# CKX Lands, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2023

- Company: [CKX Lands, Inc.](/companies/ckx.md) (CIK 352955)
- Form: 10-Q
- Filed: 2023-05-08
- Accepted by EDGAR: May 8, 2023, 14:09 ET
- Period: 2023-03-31
- Accession: 0001437749-23-012980
- Inline XBRL: yes
- Main document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/352955/000143774923012980/ckx20230331_10q.htm
- All documents and exhibits: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/352955/000143774923012980/

## Figures reported in this filing

Standardized XBRL line items for the period ended 2023-03-31.

| Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept |
| --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| Revenue | 3 months, 2023-01-01 to 2023-03-31 | $165.8k | us-gaap:Revenues |
| Operating income | 3 months, 2023-01-01 to 2023-03-31 | −$342.8k | us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss |
| Income tax | 3 months, 2023-01-01 to 2023-03-31 | −$79.2k | us-gaap:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit |
| Net income | 3 months, 2023-01-01 to 2023-03-31 | −$237.6k | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss |
| Basic EPS | 3 months, 2023-01-01 to 2023-03-31 | −$0.12 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic |
| Operating cash flow | 3 months, 2023-01-01 to 2023-03-31 | −$90.4k | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities |
| Dividends paid | 3 months, 2023-01-01 to 2023-03-31 | $0 | us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock |
| Current assets | at 2023-03-31 | $8.4m | us-gaap:AssetsCurrent |
| Total assets | at 2023-03-31 | $17.9m | us-gaap:Assets |
| Current liabilities | at 2023-03-31 | $179.6k | us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent |
| Shareholders' equity | at 2023-03-31 | $17.7m | us-gaap:StockholdersEquity |

## Management's discussion and analysis

As filed, 15,167 characters.

*The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both of which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed on March 31, 2023.*

### Cautionary Statement

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis includes a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words like “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project,” “will,” “predicts,” “seeks,” “may,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “should” and similar expressions, or words which, by their nature, refer to future events. You should not place undue certainty on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or from our predictions, including those risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, this Form 10-Q and in our other public filings. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.

### Overview

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

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

CKX leases its property to oil and gas operators and collects income through its land ownership in the form of oil and gas royalties and lease rentals and geophysical revenues. The Company’s oil and gas income fluctuates as new oil and gas production is discovered on Company land and then ultimately depletes or becomes commercially uneconomical to produce. The volatility in the daily commodity pricing of a barrel of oil or a thousand cubic feet, or “MCF,” of gas will also cause fluctuations in the Company’s oil and gas income. These commodity prices are affected by numerous factors and uncertainties external to CKX’s business and over which it has no control, including the global supply and demand for oil and gas, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and government responses to the pandemic on supply and demand, geopolitical conditions and domestic and global economic conditions, among other factors.

CKX has small royalty interests in 20 different producing oil and gas fields. The size of each royalty interest is determined by the Company’s net ownership in the acreage unit for the well. CKX’s royalty interests range from 0.0045% for the smallest to 7.62% for the largest. As the Company does not own or operate the wells, it does not have access to any reserve information. Eventually, the oil and gas reserves under the Company’s current land holdings will be depleted.

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

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

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

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

The Company’s Board of Directors regularly evaluates a range of strategic alternatives that could increase shareholder value, and the Board and management conduct due diligence activities in connection with such alternatives. These include opportunities for growth though the acquisitions of land or other assets, business combinations, dispositions of assets and reinvestment of the proceeds, and other alternatives. We cannot assure you that the Board’s evaluations or the Company’s due diligence activities will result in any transaction or other course of action.

### Recent Developments

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company began developing several ranchette-style subdivisions on certain of its lands in Calcasieu and Beauregard Parishes using existing road rights of way. The Company has identified demand in those areas for ranchette-style lots, which consist of more than three acres each, and the Board of Directors and management believe this project will allow the Company to realize a return on its investment in the applicable lands after payment of expenses. The Company has completed and recorded plats for three subdivisions. The three subdivisions are located on approximately 415 acres in Calcasieu Parish and approximately 160 acres in Beauregard Parish, and contain an aggregate of 39 lots. As of March 31, 2023, the Company has closed on the sale of 21 of the 39 lots. As of the date of this report one sale was pending, and the Company is actively marketing the remaining lots.

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company closed on the sale of two 40-acre parcels located in Jefferson Davis Parish in which it had a 16.67% ownership interest (13.3 net acres) for proceeds to the Company of $149,992.

The Company is working to identify additional undeveloped acres owned by the Company in Southwest Louisiana that would likewise be suitable for residential subdivisions.

### Results of Operations

### Summary of Results

The Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were driven primarily by a decrease in oil and gas, and timber revenue offset by an increase in surface revenues and general and administrative expenses. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to the decision to award the officers, who previously served without pay, share-based compensation during the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, offset by a decrease in commission fees. The Company has granted awards for all of the shares that are issuable under its stock incentive plan, and no further awards may be made under the plan.

***Revenue – Three Months Ended March 31, 2023***

Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $165,762, a decrease of approximately 8.9% when compared with the same period in 2022. Total revenue consists of oil and gas, timber, and surface revenues. Components of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to 2022, are as follows:

| Revenues: | Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | 2022 | Change from Prior Year | Percent Change from Prior Year |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Oil and gas | $49,195 | $82,429 | $(33,234) | (40.3)% |
| Timber sales | 1,901 | 21,743 | (19,842) | (91.3)% |
| Surface revenue | 114,666 | 77,746 | 36,920 | 47.5% |
| Total revenues | $165,762 | $181,918 | $(16,156) | (8.9)% |

#### Oil and Gas

Oil and gas revenues were 30% and 45% of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. A breakdown of oil and gas revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 is as follows:

|  | Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | 2022 | Change from Prior Year | Percent Change from Prior Year |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Oil and gas | $45,037 | $80,717 | $(35,680) | (44.2)% |
| Lease and geophysical | 4,158 | 1,712 | 2,446 | 142.9% |
| Total revenues | $49,195 | $82,429 | $(33,234) | (40.3)% |

CKX received oil and/or gas revenues from 62 wells during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

Oil and gas revenues decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, by $35,680. The decrease was due to a decrease in the net oil and gas produced partially offset by an increase in the average sales price.

Lease and geophysical revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, by $2,446. These revenues are dependent on oil and gas producers’ activities, are not predictable and can vary significantly from year to year.

#### Timber

Timber revenue was $1,901 and $21,743 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in timber revenues was due to normal business variations in timber customers’ harvesting.

#### Surface

Surface revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, by $36,920. The increase in surface revenue was due to an increase in oil and gas delay rentals and surface leases, partially offset by a reduction in hunting leases on the Company’s property.

***Costs and Expenses – Three Months Ended March 31, 2023***

Oil and gas costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022 by $3,202. This variance is due to the normal variations in year to year costs.

Timber costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, by $1,023. The increase is primarily due to increased timber management costs.

Surface costs decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, by $5,129. This is primarily due to the timing of land repair and maintenance expenses incurred during the first quarter of 2022, which were not incurred during the first quarter of 2023.

General and administrative expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, by $474,954. This is primarily due to the decision to award the officers, who previously served without pay, share-based compensation during the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, offset by a decrease in commission fees.

***Gain on Sale of Land – Three Months Ended March 31, 2023***

Gain on sale of land was $149,992 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, this consisted of a gain on sale of two parcels of land.

### Liquidity and Capital Resources

### Sources of Liquidity

Current assets totaled $8,413,715 and current liabilities equaled $179,637 at March 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no outstanding debt.

In the opinion of management, cash and cash equivalents are adequate for projected operations and possible land acquisitions.

The Company’s Board of Directors regularly evaluates a range of strategic alternatives that could increase shareholder value, and the Board and management conduct due diligence activities in connection with such alternatives. These include opportunities for growth though the acquisitions of land or other assets or business combinations, dispositions of assets and reinvestment of the proceeds, and other alternatives. The cost and terms of any financing to be raised in conjunction with any growth opportunity, including the Company’s ability to raise debt or equity capital on terms and at costs satisfactory to the Company, and the effect of such opportunities on the Company’s balance sheet, are critical considerations in any such evaluation.

### Analysis of Cash Flows

Net cash used in operating activities was $90,391 and $48,127 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in cash used in operating activities was attributable to a decrease in current liabilities.

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $132,634 and ($4,542) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, this primarily resulted from proceeds of the sale of fixed assets offset by costs of reforesting timber of $17,358. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, this primarily resulted from purchases of mutual funds of $37 and costs of reforesting timber of $4,505.

### Significant Accounting Polices and Estimates

There were no changes in our significant accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2023 from those set forth in “Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

### Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1, *Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements,* to our condensed financial statements included in this report for information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements that may impact our financial statements.

### Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, financings, or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, also known as “special purpose entities” (SPEs).

## Controls and procedures

As filed, 3,677 characters.

### Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) and Rule 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Disclosure controls and procedures mean controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on its evaluation, management concluded that as of March 31, 2023 the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

### Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. Based on our assessment, our principal executive and financial officers concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2022, due to a material weakness, as explained below.

In 2022, management retained a third-party service provider to assist with developing a valuation methodology for the estimation of accruals for share-based compensation expense. The valuation methodology used by the Company did not correctly determine the fair value and derived service period of certain share-based awards that were granted during the year ended December 31, 2022, which resulted in adjustments to stock-based compensation expense. The terms of the awards did not change, no new awards were granted, and the accrual of additional compensation expense was based solely upon a change in accounting conventions by the Company. The changes to our expense recognition policies do not reflect, in management’s opinion, an increased likelihood of awards vesting. Management believes that the impact of the material weakness was limited to the valuation methodology employed for calculating our share-based compensation expense.

In response to the above, management adopted during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023, a policy to consider and retain third-party service providers for matters relating to significant accounting policies in consultation with and with the approval of the audit committee of the Board of Directors. Having adopted a share-based payment valuation methodology that complies with GAAP, and in light of management’s policy regarding the selection of third-party service providers, management believes it eliminated the material weakness.

There were no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

### PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

**ITEMS 1 – 5. NOT APPLICABLE**

Filed May 8, 2023.
Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001437749-23-012980. Last ingested by Listed: Oct 24, 2026, 14:56 ET. No prices; not investment advice.