RGLD 10-Q Quarterly Report March 31, 2017 | Alphaminr

RGLD 10-Q Quarter ended March 31, 2017

ROYAL GOLD INC
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10-Q 1 rgld-20170331x10q.htm 10-Q rgld_Current_Folio_10Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2017

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: 001-13357


Royal Gold, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


Delaware

84-0835164

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation)

Identification No.)

1660 Wynkoop Street, Suite 1000

Denver, Colorado

80202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (303) 573-1660

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 and posted on its corporate web site, 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 for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒    No

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 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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 ☒

There were 65,338,813 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of May 2, 2017 .


2


ITEM 1.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ROYAL GOLD, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited, in thousands except share data)

March 31, 2017

June 30, 2016

ASSETS

Cash and equivalents

$

88,090

$

116,633

Royalty receivables

22,791

17,990

Income tax receivable

16,006

20,043

Stream inventory

6,624

9,489

Prepaid expenses and other

663

614

Total current assets

134,174

164,769

Stream and royalty interests, net (Note 3)

2,932,087

2,848,087

Other assets

62,521

53,696

Total assets

$

3,128,782

$

3,066,552

LIABILITIES

Accounts payable

$

2,474

$

4,114

Dividends payable

15,681

15,012

Other current liabilities

6,622

3,554

Total current liabilities

24,777

22,680

Debt (Note 4)

635,881

600,685

Deferred tax liabilities

120,895

133,867

Uncertain tax positions

24,337

16,996

Other long-term liabilities

6,391

6,439

Total liabilities

812,281

780,667

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11 )

EQUITY

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares authorized; and 0 shares issued

-

-

Common stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; and 65,173,796 and 65,093,950 shares outstanding, respectively

652

651

Additional paid-in capital

2,182,496

2,179,781

Accumulated other comprehensive income

1,183

-

Accumulated earnings

83,710

48,584

Total Royal Gold stockholders’ equity

2,268,041

2,229,016

Non-controlling interests

48,460

56,869

Total equity

2,316,501

2,285,885

Total liabilities and equity

$

3,128,782

$

3,066,552

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

3


ROYAL GOLD, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited, in thousands except share data)

For The Three Months Ended

For The Nine Months Ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Revenue

$

106,972

$

93,487

$

331,880

$

265,660

Costs and expenses

Cost of sales

22,419

17,921

67,582

51,960

General and administrative

5,402

7,679

23,447

23,416

Production taxes

389

958

1,331

3,546

Exploration costs

2,647

1,851

8,411

6,135

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

40,164

38,163

119,785

105,717

Impairments of stream and royalty interests and royalty receivables

-

98,973

-

98,588

Total costs and expenses

71,021

165,545

220,556

289,362

Operating income (loss)

35,951

(72,058)

111,324

(23,702)

Interest and other income

1,326

3,060

10,056

2,804

Interest and other expense

(9,254)

(8,762)

(27,068)

(23,968)

Income (loss) before income taxes

28,023

(77,760)

94,312

(44,866)

Income tax (expense) benefit

(6,492)

8,262

(18,724)

(55,655)

Net income (loss)

21,531

(69,498)

75,588

(100,521)

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests

2,130

1,842

5,921

2,932

Net income (loss) attributable to Royal Gold common stockholders

$

23,661

$

(67,656)

$

81,509

$

(97,589)

Net income (loss)

$

21,531

$

(69,498)

$

75,588

$

(100,521)

Adjustments to comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

Unrealized change in market value of available-for-sale securities

360

2,383

1,182

4,521

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income

-

(675)

-

(675)

Comprehensive income (loss)

21,891

(67,790)

76,770

(96,675)

Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests

2,130

1,842

5,921

2,932

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Royal Gold stockholders

$

24,021

$

(65,948)

$

82,691

$

(93,743)

Net income (loss) per share available to Royal Gold common stockholders:

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

0.36

$

(1.04)

$

1.25

$

(1.50)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

65,169,883

65,085,225

65,145,183

65,069,056

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

0.36

$

(1.04)

$

1.25

$

(1.50)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

65,274,926

65,085,225

65,267,201

65,069,056

Cash dividends declared per common share

$

0.24

$

0.23

$

0.71

$

0.68

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

4


ROYAL GOLD, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited, in thousands)

For The Nine Months Ended

March 31,

March 31,

2017

2016

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$

75,588

$

(100,521)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

119,785

105,717

Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

10,202

9,687

Non-cash employee stock compensation expense

6,758

7,789

Impairments of stream and royalty interests and royalty receivables

-

98,588

Tax (benefit) expense of stock-based compensation exercises

(38)

247

Deferred tax benefit

(6,266)

(17,246)

Other

(4,638)

(1,065)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Royalty receivables

(4,801)

14,976

Stream inventory

2,865

(3,115)

Income taxes receivable

(6,539)

(2,996)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

(743)

85

Accounts payable

(1,641)

(1,533)

Uncertain tax positions

7,341

1,950

Other liabilities

3,021

8,084

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

200,894

$

120,647

Cash flows from investing activities:

Acquisition of stream and royalty interests

(203,721)

(1,326,256)

Andacollo royalty termination

-

345,000

Golden Star term loan

-

(20,000)

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities

-

6,933

Other

1,503

(302)

Net cash used in investing activities

$

(202,218)

$

(994,625)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Borrowings from revolving credit facility

70,000

350,000

Repayment of revolving credit facility

(45,000)

(50,000)

Net payments from issuance of common stock

(2,618)

(174)

Common stock dividends

(45,715)

(43,709)

Purchase of additional royalty interest from non-controlling interest

(1,462)

-

Tax expense (benefit) of stock-based compensation exercises

38

(247)

Other

(2,462)

(1,878)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

$

(27,219)

$

253,992

Net decrease in cash and equivalents

(28,543)

(619,986)

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

116,633

742,849

Cash and equivalents at end of period

$

88,090

$

122,863

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

5


ROYAL GOLD, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1.    OPERATIONS, SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Royal Gold, Inc. (“Royal Gold”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), together with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of acquiring and managing precious metals streams, royalties and similar interests.  We seek to acquire existing stream and royalty interests or to finance projects that are in production or in the development stage in exchange for stream or royalty interests.  A metal stream is a purchase agreement that provides, in exchange for an upfront deposit payment, the right to purchase all or a portion of one or more metals produced from a mine at a price determined for the life of the transaction by the purchase agreement.  Royalties are non-operating interests in mining projects that provide the right to revenue or metals produced from the project after deducting specified costs, if any.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments which are of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation of our interim financial statements have been included in this Form 10-Q.  Operating results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017.  These interim unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2016 (“Fiscal 2016 10-K”).

Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform with the presentation in the current period financial statements.  Reclassified amounts were not material to the financial statements.

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) guidance to simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, an option to recognize gross stock compensation with actual forfeitures as they occur, as well as certain classifications on the statement of cash flows.  The new guidance is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017.  Early adoption is permitted, as long as all of the amendments are adopted in the same period.  We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU guidance for disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.  The new guidance requires management of the Company to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.  The new guidance was effective, and the Company adopted this standard, effective January 1, 2017.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU guidance for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers.  Subsequent to the issuance of this ASU guidance, the FASB issued additional related ASU’s on revenue recognition.  The effective date and transition requirements for all of these ASU’s are the same.  Specifically, the guidance under these ASU’s is to be applied using a full retrospective method or a modified retrospective method, as described in the guidance, and is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning July 1, 2018.  The Company is currently evaluating the level of effort needed to implement the guidance, evaluating the provisions of each new guidance, and assessing their impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures, as well as which transitions method we intend to use.

6


2.    ACQUISITION

Acquisition of Additional Royalty Interests at Cortez

On September 19, 2016, Royal Gold, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Denver Mining Finance Company, Inc., acquired a 3.75% Net Value Royalty (“NVR”) covering a significant area of Barrick Gold Corporation’s (“Barrick”) Cortez mine, including the Crossroads deposit, from a private party seller for total consideration of $70 million.  Giving effect to this acquisition, Royal Gold’s interests at Cortez Crossroads comprise a 4.46% NVR and a 5% sliding-scale Gross Smelter Return (“GSR”) royalty at current gold prices.  Royal Gold’s interests on production from the Pipeline and South Pipeline deposits as well as portions of the Gap deposit are comprised of a 4.85% NVR and a 5.71% GSR royalty at current gold prices.

The acquisition of the additional royalty interests at Cortez has been accounted for as an asset acquisition.  The portion of the acquisition, plus direct transaction costs, attributable to the Pipeline and South Pipeline deposits as well as portions of the Gap deposit ($10.2 million) has been recorded as a production stage royalty interest while the portion of the acquisition attributable to the Crossroads deposit ($59.8 million) has been recorded as a development stage royalty interest.  Both are included within Stream and royalty interests, net , on our consolidated balance sheets.

3.    STREAM AND ROYALTY INTERESTS, NET

The following tables summarize the Company’s royalty and stream interests as of March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016.

As of March 31, 2017 (Amounts in thousands):

Cost

Accumulated Depletion

Net

Production stage stream interests:

Mount Milligan

$

790,635

$

(104,770)

$

685,865

Pueblo Viejo

610,404

(57,255)

553,149

Andacollo

388,182

(32,753)

355,429

Wassa and Prestea

146,475

(17,354)

129,121

Total production stage stream interests

1,935,696

(212,132)

1,723,564

Production stage royalty interests:

Voisey's Bay

205,724

(85,671)

120,053

Peñasquito

99,172

(33,542)

65,630

Holt

34,612

(19,228)

15,384

Cortez

20,873

(10,530)

10,343

Other

483,643

(331,305)

152,338

Total production stage royalty interests

844,024

(480,276)

363,748

Total production stage stream and royalty interests

2,779,720

(692,408)

2,087,312

Development stage stream interests:

Rainy River

175,727

-

175,727

Other

12,031

-

12,031

Total development stage stream interests

187,758

-

187,758

Development stage royalty interests:

Pascua-Lama

380,657

-

380,657

Cortez

59,803

-

59,803

Other

63,811

-

63,811

Total development stage royalty interests

504,271

-

504,271

Total development stage stream and royalty interests

692,029

-

692,029

Total exploration stage royalty interests

152,746

-

152,746

Total stream and royalty interests

$

3,624,495

$

(692,408)

$

2,932,087

7


As of June 30, 2016 (Amounts in thousands):

Cost

Accumulated Depletion

Impairments

Net

Production stage stream interests:

Mount Milligan

$

783,046

$

(74,060)

$

-

$

708,986

Pueblo Viejo

610,404

(21,902)

-

588,502

Andacollo

388,182

(18,286)

-

369,896

Wassa and Prestea

96,413

(7,816)

-

88,597

Total production stage stream interests

1,878,045

(122,064)

-

1,755,981

Production stage royalty interests:

Voisey's Bay

205,724

(85,671)

-

120,053

Peñasquito

99,172

(29,898)

-

69,274

Holt

34,612

(17,124)

-

17,488

Cortez

10,630

(10,000)

-

630

Other

531,735

(342,460)

(18,605)

170,670

Total production stage royalty interests

881,873

(485,153)

(18,605)

378,115

Total production stage stream and royalty interests

2,759,918

(607,217)

(18,605)

2,134,096

Development stage stream interests:

Rainy River

100,706

-

-

100,706

Other

87,883

(153)

(75,702)

12,028

Total development stage stream interests

188,589

(153)

(75,702)

112,734

Development stage royalty interests:

Pascua-Lama

380,657

-

-

380,657

Other

66,414

-

-

66,414

Total development stage royalty interests

447,071

-

-

447,071

Total development stage stream and royalty interests

635,660

(153)

(75,702)

559,805

Total exploration stage royalty interests

155,997

-

(1,811)

154,186

Total stream and royalty interests

$

3,551,575

$

(607,370)

$

(96,118)

$

2,848,087

Phoenix Gold

On December 20, 2016, the operator of the Phoenix Gold Project, Rubicon Minerals Corporation (“Rubicon”), announced a restructuring transaction under Canadian regulations.  As part of the restructuring transaction, RGLD Gold AG’s (“RGLD Gold”) gold stream was terminated.  As discussed further in our Fiscal 2016 10-K, the Company’s stream interest on the Phoenix Gold Project was written down to zero during the quarter ended March 31, 2016.  In exchange for the termination of the gold stream, RGLD Gold received approximately three million common shares of Rubicon and three Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) royalties on properties owned by Rubicon, including a 1.0% NSR on the Phoenix Gold Project.

The fair value of the Rubicon common shares upon exchange was $3.4 million and is recorded within Other assets on our consolidated balance sheets and is accounted for under our available-for-sale accounting policy, which is also discussed in our Fiscal 2016 10-K.  The Company also recognized a corresponding gain on the fair value of the Rubicon common shares received upon exchange.  The gain is recorded within Interest and other income on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

The Company did not recognize any value for the 1.0% NSR on the Phoenix Gold Project received upon exchange as our interest on the Phoenix Gold Project was previously fully impaired.  No value was assigned to the other royalties received upon exchange as no mineralization is attributable to the area subject to the royalty interests at the time of the exchange.

Amendment to Mount Milligan

On October 20, 2016, Centerra Gold Inc. (“Centerra”) and Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. (“Thompson Creek”) completed the Plan of Arrangement (the “Arrangement”) previously announced on July 5, 2016, pursuant to which Centerra acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Thompson Creek.  RGLD Gold’s streaming interest at Mount Milligan was amended (the “amendment”) concurrently with the closing of the Arrangement.

Under the terms of the amendment, RGLD Gold’s 52.25% gold stream at Mount Milligan was amended to a 35% gold stream and an 18.75% copper stream.  RGLD Gold will continue to pay $435 per ounce of gold delivered and will pay

8


15% of the spot price per metric tonne of copper delivered.  Mount Milligan gold in concentrate in transit prior to October 20, 2016, will be delivered to RGLD Gold under the current 52.25% stream.  Under the terms of both the original and amended agreements, there is a maximum of five months between concentrate shipment and final settlement, and RGLD Gold began receiving gold and copper deliveries reflecting the amended stream agreement in April 2017. The Company incurred approximately $7.7 million in direct transaction costs associated with the amendment.  These direct transaction costs have been capitalized as part of the Mount Milligan streaming interest within Stream and royalty interests, net on our consolidated balance sheets.

4.    DEBT

The Company’s non-current debt as of March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 consists of the following:

As of March 31, 2017

As of June 30, 2016

Principal

Unamortized Discount

Debt Issuance Costs

Total

Principal

Unamortized Discount

Debt Issuance Costs

Total

(Amounts in thousands)

(Amounts in thousands)

Convertible notes due 2019

$

370,000

$

(28,246)

$

(2,972)

$

338,782

$

370,000

$

(36,943)

$

(3,934)

$

329,123

Revolving credit facility

300,000

-

(2,901)

297,099

275,000

-

(3,438)

271,562

Total debt

$

670,000

$

(28,246)

$

(5,873)

$

635,881

$

645,000

$

(36,943)

$

(7,372)

$

600,685

Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019

In June 2012, the Company completed an offering of $370 million aggregate principal amount of 2.875% convertible senior notes due 2019 (“2019 Notes”).  The 2019 Notes bear interest at the rate of 2.875% per annum, and the Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments on the outstanding principal balance of the 2019 Notes on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2012.  The 2019 Notes mature on June 15, 2019.  Interest expense recognized on the 2019 Notes for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017, was $5.9 million and $17.6 million, respectively, compared to $5.7 million and $17.1 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, and included the contractual coupon interest, the accretion of the debt discount and amortization of the debt issuance costs.

Revolving credit facility

The Company maintains a $650 million revolving credit facility.  The acquisition of additional royalty interests at Cortez discussed in Note 2 was funded from our revolving credit facility during the quarter ended September 30, 2016.  As of March 31, 2017, the Company had $300 million outstanding and $350 million available under the revolving credit facility.  Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 3.00%, based on Royal Gold’s defined leverage ratio.  As of March 31, 2017, the interest rate on borrowings under the revolving credit facility was LIBOR plus 2.25% for an all-in rate of 3.41%.  During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company repaid $45.0 million of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.  Royal Gold may repay borrowings under the revolving credit facility at any time without premium or penalty.  Interest expense recognized on the revolving credit facility for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017, was $2.9 million and $7.2 million, respectively, compared to $2.6 million and $5.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, and included interest on the outstanding borrowings and the amortization of the debt issuance costs.

As discussed in Note 6 to the notes to consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Fiscal 2016 10-K, the Company has financial covenants associated with its revolving credit facility.  As of March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with each financial covenant.

9


5.    REVENUE

Revenue is comprised of the following:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2017

2016

2017

2016

(Amounts in thousands)

(Amounts in thousands)

Stream interests

$

76,597

$

63,439

$

236,108

$

168,607

Royalty interests

30,375

30,048

95,772

97,053

Total revenue

$

106,972

$

93,487

$

331,880

$

265,660

6.    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2017

2016

2017

2016

(Amounts in thousands)

(Amounts in thousands)

Stock options

$

94

$

116

$

297

$

339

Stock appreciation rights

456

430

1,378

1,246

Restricted stock

800

747

3,004

2,892

Performance stock

(1,036)

1,047

2,079

3,312

Total stock-based compensation expense

$

314

$

2,340

$

6,758

$

7,789

Stock-based compensation expense is included within General and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

As of March 31, 2017, unrecognized compensation expense (expressed in thousands below) and weighted-average vesting period for each of our stock-based compensation awards was as follows:

Unrecognized

Weighted-

compensation

average vesting

expense

period (years)

Stock options

$

430

1.6

Stock appreciation rights

2,394

1.9

Restricted stock

6,107

3.1

Performance stock

2,215

1.4

7.    EARNINGS PER SHARE (“EPS”)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share were computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period, considering the effect of participating securities.  Unvested stock-based compensation awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.  The Company’s unvested restricted stock awards contain non-forfeitable dividend rights and participate equally with common stock with respect to dividends issued or declared.  The Company’s unexercised stock options, unexercised SSARs and unvested performance stock do not contain rights to dividends.  Under the two-class method, the earnings (loss) used to determine basic earnings (loss) per common share are reduced by an amount allocated to participating securities. Use of the two-class method has an immaterial impact on the calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share.

10


The following tables summarize the effects of dilutive securities on diluted EPS for the period:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2017

2016

2017

2016

(in thousands, except per share data)

(in thousands, except per share data)

Net income (loss) available to Royal Gold common stockholders

$

23,661

$

(67,656)

$

81,509

$

(97,589)

Weighted-average shares for basic EPS

65,169,883

65,085,225

65,145,183

65,069,056

Effect of other dilutive securities

105,043

-

122,018

-

Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS

65,274,926

65,085,225

65,267,201

65,069,056

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

0.36

$

(1.04)

$

1.25

$

(1.50)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

0.36

$

(1.04)

$

1.25

$

(1.50)

The calculation of weighted average shares includes all of our outstanding common stock.  The Company intends to settle the principal amount of the 2019 Notes in cash.  As a result, there will be no impact to diluted earnings per share unless the share price of the Company’s common stock exceeds the conversion price of $103.14.

8.    INCOME TAXES

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

March 31,

2017

2016

2017

2016

(Amounts in thousands, except rate)

(Amounts in thousands, except rate)

Income tax (expense) benefit

$

(6,492)

$

8,262

$

(18,724)

$

(55,655)

Effective tax rate

23.2%

10.6%

19.9%

124.0%

The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016, is primarily due to the effects of the impairment charges recorded in the prior year quarter.  The lower effective tax rate for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, is primarily related to the discrete tax impacts attributable to the Company’s Andacollo transactions and the liquidation of our Chilean subsidiary in the prior year.

9.    SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company manages its business under two reportable segments, consisting of the acquisition and management of stream interests and the acquisition and management of royalty interests.  Royal Gold’s long-lived assets (stream and royalty interests, net) are geographically distributed as shown in the following table:

As of March 31, 2017

As of June 30, 2016

Stream interest

Royalty interest

Total stream
and royalty
interests, net

Stream interest

Royalty
interest

Total stream
and royalty
interests, net

Canada

$

861,592

$

223,096

$

1,084,688

$

809,692

$

228,566

$

1,038,258

Dominican Republic

553,149

-

553,149

588,502

-

588,502

Chile

355,429

453,459

808,888

369,896

453,629

823,525

Africa

129,121

606

129,727

88,596

697

89,293

Mexico

-

109,017

109,017

-

118,899

118,899

United States

-

169,127

169,127

-

102,385

102,385

Australia

-

38,623

38,623

-

42,547

42,547

Other

12,031

26,837

38,868

12,029

32,649

44,678

Total

$

1,911,322

$

1,020,765

$

2,932,087

$

1,868,715

$

979,372

$

2,848,087

11


The Company’s revenue, cost of sales and net revenue by reportable segment for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, is geographically distributed as shown in the following table:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016

Revenue

Cost of sales

Net revenue

Revenue

Cost of sales

Net revenue

Streams:

Canada

$

35,112

$

12,583

$

22,529

$

29,946

$

11,095

$

18,851

Dominican Republic

24,524

7,054

17,470

13,608

3,787

9,821

Chile

10,398

1,499

8,899

15,730

2,255

13,475

Africa

6,563

1,283

5,280

4,155

784

3,371

Total streams

$

76,597

$

22,419

$

54,178

$

63,439

$

17,921

$

45,518

Royalties:

Mexico

$

10,446

$

-

$

10,446

$

8,353

$

-

$

8,353

United States

7,899

-

7,899

8,522

-

8,522

Canada

5,535

-

5,535

8,029

-

8,029

Australia

3,174

-

3,174

2,834

-

2,834

Africa

672

-

672

570

-

570

Other

2,649

-

2,649

1,740

-

1,740

Total royalties

$

30,375

$

-

$

30,375

$

30,048

$

-

$

30,048

Total streams and royalties

$

106,972

$

22,419

$

84,553

$

93,487

$

17,921

$

75,566

Nine Months Ended March 31, 2017

Nine Months Ended March 31, 2016

Revenue

Cost of sales

Net revenue

Revenue

Cost of sales

Net revenue

Streams:

Canada

$

105,161

$

36,341

$

68,820

$

95,881

$

37,084

$

58,797

Dominican Republic

71,911

21,497

50,414

23,008

6,619

16,389

Chile

41,552

6,243

35,309

32,163

4,751

27,412

Africa

17,484

3,501

13,983

17,555

3,506

14,049

Total streams

$

236,108

$

67,582

$

168,526

$

168,607

$

51,960

$

116,647

Royalties:

Mexico

$

31,573

$

-

$

31,573

$

29,446

$

-

$

29,446

United States

27,012

-

27,012

27,220

-

27,220

Canada

17,405

-

17,405

25,635

-

25,635

Australia

9,867

-

9,867

7,610

-

7,610

Africa

2,260

-

2,260

1,301

-

1,301

Chile

1,333

-

1,333

-

-

-

Other

6,322

-

6,322

5,841

-

5,841

Total royalties

$

95,772

$

-

$

95,772

$

97,053

$

-

$

97,053

Total streams and royalties

$

331,880

$

67,582

$

264,298

$

265,660

$

51,960

$

213,700

10.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:

Level 1:   Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

Level 2:   Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and

12


Level 3:   Prices or valuation techniques requiring inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) by level within the fair value hierarchy.

As of March 31, 2017

Carrying

Fair Value

Amount

Total

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Assets (In thousands):

Marketable equity securities (1)

$

4,152

$

4,152

$

4,152

$

-

$

-

Warrants (1)

$

3,212

$

3,212

$

-

$

3,212

$

-

Total assets

$

7,364

$

4,152

$

3,212

$

-

Liabilities (In thousands):

Debt (2)

$

418,753

$

390,472

$

390,472

$

-

$

-

Total liabilities

$

390,472

$

390,472

$

-

$

-


(1)

Included in Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

(2)

Included in the carrying amount is the equity component of our 2019 Notes in the amount of $77 million, which is included within Additional paid-in capital on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s marketable equity securities classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy are valued using quoted market prices in active markets.  The fair value of the Level 1 marketable equity securities is calculated as the quoted market price of the marketable equity security multiplied by the quantity of shares held by the Company.  The warrants classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy are valued at each reporting period using the Black-Scholes model.  The warrants are part of the term loan funded to Golden Star Resources Ltd. in July 2015 and have been classified as a financial asset instrument.  Any change in the fair value of the warrants at subsequent reporting periods will be recorded within Interest and other income on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).  The Company’s debt classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy is valued using quoted prices in an active market.  The carrying value of the Company’s revolving credit facility (Note 4) approximates fair value as of March 31, 2017.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company also had assets that, under certain conditions, are subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis like those associated with stream and royalty interests, intangible assets and other long-lived assets.  For these assets, measurement at fair value in periods subsequent to their initial recognition is applicable if any of these assets are determined to be impaired.  If recognition of these assets at their fair value becomes necessary, such measurements will be determined utilizing Level 3 inputs.

11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Rainy River Gold and Silver Stream Acquisition

The Company’s final scheduled payment of $75.0 million as part of its Rainy River gold and silver stream acquisition was made in November 2016.  The Company has no further upfront payments associated with the Rainy River gold and silver stream.

Wassa and Prestea Gold Stream Acquisition and Amendment

The Company’s final scheduled payment of $10.0 million as part of its Wassa and Prestea gold stream acquisition (July 2015) and amendment (December 2015) was made in January 2017.  The Company has no remaining upfront payments associated with the Wassa and Prestea gold stream.

Ilovica Gold Stream Acquisition

As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s conditional funding schedule for $163.75 million related to its Ilovica gold stream acquisition made in October 2014 remains subject to certain conditions.

13


Voisey’s Bay

The Company indirectly owns a royalty on the Voisey’s Bay mine in Newfoundland and Labrador owned by Vale Newfoundland & Labrador Limited (“VNL”).  The royalty is directly owned by the Labrador Nickel Royalty Limited Partnership (“LNRLP”), in which the Company’s wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, Voisey’s Bay Holding Corporation, is the general partner and 90% owner.  The remaining 10% interest in LNRLP is owned by Altius Royalty Corporation, a company unrelated to Royal Gold.

On December 5, 2014, LNRLP filed amendments to its October 16, 2009 Statement of Claim in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador Trial Division against Vale Inco Limited, now known as Vale Canada Limited (“Vale Canada”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Vale Inco Atlantic Sales Limited and VNL, related to calculation of the NSR on the sale of concentrates, including nickel concentrates, from the Voisey’s Bay mine.  LNRLP asserts that the defendants have incorrectly calculated the NSR since production at Voisey’s Bay began in late 2005, have indicated an intention to calculate the NSR in a manner LNRLP believes will violate the royalty agreement as Voisey’s Bay concentrates are processed at Vale’s new Long Harbour processing facility, and have breached their contractual duties of good faith and honest performance in several ways.  LNRLP requests an order in respect of the correct calculation of future payments, and unspecified damages for non-payment and underpayment of past royalties to the date of the claim, together with additional damages until the date of trial, interest, costs and other damages.  The litigation is in the discovery phase, and trial is expected to commence in the second half of calendar 2018.

14


ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to provide information to assist you in better understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations.  Royal Gold, Inc. (“Royal Gold”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), recommends that you read this MD&A in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 11, 2016 (the “Fiscal 2016 10-K”).

This MD&A contains forward-looking information.  You should review our important note about forward-looking statements following this MD&A.

We refer to “GSR,” “NSR,” “NVR,” “metal stream (or “stream”)” and other types of royalty or similar interests throughout this MD&A.  These terms are defined in our Fiscal 2016 10-K.

Statement Regarding Third Party Information

Certain information provided in this report, including the Operator’s Production Estimates by Stream and Royalty Interest for Calendar 2017 and Property Developments, has been provided to us by the operators of properties where we own interests or is publicly available information filed by these operators with applicable securities regulatory bodies, including the SEC.  Royal Gold has not verified, and is not in a position to verify, and expressly disclaims any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such third-party information and refers the reader to the public reports filed by the operators for information regarding those properties.

Overview

Royal Gold, together with its subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of acquiring and managing precious metal streams, royalties, and similar interests.  We seek to acquire existing stream and royalty interests or to finance projects that are in production or in the development stage in exchange for stream or royalty interests.

We manage our business under two segments:

Acquisition and Management of Stream Interests — A metal stream is a purchase agreement that provides, in exchange for an upfront deposit payment, the right to purchase all or a portion of one or more metals produced from a mine, at a price determined for the life of the transaction by the purchase agreement.  As of March 31, 2017, we owned stream interests on four producing properties and two development stage properties.  As discussed further in our Fiscal 2016 10-K, we closed and funded approximately $1.4 billion in stream interests in our fiscal year 2016, including stream interests relating to Pueblo Viejo, Andacollo, Wassa and Prestea, and Rainy River.  Stream interests accounted for approximately 72% and 71%, respectively, of our total revenue for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017, and 68% and 63%, respectively, of our total revenue for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016.  We expect stream interests to continue representing a significant proportion of our total revenue.

Acquisition and Management of Royalty Interests — Royalties are non-operating interests in mining projects that provide the right to revenue or metals produced from the project after deducting specified costs, if any.  As of March 31, 2017, we owned royalty interests on 34 producing properties, 20 development stage properties and 133 exploration stage properties, of which we consider 51 to be evaluation stage projects.  We use “evaluation stage” to describe exploration stage properties that contain mineralized material and on which operators are engaged in the search for reserves.  Royalties accounted for approximately 28% and 29%, respectively, of our total revenue for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017, and 32% and 37%, respectively, of our total revenue for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016.

We do not conduct mining operations on the properties in which we hold stream and royalty interests, and except for our interest in the Peak Gold, LLC joint venture, we generally are not required to contribute to capital costs, exploration costs, environmental costs or other operating costs on those properties.

15


In the ordinary course of business, we engage in a continual review of opportunities to acquire existing stream and royalty interests, to establish new streams on operating mines, to create new stream and royalty interests through the financing of mine development or exploration, or to acquire companies that hold stream and royalty interests.  We currently, and generally at any time, have acquisition opportunities in various stages of active review, including, for example, our engagement of consultants and advisors to analyze particular opportunities, analysis of technical, financial and other confidential information, submission of indications of interest and term sheets, participation in preliminary discussions and negotiations and involvement as a bidder in competitive processes.

Our financial results are primarily tied to the price of gold and, to a lesser extent, the price of silver and copper, together with the amounts of production from our producing stage stream and royalty interests.  The price of gold, silver, copper and other metals has fluctuated widely in recent years.  The marketability and the price of metals are influenced by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company and significant declines in the price of gold, silver or copper could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, gold, silver and copper price averages and percentage of revenue by metal were as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2016

Metal

Average
Price

Percentage of Revenue

Average
Price

Percentage
of Revenue

Average
Price

Percentage of Revenue

Average
Price

Percentage
of Revenue

Gold ($/ounce)

$

1,219

86%

$

1,183

90%

$

1,260

86%

$

1,138

87%

Silver ($/ounce)

$

17.42

7%

$

14.85

2%

$

18.09

8%

$

14.84

2%

Copper ($/pound)

$

2.65

3%

$

2.12

5%

$

2.40

3%

$

2.24

4%

Other

N/A

4%

N/A

3%

N/A

3%

N/A

7%

Recent Business Developments

Mount Milligan Stream Amendment

On October 20, 2016, Centerra Gold Inc. (“Centerra”) and Thompson Creek Metals Company Inc. (“Thompson Creek”) completed the Plan of Arrangement (the “Arrangement”) previously announced on July 5, 2016, pursuant to which Centerra acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Thompson Creek.  RGLD Gold AG’s (“RGLD Gold”) streaming interest at Mount Milligan was amended (the “amendment”) concurrently with the closing of the Arrangement.

Under the terms of the amendment, RGLD Gold’s 52.25% gold stream at Mount Milligan was amended to a 35% gold stream and an 18.75% copper stream.  RGLD Gold will continue to pay $435 per ounce of gold delivered and will pay 15% of the spot price per metric tonne of copper delivered.

Mount Milligan gold in concentrate in transit prior to October 20, 2016 was delivered to RGLD Gold under the current 52.25% stream.  Under the terms of both the original and amended agreements, there is a maximum of five months between concentrate shipment and final settlement, and RGLD Gold began receiving gold and copper deliveries reflecting the amended stream agreement in April 2017.

In connection with the amendment, RGLD Gold’s first ranking security over 52.25% of gold produced from the Mount Milligan assets was amended to provide for first ranking security over 35% of produced gold and 18.75% of produced copper.  RGLD Gold’s other existing security over the Mount Milligan assets remains unaffected.

Acquisition of Additional Royalty Interests at Cortez

On September 19, 2016, Royal Gold, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Denver Mining Finance Company, Inc., acquired a 3.75% Net Value Royalty (“NVR”) covering a significant area of Barrick Gold Corporation’s (“Barrick”) Cortez mine, including the Crossroads deposit, from a private party seller for total consideration of $70 million.  With this acquisition, Royal Gold’s interests at Cortez Crossroads comprise a 4.46% NVR and a 5% sliding-scale Gross Smelter Return (“GSR”) royalty at current gold prices.  Royal Gold’s interests on production from the Pipeline and South Pipeline

16


deposits as well as portions of the Gap deposit are comprised of a 4.85% NVR and a 5.71% GSR royalty at current gold prices.

As of December 31, 2016, proven and probable reserves subject to Royal Gold’s interests at Cortez were estimated at 3.6 million ounces of gold, including approximately 2.7 million gold ounces at Crossroads.  Waste stripping at Crossroads is underway and production is expected to begin in calendar 2018.

Principal Stream and Royalty Interests

The Company considers both historical and future potential revenues in determining which stream and royalty interests in our portfolio are principal to our business.  Estimated future potential revenues from both producing and development properties are based on a number of factors, including reserves subject to our stream and royalty interests, production estimates, feasibility studies, metal price assumptions, mine life, legal status and other factors and assumptions, any of which could change and could cause the Company to conclude that one or more of such stream and royalty interests are no longer principal to our business.  Currently, our principal producing and development stream and royalty interests are listed alphabetically in the following tables.

Please refer to our Fiscal 2016 10-K for further discussion of our principal producing and development stream and royalty interests.

Principal Producing Properties

Stream or royalty interests

Mine

Location

Operator

(Gold unless otherwise stated)

Andacollo

Region IV, Chile

Compañía Minera Teck Carmen de Andacollo (“Teck”)

Gold stream - 100% of gold produced (until 900,000 ounces delivered; 50% thereafter)

Cortez

Nevada, USA

Barrick

GSR1: 0.40% to 5.0% sliding-scale GSR

GSR2: 0.40% to 5.0% sliding-scale GSR

GSR3: 0.71% GSR

NVR1: 4.85% NVR; 4.46% NVR (Crossroads)

Mount Milligan (1)

British Columbia, Canada

Centerra

Gold stream - 35.00% of payable gold

Copper stream - 18.75% of payable copper

Peñasquito

Zacatecas, Mexico

Goldcorp Inc. (“Goldcorp”)

2.0% NSR (gold, silver, lead, zinc)

Pueblo Viejo

Sanchez Ramirez, Domincan Republic

Barrick (60%)

Gold stream - 7.5% of gold produced (until 990,000 ounces delivered; 3.75% thereafter)

Silver stream - 75% of silver produced (until 50.0 million ounces delivered; 37.5% thereafter)

Wassa and Prestea (2)

Western Region of Ghana

Golden Star Resources Ltd. (“Golden Star”)

Gold stream - 9.25% of gold produced


(1)

Refer to Recent Business Developments above for discussion on the amendment to our Mount Milligan stream.  The Company’s gold stream interest was 52.25% prior to October 20, 2016.  Pursuant to the amendment to the Mount Milligan streaming agreement, the Company has a 35.0% gold stream and a 18.75% copper stream.  Mount Milligan gold in concentrate in transit prior to October 20, 2016, was delivered to RGLD Gold under the 52.25% stream.

(2)

Gold stream percentage increases to 10.5% upon the earlier of (i) December 31, 2017 or (ii) the date at which Wassa and Prestea underground projects achieve commercial production.

17


Principal Development Stage Properties

Stream or royalty interests

Mine

Location

Operator

(Gold unless otherwise stated)

Rainy River

Ontario, Canada

New Gold, Inc. (“New Gold”)

Gold stream - 6.5% of gold produced (until 230,000 ounces delivered; 3.25% thereafter)

Silver stream - 60% of silver produced (until 3.1 million ounces delivered; 30% thereafter)

Pascua-Lama

Region III, Chile

Barrick

0.78% to 5.45% sliding-scale NSR

1.09% fixed rate royalty (copper)

Operators’ Production Estimates by Stream and Royalty Interest for Calendar 2017

We received annual production estimates from many of the operators of our producing mines during the first calendar quarter of 2017.  The following table shows such production estimates for our principal producing properties for calendar 2017 as well as the actual production reported to us by the various operators through March 31, 2017.  The estimates and production reports are prepared by the operators of the mining properties.  We do not participate in the preparation or calculation of the operators’ estimates or production reports and have not independently assessed or verified, and disclaim all responsibility for, the accuracy of such information.  Please refer to “Property Developments” below within this MD&A for further discussion on our principal producing or development stage properties.

Operators’ Estimated and Actual Production by Stream and Royalty Interest for Calendar 2017

Principal Producing Properties

For the period January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017

Calendar 2017 Operator’s Production

Calendar 2017 Operator's Production

Estimate (1)

Actual (2)

Gold

Silver

Base Metals

Gold

Silver

Base Metals

Stream/Royalty

(oz.)

(oz.)

(lbs.)

(oz.)

(oz.)

(lbs.)

Stream:

Andacollo (3)

61,600

-

-

14,600

-

-

Mount Milligan (4)

260,000-290,000

-

-

45,200

-

-

Copper

55 - 65 million

12.6 million

Pueblo Viejo (5)

625,000 - 650,000

Not provided

143,000

Not provided

-

Wassa and Prestea

255,000 - 280,000

57,800

Royalty:

Cortez GSR1

102,200

-

-

11,200

-

-

Cortez GSR2

1,600

-

-

100

-

-

Cortez GSR3

103,800

-

-

11,300

-

-

Cortez NVR1

63,900

-

-

4,700

-

-

Peñasquito (6)

410,000

Not provided

-

137,000

4.84 million

-

Lead (6)

Not provided

32.4 million

Zinc (6)

Not provided

80.7 million


(1)

Production estimates received from our operators are for calendar 2017.  Please refer to our cautionary statement regarding third party information at the beginning of this MD&A.  There can be no assurance that production estimates received from our operators will be achieved.  Please refer to our cautionary language regarding forward-looking statements following this MD&A, as well as the Risk Factors identified in Part I, Item 1A, of our Fiscal 2016 10-K for information regarding factors that could affect actual results.

(2)

Actual production figures shown are from our operators and cover the period January 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017, unless otherwise noted.

(3)

The estimated and actual production figures shown for Andacollo are contained gold in concentrate.

(4)

The estimated and actual production figures shown for Mount Milligan are payable gold in concentrate.

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(5)

The estimated and actual production figures shown are payable gold in doré and represent Barrick’s 60% interest in Pueblo Viejo.  The operator did not provide estimated and actual silver production.

(6)

The estimated and actual gold production reflects payable gold in concentrate.  The operator did not provide estimated silver, lead and zinc production.

Property Developments

The following property development information is provided by the operators of the property, either to Royal Gold or in various documents made publicly available.

Stream Interests

Andacollo

Gold stream deliveries from Andacollo were approximately 10,900 ounces of gold for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to approximately 8,300 ounces for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Teck reported higher production during the March 2017 quarter, compared to the prior year quarter, primarily as a result of improved grades and increased mill throughput.  The current life of mine for Andacollo is expected to continue until 2034.

Mount Milligan

Gold stream deliveries from Mount Milligan were approximately 22,700 ounces for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to approximately 17,400 ounces for the three months ended March 31, 2016.  Centerra stated production during the current period was consistent with plan, which has 64% of payable copper production and 60% of payable gold production in the second half of 2017.

The secondary crusher is now fully operational and a part of the comminution circuit.  Centerra continues to evaluate the comminution circuit to optimize the feed.  As Centerra continues to focus on optimizing the mine and mill to increase recovery and improve throughput, they also undertook an operational review process with subject matter experts within their organization who identified several value adding projects.  When these value added projects are implemented, Centerra expects to improve recoveries, throughput and unit cost performance by the end of calendar 2017.

Pueblo Viejo

Gold stream deliveries from Pueblo Viejo were approximately 10,400 ounces of gold for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to approximately 10,600 ounces for the three months ended March 31, 2016.  Silver stream deliveries were approximately 373,600 ounces of silver for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to approximately 209,800 ounces for the three months ended March 31, 2016.  RGLD Gold began receiving silver deliveries during the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

Lower production during the March 2017 quarter was due primarily to lower tonnage mined and processed, combined with lower head grades, which were attributed to lower open pit equipment utilization and lower processing throughput due to the timing of autoclave shutdowns.  The impact was partially offset by improved gold recoveries.

Barrick reiterated their Pueblo Viejo production guidance for calendar 2017 of between 625,000 ounces and 650,000 ounces of gold.

Rainy River

New Gold reported that both the project schedule and the capital cost estimate remain in line with the updated plan announced January 30, 2017.  New Gold further reported mining activities at Rainy River progressed well during the March 2017 quarter, with a mining rate averaging over 110,000 tonnes per day, the overall earthworks are approximately 70% complete, the primary crusher and conveyor system are approximately 95% complete and the installation of mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation in the processing facilities are approximately 85% complete.

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New Gold also reported that commissioning of the crusher commenced in March 2017 with the first crush expected in early May 2017; the commissioning of the ball and SAG mills should start during the June 2017 quarter and be completed in August 2017; the refining portion of the circuit should be completed and ready to begin commissioning early in the September 2017 quarter; and that dry and wet commissioning of the full process circuit is scheduled to be completed in August 2017.

New Gold continues to work towards obtaining an amendment to Schedule 2 of the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations, required to close two small creeks and deposit tailings, which is now expected to be received in January 2018.  As previously reported, New Gold is presently constructing a starter tailings cell, located within the broader tailings management area that does not require a Schedule 2 amendment. This will allow New Gold to commence operations prior to completion of the Schedule 2 amendment. Based on its location and scale, the starter cell would provide capacity for approximately six months of tailings.  In addition, New Gold is finalizing its evaluation of an approach to constructing the creek closures which incorporates sheet pile at the center of the portion of the dam which will cover the creeks. The purpose of this approach is both to reduce the construction time after receipt of the Schedule 2 amendment, and, most importantly, to be able to complete the work regardless of the weather conditions. The approach is expected to require provincial and Canadian federal regulatory approvals.

Wassa and Prestea

Gold stream deliveries from Wassa and Prestea were approximately 5,700 ounces of gold for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to approximately 4,400 ounces of gold for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Golden Star declared commercial production at Wassa Underground on January 1, 2017, and Golden Star reported gold production continued to ramp up during the current quarter.   During the three months ended March 31, 2017, mining operations were primarily in the F Shoot, the more moderate grade zone of the deposit.  In late March 2017, Golden Star began accessing the B Shoot, the higher grade zone of the deposit, for the first time via longitudinal stoping.  Golden Star reported that development of the first stope in the high grade West Reef at Prestea underground commenced.   Also during the current quarter, mining commenced at the Mampon deposit, a quarter earlier than expected.

Golden Star expects gold production to be weighted towards the second half of calendar 2017.  Accordingly, gold production in the June 2017 quarter is expected to be in line with the production results for the March 2017 quarter.

Royalty Interests

Cortez

Production attributable to our royalty interest at Cortez decreased approximately 39% over the prior year quarter, in line with the mine plan.  Waste stripping at Crossroads, which is subject to our royalty interest, restarted in October 2016 and is currently ongoing.

Please refer to “Recent Business Developments” earlier in this MD&A for discussion on the acquisition of additional royalty interests at Cortez.

Peñasquito

Gold, lead and zinc production attributable to our royalty interest at Peñasquito increased approximately 14%, 4% and 21%, respectively during the three months ended March 31, 2017, when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016.  Silver production attributable to our royalty interest was in line with the prior year quarter.

Goldcorp reported higher production during the current quarter when compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher grade ore as a result of mine sequencing in Phases 5 and 6, and higher mill throughput as a result of improved operational discipline. Goldcorp expects higher ore grade through the first half of calendar 2017, after which mill feed is expected to consist of lower grade ore and stockpiled material for the remainder of calendar 2017.

Goldcorp also reported that the Pyrite Leach Project achieved construction progress of 6% and engineering progress of 81% at the end of the March 2017 quarter. As part of the Pyrite Leach Project, a carbon pre-flotation facility is being

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constructed which is expected to allow Peñasquito to process ore which was previously considered uneconomic, including significant amounts already in stockpiles.

Results of Operations

Quarter Ended March 31, 2017, Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2016

For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we recorded net income attributable to Royal Gold stockholders of $23.7 million, or $0.36 per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss attributable to Royal Gold stockholders of $67.7 million, or ($1.04) per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.  The increase in our earnings per share was primarily attributable to an increase in revenue during the current period, as discussed below, and impairment charges of approximately $99.0 million (including a royalty receivable write down of approximately $2.9 million) on our stream interest at the Phoenix Gold Project and certain other non-principal royalty interests in the prior period.  The effect of the impairment charges during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, was $1.33 per basic share, after taxes.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we recognized total revenue of $107.0 million, which is comprised of stream revenue of $76.6 million and royalty revenue of $30.4 million at an average gold price of $1,219 per ounce, an average silver price of $17.42 per ounce and an average copper price of $2.65 per pound.  This is compared to total revenue of $93.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, which was comprised of stream revenue of $63.4 million and royalty revenue of $30.1 million, at an average gold price of $1,183 per ounce, an average silver price of $14.85 per ounce and an average copper price of $2.12 per pound for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.  Revenue and the corresponding production attributable to our stream and royalty interests for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:

Revenue and Reported Production Subject to Our Stream and Royalty Interests

Quarter Ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands, except reported production ozs. and lbs.)

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2016

Reported

Reported

Stream/Royalty

Metal(s)

Revenue

Production (1)

Revenue

Production (1)

Stream (2) :

Mount Milligan

Gold

$

35,112

28,900

oz.

$

29,806

25,400

oz.

Pueblo Viejo (3)

$

24,524

$

13,608

Gold

15,600

oz.

11,800

oz.

Silver

322,000

oz.

N/A

Andacollo

Gold

$

10,398

8,500

oz.

$

15,730

13,500

oz.

Wassa and Prestea

Gold

$

6,563

5,400

oz.

$

4,155

3,500

oz.

Other (4)

Gold

$

-

N/A

$

140

100

oz.

Total stream revenue

$

76,597

$

63,439

Royalty (2) :

Peñasquito

$

6,981

$

5,210

Gold

137,500

oz.

120,300

oz.

Silver

4.8

Moz.

4.8

Moz.

Lead

31.3

Mlbs.

30.2

Mlbs.

Zinc

88.5

Mlbs.

73.1

Mlbs.

Cortez

Gold

$

1,068

11,300

oz.

$

1,853

18,400

oz.

Other (4)

Various

$

22,326

N/A

$

22,985

N/A

Total royalty revenue

$

30,375

$

30,048

Total Revenue

$

106,972

$

93,487


(1)

Reported production relates to the amount of metal sales, subject to our stream and royalty interests, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, and may differ from the operators’ public reporting.

(2)

Refer to “Recent Business Developments” and “Property Developments” above for further discussion on our principal stream and royalty interests.

(3)

The first silver stream deliveries were in March 2016, with the first silver sales made during the June 2016 quarter.

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(4)

Individually, no stream or royalty included within the “Other” category contributed greater than 5% of our total revenue for either period.

The increase in our total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2016, resulted primarily from an increase in our stream revenue and an increase in the average gold and silver prices.  The increase in our stream revenue was primarily attributable to increased gold production at Mount Milligan and new silver sales from our Pueblo Viejo streaming interest.  Our first silver stream delivery from Pueblo Viejo was in March 2016, and the first revenue from Pueblo Viejo silver sales was recognized in the June 2016 quarter.  The increase in stream revenue at Pueblo Viejo and Mount Milligan was partially offset by a production decrease at Andacollo.  Gold and silver ounces purchased and sold during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, and gold and silver ounces in inventory as of March 31, 2017, and June 30, 2016, for our streaming interests were as follows:

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

As of

As of

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2017

June 30, 2016

Gold Stream

Purchases (oz.)

Sales (oz.)

Purchases (oz.)

Sales (oz.)

Inventory (oz.)

Inventory (oz.)

Mount Milligan

22,700

28,900

17,400

25,400

-

7,500

Andacollo

10,900

8,500

8,300

13,500

2,500

-

Pueblo Viejo

10,400

15,600

10,600

11,800

10,500

11,000

Wassa and Prestea

5,700

5,400

4,400

3,500

1,900

1,300

Phoenix Gold

-

-

100

100

-

-

Total

49,700

58,400

40,800

54,300

14,900

19,800

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

As of

As of

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2017

June 30, 2016

Silver Stream

Purchases (oz.)

Sales (oz.)

Purchases (oz.)

Sales (oz.)

Inventory (oz.)

Inventory (oz.)

Pueblo Viejo

373,600

322,000

209,800

-

375,000

323,700

Our royalty revenue increased during the quarter ended March 31, 2017, compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to an increase in gold production at Peñasquito and an increase in the average gold and silver prices during the current period.  Please refer to “Recent Business Developments” and “Property Developments” earlier within this MD&A for further discussion on recent developments regarding properties covered by certain of our stream and royalty interests.

Cost of sales increased to $22.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $17.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to increased gold sales from Mount Milligan and increased gold and silver sales from Pueblo Viejo.  Cost of sales is specific to our stream agreements and is the result of RGLD Gold’s purchase of gold or silver for a cash payment.  The cash payment for Mount Milligan is the lesser of $435 per ounce or the prevailing market price of gold when purchased, while the cash payment for our other streams is a set contractual percentage of the gold or silver spot price near the date of metal delivery.

General and administrative expenses decreased to $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.  The decrease during the current quarter was primarily due to an decrease in non-cash stock based compensation expense of approximately $2.0 million as a result of management’s change in estimate for the number of performance shares that are expected to vest.

Interest and other income decreased to $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.  The decrease was primarily due to a realized gain on the sale of Seabridge Gold, Inc. common shares of $0.7 million during the prior year quarter and a decrease in the fair value of our Golden Star warrants of approximately $0.8 million when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized income tax expense totaling $6.5 million compared with an income tax benefit of $8.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016.  This resulted in an effective tax rate of 23.2% in the current period, compared with 10.6% in the quarter ended March 31, 2016.  The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is primarily related to the effects of the impairment charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

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Nine months ended March 31, 2017, Compared to Nine months ended March 31, 2016

For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, we recorded net income attributable to Royal Gold stockholders of $81.5 million, or $1.25 per basic and diluted share, as compared to a net loss attributable to Royal Gold stockholders of $97.6 million, or ($1.50) per basic and diluted share, for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  The increase in our earnings per share was primarily attributable to an increase in our revenue in the current period, as discussed below, impairment charges of approximately $99.0 million (including a royalty receivable write down of approximately $2.9 million) on our stream interest at the Phoenix Gold Project and certain other non-principal royalty interests in the prior period, and the impact of $56 million of additional tax expense in the prior period related to the termination of the Andacollo royalty interest and the liquidation of our Chilean subsidiary.  The effect of the impairment charges during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, was $1.33 per basic share, after taxes.  The effect of the tax expense attributable to the termination of the Andacollo royalty interest during the quarter ended September 30, 2015, was $0.86 per share.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized total revenue of $331.9 million, which is comprised of stream revenue of $236.1 million and royalty revenue of $95.8 million, at an average gold price of $1,260 per ounce, an average silver price of $18.09 per ounce and an average copper price of $2.40 per pound.  This is compared to total revenue of $265.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016, which was comprised of stream revenue of $168.6 million and royalty revenue of $97.1 million, at an average gold price of $1,138 per ounce, an average silver price of $14.84 per ounce and an average copper price of $2.24 per pound for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  Revenue and the corresponding production attributable to our stream and royalty interests for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:

Revenue and Reported Production Subject to Our Royalty and Stream Interests

Nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

(In thousands, except reported production ozs. and lbs.)

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2016

Reported

Reported

Stream/Royalty

Metal(s)

Revenue

Production (1)

Revenue

Production (1)

Stream (2) :

Mount Milligan

Gold

$

105,161

83,500

oz.

$

95,564

85,100

oz.

Pueblo Viejo (3)

$

71,911

$

23,008

Gold

40,200

oz.

20,600

oz.

Silver

1.2

Moz.

N/A

Andacollo

Gold

$

41,552

32,900

oz.

$

32,163

28,200

oz.

Wassa and Prestea

Gold

$

17,484

14,000

oz.

$

17,555

15,500

oz.

Other (4)

Gold

$

N/A

$

317

200

oz.

Total stream revenue

$

236,108

$

168,607

Royalty (2) :

Peñasquito

$

19,935

$

20,208

Gold

423,000

oz.

542,100

oz.

Silver

15.1

Moz.

18.8

Moz.

Lead

97.8

Mlbs.

120.9

Mlbs.

Zinc

232.1

Mlbs.

289.8

Mlbs.

Cortez

Gold

$

4,942

47,600

oz.

$

4,840

58,000

oz.

Other (4)

Various

$

70,895

N/A

$

72,005

N/A

Total royalty revenue

$

95,772

$

97,053

Total Revenue

$

331,880

$

265,660


(1)

Reported production relates to the amount of metal sales, subject to our royalty and stream interests, for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, and may differ from the operators’ public reporting.

(2)

Refer to “Recent Business Developments” and “Property Developments” above for further discussion on our principal stream interests.

(3)

The gold and silver streams at Pueblo Viejo were acquired during the three months ended September 30, 2015.  The first gold and silver stream deliveries were in December 2015 and March 2016, respectively.

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(4)

Individually, no stream or royalty included within the “Other” category contributed greater than 5% of our total revenue for either period.

The increase in our total revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, compared with the nine months ended March 31, 2016, resulted primarily from an increase in our stream revenue and an increase in the average gold and silver prices.  The increase in our stream revenue was primarily attributable to increased gold production at our Pueblo Viejo and Andacollo gold streams and new silver production from our Pueblo Viejo silver stream.  Our first silver stream delivery from Pueblo Viejo was in March 2016, and the first revenue from Pueblo Viejo silver sales was recognized in the June 2016 quarter .

Gold and silver ounces purchased and sold during the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, gold and silver ounces in inventory as of March 31, 2017, and June 30, 2016, for our streaming interests were as follows:

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

As of

As of

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2017

June 30, 2016

Gold Stream

Purchases (oz.)

Sales (oz.)

Purchases (oz.)

Sales (oz.)

Inventory (oz.)

Inventory (oz.)

Mount Milligan

76,100

83,500

79,800

85,100

-

7,500

Pueblo Viejo

39,700

40,200

31,200

20,600

10,500

11,000

Andacollo

35,400

32,900

28,200

28,200

2,500

-

Wassa and Prestea

14,500

14,000

17,100

15,500

1,900

1,300

Phoenix Gold

-

-

300

200

-

-

Total

165,700

170,600

156,600

149,600

14,900

19,800

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

As of

As of

March 31, 2017

March 31, 2016

March 31, 2017

June 30, 2016

Silver Stream

Purchases (Moz.)

Sales (Moz.)

Purchases (oz.)

Sales (oz.)

Inventory (oz.)

Inventory (oz.)

Pueblo Viejo

1.2

1.2

209,800

-

375,000

323,700

Cost of sales were approximately $67.6 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $52.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in gold production and new silver stream production at Pueblo Viejo, which resulted in additional cost of sales of approximately $14.9 million.  Cost of sales is specific to our stream agreements and is the result of RGLD Gold’s purchase of gold and silver for a cash payment.  The cash payment for Mount Milligan is the lesser of $435 per ounce or the prevailing market price of gold when purchased, while the cash payment for our other streams is a set contractual percentage of the gold or silver spot price near the date of metal delivery.

Exploration costs increased to $8.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, from $6.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  Exploration costs are specific to our Peak Gold joint venture for exploration and advancement of the Tetlin gold project located near Tok, Alaska, as discussed further in Note 3 of our notes to consolidated financial statements included in our Fiscal 2016 10-K.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased to $119.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, from $105.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  The increase was primarily attributable to increased gold sales and new silver sales from our gold and silver streams at Pueblo Viejo, which resulted in additional depletion of approximately $22.0 million during the current period.  This increase was partially offset by a decrease in depletion expense on our Voisey’s Bay royalty of approximately $9.5 million, due to the ongoing dispute related to the calculation of the NSR royalty (see Note 11 of our notes to consolidated financial statements).

Interest and other income increased to $10.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, from $2.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  The increase was primarily due to a gain recognized on consideration received as part of the termination of our Phoenix Gold Project streaming interest.  In exchange for the termination of the Phoenix Gold Project streaming interest, the Company received approximately three million common shares of Rubicon Minerals Corporation (“Rubicon”), the operator of the Phoenix Gold Project.  The fair value of the Rubicon common shares, and corresponding gain, received upon exchange was approximately $3.4 million.  The increase in interest and other income was also due to consideration received as part of a legal settlement and termination of a non-principal royalty of approximately $2.6 million.

During the nine months ended March 31, 2017, we recognized income tax expense totaling $18.7 million compared with $55.7 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  This resulted in an effective tax rate of 19.9% in the current

24


period, compared with 124.0% during the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 is primarily related to the discrete tax impacts attributable to the Company’s Andacollo transactions and the liquidation of our Chilean subsidiary during the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

At March 31, 2017, we had current assets of $134.2 million compared to current liabilities of $24.8 million resulting in working capital of $109.4 million and a current ratio of 5 to 1.  This compares to current assets of $164.8 million and current liabilities of $22.7 million at June 30, 2016, resulting in working capital of $142.1 million and a current ratio of approximately 7 to 1.  The decrease in our current ratio was primarily attributable to a decrease in our cash and equivalents primarily due to the $45.0 million repayment on our outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility during the current period.  Please refer to “Summary of Cash Flows” below for further discussion on changes to our cash and equivalents during the period.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, liquidity needs were met from $84.6 million in net revenue and our available cash resources.  The $70 million acquisition of additional royalty interests at Cortez, as discussed above, was funded from our revolving credit facility during the quarter ended September 30, 2016.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had $350 million available and $300 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility.  During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company repaid $45.0 million of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.  Working capital, combined with the Company’s undrawn revolving credit facility, resulted in approximately $459.4 million of total available liquidity at March 31, 2017.  The Company was in compliance with each financial covenant as of March 31, 2017.  Refer to Note 4 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on our debt.

We believe that our current financial resources and funds generated from operations will be adequate to cover anticipated expenditures for debt service, general and administrative expense costs and capital expenditures for the foreseeable future.  Our current financial resources are also available to fund dividends and for acquisitions of stream and royalty interests, including the remaining conditional funding incurred in connection with the Ilovica stream acquisition and the Peak Gold joint venture.  Our long-term capital requirements are primarily affected by our ongoing acquisition activities.  The Company currently, and generally at any time, has acquisition opportunities in various stages of active review.  In the event of one or more substantial stream and royalty interest or other acquisitions, we may seek additional debt or equity financing as necessary.

Please refer to our risk factors included in Part 1, Item 1A of our Fiscal 2016 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of certain risks that may impact the Company’s liquidity and capital resources.

Summary of Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $200.9 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $120.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  The increase was primarily due to an increase in proceeds received from our stream and royalty interests, net of production taxes and cost of sales, of approximately $49.3 million.  The increase was also due to a decrease in income taxes paid of approximately $35.6 million, which resulted from $47.7 million of cash taxes paid for the termination of the Andacollo royalty during the prior year period, partially offset by $9.7 million of cash taxes paid to taxing authorities, as a condition for appealing an assessment, during the current period.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $202.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, compared to cash used in investing activities of $1.0 billion for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  The decrease in cash used in investing activities is primarily due to a decrease in acquisitions of stream and royalty interests in mineral properties compared to the prior year period (primarily the Pueblo Viejo and Andacollo stream acquisitions).  Refer to “Recent Business Developments” above for further discussion on our recently acquired royalty interests.

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Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $27.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2017, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $254.0 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016.  The decrease in cash provided by financing activities is primarily due to the Company’s $350 million borrowing under its revolving credit facility to fund stream acquisitions during the prior year period.  During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company repaid $45.0 million of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards and Critical Accounting Policies

Refer to Note 1 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion on any recently issued or adopted accounting standards.  Refer to our Fiscal 2016 10-K for discussion on our critical accounting policies.

Forward-Looking Statements

Cautionary “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:  With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projections or estimates contained herein.  Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding projected production estimates and estimates pertaining to timing and commencement of production from the operators of properties where we hold stream and royalty interests; statements related to ongoing developments and expected developments at properties where we hold stream and royalty interests; effective tax rate estimates; the adequacy of financial resources and funds to cover anticipated expenditures for debt service and general and administrative expenses as well as costs associated with exploration and business development and capital expenditures, expected delivery dates of gold, silver, copper and other metals, and our expectation that substantially all our revenues will be derived from stream and royalty interests.  Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “forecast,” “potential,” “intend,” “continue,” “project” and variations of these words, comparable words and similar expressions generally indicate forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement is made.  Do not unduly rely on forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others:

·

a low price environment for gold and other metal prices on which our stream and royalty interests are paid or a low price environment for the primary metals mined at properties where we hold stream and royalty interests;

·

the production at or performance of properties where we hold stream and royalty interests, and variation of actual performance from the production estimates and forecasts made by the operators of these properties;

·

the ability of operators to bring projects, particularly development stage properties, into production on schedule or operate in accordance with feasibility studies;

·

acquisition and maintenance of permits and authorizations, completion of construction and commencement and continuation of production at the properties where we hold stream and royalty interests;

·

challenges to mining, processing and related permits and licenses, or to applications for permits and licenses, by or on behalf of indigenous populations, non-governmental organizations or other third parties;

·

liquidity or other problems our operators may encounter, including shortfalls in the financing required to complete construction and bring a mine into production;

·

decisions and activities of the operators of properties where we hold stream and royalty interests;

·

hazards and risks at the properties where we hold stream and royalty interests that are normally associated with developing and mining properties, including unanticipated grade, continuity and geological, metallurgical, processing or other problems, mine operating and ore processing facility problems, pit wall or tailings dam failures, industrial accidents, environmental hazards and natural catastrophes such as floods or earthquakes and access to raw materials, water and power;

26


·

changes in operators’ mining, processing and treatment techniques, which may change the production of minerals subject to our stream and royalty interests;

·

changes in the methodology employed by our operators to calculate our stream and royalty interests in accordance with the agreements that govern them;

·

changes in project parameters as plans of the operators of properties where we hold stream and royalty interests are refined;

·

accuracy of and decreases in estimates of reserves and mineralization by the operators of properties where we hold stream and royalty interests;

·

contests to our stream and royalty interests and title and other defects to the properties where we hold stream and royalty interests;

·

adverse effects on market demand for commodities, the availability of financing, and other effects from adverse economic and market conditions;

·

future financial needs of the Company and the operators of properties where we hold stream or royalty interests;

·

federal, state and foreign legislation governing us or the operators of properties where we hold stream and royalty interests;

·

the availability of stream and royalty interests for acquisition or other acquisition opportunities and the availability of debt or equity financing necessary to complete such acquisitions;

·

our ability to make accurate assumptions regarding the valuation, timing and amount of revenue to be derived from our stream and royalty interests when evaluating acquisitions;

·

risks associated with conducting business in foreign countries, including application of foreign laws to contract and other disputes, validity of security interests, governmental consents for granting interests in exploration and exploration licenses, application and enforcement of real estate, mineral tenure, contract, safety, environmental and permitting laws, currency fluctuations, expropriation of property, repatriation of earnings, taxation, price controls, inflation, import and export regulations, community unrest and labor disputes, endemic health issues, corruption, enforcement and uncertain political and economic environments;

·

changes in laws governing us, the properties where we hold stream and royalty interests or the operators of such properties;

·

risks associated with issuances of additional common stock or incurrence of indebtedness in connection with acquisitions or otherwise including risks associated with the issuance and conversion of convertible notes;

·

changes in management and key employees; and

·

failure to complete future acquisitions or the failure of transactions involving the operators to close;

as well as other factors described elsewhere in this report and our other reports filed with the SEC, including our Fiscal 2016 10-K.  Most of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control.  Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made.  We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made herein, except as required by law.  Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our earnings and cash flows are significantly impacted by changes in the market price of gold and other metals.  Gold, silver, copper, nickel and other metal prices can fluctuate significantly and are affected by numerous factors, such as demand, production levels, economic policies of central banks, producer hedging, world political and economic events and the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies.  Please see “ Volatility in gold, silver, copper, nickel and other metal prices may have an adverse impact on the value of our stream and royalty interests and may reduce our revenues. Certain contracts governing our royalty stream interests have features that may amplify the negative effects of a drop in metals prices, ” under Part I, Item 1A of our Fiscal 2016 10-K, for more information that can affect gold, silver, copper and other metal prices as well as historical gold, silver, copper and nickel prices.

During the nine month period ended March 31, 2017, we reported revenue of $331.9 million, with an average gold price for the period of $1,260 per ounce, an average silver price of $18.09 per ounce and an average copper price of $2.40 per pound.  Approximately 86% of our total reported revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 were attributable to gold sales from our gold producing stream and royalty interests, as shown within the MD&A.  For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, if the price of gold had averaged 10% higher or lower per ounce, we would have recorded an increase or decrease in revenue of approximately $29.4 million.

Approximately 8% of our total reported revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 were attributable to silver sales from our silver producing stream and royalty interests.  For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, if the price of silver had averaged 10% higher or lower per ounce, we would have recorded an increase or decrease in revenue of approximately $2.8 million.

Approximately 3% of our total reported revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 were attributable to copper sales from our copper producing royalty interests.  For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, if the price of copper had averaged 10% higher or lower per pound, we would have recorded an increase or decrease in revenue of approximately $1.1 million.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s management, with the participation of the President and Chief Executive Officer (the principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (the principal financial and accounting officer) of the Company, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).  Based on such evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2017, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Disclosure controls and procedures involve human diligence and compliance and are subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures.  As a result, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

Changes in Internal Controls

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2017 that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Voisey’s Bay

Refer to Note 11 of our notes to consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the litigation associated with our Voisey’s Bay royalty.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Information regarding risk factors appears in Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Forward-Looking Statements,” and various risks faced by us are also discussed elsewhere in Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  In addition, risk factors are included in Part I, Item 1A of our Fiscal 2016 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are listed in the Exhibit Index.

29


SIGNATURES

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.

ROYAL GOLD, INC.

Date:  May 10, 2017

By:

/ s/ Tony Jensen

Tony Jensen

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:  May 10, 2017

By:

/s/ Stefan Wenger

Stefan Wenger

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

30


ROYAL GOLD, INC.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

Description

3.1

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Royal Gold, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Royal Gold’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference)

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1‡

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2‡

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.


*

Filed herewith.

Furnished herewith.

Certain portions of this exhibit have been omitted by redacting a portion of the text (indicated by asterisks in the text). This exhibit has been filed separately with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

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