UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024

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 001-13458

HORIZON KINETICS HOLDING CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (646) 291-2300

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☒

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.

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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, based on the closing price of the shares of common stock on June 30, 2024, was $8,033,743.

The number of shares of Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of February 28, 2025 was 18,635,321.

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Report”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, in addition to historical information. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Report that address activities, events, or developments with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, or economic performance that we expect, believe, or anticipate will or may occur in the future, or that address plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. You can typically identify forward-looking statements by the use of words, such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “assume,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “potential,” “plan,” and other similar words. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Report are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. We cannot assure you that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. Forward-looking statements and our performance inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:

We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this Report speak as of the filing date of this Report. Although we may from time to time voluntarily update our prior forward-looking statements, we undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this Report.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

(in thousands, except per share data)

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation (“Horizon Kinetics” or the “Company”), through its wholly-owned registered investment advisor, Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC, is an investment advisory and independent research firm. Horizon Kinetics is a fundamental value, contrarian-oriented investment advisor. It was founded on the belief that a short-term investment approach, widely adopted with the modernization of financial markets, ultimately produces sub-optimal returns. Horizon Kinetics believes that investors are better served not by taking more risk, but by extending their investment time horizon, which affords far wider ranges of opportunity and valuation than are available to time-constrained investors.

Horizon Kinetics offers investment strategies through third-party investment products, including mutual funds, third-party exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), institutional and retail separate accounts and other private funds and investment vehicles. In addition, Horizon Kinetics acquired a consumer products division in connection with the merger with Scott’s Liquid Gold-Inc. described herein.

Its principal executive offices are located at 470 Park Avenue South, New York, New York 10016, and its telephone number is (646) 495-7330. Its website is www.hkholdingco.com. The contents of Horizon Kinetics’ website are not incorporated by reference in this Annual report.

Assets Under Management

Horizon Kinetics’ principal source of revenue is generated from the advisory fee income earned from managing client accounts pursuant to investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. The fees earned, which include both management and performance fees, depend upon several factors, including the investment strategy, size of account and servicing needs. Cash flows from client subscriptions and redemptions as well as market fluctuations impact the level of the Company’s assets under management, and therefore, its revenues. Assets under management as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were approximately $9.8 and $6.5 billion, respectively. The Company’s recent history of assets under management is presented below.

Competitive Strengths

Stable, Tenured Investment Team and Culture

A key strength of the Company is its culture. Horizon Kinetics is led by senior investors who have worked together for over forty years. The founders of Horizon Kinetics still drive the investment process and culture of the Company. They actively seek to create a collaborative environment, encouraging an open exchange of ideas, group discussion and revision and a collegial atmosphere where analysts and portfolio managers can build long-term careers. As a result, there has been minimal turnover in senior portfolio managers at the Company since its inception, which has resulted in greater consistency in interpretation and application of the Company’s philosophy.

Horizon Kinetics has no debt. Further, Horizon Kinetics has made great strides to strengthen its business operations over the past few years, during a time when many firms were forced to downsize. The Company has made substantial investments in technological infrastructure and senior management personnel, which has enhanced the overall client experience and has increased the capacity of the investment team by relieving its members of many of their former administrative duties.

Unique Investment Philosophy and Approach

In addition to its long-term, contrarian investment philosophy, the dedication to in-house proprietary research makes Horizon Kinetics unique. The investment team’s focus on companies possessing what it perceives as “predictive attributes” (e.g., spin-offs, owner operated companies and dormant/hidden assets) rather than the traditional benchmark-oriented parameters has allowed it to invest in areas not widely covered in most indexes and ETF universes.

Horizon Kinetics produces all of its research in-house. One of its most important assets is its intellectual capability, which is offered to clients through its investment advisory services and through its research products. Horizon Kinetics’ dedication to independent written research ensures that investment theses are articulated and stand on their own, and provides a definitive reference for re-evaluation of positions as investments evolve.

Horizon Kinetics believes its non-traditional approach to research, which serves as the foundation of its security selection process, sets its work apart from that of mainstream investors, as demonstrated by the consistently high long-term performance rankings and lower excess return correlations compared to peers. It also believes that the strategies offered present a compelling opportunity for investors seeking alpha generation and diversification in the all-cap equity space, as illustrated by the lack of correlation to traditional industry benchmarks.

Alignment of Interest

In addition, Horizon Kinetics and its senior investment team members have a significant portion of their personal funds invested alongside their clients, reiterating their dedication to the Company, investment philosophy and ultimately the clients.

Growth Strategy

Horizon Kinetics intends to grow its business by producing superior returns for its existing clients thereby growing its asset base and by attracting new assets through current and additional products and services that are sufficiently differentiated from mainstream competitors. The Company may also explore opportunities to grow its business through acquisitions, partnerships, investments or other strategic transactions. Such future growth will depend, in part, on Horizon Kinetics’ ability to maintain adequate financial, regulatory and business controls, provide current and future investors with accurate and consistent reporting, and train, manage and appropriately size its work force and other components of the business on a timely and cost-effective basis.

Our Investment Products

Horizon Kinetics manages a variety of investment offerings on behalf of our clients through ETFs, mutual funds, private funds and separately managed accounts. More information about these products can be found at https://horizonkinetics.com/products/. A description of some of our investment products follows:

Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF

The Horizon Kinetics Inflation Beneficiaries ETF is an actively managed ETF that seeks long-term growth of capital in real (inflation-adjusted) terms. It seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in domestic and foreign equity securities of companies that are expected to benefit, either directly or indirectly, from rising prices of real assets (i.e., assets

whose value is mainly derived from physical properties such as commodities) such as those whose revenues are expected to increase with inflation without corresponding increases in expenses. The Inflation Beneficiaries ETF had net assets of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2024.

Paradigm Fund

The Paradigm Fund is a non-diversified all-cap fund comprised of investments the Company believes are undervalued, that have, or are expected to soon have, high returns on equity and that are well positioned to reduce their costs, extend the reach of their distribution channels and experience significant growth in their assets or revenues. These companies are often misunderstood or underappreciated whose businesses exhibit long product life cycles and have substantial barriers to entry. Proprietary in-house research sources original investment opportunities in companies for which investors fail to distinguish between permanent and transitory problems. The strategy seeks to capture long-term results commensurate with the returns of companies’ underlying businesses and has historically low turnover. The Paradigm Fund had net assets of $1.3 billion at December 31, 2024.

Small Cap Opportunities Fund

The Small Cap Opportunities Fund is a small-cap fund seeking to invest in fundamentally undervalued companies with market capitalizations at or below the highest market capitalization of a component security within the S&P 600® SmallCap Index. Investments are concentrated in companies that have a small market capitalization with the potential to expand to higher valuations either through revaluation, growth or a combination thereof. The Fund targets companies with substantial barriers to entry, long product life cycles and sound capital structures; on occasion the fund invests in less mature companies in the process of developing a superior product or market niche. The Small Cap Opportunities Fund had net assets of $465 million at December 31, 2024.

Polestar Funds

Polestar Funds (onshore and offshore) are proprietary funds that attempts to capitalize on inefficiencies in the markets brought about by artificial structures placed upon them by other investors. These inefficiencies include an overemphasis on short-term results. We believe that one can capture potentially significant expected return opportunities by extending one’s investment horizon beyond the threshold of the typical investor. Associated with this strategy are long holding periods for individual positions, which may be heavily concentrated, and, consequently, low portfolio turnover. We invest solely on the basis of our own internal research. The Polestar Funds had combined net assets of $703 million at December 31, 2024 and are included within the Company’s consolidated investment products of the consolidated financial statements.

Horizon Kinetics Equity Opportunities Fund

Horizon Kinetics Equity Opportunities Fund is a proprietary fund with multiple classes, each with varying investment objective. The fund holds within the applicable fund classes investments in digital assets, such as bitcoin, equity securities and a variety of private investments. Horizon Kinetics Equity Opportunities Fund (all classes) had net assets of $511 million at December 31, 2024 and is included within the Company’s consolidated investment products of the consolidated financial statements.

Horizon Multi-Strategy Fund

Horizon Multi-Strategy Fund is a proprietary fund whose methodology is rooted in a value orientation which entails in-house research emphasizing detailed evaluations of company business models and their potential impairment risks as opposed to shorter term volatility risk. This can reveal securities with asymmetric expected return properties - those for which reward potential is believed to exceed downside risk, both in magnitude and probability. The realization of that benefit typically requires the discipline to invest for a long holding period and relative insensitivity to near term price behavior. Horizon Multi Strategy Fund had net assets of approximately $245 million at December 31, 2024 and is included within the Company’s consolidated investment products of the consolidated financial statements.

Separately Managed Accounts

Horizon Kinetics also offers individual clients separate accounts with a variety of thematic strategies, across market capitalizations and geographies, including core value, small cap, research select, strategic value, large cap, spin off, Asia opportunity, all-Cap and Japan Special opportunity. The Company had approximately $4.5 billion of assets under management pursuant to these various strategies.

Historical Investment Performance of Horizon Kinetics Funds

The historical performance of the Horizon Kinetics investment products and services is relevant to the extent it is indicative of our reputation and ability to raise new funds. Historical returns of the Horizon Kinetics investment products and services should not be considered indicative of the future returns of these or any future products or services it may raise in the future. The investment performance Horizon Kinetics is able to achieve for its clients varies over time and the variance can be wide, as the Company does not generally rebalance accounts as a result of market appreciation or depreciation. Additionally, market conditions during previous periods may have been significantly more favorable for generating positive performance than market conditions in the future and the investment products and services may have taken place over a long period of time and over the course of various market and macroeconomic cycles. Furthermore, the investment products and rates of return, some of which are calculated on the basis of a net asset value of a fund’s investments, reflect unrealized gains, which may never be realized. In recent years, passively managed index funds have attracted significant assets away from active managers like Horizon Kinetics, and it is possible such a trend will continue which would result in a negative impact on investment performance.

Competition

The asset management business is intensely competitive, with competition based on a variety of factors, including investment performance, the quality of service provided to clients, brand recognition and business reputation. Horizon Kinetics’ asset management business competes for investors and investment opportunities with other investment managers, wealth managers, index providers and corresponding funds, commercial banks, financial institutions, and other parties. Some of these competitors have significantly larger asset bases that may allow them to experience economies of scale that provide them with certain competitive advantages.

The ability to compete may depend on Horizon Kinetics’ ability to attract new employees and retain our existing employees.

Employees

As of December 31, 2024, Horizon Kinetics had 78 employees, 21 of which were considered investment professionals, in 4 offices located in New York, New York, White Plains, New York, Summit, New Jersey and Charlotte, North Carolina. The management of the business is currently overseen by an Executive Management Committee that meets regularly to discuss strategy and operational matters. Investments are overseen by an Investment Committee that meets periodically with the team of investment professionals, marketing and compliance staff to review market conditions, existing and potential investments, and other strategic initiatives. Horizon Kinetics strives to create a supportive environment that encourages employees to continuously develop their skills.

Regulatory and Compliance Matters

In recent years, the volume of claims and amount of damages asserted in litigation and regulatory proceedings against investment managers have been increasing. Horizon Kinetics makes investment decisions on behalf of its investors that could result in substantial losses. Such decisions may subject Horizon Kinetics to the risk of actions alleging misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty or breach of contract. Additionally, Horizon Kinetics, its wholly owned registered investment adviser, its affiliates that serve as general partners of funds it manages, the funds themselves and those employees who are officers of the funds are each exposed to the risk of litigation specific to the funds’ investment activities and portfolio companies, and in the case where its funds own a controlling interest in public companies, to the risk of shareholder litigation by the public companies’ other shareholders. Moreover, Horizon Kinetics is exposed to risks of litigation or investigation by investors or regulators relating to its engagement, or its funds’ engagement, in transactions that presented conflicts of interest that were not properly addressed.

Horizon Kinetics and its funds are more generally subject to extensive and changing regulation, including periodic examinations by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations in the United States and foreign jurisdictions in which they operate. From time to time, these examinations result in requests for information from Horizon Kinetics or the funds it manages. Horizon Kinetics may incur significant costs and expenses in connection with any such information requests, proceedings or investigations, which could result in penalties or other sanctions. Regulatory actions can have an adverse effect on Horizon Kinetics’ financial results, including as a result of a sanction, limitation on its personnel’s activities or other restrictions. Even if an investigation or proceeding does not result in a sanction or other penalty imposed on Horizon Kinetics or its personnel, the adverse publicity relating to the same could harm its reputation, and thus, its assets and revenue.

To a large extent, Horizon Kinetics relies on its business relationships and reputation for integrity to attract and retain investors and to pursue investment opportunities for its clients. As such, allegations of improper conduct, regardless of whether the ultimate

outcome is favorable, as well as negative publicity about Horizon Kinetics, its investment activities or the investment industry in general could damage its business.

Horizon Kinetics aims to maintain a culture of compliance using policies and procedures such as a code of ethics, compliance manual, and employee education and training. All employees must certify their understanding of and compliance with the policies of the Company. Horizon Kinetics has a compliance team, supervised by its Chief Compliance Officer, that monitors the applicable regulatory requirements and manages its compliance policies and procedures. Through its policies and procedures, Horizon Kinetics addresses a variety of regulatory and compliance risks such as the handling of material non-public information, personnel securities trading, document and email retention, conflicts of interest, and the allocation of investment opportunities.

Properties

Horizon Kinetics leases offices in New York, NY, White Plains, NY, Summit, NJ, and Charlotte, NC.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

The following is a discussion of certain material risks that may affect our business. These risks may negatively impact our existing business, future business opportunities, our financial condition or our financial results. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could also decline. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also negatively impact our business.

Business and Industry Risks

Unfavorable market conditions could adversely affect Horizon Kinetics’ business in many ways, including by reducing the fee revenue and distributions received from its funds, if any, or reducing the ability of its funds to raise or deploy capital on favorable terms, or at all.

Horizon Kinetics’ business is materially affected by conditions in the global financial markets and economic and political conditions throughout the world that are outside our control, such as interest rates, availability and cost of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws (including laws relating to taxation and asset managers), trade barriers, commodity prices, currency exchange rates and controls, national and international political circumstances (including wars, terrorist acts or security operations), natural disasters and/or pandemics. These factors are outside Horizon Kinetics’ control and may affect the level and volatility of asset prices or securities prices and the liquidity and the value of investments held by its funds, and it may not be able to or may choose not to manage its or its funds’ exposure to these conditions. In the event of a market downturn, including from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine or between Hamas and Israel, and recent and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits or lending commitments due to bank failures, each of Horizon Kinetics’ businesses and funds will be affected in different ways.

Horizon Kinetics’ existing funds could be affected by the inability to find suitable investments to effectively deploy capital, which could adversely affect its ability to raise new funds and thus its assets under management, or by reduced opportunities to exit and realize value from their investments, which could adversely affect fees, both management and incentive, earned by Horizon Kinetics. In addition, during periods of adverse economic conditions, Horizon Kinetics and its funds could have difficulty accessing financial markets, which could make it more difficult or impossible to obtain funding and harm assets under management and operating results. Its profitability could also be adversely affected if it or the funds it manages are unable to scale back costs within a time frame or amount sufficient to match decreases in revenue relating to changes in market and economic conditions.

During periods of difficult market conditions or slowdowns in a particular sector, companies in which Horizon Kinetics’ funds invest could experience decreased revenues, financial losses, difficulty in obtaining access to financing and increased funding costs. During such periods, these companies could also have difficulty in expanding their businesses and operations and be unable to meet their debt service obligations or other expenses as they become due (including obligations to Horizon Kinetics’ funds), increasing the risk of default with respect to debt investments held by its funds. As a result, a general market downturn, or a specific market dislocation, could result in lower investment returns for its funds, which would adversely affect Horizon Kinetics’ revenues and results of operations. Poor performance of such funds could result in lower base management and/or incentive fees earned by its investment adviser subsidiary and/or their ability to pay distributions on any investments Horizon Kinetics may hold in such funds, each of which could materially and adversely affect its business and results of operations.

A number of Horizon Kinetics’ funds and separately-managed accounts (“SMAs”), hold significant investments in Texas Pacific Land Corporation (“TPL”). In many cases, such investments represent a material portion of the fund’s or SMA’s total assets. If TPL’s operating or market performance deteriorates for any reason, then Horizon Kinetics’ resulting advisory fees and reputation could be negatively impacted.

Murray Stahl is a member of the Board of Directors of Texas Pacific Land Corporation, a large holding in many funds and SMAs by Horizon Kinetics. In many cases, such investments represent a material portion of the SMA’s or fund’s assets. On December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, approximately 41% and 32% of Horizon Kinetics’ AUM consisted of common stock of TPL. This significant investment and corresponding lack of diversification disproportionately exposes Horizon Kinetics’ funds and SMAs to fluctuations in TPL’s stock price, which therefore affects Horizon Kinetics’ assets under management, and as a result, its fee income. In addition, Horizon Kinetics is itself invested in TPL. On December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, approximately $63.8 million and $30.1 million of Horizon Kinetics’ assets consisted of common stock of TPL.

Fluctuations in TPL’s stock price have historically been significant. As a result, Horizon Kinetics, its funds, and SMAs could realize significantly less than the value at which they purchased TPL if they were required to sell TPL to increase liquidity at a time when its stock price is low.

Furthermore, as a director of TPL, and Chairman, CEO and Chief Investment Strategist of Horizon Kinetics, Murray Stahl may face conflicts of interest. Mr. Stahl has fiduciary and other obligations to both TPL and Horizon Kinetics and/or their clients, and may come into possession of information (including confidential or material non-public information regarding TPL), that could give rise to a potentially conflicting division of loyalties and/or responsibilities, which could have an adverse effect on the funds and accounts managed by Horizon Kinetics and could benefit Mr. Stahl, Horizon Kinetics and/or TPL. In addition, Mr. Stahl has substantial personal investments in TPL stock – either directly through personal investment accounts or indirectly through products and accounts managed by Horizon Kinetics. Furthermore, Horizon Kinetics’ personnel in addition to Mr. Stahl, including personnel who are or may be involved in the management of advisory accounts managed by Horizon Kinetics, have personal investments in TPL stock, and these personal investments present potential or actual conflicts of interest. For example, directors in a public company are usually expected not to exit their investment position in the public company during their time of service on the board, which could restrict Mr. Stahl’s ability to sell a significant number of TPL shares when doing so would be advantageous to Horizon Kinetics or its accounts or funds.

Horizon Kinetics and its employees may invest in other companies or funds in which its clients also invest, which may create a conflict of interest. Conflicts of interests are also present when Horizon Kinetics receives performance fees.

Horizon Kinetics and its employees may invest in companies or funds in which its clients also invest, either directly or indirectly. For example, officers, directors and employees of Horizon Kinetics may hold substantial interests in securities of TPL in their personal accounts, as described in the immediately preceding risk factor. In addition, certain Horizon Kinetics employees from time to time serve as members of management or the board of directors of companies in which Horizon Kinetics invests, which may create conflicts of interest.

While Horizon Kinetics seeks to address potential conflicts of interest through the adoption of various policies and procedures, which include both electronic and physical safeguards, it can offer no assurances that such policies and procedures will completely neutralize or mitigate any such conflicts. Horizon Kinetics’ failure to either properly disclose or mitigate these conflicts could lead to regulatory and investor scrutiny.

Furthermore, some of Horizon Kinetics’ funds and products receive a performance fee or carried interest, a portion of which may be paid to employees and third-party marketing firms. Performance fee arrangements may create an incentive for Horizon Kinetics to make more speculative investments, or otherwise refrain from taking certain actions that might otherwise be taken in the absence of a performance fee arrangement. Any failure to properly address actual or potential conflicts of interest resulting from an entitlement to receive performance-based fees could have a material adverse effect on Horizon Kinetics’ reputation, and ultimately its business.

Horizon Kinetics, and the funds and SMAs managed by its subsidiary, are exposed to risks relating to cryptocurrencies and related investments, either directly or through cryptocurrency-linked ETFs.

Horizon Kinetics has exposure to cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, through direct investments (approximately $13 million as of December 31, 2024), and indirectly through investment funds, including the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF and similar exchange-traded funds that offer exposure to bitcoin. In addition, the funds and SMAs managed have exposure to other cryptocurrencies, with approximately [15%] and 10% of AUM as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, consisting of total cryptocurrency investments, which can significantly affect adviser fees and assets under management.

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets designed to act as a medium of exchange and do not represent legal tender. Cryptocurrencies generally operate without central authority or banks and are not backed by any government. Cryptocurrencies are susceptible to theft, loss, destruction and fraud. Cryptocurrencies are an emerging asset class, and regulation in the United States is still developing, including with respect to market integrity, anti-fraud, anti-manipulation, cybersecurity, surveillance and anti-money laundering. Federal, state and/or foreign governments may restrict the use and exchange of cryptocurrencies.

The value of Bitcoins is determined by the supply of and demand for Bitcoins in the global market, which consists of transactions on electronic Bitcoin exchanges. Pricing on Bitcoin exchanges and other venues can be volatile and can adversely affect the value of Bitcoin. Currently, there is relatively small use of Bitcoins in the retail and commercial marketplace in comparison to the relatively large use of Bitcoins by speculators, thus contributing to price volatility that could adversely affect a portfolio’s direct or indirect investments in Bitcoin. Bitcoin transactions are irrevocable, and stolen or incorrectly transferred Bitcoins may be irretrievable. As a result, any incorrectly executed Bitcoin transactions could adversely affect the value of a portfolio’s direct or indirect investment in Bitcoin.

Even when held indirectly, investment vehicles linked to cryptocurrencies, such as Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF, may be affected by the high volatility associated with cryptocurrency exposure. Holding a privately offered investment vehicle in its portfolio may cause a cryptocurrency ETF to trade at a discount to its net asset value. If cryptocurrency markets continue to be subject to sharp fluctuations, related ETFs, such as the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust ETF, may be adversely affected. In addition, the share prices of cryptocurrency ETFs and other similar investment vehicles that are not listed on a national securities exchange may be more volatile than listed securities because there is generally less liquidity in these securities and there may be less publicly available information about them or their issuers.

Cryptocurrency exchanges and other trading venues on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and, in most cases, largely unregulated and may therefore be more exposed to fraud and failure than established, regulated exchanges for securities, derivatives and other currencies. Cryptocurrency exchanges may stop operating or permanently shut down due to fraud, technical glitches, hackers or malware, which may also affect the prices of cryptocurrencies. Events that negatively affect cryptocurrencies may negatively affect the performance of Horizon Kinetics’ funds or SMAs that directly or indirectly invest in cryptocurrencies.

Horizon Kinetics’ success depends highly on its senior executives, and the loss of their services could have a material adverse effect on its business, results and financial condition.

Horizon Kinetics depends on the efforts, skill, reputations and business contacts of its senior executives, including its founders, Murray Stahl, Steven Bregman and Peter Doyle, and other key executive officers. Accordingly, its success will depend on the continued service of these individuals, who are not party to employment agreements and are not obligated to remain employed with the combined company after the Merger (as defined herein). The loss of the services of any of these senior executives could have a material adverse effect on Horizon Kinetics’ revenues, net income and cash flows and could harm its ability to maintain or grow assets under management or raise additional funds in the future.

Horizon Kinetics’ senior executives possess substantial experience and expertise and have strong business relationships with investors in its funds and other members of the business community. As a result, the loss of these personnel could jeopardize Horizon Kinetics’ relationships with investors in its funds, its clients and members of the business community and result in the reduction of assets under management or fewer investment opportunities for its funds.

Poor performance of Horizon Kinetics’ funds would cause a decline in its revenue, income and cash flow and could adversely affect its ability to raise capital for future funds.

Horizon Kinetics earns investment advisory fees based on a percentage of the value of its assets, and in certain instances, based on a percentage of the appreciation of the account, if any. When its funds or separately-managed accounts perform poorly, whether as a result of changes in equity market prices, interest rates, cryptocurrency prices, or other assets, or in response to geopolitical conditions, including wars and actions taken by central banks, both domestic and foreign, Horizon Kinetics’ revenue, net income and cash flow declines because the value of its assets under management decreases, which results in a reduction in management and incentive fees, if any.

Moreover, Horizon Kinetics could experience losses on investments of its own capital (as a result of any ownership from time to time of shares in its proprietary funds) as a result of poor investment performance by such funds.

Poor performance of Horizon Kinetics’ funds could make it more difficult for it to raise new capital, as investors might decline to invest in future funds or sell the shares they already own in the funds. Investors and potential investors in Horizon Kinetics’ funds continually assess its funds’ performance, and its ability to raise capital for existing and future funds will depend on its funds’ continued satisfactory performance.

Horizon Kinetics’ investment philosophy makes a rebalancing of portfolios unlikely, which could result in concentrated positions, adversely impacting Horizon Kinetics’ business and reputation if those positions decline.

Horizon Kinetics seeks to manage market risk exposures through diversification and hedges where applicable; however, as part of its investment philosophy, it does not generally rebalance portfolios. As a result, portfolios may experience concentrated positions through appreciation. Such concentrations could adversely impact Horizon Kinetics’ business and reputation if those positions were to suffer declines, even if temporary.

The asset management business is intensely competitive.

The asset management business is intensely competitive, with competition based on a variety of factors, including investment performance, the quality of service provided to clients, brand recognition and business reputation. Horizon Kinetics’ asset management business competes with other investment managers, wealth managers, index providers and corresponding funds, commercial banks and other financial institutions, and other parties. A number of factors serve to increase its competitive risks:

Horizon Kinetics’ funds may lose investment opportunities in the future if they do not match investment prices, structures and terms offered by competitors. Alternatively, Horizon Kinetics may experience decreased rates of return and increased risks of loss if its funds match investment prices, structures and terms offered by competitors. In addition, if interest rates were to continue to rise or there were to be a prolonged bull market in equities not within the universe of Horizon Kinetics funds and SMAs, the attractiveness of Horizon Kinetics’ funds and SMAs relative to investments in other investment products could decrease. This competitive pressure could adversely affect its funds’ ability to make successful investments and limit Horizon Kinetics’ ability to raise future funds, either of which would adversely impact its ability to increase its assets under management and its business, revenue, results of operations and cash flow.

In addition, certain passive products and asset classes, such as index funds and certain types of exchange- traded funds, many of which have lower fee structures, have become increasingly popular with investors. In order to continue to grow its assets under management, Horizon Kinetics must provide investment products and services that are viewed as appropriate in relation to the fees charged, which may require it to demonstrate that its strategies can outperform such passive products. If investors view Horizon Kinetics’ fees as high relative to the market or the returns provided on its funds, it may choose to reduce its fee levels in order to attract additional investors and grow assets under management.

Finally, developments in financial technology, such as blockchain, have the potential to disrupt the financial industry and change the way in which asset managers like Horizon Kinetics do business. If Horizon Kinetics does not adapt to these changes at the same pace as its competitors, its revenue, results of operations and cash flow may suffer.

Operational Risks

Horizon Kinetics has and will continue to incur significant increased expenses and administrative burdens as a public company, which could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

The recently merged company faces increased legal, accounting, administrative and other costs and expenses as a public company that Horizon Kinetics did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the requirements of Section 404, as well as rules and regulations subsequently implemented by the SEC, the Dodd-Frank Act and the rules and regulations promulgated and to be promulgated thereunder, the PCAOB and the securities exchanges, impose additional reporting and other obligations on public companies. Compliance with public company requirements will increase costs and make certain activities more time-consuming. A number of those requirements require the combined company to carry out activities that Horizon Kinetics had not done previously. If the combined company experiences any issues in complying with these requirements, it could incur additional costs rectifying those issues, and the existence of those issues could adversely affect its reputation or investor perceptions of it. It may also be more expensive to obtain director and officer liability insurance. Risks associated with its status as a public company may also make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on the Board of Directors or as executive officers. The additional reporting and other obligations imposed by these rules and regulations have already increased Horizon Kinetics’ legal and financial compliance costs and the costs of related legal, accounting and administrative activities. These increased costs will require the Company to divert a significant amount of money that could otherwise be used to expand the business and achieve strategic objectives. Advocacy efforts by stockholders and third parties may also prompt additional changes in governance and reporting requirements, which could further increase costs.

The capital markets are currently in a period of disruption and economic uncertainty. Such market conditions have materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets, which have had, and may continue to have, a negative impact on Horizon Kinetics’ business and operations.

The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme disruption in recent years. Such disruptions have been evidenced by volatility in global stock markets as a result of uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the fluctuating price of commodities such as oil, Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and recent and potential future disruptions in access to bank deposits or lending commitments due to bank failures. These events have contributed to worsening general economic conditions that are materially and adversely impacting broader financial and credit markets and reducing the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole. These conditions could continue for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future.

Significant changes or volatility in the capital markets may negatively affect the valuations of Horizon Kinetics or its funds’ or SMA’s investments. Valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, fluctuate over short periods of time and are often based on estimates, comparisons and qualitative evaluations of private information that may not reflect the full impact of public health emergencies, geopolitical unrest and measures taken in response thereto.

Additionally, the recent disruption in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and recent disruptions in access to bank deposits or lending commitments due to bank failures has had, and may continue to have, a negative effect on the potential for liquidity events involving Horizon Kinetics or the investments of its funds or SMAs. An inability to raise incremental capital could have a material adverse effect on Horizon Kinetics’ business, results of operations and financial condition.

Further, current market conditions may make it difficult to raise equity capital, extend the maturity of or refinance its existing indebtedness or obtain new indebtedness with similar terms and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on Horizon Kinetics’ business. The debt capital available to Horizon Kinetics in the future, if available at all, may bear a higher interest rate and may be available only on terms and conditions less favorable than those of its existing debt and such debt may need to be incurred in a rising interest rate environment. Any inability to extend the maturity of or refinance existing debt, or to obtain new debt, could have a material adverse effect on Horizon Kinetics’ business, financial condition or results of operations.

Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect Horizon Kinetics’ business by causing a disruption to our operations, or the operations of our funds or the businesses in which they invest, compromise or corrupt of confidential information and/or damage to our business relationships, all of which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results.

Maintaining our network security is of critical importance because our systems store highly confidential information about our funds and information about our funds’ portfolio assets. Although we have implemented, and will continue to implement, security measures, our technology platform may be vulnerable to intrusion, computer viruses or similar disruptive problems caused by cyber-attacks. A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources or those of our funds or their portfolio companies. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks

posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided to us by third-party service providers. We have implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber incident, do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur and/or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident. In addition, any such incident, disruption or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, and regulatory penalties, disrupt our operations, and damage our reputation, resulting in a loss of confidence in our services, which could adversely affect our business.

We are dependent on information systems, and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business.

Horizon Kinetics’ business is dependent on our and third parties’ communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of those systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:

These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect our business.

Financial and Economic Risks

Unfavorable and uncertain economic conditions could adversely affect the profitability of our consumer products.

Unfavorable and uncertain economic conditions in the past have adversely affected, and in the future may adversely affect, consumer demand for some of our consumer products, resulting in reduced sales volume and a decrease in our overall profitability. Factors that can affect consumer demand for our products include inflation, slower growth or recession, rates of unemployment, consumer confidence, tighter credit, higher interest rates, health care costs, fuel and other energy costs and other economic factors affecting consumer spending behavior.

Our consumer products are subject to transportation costs, both in delivery to us at our production facility as well as shipments to our customers. As a result, we are exposed to volatility in the freight industry that could affect our costs, including changes in regulations and labor costs. Any increases in transportation costs could adversely affect our profitability if we are not able to pass those costs on to our customers.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and, as a result, investors could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could adversely affect our business and the value of our shares.

We are required to include in our annual reports filed with the SEC a report from our management regarding internal control over financial reporting. As a result, we documented and evaluated our internal control over financial reporting in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and SEC rules and regulations, which require an annual management report on our internal control over financial reporting, including, among other matters, management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Failure or circumvention of our system of internal control could have an adverse effect on our business, profitability, and financial condition, and could result in regulatory actions and loss of investor confidence. Additionally, if we fail to identify and correct any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or fail to prevent fraud, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, and the value of our shares.

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.

Based on management’s assessment, we have identified material weaknesses in our controls related to (a) producing timely account reconciliations and valuations of certain significant accounts, including certain intercompany and related party accounts and related elimination entries, (b) a lack of segregation of duties in certain areas of the financial reporting process, including a lack of adequate supervisory review of technical accounting implementations, conclusions over critical accounting estimates, and review of the consolidated financial statements, and (c) insufficient supervisory review and approval of key controls over disbursements and accounts payable.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

As of December 31, 2024, these material weaknesses had not been remediated. If our remedial measures are insufficient, or if additional material weakness or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or in our disclosure controls occur in the future, our future consolidated financial statements or other information filed with the SEC may contain material misstatements and could require a restatement of our consolidated financial statements, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, leading to a decline in the market value of our securities.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

Changes in the regulation of our products, including environmental regulations, could have an adverse effect on the distribution, cost or function of our consumer products.

Generally, the manufacture, processing, formulation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, advertising and sale of the Company’s products and the conduct of its business operations must comply with extensive federal, state and foreign laws and regulations. For example, in the U.S., many of the Company’s products are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration (including applicable current good manufacturing practice regulations) and/or the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Company’s product claims and advertising are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, among other regulatory agencies. Additionally, the Company’s and its suppliers’ manufacturing and distribution operations are also subject to regulation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Most states have agencies that regulate in parallel to these federal agencies. Additionally, the Company could be subject to future inquiries or investigations by governmental and other regulatory bodies. Any determination that the Company’s operations or activities are not in compliance with applicable law could expose the Company to future impairment charges or significant fines, penalties or other sanctions that may result in a reduction in net income or otherwise adversely impact the business and reputation of the Company.
 

Any adverse developments in litigation could have a material impact on us.

We are subject to lawsuits from time to time in the ordinary course of business. While we expect those lawsuits not to have a material effect on us, an adverse development in any such lawsuit or the insurance coverage for a lawsuit could materially and adversely affect our operating results.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

Horizon Kinetics leases offices in New York, NY, White Plains, NY, Summit, NJ, and Charlotte, NC.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

From time to time, Horizon Kinetics may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. Horizon Kinetics is not currently a party to any litigation.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

PART II

(in thousands, except per share data)

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Market Information

Our $0.10 par value common stock is traded on the OTC Pink Market tier of the OTC Markets (an electronic inter-dealer quotation system). Prior to the completion of our merger, the Company’s common stock traded under the ticker symbol “SLGD.” On August 5, 2024, the Company announced the completion of the reverse stock split (1-for-20) of its common stock (“Reverse Stock Split”), which began trading under the temporary ticker symbol “SLGDD.” On September 5, 2024, the Company’s common stock began trading under the ticker symbol “HKHC.”

Over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. The high and low prices of our common stock as traded on the OTC Pink Market tier of the OTC Markets were as follows, as adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split:

Shareholders of Record

As of February 28, 2025, based on inquiry, we had approximately 117 shareholders of record.

Dividends

On November 5, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.053 per share, paid on December 16, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 25, 2024.

On March 3, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.107 per share, payable on March 28, 2025, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 17, 2025.

We anticipate paying additional dividends in the foreseeable future.

ITEM 6. RESERVED.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements of HKHC and the related notes included elsewhere in this current report. The historical consolidated financial data discussed below reflect its historical results of operations and financial position. The following discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those included in the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained elsewhere in this current report describing key risks associated with the business, operations and industry of HKHC. Amounts and percentages presented throughout this section may reflect rounding adjustments and consequently totals may not appear to sum. The items discussed below have had significant effects on many items within HKHC’s consolidated financial statements and affect the comparison of the current period’s activity with those of prior periods.

Overview

Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation (“HKHC” or “the Company”) is a research driven, fundamentals-oriented asset manager serving institutions, individuals and financial professionals. It provides investment management services through its wholly-owned subsidiary and registered investment adviser, Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC. Through this subsidiary, it manages a number of strategies, most of which are focused on publicly-traded equity securities, but also private investments and digital assets. To accommodate different investing preferences, HKHC’s offerings can be accessed in a variety of ways, including through mutual funds, ETFs, a closed end fund, separately managed accounts that can be customized to the unique investment objectives and risk tolerances of individual clients, and, for qualified investors, via private proprietary partnerships typically known as alternative investments. HKHC raises capital for and manages these strategies, and it earns a management fee that varies among products. In certain instances, the fee it earns is tied to the performance of the account. HKHC also produces a number of research reports and compendia that are sold mainly to institutions, as it believes that the discipline required to produce written research encourages thorough qualitative and quantitative analysis.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had regulatory assets under management ("AUM") of $9.8 billion.

HKHC also manages a portfolio of investment securities for its own benefit, which has historically impacted and is expected to impact future results of operations, often significantly so. As of December 31, 2024, we held investment securities (at fair value) of $91.4 million. In addition, we have devoted capital to a variety of the proprietary alternative investment funds it manages. As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of HKHC shareholders’ investment in these proprietary funds is $228.9 million, however, since the proprietary funds are consolidated within these consolidated financial statements this value is not separately presented.

Our financial results may vary due to market conditions and fluctuations in our assets under management that may not necessarily be the result of our long-term investment performance or the long-term demand for our investment services. We believe over long term investment horizons, our investment results will be the primary factor that will generate growth and our financial results.

In addition to investment management and research activities, HKHC operates two wholly-owned, limited purpose broker-dealers, KBD Securities LLC and Kinetics Funds Distributor LLC, both of which are only used for the marketing and promotion of our investment products. We pay a portion of the fees earned to these and other third-party firms who assist in marketing.

Along with investing on behalf of clients, HKHC also uses its own capital to invest along with its clients in many of its proprietary products and makes direct investments in public and private instruments including digital assets. Certain employees do, from time to time, serve as management or as a member of the board of directors of the companies in which we invest.

Primary Sources of Revenue

Management or advisory fees are our primary source of revenue, most of which are based on a specified percentage of clients’ average assets under management. A majority of our expenses, including most of our compensation expense, vary directly with changes in our revenues.

The management fees for separately managed accounts are generally calculated on the basis of a percentage of the value of each client’s assets (assets under management) and are charged using either an average daily balance or monthly or quarterly ending balance, and either in arrears or advance.

The Company also earns management fees in its mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds and proprietary partnerships as compensation for internal fund management and advisory services. The management fees for the proprietary funds vary by fund and investment strategy and are typically approximately between 0.25% and 2.00% of the net asset value of the funds’ underlying investments.

The Company is also entitled to receive incentive fees on proprietary partnerships if certain performance returns have been achieved as stipulated in the governing documents of the applicable fund. Incentive fees are generated when certain returns exceed a previously established high water mark. The incentive fees are calculated as a percentage of the gains experienced, typically 20%, based on the agreement with each partner in the respective fund. Incentive fees are not subject to claw back as a result of performance declines in subsequent periods to the most recent measurement date. Incentive fees, if earned, are recognized upon completion of the contractually determined measurement period, which are generally annually, or when a client redeems their interest. Incentive fees are subject to the uncertainty of market volatility, and as a result, the entire amount of the variable consideration related to incentive fees is constrained until the end of each measurement period when the uncertainty has been resolved. Management and incentive fees earned from consolidated investment products are eliminated from revenue upon consolidation, however the economic benefit to the HKHC shareholders’ is retained through lower amounts attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests. Unearned incentive fees resulting from the performance of the Company’s proprietary funds for the year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately $1.9 million.

A small number of clients with certain separately managed accounts may pay incentive fees in addition to or in lieu of management fees, if their portfolio achieves positive investment returns, in certain cases, in excess of an agreed benchmark or hurdle rate. Typically, such fees are paid annually upon crystallization or when a client closes their investment and are not accrued prior to being earned. These unearned performance fees are subject to change based on market prices and generally expected to be resolved during the fourth quarter of 2024 once it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur.

As a result of our merger transaction in August 2024, the Company also earned revenues of $1.4 million from sales of consumer products during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Business Highlights in 2024

Total revenue

Assets under management

Investment performance

Results of Operations

Revenues

Management and advisory fees

The Company’s total management and advisory fees increased approximately $8.6 million, or 18%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the prior year. The increase is due to higher management fees in mutual funds of $5.0 million, or 24%, and separately managed accounts of $3.2 million, or 18%, due to higher AUM throughout the year. These increases were partially offset by a decline of $2.1 million during 2024 related to the INFL ETF.

Other income and fees

Other income and fees during the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily includes revenue from product sales resulting from the acquisition of Scott’s Liquid Gold. The current year included five months of revenue from these product sales, which accounted for $1.4 million increase during 2024. Other income and fees also include revenues resulting from the Company’s research services and digital asset mining activities, which declined during the year.

Operating Expenses

Compensation, employee benefits, and cost of goods sold

The Company’s operating expenses include employee compensation for investment professionals and other management personnel as well as cost of goods sold for consumer products acquired in the merger with SLGD. HKHC’s compensation costs for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by approximately $11.7 million, or 44%, compared to the prior year, due to higher internal commissions and higher bonus pool resulting from the Company’s incentive fee results. The increase also reflects the result of additional personnel in certain departments and $1.0 million for cost of products sold by SLGD for the five months post-acquisition period.

Sales, distribution and marketing expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2024, sales, distribution and marketing expenses increased $9.3 million, or 91%, compared to the prior year, as the result of increases of approximately $5.9 million resulting from various commissions payable on the higher incentive fees earned by HKHC during the year. There was also an increase of $1.8 million due to FRMO pursuant to its revenue sharing agreement with HKHC. The Company also experienced higher platform fees and other management fee commissions earned due to generally increasing AUM and management fees during the quarter, and fulfillment costs associated with sales of consumer products. The year ended December 31, 2024 also includes $0.4 million of selling expenses related to the SLGD segment resulting from the August 2024 acquisition.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization increased 5% for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the prior year due to additional amortization expense of intangible assets from the Merger with SLGD.

General and administrative expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2024, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.9 million, or 22%, compared to the prior year. The Company experienced certain higher accounting, professional, and legal fees during the year in preparation for and as a result of the Merger with SLGD. The Company also began incurring Director fee costs during the third quarter and included five months of SLGD’s general and administrative expenses subsequent to the Merger date of $0.3 million.

Equity earnings, net

Equity earnings, net increased by $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the prior year. The increase was due primarily to increases in the fair value of holdings at Horizon Kinetics Hard Assets, LLC as compared to the prior year that had declines in fair value.

Interest and dividend income

Interest and dividend income increased by $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the prior year due primarily to a special dividend received during the third quarter from TPL.

Unrealized gains on digital assets, net

Unrealized income on digital assets, net was $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to increases in the fair value of Bitcoin during 2024 of approximately 121%. During the year ended December 31, 2023, digital assets unrealized gains on digital assets were not recorded pursuant to the accounting standard in effect at the time.

Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net

For the year ended December 31, 2024, unrealized gains (losses) on investments were $41.3 million as compared to a loss of $15.4 million in the prior year, an increase of by $56.7 million. The unrealized gains in 2024 were primarily due to unrealized gains on TPL stock, which increased 111% during the year as compared to a 37% decrease in the prior year.

Income tax benefit (expense)

On July 1, 2024, the Company filed to convert from an LLC to a C-Corp for federal and state income taxes. As a result, the Company recognized a deferred income tax expense of $59.7 million related to the tax basis differences for certain assets, principally unrealized gains in various investments, digital assets and indefinite lived intangible assets. Due primarily to additional unrealized gains from investment securities and digital assets during the remainder to the 2024 year, the Company recorded an additional $44.3 million additional deferred tax expense.

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests in Consolidated Investment Products represents the income attributable to ownership interests that third parties hold in entities that are consolidated within our consolidated financial statements. During 2024 the amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests increased correspondingly to the performance of our proprietary funds, but also includes a reduction with respect to incentive fees earned by Horizon Kinetics as the advisor to the funds.

Consolidated Investment Products

Consolidated Investment Products represented a significant portion of our AUM as of December 31, 2024 but a larger portion, approximately 98%, of our incentive fees for the year ended December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, we consolidated 14 private funds. The activity of the consolidated investment products is reflected within the consolidated financial statement line items indicated by reference thereto. The impact of consolidation also typically will decrease management fees and incentive fees reported under GAAP to the extent these amounts are eliminated upon consolidation. The assets and liabilities of our Consolidated Investment Products are held within separate legal entities and, as a result, the liabilities of our consolidated investment products are typically non-recourse to us. Generally, the consolidation of our consolidated investment products has a significant gross-up effect on our assets, liabilities and cash flows but has no net effect on the net income attributable to us or our stockholders’ equity.
 

The following table presents the results of operations of the consolidated investment products:

The results of operations of the consolidated investment products primarily represent activities from certain funds that we are deemed to control. When a fund is consolidated, we reflect the revenues and expenses of the entity on a gross basis, subject to eliminations from consolidation. Substantially all of our results of operations related to the consolidated investment products are attributable to ownership interests that third parties hold in those funds. The consolidated investment products may not necessarily be the same funds in each year presented due to changes in ownership, changes in limited partners’ rights, and the creation or termination of funds and entities. Accordingly, such amounts may not be comparable for the periods presented, and in any event have no material impact on net income attributable to Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation.

Segment Analysis

For segment reporting purposes, revenues and expenses are presented before giving effect to the results of our consolidated investment products and the results attributable to non-controlling interests that we consolidate. As a result, segment revenues from management fees, incentive fees and investment income are different than those presented on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Revenues recognized from consolidated investment products are eliminated in consolidation and those attributable to the non-controlling interests of joint ventures have been excluded by us. Furthermore, expenses and the effects of other income (expense) are different than related amounts presented on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP due to the exclusion of the results of consolidated investment products and the non-controlling interests.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2024, the Company had $14.4 million of cash and cash equivalents. We believe that our cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2024 will be sufficient to fund operations for at least one year from the date of this report.

The Company also had $91.4 million of investments, at fair value. These investments include $63.8 million held in a single security, approximately 57,696 shares of TPL. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the fair value of HKHC’s TPL holdings increased due to the capital contribution on July 1 that included shares of TPL and due to the approximately 111% annual increase in the fair value of TPL common shares. The Company may be limited in its ability to sell this security due to the possibility of being deemed an affiliate of TPL.

In the normal course of business, we may engage in off-balance sheet arrangements, including transactions in derivatives, guarantees, commitments, indemnifications, and potential contingent repayment obligations. We do not have any off-financial position arrangements that would require us to fund losses or guarantee target returns to clients.

The Company’s Board of Directors has determined an expected quarterly dividend policy that is based on the Company’s quarterly performance. The Board of Director’s may consider other relevant factors that are relevant to the final determination of a quarterly dividend, if any. On March 3, 2025, the Company's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.107 per share, payable on March 28, 2025 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 17, 2025.

In the normal course of business, we expect to pay dividends to common stockholders that are aligned with a portion of our quarterly operating earnings after an allocation of current income taxes payable. We estimate the taxes by multiplying the statutory tax rate currently in effect by our realized performance. If cash flows from operations were insufficient to fund a calculated dividend, we would suspend or reduce such dividend. In addition, there is no assurance that dividends would continue at the current levels or at all.

The following table and discussion summarize our consolidated statement of cash flows:

Operating cash flows

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily the result of earnings, net of working capital changes during the period. The net income (loss) for each of the annual periods were largely offset by non-cash adjustments related to deferred income tax expense related to the Company’s conversion from an LLC to a C-Corp, equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, and net unrealized gains (losses) on investments or digital assets.

Investing cash flows

Net cash provided by investment activities increased by $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the prior year. The increase was primarily the result of $2.8 million cash acquired from SLGD and offset by lower levels of investment purchases and lower proceeds from the sale of certain investments compared to the prior year.

Financing cash flows

Net cash used in financing activities increased $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company received $2.7 million in 2024 as a result of a cash contributions from affiliates, which was more than offset by $4.1 million of distributions paid to the Members of Horizon Kinetics LLC prior to the Merger, $2.7 million of dividends paid to shareholders of Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation, and net redemptions from our proprietary funds. During 2023, the Company paid $9.6 million of distributions to the Members of Horizon Kinetics LLC. The Company ceased payment of distributions subsequent to the closing of the Merger.

Contractual Cash Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments

The Company’s contractual cash obligations and other commercial commitments is limited to certain operating leases for office space as summarized below:

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP is based on the selection and application of accounting policies that require us to make significant estimates and assumptions that in certain circumstances affect amounts reported in the audited consolidated financial statements. In preparing these financial statements, our estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, information from third-party valuation professionals and various other assumptions, giving due consideration to materiality. We consider the accounting estimates discussed below to be critical to the understanding of our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from our estimates and assumptions, and any such difference could be material to our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition

Horizon Kinetics recognizes revenues when its obligations related to the services are satisfied and it is probable that a significant reversal of the revenue amount would not occur in future periods. Horizon Kinetics enters into contracts that can include multiple services, which are accounted for separately if they are determined to be distinct. Management’s judgment is required in assessing the probability of significant revenue reversal and in identification of distinct services.

Horizon Kinetics derives a substantial portion of its revenue from investment advisory fees which are recognized as the services are performed over time because the customer is receiving and consuming the benefits as they are provided by Horizon Kinetics. Fees are primarily based on agreed-upon percentages of AUM and recognized for services provided during the period, which are distinct from services provided in other periods. Such fees are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation and net inflows or outflows. AUM represents the broad range of financial assets Horizon Kinetics manages for clients on a discretionary basis pursuant to investment management and trust agreements that are expected to continue for at least 12 months. In general, reported AUM reflects the valuation methodology that corresponds to the basis used for determining revenue (for example, net asset values).

Horizon Kinetics receives investment advisory fees, including incentive allocations from certain actively managed investment funds and certain SMAs. These incentive fees are dependent upon exceeding investment return thresholds, which may vary by product or account, and could include varying measurement periods.

Incentive fees are generated on certain management contracts when performance hurdles are achieved, such as returns exceed a previously established high water mark. Such incentive fees are recognized when the contractual performance criteria have been met and when it is determined that they are no longer probable of significant reversal. Given the unique nature of each fee arrangement, contracts with customers are evaluated on an individual basis to determine the timing of revenue recognition. Significant judgment is involved in making such determination. Incentive fees typically arise from investment management services that began in prior reporting periods. Consequently, a portion of the fees recognized may be partially related to the services performed in prior periods that meet the recognition criteria in the current period. At each reporting date, the Company considers various factors in estimating incentive fees to be recognized. These factors include but are not limited to whether: (1) the amounts are dependent on the financial markets and, thus, are highly susceptible to factors outside Horizon Kinetics’ influence; (2) the ultimate payments have a large number and a broad range of possible amounts; and (3) the funds or SMAs have the ability to (a) invest or reinvest their sales proceeds or (b) distribute their sales proceeds, and determine the timing of such distributions.

Principles of Consolidation

In addition to its wholly-owned subsidiaries, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires that the assets, liabilities and results of operations of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) be consolidated into the financial statements of the enterprise that has a controlling interest in the VIE. The determination as to whether an entity qualifies as a VIE depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding each entity, and therefore certain of the investment vehicles managed by Horizon Kinetics may qualify as VIEs under the variable interest model, whereas others may qualify as voting interest entities (“VOEs”) under the voting interest model.

The determination of whether to consolidate a VIE under US GAAP requires a significant amount of judgment concerning the degree of control over an entity by its holders of variable interests. To make these judgments, we conduct an analysis, on a case-by-case basis, of whether we are the primary beneficiary and are therefore required to consolidate an entity. We continually reconsider whether we should consolidate a VIE. Upon the occurrence of certain events, such as modifications to organizational documents and investment management agreements of our products, we will reconsider our conclusion regarding the status of an entity as a VIE. Our judgment when analyzing the status of an entity and whether we consolidate an entity could have a material impact on individual line items within our consolidated financial statements, as a change in our conclusion would have the effect of grossing up the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the entity being evaluated. In light of certain direct and indirect investments into our products, the likelihood of a reasonable change in our estimation and judgment could result in a change in our conclusions to consolidate or not consolidate any VIEs to which we have exposure.

Fair Value Measurement
 

GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework prioritizing the inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value into three levels based on their market observability. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of instrument and the characteristics specific to the instrument. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices from an active market or where fair value can be measured based on actively quoted prices generally have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment inherent in measuring fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified as follows:

•Level I—Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.

•Level II—Unadjusted quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in inactive markets; and model-derived valuations with directly or indirectly observable significant inputs. Level II inputs include prices in markets with few transactions, non-current prices, prices for which little public information exists or prices that vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers. Other inputs include interest rate, yield curve, volatility, prepayment risk, loss severity, credit risk and default rate.

•Level III—Valuations that rely on one or more significant unobservable inputs. These inputs reflect the Company’s assessment of the assumptions that market participants would use to value the instrument based on the best information available.

In some instances, an instrument may fall into multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level III being the lowest) that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument. See “Note 5. Fair Value,” within our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a summary of our valuation of investments and other financial instruments by fair value hierarchy levels.

Income Taxes

The Company is taxed as corporation for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. We use the liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes pursuant to GAAP. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the statutory tax rates expected to be applied in the periods in which those temporary differences are settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized during the year the change is enacted. A valuation allowance is recorded on our net deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized or when timing is unknown. When evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets, all evidence, both positive and negative, is evaluated. Items considered in this analysis include the ability to carry back losses, the reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies and expectations of future earnings.

Under GAAP, the amount of tax benefit to be recognized is the amount of benefit that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. We analyze our tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax jurisdictions where we are required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, we determine that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established. As of December 31, 2024, we have not identified any uncertain tax positions.

Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining tax expense and in evaluating tax positions, including evaluating uncertainties under GAAP.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

For information on recently issued accounting standards, see Note 1(p), “Recently Issued Accounting Standards,” to our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Our primary exposure to market risk is related to our role as general partner or investment adviser to our funds and the sensitivity to movements in the fair value of their investments, including the effect on management fees, incentive fees and investment income.

Market Risk. The market price of investments or digital assets may significantly fluctuate during the period of investment. Investments may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally or particular industries represented in the securities markets. The value of an investment may decline due to general market conditions, which are not specifically related to such investment, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. It may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.

Effect on Management Fees. Management fees are generally based on a defined percentage of fair value of assets under management we manage. Management fees are generally calculated based on the fair value of assets under management. The overall impact of a short-term change in market value may be mitigated by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the calculation being calculated based on average market value including daily, monthly or quarterly averages as well as monthly or quarterly payment terms.

Effect on Incentive Fees. We earn incentive fees from certain of our funds when such funds achieve specified performance criteria. Our incentive fees will be impacted by changes in market risk factors. As a result, the impact of changes in market risk factors on carried interest and incentive fees could vary widely from fund to fund. An overall increase of 10% in the general equity markets would not necessarily drive the same impact on our funds’ ability to generate income or its asset valuations, as a significant portion of our incentive fees are from concentrated portfolios of investments. Additionally, as a percentage of our incentive fees are paid to employees as performance related compensation, the overall net impact to our income would be partially mitigated by compensation payments.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

HORIZON KINETICS HOLDING CORPORATION

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

Horizon Kinetics Holding Corporation

Explanatory Paragraph – Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has restated its financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and for the year then ended to correct certain misstatements.

Basis for Opinion

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

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

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

Critical Audit Matters

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Fair Valuation of Level 3 Investments

As disclosed in Note 3. – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company measured certain investments aggregating $202.7 million using level 3 inputs (“Level 3 Investments”) during the year ended December 31, 2024.

We identified the fair valuation of these Level 3 Investments as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and assumptions made by management in the process. This involved a high degree of auditor judgment and extensive audit effort, as changes in the valuation techniques or significant unobservable inputs and assumptions could result in significant changes in fair value measurements.

Addressing this matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the financial statements. These procedures included, among others:

/s/ Marcum llp

Marcum llp

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2024.

Costa Mesa, California

March 31, 2025
 

HORIZON KINETICS HOLDING CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(in thousands, except par value amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

HORIZON KINETICS HOLDING CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)