | (17,358 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets | - | 149,992 | ||||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 34,485 | 132,634 | ||||||
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (303,353 | ) | 42,243 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period | 7,546,689 | 7,148,207 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period | $ | 7,243,336 | $ | 7,190,450 | ||||
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION | ||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
CKX LANDS, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” refer to CKX Lands, Inc.
Note 1: | Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include normal recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any other periods.
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make a number of estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses, and related disclosures. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains its cash balances in nine financial institutions. At times, cash balances may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insured limit of $250,000. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash balances.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets, such as land, timber and property, 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 may be determined through various valuation techniques including quoted market prices, third-party independent appraisals and discounted cash flow models. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company performed a step zero impairment analysis on its long-lived assets and determined there were no qualitative factors that would indicate impairment. No impairment charges were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation
We maintain one active incentive compensation plan: the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan). The Plan provides for the issuance of restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance-based restricted stock units (PSUs) to certain of our employees, non-employee directors and consultants.
For awards that are subject to market conditions, we utilize a binomial-lattice model (i.e., Monte Carlo simulation model), to determine the fair value. The Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables to determine the share-based compensation expense. Awards for the maximum number of shares issuable under the Plan were made on June 13, 2022. Therefore, no further awards were made under the Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
Share-based compensation expense related to RSUs are expensed over the grant date to the end of the requisite service period using the straight-line method. PSUs are expensed over the grant date to the end of the requisite service period using a model-driven derived service period based upon the median of the price projection scenarios for each performance trigger. The RSUs and PSUs do not have voting rights. We calculate the fair value of our share-based awards on the date of grant.
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. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, potentially dilutive shares attributable to 36,551 restricted stock units were excluded in the calculation of earnings per share as their effect is anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss for such period. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, potentially dilutive shares attributable to 310,794 restricted stock units and performance shares were excluded in the calculation of earnings per share as their effect is anti-dilutive due to the Company's net loss for such period.
Dividends
The Company does not currently pay dividends on a regular basis. In determining whether to declare a dividend, the Board of Directors takes 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 are based on the weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding during the period. No dividends were declared during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Pursuant to a dividend reversion clause in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, dividends not claimed within one year after the dividend becomes 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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There are various updates recently issued to the accounting literature and these are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Note 2: 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 standard describes three 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 observable 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 measurement date, using reasonable inputs and assumptions based upon the best information at the time, to the extent that inputs are available without undue cost and effort.
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 and Methods and/or Assumptions
Cash and cash equivalents: Carrying value approximates fair value due to its readily convertible characteristic.
Certificates of deposit: Carrying value adjusted to and presented at fair market value.
The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as follows:
March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
Financial Assets: | Level | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 2 | $ | 7,243,336 | $ | 7,243,336 | $ | 7,546,689 | $ | 7,546,689 | |||||||||||
Certificates of deposit | 2 | 1,507,455 | 1,499,030 | 1,525,173 | 1,499,675 | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 8,750,791 | $ | 8,742,366 | $ | 9,071,862 | $ | 9,046,364 | ||||||||||||
Note 3: | Property and Equipment |
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Land | $ | 6,815,711 | $ | 6,815,711 | ||||
Timber | 2,250,596 | 2,250,616 | ||||||
Equipment | 120,873 | 120,873 | ||||||
| 9,187,180 | 9,187,200 | |||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (92,863 | ) | (91,797 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | 9,094,317 | $ | 9,095,403 | ||||
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had a gain on sale of land of $0 and $149,992, respectively.
Depreciation expense was $1,066 and $1,065 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Depletion expense was $20 and $0 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Note 4: | Segment Reporting |
The Company’s operations are classified into three principal operating segments that are all located in the United States: oil and gas, timber and surface. 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:
Three Months Ended March 31, | Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Identifiable Assets, net of accumulated depreciation | ||||||||
Timber | $ | 2,250,596 | $ | 2,250,616 | ||||
General corporate assets | 16,140,032 | 16,562,790 | ||||||
Total | 18,390,628 | 18,813,406 | ||||||
Capital expenditures: | ||||||||
Timber | $ | - | $ | 20,737 | ||||
Surface | - | - | ||||||
General corporate assets | - | - | ||||||
Total segment costs and expenses | $ | - | $ | 20,737 | ||||
Depreciation and depletion | ||||||||
Oil and gas | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
Timber | 20 | 685 | ||||||
General corporate assets | 1,066 | 4,261 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,086 | $ | 4,946 | ||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||
Oil and gas | $ | 82,500 | $ | 49,195 | ||||
Timber sales | 2,275 | 1,901 | ||||||
Surface revenue | 57,074 | 114,666 | ||||||
Total segment revenues | 141,849 | 165,762 | ||||||
Cost and expenses: | ||||||||
Oil and gas costs | $ | 10,366 | $ | 8,938 | ||||
Timber costs | 3,983 | 1,257 | ||||||
Surface costs | - | - | ||||||
Total segment costs and expenses | 14,349 | 10,195 | ||||||
Net income (loss) from operations: | ||||||||
Oil and gas | $ | 72,134 | $ | 40,257 | ||||
Timber | (1,708 | ) | 644 | |||||
Surface | 57,074 | 114,666 | ||||||
Total segment net income from operations | 127,500 | 155,567 | ||||||
Unallocated other expense before income taxes | (513,889 | ) | (472,418 | ) | ||||
Loss before income taxes | $ | (386,389 | ) | $ | (316,851 | ) | ||
There are no intersegment sales reported in the accompanying statements of operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company evaluates performance based on income or loss from operations before income taxes excluding any nonrecurring gains and losses. 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 5: | Income Taxes |
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, returns are subject to examination for three 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.
Note 6: | Related Party Transactions |
The Company and Stream Wetlands Services, LLC (“Stream Wetlands”) were parties to an option to lease agreement dated April 17, 2017 (the “OTL”). The OTL provided Stream Wetlands an option to lease certain lands from the Company, subject to the negotiation and execution of a mutually acceptable lease form. On February 28, 2022, Stream Wetlands exercised the OTL and entered into a 25-year lease in exchange for a one-time payment by Stream Wetlands of $38,333. The terms of the lease provide for formulaic contingent payments to the Company based on the amount of revenue generated from activities on the subject property by a third party, with a guaranteed minimum payment of $500,000 in the event that revenue does not meet a minimum threshold. No minimum payment is due unless and until the third party engages in activity on the subject lands, and neither the Company nor Stream Wetlands is able to determine whether that will occur. William Gray Stream, the President and a director of the Company, is the president of Stream Wetlands.
The Company’s President is also the President of Matilda Stream Management Inc. (“MSM”) and the Chief Financial Officer is the Chief Investment Officer of MSM. MSM provides administrative services to the Company for no compensation.
Note 7: | Concentrations |
Revenue from the Company's five largest customers for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively were:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||
Count | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| 1 | $ | 25,130 | $ | 13,269 | |||||
| 2 | 18,721 | 10,893 | |||||||
| 3 | 10,389 | 8,361 | |||||||
| 4 | 8,570 | 8,095 | |||||||
| 5 | 6,619 | 7,403 | |||||||
Note 8: | Share-Based Compensation |
During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company granted to certain employees an aggregate of 76,755 restricted stock units that vest over a three-year period through July 15, 2024 and 280,245 performance shares that vest upon achievement of certain stock price hurdles as measured during the period from July 15, 2020 through July 15, 2024. Each of the time-based and market-condition awards are subject to the recipient’s continued service with us, the terms and conditions of our stock incentive plan and the applicable award agreement. As of December 31, 2023, 40,204 restricted stock units and 31,584 performance shares had vested, representing a total of 71,788 issuable shares under the Plan. As of December 31, 2023, a total of 71,788 of the issuable shares had been issued to employees. During three months ended March 31, 2024, 51,761 performance shares have been vested upon achievement of certain stock price. The shares were issued on April 1, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, 40,204 restricted stock units and 83,345 performance shares had vested, representing a total of 123,549 issuable shares under the Plan.
The share-based compensation expense recognized is included in general and administrative expense in the statements of operations. The total fair value of the awards was $3,374,002 of which $118,121 was unrecognized stock-based compensation expense as of March 31, 2024.
The plan participants elected to have the Company withhold shares to cover the employee payroll tax withholdings for the shares issued. As of March 31, 2024, the Company withheld 22,946 shares of the 71,788 shares issued to the employees.
The share-based compensation expense recognized by award type was $105,505 and $0 for restricted stock units and performance shares, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The share-based compensation expense recognized by award type was $105,505 and $420,965 for restricted stock units and performance shares, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Note 9: | Subsequent Events |
On April 1, 2024, underlying shares for the 51,761 performance shares that vested during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 were issued to employees. The plan participants elected to have the Company withhold 16,066 of the shares earned to cover the employee payroll tax withholdings for the vested shares, resulting in a net issuance to plan participants of 35,695 shares.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 27, 2024.
Cautionary Statement
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning 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”) that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words like “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” “will,” “predicts,” “seeks,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “should” and similar expressions, or words which, by their nature, refer to future events. You should not place undue certainty on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or from our predictions, including those risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, this Form 10-Q and in our other public filings. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Overview
CKX Lands, Inc., a Louisiana corporation, began operations in 1930 under the name Calcasieu Real Estate & Oil Co., Inc. It was originally organized as a spin-off by a bank operating in southwest 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 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’s income is derived from mineral 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, land 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’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, or “MCF,” of gas will also cause fluctuations in the Company’s oil and gas income. These commodity prices are affected by numerous factors and uncertainties external to CKX’s business and over which it has no control, including the global supply and demand for oil and gas, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and government responses to the pandemic on supply and demand, geopolitical conditions and domestic and global economic conditions, among other factors.
CKX has small royalty interests in 20 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 Company’s 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 and on timberland and agricultural land. 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.
The Company’s Board of Directors regularly evaluates a range of strategic alternatives that could increase shareholder value, and the Board and management conduct due diligence activities in connection with such alternatives. These include opportunities for growth though the acquisitions of land or other assets, business combinations, dispositions of assets and reinvestment of the proceeds, and other alternatives. On August 21, 2023, the Company announced that the Board had determined to initiate a formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives for the Company to enhance value for stockholders and had retained a financial advisor in connection with the process. On April 18, 2024, the Company provided an update on the process, noting that it had received preliminary indications of interest from multiple parties related to the potential acquisition of the Company or its assets, and that the Company and its advisors are working with a select group of these parties to provide them with additional information. The Board has formed a subcommittee to provide oversight and management of the process. A sale of the Company or all or substantially all of its assets would be subject to a number of conditions and contingencies, including the approval of the Company’s shareholders. There can be no assurance that this process will result in the successful negotiation of a definitive agreement for a transaction or any other strategic outcome, or that the Board will recommend that CKX’s shareholders approve any transaction.
Recent Developments
In 2019, the Company began developing several ranchette-style subdivisions on certain of its lands in Calcasieu and Beauregard Parishes using existing road rights of way. The Company has identified demand in those areas for ranchette-style lots, which consist of more than three acres each, and the Board of Directors and management believe this project will allow the Company to realize a return on its investment in the applicable lands after payment of expenses. The Company has completed and recorded plans for three subdivisions. The three subdivisions are located on approximately 415 acres in Calcasieu Parish and approximately 160 acres in Beauregard Parish and contain an aggregate of 39 lots. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has closed on the sale of 21 of the 39 lots. As of the date of this report one sale was pending, and the Company is actively marketing the remaining lots.
The Company is working to identify additional undeveloped acres owned by the Company in Southwest Louisiana that would likewise be suitable for residential subdivisions.
During 2023, the Company closed on the sale of two 40-acre parcels located in Jefferson Davis Parish in which it had a 16.67% ownership interest (13.3 net acres) for proceeds to the Company of $149,992.
Results of Operations
Summary of Results
The Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were driven primarily by decreases in surface revenues, gain on sale of land and general and administrative expenses offset by increases in oil and gas, and timber revenue. The decrease in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to a decrease in share-based compensation expense, offset by an increase in land research advisory fees.
Revenue – Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were $141,849, a decrease of approximately 14.4% when compared with the same period in 2023. Total revenue consists of oil and gas, timber, and surface revenues. Components of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to 2023, are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | Change from | Percent Change | |||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Oil and gas | $ | 82,500 | $ | 49,195 | $ | 33,305 | 67.7 | % | ||||||||
Timber sales | 2,275 | 1,901 | 374 | 19.7 | % | |||||||||||
Surface revenue | 57,074 | 114,666 | (57,592 | ) | (50.2 | )% | ||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 141,849 | $ | 165,762 | $ | (23,913 | ) | (14.4 | )% | |||||||
Oil and Gas
Oil and gas revenues were 58% and 30% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
CKX received oil and/or gas revenues from 58 and 62 wells during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Oil and gas revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, by $33,305. The increase was due to an increase in the net oil and gas produced partially offset by a decrease in the average sales price.
Timber
Timber revenue was $2,275 and $1,901 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in timber revenues was due to normal business variations in timber customers’ harvesting.
Surface
Surface revenues decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, by $57,592. The decrease in surface revenue versus the first quarter of last year was primarily attributable to lower right-of-way payments as well as the fact that in the first quarter of 2023, the Company recognized non-recurring surface revenue from the expiration of a three year deposit made by one of its customers.
Costs and Expenses – Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Oil and gas costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 by $1,428. This variance is due to the normal variations in year to year costs.
Timber costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, by $2,726. The increase is primarily due to increased timber management costs.
General and administrative expenses decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, by $84,262. This is primarily due to a decrease in share based compensation expense, offset by an increase in land research advisory fees.
Gain on Sale of Land – Three Months Ended March 31, 2023
Gain on sale of land was $0 and $149,992 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, this consisted of a gain on sale of two parcels of land.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Liquidity
Current assets totaled $8,982,131 and current liabilities equaled $368,394 at March 31, 2024.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had no outstanding debt.
In the opinion of management, cash and cash equivalents are adequate for projected operations and possible land acquisitions.
The Company’s Board of Directors regularly evaluates a range of strategic alternatives that could increase shareholder value, and the Board and management conduct due diligence activities in connection with such alternatives. These include opportunities for growth though the acquisitions of land or other assets or business combinations, dispositions of assets and reinvestment of the proceeds, and other alternatives. The cost and terms of any financing to be raised in conjunction with any growth opportunity, including the Company’s ability to raise debt or equity capital on terms and at costs satisfactory to the Company, and the effect of such opportunities on the Company’s balance sheet, are critical considerations in any such evaluation.
Analysis of Cash Flows
Net cash used in operating activities was $337,838 and $90,391 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase in cash used in operating activities was attributable to a decrease in current liabilities.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $34,485 and $132,634 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, this resulted from purchases of certificates of deposit of $1,500,000, offset by maturity of certificates of deposit of $1,534,485. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, this primarily resulted from proceeds of the sale of fixed assets offset by costs of reforesting timber of $17,358.
Significant Accounting Polices and Estimates
There were no changes in our significant accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2024 from those set forth in “Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements, to our condensed financial statements included in this report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements that may impact our financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we did 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 3. NOT APPLICABLE
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) and Rule 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal 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 reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that 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 issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on its evaluation, management concluded that as of March 31, 2024 the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023. Based on our assessment, our principal executive and financial officers concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2023, due to a material weakness that occurred as we did not design and maintain adequate control activities related to the accounting and disclosure for stock-based compensation for vesting and issued shares.
In response to the above, management adopted during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, a policy under which management must approve quarter-end closing journal entries submitted by third party providers. Management believes that the adoption and implementation of this policy will remediate the material weakness.
There were no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEMS 1. NOT APPLICABLE
ITEM 1A. 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 risks 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, financial condition, or results of operations in future periods.
There were no material changes during the period covered in this report to the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, except as follows:
We cannot assure you that our exploration of strategic alternatives will result in us pursuing a transaction or that any such transaction would be successfully completed. The process of reviewing strategic alternatives or its conclusion could adversely affect our business and our stockholders.
In August 2023, we announced that our Board of Directors had determined to initiate a formal process to evaluate strategic alternatives for the Company to enhance value for stockholders. We are actively working with financial and legal advisors in this process.
On April 18, 2024, we provided an update on the process, noting that we have received preliminary indications of interest from multiple parties related to the potential acquisition of the Company or its assets, and that we and our advisors are working with a select group of these parties to provide them with additional information. Our Board of Directors has formed a subcommittee to provide oversight and management of the process. A sale of the Company or all or substantially all of its assets would be subject to a number of conditions and contingencies, including the approval of the Company’s shareholders.
We cannot make any assurances about the timing or outcome of the process, including whether the process will result in a transaction; what the terms, structure, benefits and costs of any transaction will be; or that any transaction that is agreed to will be completed. Entry into or completion of any potential transaction or other strategic alternatives would depend on a number of factors that may be beyond our control, including, among other things, general economic and market conditions, industry trends, regulatory approvals and the availability of financing for a potential transaction on reasonable terms. Even if a transaction is entered into, we cannot assure you that it will be successful, achieve our objectives or have a positive effect on stockholder value. Our Board of Directors may also determine that no transaction is in the best interest of our stockholders.
We expect to incur expenses, which could be substantial, associated with identifying, evaluating and negotiating potential strategic alternatives. The process of reviewing potential strategic alternatives may be time-consuming, distracting and disruptive to our business and our management team. We may also incur additional unanticipated expenses in connection with this process. In addition, we may be subject to costly and time-consuming litigation related to the process. Further, the process may result in the loss of potential business opportunities and have a negative effect on the market price and volatility of our common stock, as well as our ability to retain customers, recruit and retain qualified personnel, and maintain other business relationships.
In addition, speculation regarding any developments related to the review of strategic alternatives and perceived uncertainties related to the future of the Company could cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly.
ITEMS 2 – 5. NOT APPLICABLE
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
3.1 | |
3.2 | |
3.3 | |
3.4 | |
31.1* | |
31.2* | |
32.1** | |
32.2** | |
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
* | Filed herewith |
** | Furnished herewith |
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
Date: May 13, 2024
CKX LANDS, INC. | |
By: | |
/s/ W. Gray Stream | |
W. Gray Stream | |
President | |
(Principal executive officer) |