A-Mark Precious Metals Faces Dividend Sustainability Questions

Investors in precious metals distributor A-Mark Precious Metals are confronting a critical financial dilemma as the company prepares to release its quarterly results. Despite a deteriorating earnings profile and recent losses, management continues to maintain a substantial dividend payout, creating tension among shareholders awaiting the upcoming financial report.

Financial Performance Under Pressure

The company’s most recent quarterly results reveal significant challenges. For the second quarter of 2025, net income plummeted by 52% year-over-year to just $6.6 million. The situation worsened considerably in the following quarter, with A-Mark reporting a net loss of $8.5 million. With profit margins compressed to just 1.63% of revenue, these figures indicate substantial pressure on the company’s core operations.

Dividend Policy Raises Concerns

A-Mark’s current dividend distribution of $0.20 per share quarterly appears increasingly difficult to sustain given these financial headwinds. The payout represented 74% of the company’s Q2 earnings of $0.27 per share—an exceptionally high ratio that would be ambitious even for a company with stable profitability. For a firm experiencing declining earnings and recent losses, this dividend policy represents a significant risk factor.

Further compounding these concerns is the company’s cash flow situation. During the first six months of the fiscal year, A-Mark reported negative operating cash flow of $17.5 million, indicating the business cannot currently cover its operational obligations and dividend payments through internally generated funds.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying A-Mark Precious Metals?

Expansion Amid Financial Strain

Interestingly, despite these financial challenges, A-Mark continues to pursue aggressive growth initiatives. The company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Spectrum Group International and is planning to expand its Asian market presence. To fund these strategic moves, management has increased the company’s credit facility to $467 million.

Upcoming Report Holds the Answers

All attention now turns to the quarterly report scheduled for release on September 9, when A-Mark will disclose fourth quarter and full-year 2025 results. The investment community awaits answers to critical questions: Can the company demonstrate a operational turnaround? Will management maintain the current dividend despite financial pressures? Or should investors prepare for potential disappointment?

The company’s shares recently traded at $23.41, significantly below their 52-week high of $45.95. The direction of the stock price will largely depend on the answers management provides next week regarding the company’s financial trajectory and dividend policy.